How to Get to Tasmania

Whether it’s by plane or by ferry, let me show you how to get to Tasmania and enjoy the road trip of a lifetime!

Wondering how to get to Tasmania?

Tasmania is an island separated from mainland Australia by the waters of Bass Strait, and this means there are two ways of getting to Tasmania:

Fly to Hobart, Launceston, or Burnie
Cruise on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong to Devonport

Which is the best way to get to Tasmania?

If you’re planning to pick up your rental car or campervan or motorhome on arrival, or if you’ve only got a few days in Hobart or Launceston, then flying to Tasmania is the best option.

But if you’re planning on bringing your own vehicle to Tasmania then your only option is to cruise across on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.

In this guide I provide an overview of both options, together with some tips and advice that will make the ferry crossing a breeze. There’s also a handy summary of what you can and can’t bring into Tasmania – don’t get caught out.

Quick Info – Tassie Road Trip Resources

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Fly to Tasmania

Cheap airfares are always popping up online these days, making a flight to Tasmania a great choice. It is also a lot quicker than taking the ferry.

Previously, it was only possible to fly to Tasmania via one of the mainland capital cities, but in 2022 it was very exciting to see direct flights commence between New Zealand and Tasmania during the high season.

In the next couple of sections I show you the cities and airlines currently providing direct flights to Hobart and Launceston airports – they change often though, and some are only available during peak season, so please check as other options may have emerged.

Hobart International Airport

Flying direct to Hobart International Airport – Tasmania’s largest airport – is possible from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Canberra and Auckland (New Zealand).

There are plenty of options throughout the week and you’re sure to find a flight time that suits your schedule, or connecting flight.

The flights in the table below are correct as of August 2026.

Airport website: Hobart Airport
Distance from Airport to Hobart CBD: 18 km
Driving Time from Hobart Airport to Hobart CBD: 20-30 minutes
Car Hire: Click here for Tasmanian car hire options

Read More: Best Places to Stay in Hobart

Launceston Airport

Flying directly to Launceston Airport is possible from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.

As with Hobart, there are plenty of options throughout the week.

Airport website: Launceston Airport
Distance from Launceston Airport to central Launceston: 15 km
Driving Time to central Launceston: 15-20 minutes
Car Hire: Click here for Tasmanian car hire options

Read More: Best Places to Stay in Launceston

Burnie Airport (Wynyard)

Burnie Airport is located on the outskirts of Wynyard – 20km from Burnie – and locals often refer to it as Wynyard Airport.

It is a small, regional airport with direct flights from Melbourne and King Island.

Airport website: Burnie Airport
Airlines: Qantas, Rex, and Sharp
Distance to Wynyard: 0.5 km
Driving Time to Wynyard: Less than 5 minutes
Car Hire: Click here for Tasmanian car hire options

Spirit of Tasmania Ferry

Taking your car, campervan, caravan or motorbike on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry between Geelong (Victoria) and Devonport (Tasmania) is a great option.

No luggage limitations, no need to deal with rental companies, and you can experience your Lap of Tasmania in a vehicle that you know and love. You can even bring your favourite furry friend!

Spirit of Tasmania departure information

The Spirit of Tasmania ferry crosses Bass Strait, sailing between Geelong (Victoria) and Devonport (Tasmania). Unfortunately the Spirit of Tasmania doesn’t leave from Sydney.

Departure days and times depend on the day of the week, and the time of year.

There are two types of journey – commonly called the Night Sail (leaving late in the day) and the Day Sail (leaving early in the morning).

Spirit of Tasmania Ferry – Sailing Options

From Geelong

The Night Sail is the most frequent and typically leaves at 6:45pm, with extra sailings during summer at 5:00pm or 10:00pm.

The Day Sail isn’t quite as frequent, typically leaving at 9:00am.

On some days – mainly during the off-peak winter season – there are days with no departures from Geelong.

From Devonport

Again, the Night Sail is the most frequent and typically leaves at 6:45pm.

The Day Sail isn’t quite as frequent, and is usually only available between September and April, typically leaving around 9:00am or 9:30am.

On some days – mainly during the off-peak winter season – there are days with no departures from Devonport.

The journey across Bass Strait takes between 9.5 and 11.5 hours, and there is plenty to keep you and the children occupied throughout.

Two cinemas, free TV streaming, live music, kids play area, and even a reading room if you need a bit of peace and quiet. Three bars offer you your first taste of Tasmania’s delicious beer, wine and spirits, and the Tasmanian Market Kitchen will keep you well fed. What more could you want?

Accommodation options are also plentiful, and one is bound to suit your budget and style of travel.

Click for Free Ferry Guide

Tasmania Border Quarantine

Tasmanian produce is the best in Australia, and one big reason for this is that as an island it is possible to prevent many of the insects, bugs, weeds and other nasties that are common on the mainland.

Biosecurity is a big thing when visiting Tasmania and your vehicle will be thoroughly inspected before you board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry – exterior, interior, under the bonnet, and inside any fridges in your campervan or caravan.

If you’re flying to Tasmania then there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted by the local Beagle Brigade at the airport on arrival.

A full list can be found in this government guide, but these are some of the most common prohibited items…

Fresh fruit and vegetables
Seeds
Potatoes
Fish (not all varieties)

If you’re taking the ferry, prohibited items are often thrown out by the inspectors in Geelong before boarding, so keep this in mind if you plan to take your own sandwiches or other meals onto the ferry.

I’ve also heard that they can sometimes be lenient, allowing you to dispose of them before docking in Devonport – but it’s not a guarantee.

Swim to Tasmania

It’s been done before, but yeah…nah…not such a good idea.

Next steps…

I hope you’ve found this summary helpful in understanding the different ways of getting to Tasmania, and the pros/cons of each.

When it comes to planning your Tassie road trip there are a few key steps to keep it simple and stress-free:

Decide the best time to visit with this guide
Choose your wheels – by rental car, campervan, motorhome or motorcycle
Use my FREE itineraries to plan your route and accommodation

Happy road tripping!

Andrew.

There are literally dozens of articles and guides here on the website to help plan your Tassie road trip – but it can take a long time to find the ones that are most relevant to you and your style of travel.

My eBooks pull everything together into one place, saving you hours of browsing and getting you on the road with my practical (and local!) tips and advice.

Tasmania’s remote location means there are internet ‘black spots’ across the island.

A paper map is the perfect backup, and I love the range from HEMA and Lonely Planet.

My HEMA maps are sourced through the wonderful team at Adventure Awaits, and they are providing Lappers with a generous 10% OFF when you use the links below, or the LAPOFTAS code on checkout!