Hobart's transport story is the most unusual in Australia right now — and the most honest. Tasmania's entire urban public transport network is currently free, statewide, with the Tasmanian Government's temporary free PT period running from 30 March 2026 and now extended until 30 June 2027. No tickets, no Greencard tap, just board. This covers Metro Tasmania buses (Hobart, Launceston, Burnie), Tassielink and Kinetic intercity coaches, Derwent Ferries, school buses and several other operators — making Hobart the only Australian capital where the entire urban PT network costs nothing right now.
What's not covered: the SkyBus to Hobart Airport, the MONA ferry, the Bruny Island vehicle ferry, the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus and the various commercial day-tour operators — the ones tourists actually care about. The other honest reality: Hobart has no urban trains, no trams and no metro rail — it's bus-only, plus commercial ferries. And for Tasmania's famous places — Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur, Bruny Island — a guided tour or hire car is almost always more practical than scheduled PT. This guide covers all of it, current as of May 2026.
The Big Story: FREE Statewide Public Transport
What's included — everything urban + intercity
The free period covers an unusually broad list of operators:
- Metro Tasmania — all urban buses in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. The main visitor service.
- Tassielink Transit — intercity coaches to Cradle Mountain, Strahan, Devonport, the East Coast and more.
- Kinetic (formerly Redline) — intercity routes including Hobart-Launceston-Devonport.
- Manions Coaches, Calows Coaches, Area Connect — regional and rural services.
- Derwent Ferries — cross-Derwent ferry services.
- Government-contracted school buses — the ones that normally charge a fare.
The Tasmanian Government introduced the free PT measure in response to rising fuel costs and to encourage more people to give public transport a try. After the original end date of 30 June 2026 it was extended through to 30 June 2027 — meaning a year of free urban and intercity bus travel across Tasmania. Tasmania is also rolling out a Cubic-based smart ticketing system (similar to NSW's Opal) that will eventually accept contactless bank cards, Apple Pay and Google Wallet across all operators — staged rollout from early 2026. When fares return on 1 July 2027, the Greencard remains the cheapest option (20% discount).
The Greencard & What's Coming
Even during the free period, the Greencard — Metro Tasmania's reusable smartcard for bus travel in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie — is worth understanding, because Tasmania's payment landscape is changing fast.
During the free PT period
Don't tap your Greencard. Metro Tasmania has explicitly asked customers not to tap during the free period, to keep operations simple. If you already have credit loaded on a Greencard, that balance carries over to use after 1 July 2027.
After fares resume (from 1 July 2027)
When fares return, Greencard offers:
- 20% discount on cash fares — effectively a quarter cheaper per ride.
- Daily fare cap on urban services — further unlimited travel beyond the cap costs nothing extra.
- Where to buy — Metro Shop on Elizabeth Street in Hobart, the Launceston Metro Office, or selected Greencard agent newsagents.
The future: Smart Ticketing
Tasmania is currently rolling out a state-of-the-art smart ticketing system using Cubic technology (the same provider behind NSW's Opal and Queensland's contactless rollout). When live, it will accept contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay directly on buses and ferries — with automatic best-fare calculation and free transfers between operators. Northern Tasmania saw initial on-road testing from late 2025, with a staged statewide rollout in 2026. By the time fares resume in mid-2027, Tap & Pay is likely to be the standard payment method — bringing Tasmania in line with Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Hobart's Four Transport Modes
Smaller than other capitals, but distinctive. No trains, no trams, no metro — instead, bus, ferry, airport bus, and intercity coach. The MONA ferry is one of the most photographed transport experiences in Australia.
Metro Tasmania Buses (Currently FREE)
The urban backbone — Hobart's only scheduled urban PT, currently free until 30 June 2027
Metro Tasmania runs the urban bus network across Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. In Hobart, most routes radiate from the Elizabeth Street bus mall (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) and Franklin Square. Coverage includes the CBD and inner suburbs (Battery Point, Sandy Bay, North Hobart, New Town, Glenorchy), the eastern shore (Bellerive, Lindisfarne, Sorell), and southern suburbs (Kingston).
