How to get here
Flying in and hiring a car? Sailing on the Spirit of Tasmania? Using public transport? Any way you travel around Tasmania no town is ever far away.
Kilometres and Travelling Times between destinations.
| From – To | Kms | Hrs/Min |
| Hobart – Stanley | 396 | 4.40 |
| Strahan – Stanley | 250 | 3.30 |
| Launceston – Stanley | 218 | 2.30 |
| Devonport – Stanley | 119 | 1.30 |
| Arthur River – Stanley | 84 | 1.10 |
| Wynyard – Stanley | 45 | 40 |
| Smithton – Stanley | 19 | 20 |
Travelling by car
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, and from Launceston to Burnie in less. 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 areas like the west coast. Check local conditions on exposed and elevated roads, where frost, ice and snow can occur.
Tasmania’s bushland is rich in wildlife – unfortunately, native animals have no road sense. Be very careful in the early morning and on dusk.
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 loop around the Island discovering an ever-changing landscape.
The road to the west coast (A10) winds from Hobart to Strahan through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (WHA). You can follow the Bass Highway (A2) along the north-west coast to the far north-west. On the east coast, the Tasman Highway (A3) takes you alongside beaches and tiny seaside towns to Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park and on to St Helens.
On the the Lake Highway (A5) you cross the “roof” of Tasmania – the Central Plateau; while the Heritage Highway (Highway1) links the historic Georgian midland villages. On the Arthur Highway (A9) you travel the Tasman Peninsula to Port Arthur and the Port Arthur Historic Site, while the Huon Highway (A6) takes you to waterways and wilderness south of Hobart.
Most of all, it’s important to take time to stop and explore on foot – we want you to see more of Tasmania than the white line on the highway!
Avis – Wynyard/Burnie Airport Tasmania
Based from the Burnie Airport at Wynyard, Avis Rent a Car have a wide range of vehicles for hire, at competitive prices. Whatever your needs, from small manuals to large automatics, 4 wheel drives and even an 8-seater people mover. Phone (03) 6442 2512 or visit the Avis Rent a Car website for more information.
Thrifty Car Rental – Wynyard/Burnie Airport Tasmania
Thrifty has a branch located in Wynyard right next to the Burnie Airport. Thrifty have a complete range of Mitsubishi vehicles, the only range of sports cars in Tasmania, removal vans and buses. Phone (03) 6442 3407 or visit the Thrifty website for more information.
Europcar Burnie Airport
Located at the Burnie Airport in Wynyard, Delta Europcar cater for all needs, and have economy, compact, mid-size, full-size, luxury, prestige, vans, utility and trucks available. Phone (03) 6427 0888 or visit the Delta Europcar website for more information.
Travelling by air
If you wanted a quick weekend away or wanted to come for a few weeks. there are regular flights into Burnie/Wynyard, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart airports.
International travellers
Although there are no scheduled direct flights between Tasmania and other countries, it’s easy to access Tasmania from mainland Australia. All international flights into Sydney and Melbourne offer seamless domestic connections.
Airlines Servicing Tasmania
Tasmania is a little over an hour’s flight from Melbourne, the nearest mainland capital city. A number of airlines fly into Tasmania.
Qantas
Qantas flies several times daily into Hobart and Launceston from Melbourne and Sydney, while QantasLink flies into Devonport. There are connections from other mainland centres on the Qantas/QantasLink network. Reservations – phone 13 13 13 or www.qantas.com.au
Regional Express
Regional Express operates daily services into Wynard (Burnie) from Melbourne and daily into King Island from Melbourne. Reservations – phone 13 17 13 or www.rex.com.au
Travelling by sea
Travelling by sea you can bring your own motorhome with you or your own vehicle to travel this beautiful State.
Spirit of Tasmania
The Spirit of Tasmania. Spirit I and II ferry services travel between Geelong, Melbourne and Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast. Bring your own vehicle and explore at your own pace.
The superfast 29,000 tonne Spirit of Tasmania I and II have more than 700 berths (220 cabins) and make nightly crossings in both directions, leaving at 2000 (8pm) and arriving at 0700. Additional sailings are scheduled in peak periods, with a daytime sailing in both directions leaving at 0900 and arriving at 1800 (6pm).
For further details on fares or to make a booking go to the website www.spiritoftasmania.com.au
Tassielink Coaches shuttle bus
TassieLink Coaches meet every overnight sailing of Spirit of Tasmania I and II. Telephone: 1300 653 633 for details.