How to Get Around Tasmania

A car is essential. Public transport between towns is minimal and does not reach the national parks at all.

Getting there: fly into Hobart or Launceston, or bring a vehicle on the Spirit of Tasmania from Geelong to Devonport — an overnight crossing of Bass Strait that needs booking well ahead in summer.

Roads are slower than they look. Distances are short but the roads are winding and often single-lane; a 200 km drive can take four hours. Plan in hours rather than kilometres.

Avoid driving between dusk and dawn. Wildlife on the roads is a serious hazard to both the animals and the driver, and the roadkill rate here is among the worst anywhere.

A national parks pass is needed for most of what is worth visiting and is cheapest as a holiday vehicle pass.