Useful visitor routes include 510, 511, 512 & 513 from the CBD to Glenorchy and Berriedale (the MONA suburb — bus is a backup to the ferry), X10 and 30s series toward Sandy Bay and Battery Point, 40s series to Bellerive Beach (cross the Tasman Bridge for the eastern shore), and 120s/520s toward Kingston in the south. During the free PT period (until 30 June 2027), all routes are free — just board.
The MONA Ferry — Hobart's Most Iconic Transport Experience
From Brooke Street Pier to Berriedale, in camouflage-painted vessels with optional Posh Pit upper deck
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is reached most memorably by the MONA Ferry from Brooke Street Pier on the Hobart waterfront — running multiple sailings daily on the famously camouflage-painted MR-II (and other vessels) to MONA's Berriedale dock, taking around 25 minutes each way. The ferry passes the Hobart waterfront, the Cenotaph, the Tasman Bridge and the lower Derwent before docking right beneath MONA's gallery.
Two cabin classes are offered: Standard seating (lower deck, with refreshments available), and the celebrated Posh Pit (upper deck with bar service, more comfortable seating, snacks and a small additional fee). Tickets are sold separately from MONA admission and are NOT included in the Tasmanian free public transport period — the ferry is commercially operated by MONA itself. As a backup, Metro Tasmania buses (510-series, currently free) also run to Berriedale and can drop you walking distance from MONA's main entrance.
SkyBus Hobart City Express
The main airport service — ~$22 one way, contactless payment, meets all flights
Hobart Airport (HBA) sits about 15km east of the CBD, around 15 minutes by road via the Tasman Bridge. The dedicated SkyBus Hobart City Express is the main public service — coaches meet all arriving flights and drop at multiple central Hobart locations including Brooke Street Pier (right next to the MONA ferry terminal), the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, and major CBD hotels.
Tickets are around $22 one way or $40 return, purchased from the e-kiosks at the airport (near baggage carousels) and in the city (Travel Centre opposite Stop 3, and at the MONA Ferry Terminal near Stop 2), from the driver on board, the SkyBus website/app, or by simply tapping a contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex or smartphone (Apple Pay / Google Wallet) directly on the bus — SkyBus rolled out contactless payment for Hobart in late 2023. Important: SkyBus is NOT included in the Tasmanian free public transport period.
Intercity Coaches — Tassielink & Kinetic
Hobart to Launceston, Cradle Mountain, Devonport, Strahan and the East Coast — currently FREE
Two intercity coach operators connect Hobart to the rest of Tasmania, both currently free during the statewide PT period (until 30 June 2027):
Tassielink Transit runs the broader regional coverage — Hobart to Cradle Mountain (~5 hours), Strahan on the West Coast, Devonport (the Spirit of Tasmania ferry port), the East Coast (Bicheno, Coles Bay near Wineglass Bay), and Port Arthur. Kinetic (formerly Redline) runs the Hobart-Launceston-Devonport intercity backbone. Despite being free during the PT period, both operators still require advance booking due to limited seat capacity on long-distance services — book via the Transport Tasmania intercity bus timetable, Tassielink website, or Kinetic direct (1300 360 000).
