Quick Menu – Getting to and around Tasmania
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By sea and air
Bass Strait is the sea-road to Tasmania. The route is operated by two superfast ships, Spirit of Tasmania I and II. These vessels offer an overnight service in both directions between Melbourne and Devonport seven days a week, year round, with additional services in peak periods.
For those travelling by air, Qantaslink, Virgin, Jetstar, Tiger and Regional Express operate frequent services to Tasmania. There are direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Launceston and Hobart, from Brisbane to Hobart, from Adelaide to Hobart, and from Melbourne to Devonport, Burnie and King Island.
Travelling by car
Self driving is recommended because it’s easy, and allows you the flexibility
to stop as many times as you like to explore on foot, up close and really
experience everything Tasmania has to offer.
When you glance at a map of Tasmania, distances seem short in comparison
to other Australian states. That’s true – you can drive from Hobart to Launceston
in two and a half hours, but in many parts of the Island roads are often winding,
with ascents and descents over hilly and mountainous regions. You should always
allow extra time for your journey, especially in mountainous areas such as the
west coast. Check local conditions on exposed and elevated roads, where frost,
ice and snow can occur.
There are excellent sealed highways to all parts of Tasmania – they're marked as ‘A’ roads on your map. ‘'B’ roads are also sealed, as are some of the network of smaller ‘C’ roads. Occasionally you may want to travel on an unsealed gravel ‘C’ road to reach a particular destination – for example, Cockle Creek in the far south, or the Western Explorer road in the far north-west. Take extra care on these roads, and be aware that some car hire contracts have special conditions in relation to unsealed roads. Tasmania’s network of highways allows you to travel around the Island discovering an ever-changing landscape.
Getting on the Huon Trail Touring Route
It's so easy – simply take the Southern outlet out of Hobart and you’re
on your way! Huonville in the heart of the Huon Valley is only 35 mins south
of Hobart but it’s a completely different world. Or take the Channel Highway
40 mins south to be in the lazy seaside town of Kettering.
The Huon Highway (A6) winds from Hobart to Southport through the Huon Valley.
This road is in excellent condition but can be narrow and winding especially
south of Geeveston. Further south this road becomes gravel and takes you to Cockle
Creek the furthest south it is possible to drive in all of Australia.
The Channel Highway (B68) takes you from Hobart to Huonville hugging the coastline
of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, one of Australia’s largest and most beautiful
waterways. This is also an excellent road and easy to navigate.
Watchout for Wildlife
Tasmania’s bushland is rich in wildlife, and even in rural areas there is an abundance of our native wildlife. Unfortunately, native animals have no road sense. Drive slowly and be very careful in the early morning, on dusk and at night, because most of our native animals are nocturnal.
Driving Times
[These driving times are intended as a quide only]
| Hobart to Huonville (A6) | 35mins |
| Hobart to Tahune Airwalk (A6/C631) | 90mins |
| Hobart to Dover (A6) | 75mins |
| Huonville to Geeveston (A6) | 20mins |
| Geeveston to Tahune Reserve (C631) | 35mins |
| Geeveston to Hartz Mt National Park (C631/2) | 40mins |
| Geeveston to Dover (A6) | 20mins |
| Dover to Cockle Creek (A6/C636) | 60mins |
| Hobart to Margate (via Taroona B68) | 25mins |
| Margate to Kettering (B68) | 15mins |
| Kettering to Verona Sands (B68) | 25mins |
| Verona Sands to Cygnet (B68) | 15mins |
| Oyster Cover to Cygnet (C626) | 20mins |
| Woodbridge to Cygnet (C627) | 20mins |
| Cygnet to Huonville (B68) | 15mins |
| Roberts Pt to Adventure Bay (B66/C630) | 45mins |
| Roberts Pt to Bruny Lighthouse (B66/C629) | 70mins |
Bruny Island Ferry Service
A vehicular Ferry operates from Kettering to Bruny Island, crossing in 15 minutes about 10 times a day. Travelling time from Hobart to the Kettering Ferry Terminal is about 40 minutes, the timetable is shown below, but departures may vary without notice. Time Table information is also available by calling 03 6273 6725
Depart Kettering
Monday - Saturday
AM: 6.35, 7.45, 9.30, 11.05
PM: 12.05, 1.45, 2.45, 3.45, 5.00, 6.30 (Fri only 7.30)
Sunday
AM: 7.45, 9.30, 11.05,
PM: 12.05, 1.45, 2.45, 3.45, 5.00, 6.30
Depart Bruny Island
Monday - Saturday
AM: 7.00, 8.25, 10.00, 11.35,
PM: 12.35, 2.15, 3.15, 4.30, 5.30, 7.00 (Fri only 7.50)
Sunday
AM: 8.25, 10.00, 11.35
PM: 12.35, 2.15, 3.15, 4.30, 5.30, 7.00
