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Piecing together an itinerary when you travel to Australia can be pretty challenging. There’s just so much to see and such vast distances in between. And things don’t get easier either if you choose to include beautiful Tasmania to your trip. Full of brilliant places to visit, the southern island state is an excellent addition to an Australia getaway. But first you have to work out how to get to Tasmania from mainland Australia.
Upon reading that last sentence, you might be wondering what’s the big deal? Is it really that tricky getting to Tasmania? There are flights aren’t there? And sure, there are flights to Tasmania, but things are more complex than that and flying isn’t even your only option. So, to help people plan their Tasmania holidays I thought I’d run through all the options for reaching the state. You might find a surprise or two.
Spirit of Tasmania
Perhaps the most famous means of travel to Tasmania is the iconic Spirit of Tasmania ferry. This car ferry journeys from Melbourne to Tasmania and back nearly daily, with the voyage lasting 11-12 hours depending on conditions. The standard schedule for the Spirit is an overnight ferry, although in high season during summer they often do day sails as well.
The main appeal of taking this ferry is that it allows travellers to bring their car, motorbike, motorhome and caravan with them on their trip. That way, you don’t need to arrange a rental car for your time on the island. Of course, you can also take it as a passenger, walking on and off at each port. Because of the long overnight journey, you can book accommodation on board, from shared cabins to deluxe ones.
Another aspect of the overnight ferry that people often like is that you can jump straight into sightseeing upon arrival. The ferry disembarks in the city of Devonport, where you can get breakfast and then drive off to see the many attractions in north west Tasmania.
Taking the ferry, the one big thing to watch out for though is the price. Fares can vary quite a bit depending on demand, particularly for day sails. I highly recommend keeping an eye out for Spirit of Tasmania deals to save money, as it can amount to huge savings when in a group.
Flying to Hobart
When it comes to flights to Tasmania, Hobart acts as the island’s main airport. Since it’s the capital and largest city in the state that really isn’t much of a surprise. And you’ll find plenty to see and do there, both in the city, as well as nearby in places like Port Arthur and Bruny Island. As such, many people see Hobart as the best starting point for a fly-drive Tasmania getaway.
The main flight routes with Hobart Airport are Melbourne and Sydney, with connections from Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar. But there are also the odd flights to/from Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, giving your itinerary some real flexibility. This really is the best and easiest way to fly into the state.
While described as an international airport, there haven’t been any international flights from here since 1998. However, there have been talks about resuming flights between Hobart and New Zealand.
Flying to Launceston
The next option for Tasmania fly-drive holidays is to travel to Launceston Airport. Found outside Launceston, the state’s second largest city, it’s a significantly smaller airport but still quite useful. As for the city of Launceston, it’s a far more low-key place than Hobart and not nearly as popular with tourists. That said, there are loads of places to visit near Launceston, making this a good starting point for a driving holiday around Tasmania.
I’ve gone through Launceston several times for my Melbourne to Tasmania flight and think it’s quite easy and comfortable. The natural downside to this smaller airport is that there are fewer flights and routes with the mainland. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are the three flight routes into Launceston Airport and while not frequent, are often quite affordable.
Basically, if you want to fly into or out of northern Tasmania, this is the option to look at. That’s especially true if you plan on starting in Hobart, ending in Launceston, and need to fly back from Tasmania to Melbourne.
Flying to Devonport
The final option you may not know of is Devonport Airport. Yes, this smaller city on the north coast where the Spirit of Tasmania docks also has its own regional airport. Devonport is quite a useful starting point in Tasmania as it’s relatively close to the famous Cradle Mountain. The city itself is even smaller and quieter than Launceston, but that really doesn’t matter.
What’s important to understand about Devonport Airport is that it’s a really small airport. The entire airport basically only opens for the two flights a day it receives from Melbourne. Those flights, operated by QantasLink, are with small Dash 8s which can be quite bumpy in the wrong weather. Because it’s such a minor route, expect flights to here to cost more than to Hobart and Launceston.
Why you might want to consider flying to Devonport is if you’re travelling in a group but get seasick. Rather than taking the ferry to Devonport and feeling awful, you could split from your group and vehicle, fly over and meet them when they pull into port. That way, you’re all together, have a vehicle and aren’t totally miserable.
Do you have any other questions about how to get to Tasmania? Do you prefer flying or travelling by boat given the opportunity? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
1 comment
I really appreciate your touching on how Hobart is going to be the main port for most people arriving in Tasmania. My brother is thinking about taking his kids there on holiday this year. He needs to plan ahead so they have a wonderful trip that will create lasting memories.