- TLTassielink — Hobart to Cradle Mountain (~5 hrs)
- TLTassielink — Hobart to Strahan (West Coast)
- TLTassielink — Hobart to Coles Bay / Bicheno (East Coast)
- TLTassielink — Hobart to Port Arthur (Tasman Peninsula)
- KINKinetic — Hobart to Launceston (~2.5 hrs)
- KINKinetic — Launceston to Devonport (Spirit of Tasmania)
kunanyi / Mt Wellington — Getting to the Summit
The towering 1,271-metre presence on Hobart's western horizon, kunanyi/Mt Wellington is the city's defining landmark and a near-mandatory visitor experience. The summit is reached by a sealed road, which means several options:
Even with the current free PT period, there's no scheduled public bus to the kunanyi summit. Your options are: (1) the dedicated kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus — pickup from the Hobart waterfront with a sealed-road summit return tour, around $50–65 depending on tour type; (2) hire a car and drive yourself (free, sealed road, weather-dependent — check for road closures at altitude); (3) a half-day guided tour combining kunanyi with Richmond village, MONA or other Hobart highlights; or (4) hike from The Springs (around 4–5 hours return for fit and well-equipped walkers — weather at altitude changes rapidly).
For most visitors, the Explorer Bus is the simplest option — departures from the waterfront, sealed-road climb through cool temperate rainforest at lower altitudes into alpine moorland at the summit, with photo time at the famous boardwalk lookout and a few intermediate stops. The drive itself reveals dramatic vegetation transitions over just 21 kilometres.
Tasmania's Famous Places — The Honest Reality
Here's the part where Hobart differs most from other Australian capitals. The famous Tasmanian destinations — Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur, Bruny Island, Freycinet, the Tarkine — are spread across the state, often hours from Hobart, and not generally on practical PT corridors. The current free intercity coach period helps for some routes, but timing is awkward for proper visiting, and on-the-ground transport within destinations is usually non-existent.
| Destination | Distance from Hobart | By Public Transport | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONA, Berriedale | 12 km north | MONA ferry (paid) or Metro 510-series (free now) | ✅ Easy by PT — ferry recommended |
| kunanyi / Mt Wellington summit | 21 km west of CBD | Explorer Bus (paid) — no scheduled Metro | ✅ Explorer Bus or hire car |
| Richmond village | 27 km north-east | Limited Metro/Tassielink (now free) or tour | ✅ Workable, but tour easier |
| Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary | 32 km north | Limited — combo tour recommended | ❗ Tour strongly preferred |
| Port Arthur Historic Site | 95 km south-east, ~1.5 hr drive | Tassielink coach (free now, limited timetable) | ❗ Day tour from Hobart wins |
| Bruny Island | 30km to Kettering + ferry | No bus to Kettering; vehicle ferry paid | ❗ Tour or hire car only |
| Freycinet / Wineglass Bay | ~190 km north-east, 2.5 hr drive | Tassielink to Coles Bay (free now, limited days) | ❗ Tour or hire car strongly preferred |
| Cradle Mountain | ~290 km north-west, ~5 hr coach | Tassielink coach (free now) | ❗ Multi-day guided tour usually wins |
| Strahan / West Coast | ~300 km west, ~5 hr coach | Tassielink coach (free now) | ❗ Tour or hire car strongly preferred |
| Launceston | ~200 km north, ~2.5 hr coach | Kinetic intercity coach (free now) | ✅ Easy by coach during free period |
| Devonport (Spirit of Tasmania) | ~280 km north, ~4.5 hr coach | Kinetic intercity coach (free now) | ✅ Coach connection workable |
Three reasons. (1) Geography: Tasmania's famous places are spread across a large island with relatively low population density — the road distances are real, and intercity coaches typically run once or twice daily, not on visitor-friendly schedules. (2) Once you arrive: there's usually no local transport. Cradle Mountain has a free internal shuttle (included in park entry), but Wineglass Bay, Bruny Island, Port Arthur and most others have no on-the-ground PT. (3) Weather: Tasmania's weather changes fast, especially at altitude or on exposed coasts — guided tours come with weather-suitable clothing, gear and local judgement. Even during the free PT period, most multi-day Tasmania visitors mix free intercity coaches with one or two guided day tours.
Group Charter, Tours & Private Transfers
For wedding parties in the Tamar Valley or Cradle Mountain, conference delegate transport, multi-day Tasmania touring (East Coast loop, West Coast wilderness, North/South traverse), school camps to Freycinet or Cradle, large-group airport transfers (when SkyBus doesn't suit), and Salamanca Market group runs, Cooee Tours coordinates through two national partner brands. Both part of the family-operated Waggie Group with over 50 years of Australian transport experience.
