Getting to Hobart
Reaching Hobart is easy. Most visitors fly — Hobart Airport is barely an hour from Melbourne and under two from Sydney, and only 20 minutes from the city. If you'd rather bring your car, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry crosses from Geelong to Devonport, from where it's a scenic drive south. Here's how to plan your arrival.
Flying into Hobart
Hobart Airport has frequent direct flights from the mainland capitals — about 1h10 from Melbourne, under two hours from Sydney, and direct services from Brisbane, Adelaide and beyond. It's roughly 20 minutes (17 km) east of the city, with an airport shuttle, taxis, rideshare and all the major car-hire desks. Book early around Dark Mofo and New Year, when fares and demand spike. See our things to do.
The Spirit of Tasmania
The Spirit of Tasmania car ferry sails between Geelong in Victoria and Devonport on Tasmania's north coast — a roughly 9–11 hour day or overnight crossing. New, larger ships (Spirit IV and V) are entering service from late October 2026. Remember it lands at Devonport, so it's about a 3.5-hour drive south to Hobart — ideal if you want your own vehicle for touring the island. Otherwise, flying is quicker and simpler.
Which way suits you?
Flying is the fastest, easiest choice for most — pick up a hire car at the airport if you'll do day trips. The ferry suits road-trippers bringing a car or campervan for a longer Tasmanian tour. Either way, central Hobart needs no car — it's wonderfully walkable — so you can save wheels for the day trips. Tell us your plans and we'll sort the logistics. See our Hobart tours.
Getting to Hobart: your questions
Most visitors fly into Hobart Airport, which has frequent direct services from the mainland capitals — about 1 hour 10 minutes from Melbourne, under two hours from Sydney, and direct flights from Brisbane, Adelaide and elsewhere. The alternative is to sail your car across on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Devonport and drive south (about 3.5 hours). There's no passenger rail to Tasmania. See our getting around guide.
Hobart Airport is about 17 km (roughly 20 minutes' drive) east of the city centre. There's a regular airport shuttle bus into the city, plus taxis and rideshare, and all the major car-hire firms have desks there. A hire car is well worth it if you plan day trips to Bruny Island, Port Arthur or kunanyi/Mount Wellington. See our day trips guide.
Yes — the Spirit of Tasmania sails between Geelong (Victoria) and Devonport on Tasmania's north coast, an overnight or day crossing of roughly 9–11 hours. New, larger ships (Spirit of Tasmania IV and V) are entering service from late October 2026. Note the ferry lands at Devonport, not Hobart — it's about a 3.5-hour drive south to the capital — so it best suits those bringing a vehicle and touring the island.
Flights are short: roughly 1 hour 10 minutes from Melbourne, about 1 hour 55 minutes from Sydney, around 2.5 hours from Brisbane, and a little over two hours from Adelaide. Hobart Airport handles domestic services (with occasional seasonal international flights), so from most Australian cities you can be in Tasmania's capital within a couple of hours. Book early for the best fares, especially around Dark Mofo and New Year.
Not for the city itself — central Hobart is compact and very walkable, with buses and the MONA ferry covering the rest. But a hire car is very useful for day trips to kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Bruny Island, Port Arthur, Richmond and Mount Field. Many visitors pick one up at the airport, or join guided tours for the wine and Bruny Island days. See our getting around guide.