CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION FROM THE LIST BELOW TO BOOK A Tasmania CAR RENTAL

Locations around Tasmania:

A better name for the smallest state in Australia would be Wonder World. You will be amazed by the history, in awe of the scenery and fascinated with the range of activities that are on offer to the visitor with rental cars.  Most visitors come to this top spot via the two major airports, Hobart and Launceston - visitor numbers totalling approx. 896,800 for the year 2008 – 2009.  Another 102,400 visitors arrived via the cruise ship terminal at Devonport.

The following is a broad outline of a touring option using hire cars as a fantastic way to see the island. In reality it only takes 2½ hours to drive from Hobart to Launceston, the two major cities in this Wonderland. But how could you possibly just do that! It would be a crime to miss everything in between. 

An option would be to travel with a rental car from Hobart up the east coast, starting with the most memorable thing you will ever do, visit Port Arthur.  Make sure you have plenty of time here. Leaving Port Arthur, head north to St Helens, across to Scottsdale, then Launceston over to Deloraine and Cradle Mountain. The big decision here is do you go over to the west coast OR detour back north to Devonport and on to Burnie, Wynyard and Stanley before heading south to Queenstown.  From here drive across the middle through to Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, visiting Hamilton and New Norfolk and back to Hobart.  But wait that isn’t the end. What about the drive down to Southport, visiting Huonville and Dover on the way.

MAP

If you are a history buff you will be in heaven in Port Arthur. The convict settlement was set up for the most dangerous of criminals and operated from 1830 to1877. The drive from Hobart will take a leisurely 1½ hours along the Tasman and Arthur Highways which forms part of the convict trail.  You will travel through rolling fields and farmland, take in fabulous views of the ocean and pass small villages with antique shops full of memorabilia. 

Travel north along the east coast, visiting Wineglass Bay. Here you can do some great walks around the perimeter of the bay, descending onto  the beach with its super white sand and crystal clear water, (maybe a little chilly at times) and further on to a small fishing village named, Bicheno,  .  Spend your days fishing, penguin tours by night, wine tasting with friends or visiting the wildlife parks. There is plenty of activities here to suit the whole family.

St Helens is the hub of George’s Bay and is the business centre of the Break O’Day municipality. The aboriginal name for this town is Kunnara Kunna, which means “Easy walking place”.  Scottsdale is only a short drive away through agriculture and forestry areas.  15kms west of Scottsdale is the famous Lavender farm, offering all sorts of products and tours of the fields when the lavender is in bloom (Dec/Jan). 

Driving hire cars along the Tasman Highway 65 kms,  you will find Launceston. This would be a place to base yourself to do short day trips, of which there are many.  Lillydale and Cataract Gorge are just two places of interest.

To continue our journey using the itinerary above we now head off to Deloraine, passing through dairy country – enjoy local cheeses specializing in the English and Swiss style.  This area is abundant with waterfalls and bush walks.  Further along we head for Cradle Mountain, a fascinating National Park. The park has been well set up for both the casual and the tried and true bush walker. So walk for an hour or do the Overland Track, a 6 day physically demanding walk.  It doesn’t matter what time of the year you visit this place you will experience all manner of beauty -  Each season has its highlights.

Tourist information on Cradle Mountain.

This is where you need to have comfortable rental cars for the drive south west to the west coast of Tasmania. Depending on which road you take you will most likely come to Queenstown first. This is a fascinating place.  Queenstown is a mining town and was mined so heavily that everything in the surrounding area died. Fields and hillsides are bare earth, resembling a moonscape.  Now with the efforts of the government and the mining industry, the vegetation is coming back.  Next is a short drive to Strahan, located on the edge of Macquarie Harbour . There is plenty to keep you busy here with boat cruises around the Hobart to Sarah Island, once a penal colony. Boat cruises are available down the Gordon River to some of the oldest rainforest in the world.   Coming near to the end of the tour, a drive through the Cheyne Ranges is very pleasant. A little windy, but amazing views with lots of small villages along the way for stops to refuel the hire car and the family.  Arriving back in Hobart, and if time permits, you could take the short drive south to Huonville  and Southport via the Huon Highway taking in some of the most beautiful forests in Tasmania. If you would like to see the most Southerly point of Australia, then a 2–3 hour walk along a boarded track will get you to South Cape Bay.  This is a flat walk and ideal for all ages. The track starts as forest  then across the native heaths of Blowhole Valley, finishing with a winding section of coastal hinterland scrub.

Tasmania is perfect for a car rental driving holiday because it is compact and you do not have to drive too far before there will be another attraction for you to see. 

Useful links

Whats on in Tasmania

Accommodation

Road Conditions