🚍 Cooee Coach Charters
National · 12–57 seater Mercedes coaches
Australia-wide coach hire for Tasmania weddings (Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Tamar Valley vineyards), corporate conferences, multi-day Tasmania touring combining Hobart with Launceston / Cradle Mountain / Wineglass Bay, school excursions, MONA FOMA festival transport, and Spirit of Tasmania connection logistics. Modern Mercedes fleet, fixed quotes, professional chauffeurs. We coordinate with local Tasmania affiliate operators on the ground to handle local knowledge while keeping booking, quotes and account management through a single Cooee Coach Charters contact.
Cooee Coach Charters →✈️ Airport Shuttle Services
National Australia & NZ · from $49
Door-to-door private and shared airport transfers from Hobart Airport (HBA) to your accommodation — particularly useful for large groups, lots of luggage, late-night arrivals, or accommodation outside the SkyBus drop zones (e.g. Battery Point boutique hotels, Sandy Bay, eastern shore stays). Fixed fares, real-time flight tracking, no surge pricing. Operating since 1979.
Book a transfer →Note: We don't currently have a dedicated local Tasmania bus-hire partner — for local Hobart and Launceston bus hire, Cooee Coach Charters' national network coordinates Tasmania logistics through trusted local affiliate operators. For multi-day Tasmania touring combining mainland connections (Hobart-Melbourne via Spirit of Tasmania, or Hobart-Sydney air-and-ground), our east-coast partner network handles the connecting legs.
Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur & Bruny Island
Cooee Tours runs Tasmania day tours and multi-day itineraries from Hobart pickups — designed to handle the door-to-door logistics that the free intercity coach period can't quite cover, with weather-suitable gear, local guides and accommodation included.
See Tasmania Tours →Essential Apps for Hobart Travel
Metro Tasmania Trip Planner
Official Metro app — Hobart, Launceston, Burnie bus times and route planner.
SkyBus
Hobart airport bus times, ticketing, real-time tracking. Tap-to-pay also available.
Tassielink Transit
Intercity Tasmania bookings — Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, East Coast, West Coast routes.
Google Maps
Reliable Hobart routing fallback — integrates Metro buses and walking directions.
Uber / DiDi
Rideshare operates throughout Hobart metro. Limited late-night availability — book ahead.
MONA
Museum app + ferry timetable + ticket purchase. The Posh Pit add-on is bookable in-app.
Twelve Local Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Take advantage of the free PT period. Metro Tasmania buses, Tassielink, Kinetic, Derwent Ferries are all currently free statewide until 30 June 2027. Just board — no Greencard tap needed.
- SkyBus, MONA ferry & Bruny ferry are NOT free. The three services tourists actually use most still charge their normal commercial fares. Budget around $22 for SkyBus, $40-65 for MONA ferry (depending on Posh Pit), $46 return for Bruny Island vehicle ferry.
- Take the MONA ferry even if you've seen MONA before. The camouflage-painted vessels and lower Derwent views are an experience in their own right. The Posh Pit upper deck is genuinely worth the small upgrade.
- The Hobart CBD is highly walkable. From most central hotels you can reach Salamanca Market, Battery Point, Constitution Dock, Sullivans Cove and the waterfront in under 15 minutes on foot. Often quicker than waiting for a bus.
- Hobart Airport is closer than you think — ~15 minutes by SkyBus. No need to leave hours of buffer. The SkyBus drops at Brooke Street Pier, perfect if your hotel is near the waterfront.
- The Salamanca Market on Saturdays is the city centre's biggest event. The CBD gets very busy — parking is hard, but the market is a 5-10 min walk from anywhere central. The free Metro buses help if you're staying further out.
- kunanyi has no scheduled bus to the summit. Use the Explorer Bus, hire a car, or join a tour. The weather at the summit is often 10°C colder than the CBD — layers always, even in summer.
- Tasmania's famous destinations need real travel time. Cradle Mountain is ~5 hours by coach one-way; Wineglass Bay is ~2.5 hours; Port Arthur is ~1.5 hours. Even with free coaches, factor accommodation or guided multi-day touring rather than rushing day trips.
- Book intercity coaches ahead even though they're free. Limited seat capacity on Tassielink and Kinetic long-distance services means popular dates fill up — the fare is $0 but a seat reservation is still required.
- The Spirit of Tasmania has moved to Geelong (not Melbourne). The overnight ferry to/from Tasmania now sails from Geelong to Devonport (not Hobart). Add a Kinetic coach from Devonport to Hobart (~4.5 hrs, currently free) to complete the connection.
- Tasmania weather changes fast. Especially at altitude (kunanyi, Cradle Mountain) and on exposed coasts (Bruny, Freycinet). Always pack a rain layer, even in summer. Guided tours include the gear.
- Late-night PT is limited. Most Metro buses wind down by 11pm-midnight. For late returns from MONA, restaurants, or the Theatre Royal, plan a rideshare or short taxi — Hobart taxi fares are generally lower than mainland capitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tasmania public transport really free right now?
Yes — the Tasmanian Government has temporarily removed fares on most public transport statewide. The free period runs from 30 March 2026 and has been extended until 30 June 2027. This applies to adult, concession and child fares on Metro Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston and Burnie urban buses), Tassielink Transit, Kinetic intercity coaches, Manions Coaches, Calows Coaches, Area Connect, Derwent Ferries, and government-contracted school bus services. Just board — you don't need a Greencard or any ticket.
However, several services are NOT included: SkyBus Hobart Airport, the Bruny Island vehicle ferry, the MONA ferry, the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus, Red Decker hop-on-hop-off, and other commercial tour operators all still charge their normal fares.
What is the Greencard and do I still need one?
Greencard is Metro Tasmania's reusable smartcard for buses in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie — when fares apply, it gives a 20% discount over cash fares plus a daily fare cap. During the current free PT period (until 30 June 2027), no fare is required and customers should not tap their Greencard. After fares return, the Greencard remains the cheapest way to ride.
Buy one from the Metro Shop on Elizabeth Street in Hobart, the Launceston Metro Office, or Greencard agents (selected newsagents). Tasmania is currently rolling out a new Cubic smart ticketing system (similar to NSW's Opal and Queensland's project) that will accept contactless bank cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay across all operators — staged rollout from early 2026.
How do I get from Hobart Airport to the city centre?
The SkyBus Hobart City Express is the main public airport service — meeting all flights, with drops at multiple central Hobart locations including Brooke Street Pier (near the MONA ferry terminal) and major hotels. The journey takes around 15 minutes (Hobart Airport, HBA, is only about 15km from the CBD).
Tickets are around $22 one way or $40 return, purchased from e-kiosks at the airport and in the city, the driver, the SkyBus website/app, or by tapping a contactless card or smartphone directly on the bus (rolled out late 2023). Important: SkyBus is NOT included in the current Tasmanian free public transport period. Taxis run around $50 to the CBD and rideshare around $40.
How do I get to MONA from central Hobart?
The MONA Ferry from Brooke Street Pier is the iconic way — the famously camouflage-painted MR-II and other vessels run multiple sailings daily from the Hobart waterfront to MONA's Berriedale dock, taking around 25 minutes each way. Two cabin classes: standard seating, or the celebrated Posh Pit (upper deck with bar service, more comfortable seating, and a small additional fee).
MONA Ferry tickets are sold separately from MONA admission and are NOT included in the Tasmanian free PT period. Alternative: Metro Tasmania bus routes 511, 512, 513, 514 (and others) run from Hobart CBD to Berriedale and pass near MONA — currently free during the free PT period, then around $3-3.50 once fares resume.
What public transport options are there in Hobart?
Less than other Australian capitals — Hobart has no urban trains, no trams and no metro. Public transport is essentially Metro Tasmania buses, plus the MONA ferry (commercial), SkyBus to the airport (commercial), the Derwent Ferries (commercial cross-river services), Tassielink Transit intercity coaches to Launceston and Cradle Mountain, and Kinetic intercity (formerly Redline) on similar long-distance routes.
The compact CBD is highly walkable — most CBD attractions, Salamanca, Battery Point and Sullivans Cove are reachable on foot from any central hotel. For tourist sights outside the CBD (kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit, Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur, Bruny Island), guided day tours or hire car are usually more practical than scheduled public transport.
How do I get to the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington?
There are no scheduled Metro Tasmania buses to the summit. The dedicated kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus runs daily summit services from central Hobart — pickup from the Hobart waterfront, sealed road all the way to the 1,271-metre summit, around 2-3 hour return trip with summit photo and lookout time. Tickets around $50-65 depending on tour type.
Alternative options: hire car and drive yourself (the road is sealed and free to use, weather-dependent), join a half-day tour that combines kunanyi with Richmond village or MONA, or hike from the Springs (around 4-5 hours return for the fit and well-equipped — Hobart weather changes fast at altitude).
Can I get to Cradle Mountain by public transport?
Yes — Tassielink Transit runs scheduled coaches from Hobart and Launceston to Cradle Mountain, with the journey from Hobart taking around 5 hours including stops. During the current free PT period (until 30 June 2027) these intercity coaches are free, though you still need to book ahead.
However, for most visitors, a guided 2-3 day Cradle Mountain tour from Hobart works out better — door-to-door pickup, accommodation included, multiple walks guided, no need to navigate the park independently. Cradle Mountain itself doesn't have public transport once you arrive (a shuttle bus from the visitor centre to walking trailheads is included in the park entry fee).
How do I get to Port Arthur?
Port Arthur is about 1.5 hours by road from Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula. Tassielink Transit runs scheduled coaches from Hobart to Port Arthur on selected days, currently free during the PT period.
However, scheduled coach timetables don't align well with comfortable Port Arthur visiting hours — most visitors join a full-day guided tour from Hobart that includes site admission, all transport, commentary, and often the haunted ghost tour as an add-on. Alternatively, hire a car for the day (the Tasman Peninsula drive itself is one of the best in Tasmania, passing the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen and Eaglehawk Neck).
How do I get to Bruny Island?
Drive (or be driven) to Kettering, around 30 minutes south of Hobart, then take the SeaLink Bruny Island vehicle ferry across — the ferry takes around 20 minutes. The Bruny Island ferry is NOT included in the Tasmanian free PT period (it's a commercial vehicle ferry, around $46 return for a standard car including driver). There is no Metro Tasmania bus from Hobart to Kettering.
Most visitors join a full-day guided Bruny Island tour from Hobart (with door-to-door pickup, ferry included, food and drink tastings at Bruny Island Cheese, Bruny Island Honey, the Get Shucked oyster farm, plus the famous lighthouse and South Bruny scenery), or hire a car. Bruny is too good a day trip to rush.
How does Hobart's transport compare to other Australian capitals?
Honestly, smaller — Hobart is the smallest capital network: no trains, no trams, no metro, no ferries other than commercial cross-river services. The compact CBD compensates well (much of central Hobart is walkable in 15 minutes from most central hotels), and the current statewide free PT period (until 30 June 2027) is unique among Australian capitals.
The MONA ferry is one of the most distinctive single transport experiences in Australia, even if you're not visiting the gallery. For destinations beyond Hobart — kunanyi summit, Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Port Arthur, Bruny Island — Tasmania is by far the most tour-dependent or hire-car-dependent Australian capital. The famous places are spread out and not on transit corridors.
Related Travel Guides
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Bruny Island Guide
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Adelaide Transport Guide
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