Tasmania without a car

With its stunning wilderness areas, rich convict heritage and flourishing foodie scene, Tasmania is one of Australia’s most sought-after tourism destinations. Traditionally, visiting the “Apple Isle” has meant spending a few days in one of the state’s major hubs (Hobart, Launceston or Burnie) before hiring a car to explore the breathtaking national parks, charming towns and culinary trails.

But with the increase in tourists to Tasmania and a limited number of rental cars on the island, many visitors are looking for other options. Perhaps you don’t want the stress and expense of self-driving or maybe you just want to be able to enjoy the stunning scenery as it rolls by. Tasmania’s transport and tourism providers have responded with an increase in services and experiences to suit all travel styles and budgets.

From inter-city Tasmania bus services to multi-day tours of Tasmania and island ferries, there are plenty of ways to get around Tasmania without a car. You can take to the skies for a scenic flight into the Southwest Wilderness to destinations that aren’t accessible by road or book a convenient shuttle to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict settlement of Port Arthur.

Without a rental car as your mode of transport, you’ll not only meet the locals but discover more than you imagined thanks to insider knowledge and curated experiences. No matter where you want to visit or how you want to explore Tasmania, we’re here to help you do it car-free!

 Explore Tasmania by bus, boat or air

With no passenger train services on the island, buses are the most popular way of getting around Tasmania without a car. Well-maintained highways connect the major centres while still offering scenic views of the surrounding countryside along the way. You can easily fly into Hobart or Launceston and spend a few days discovering their cultural attractions before journeying by bus to the other end of Tasmania.

Regional bus operators connect Hobart and Launceston to their surrounding towns and Tasmania attractions, as well as travelling along the northwest coast between Burnie and Devonport. From Launceston, you can easily travel with a transfer to Cradle Mountain while local shuttles connect from Hobart to Port Arthur.

 In addition to public and private bus services, there are plenty of Tasmanian tourism operators that offer coach tours and small bus adventures throughout Tasmania. Whether you’re after a short day trip or a multi-day experience, they take the hassle out of hiring cars and planning your own itinerary.

As an island ringed by water, it makes sense that ferries also play an important role in getting around Tasmania, whether you have a car or not. Ferries for foot passengers connect to protected Maria Island off the East Coast of Tasmania while a car ferry journeys to the ever-popular holiday getaway of Bruny Island near Hobart. Two of Tasmania’s most visited national parks - Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair and Freycinet - both operate ferry services to make accessing their hiking trails a breeze.

In Bass Strait, you’ll find the idyllically remote communities of King Island and Flinders Island, the latter of which can be accessed on board a cargo ferry. Flights also connect from Hobart, Launceston and Burnie to both Flinders Island and King Island for travellers wanting to experience their rugged coastlines and famous produce.

Scenic flights and helicopter tours are an increasingly popular way of experiencing Tasmania, offering a bird’s eye view of the island’s majestic landscapes and iconic sights. You can enjoy a short flight above the city of Hobart, discover the fascinating history of Tasman Island or journey to Melaleuca in the heart of the Southwest Wilderness.

Hiring cars can be expensive in Tasmania. On this website we help you plan a trip around Tasmania using public transport and Tasmania transfer operators.

The way it works is for each town and major Tasmania attraction we describe briefly and then provide the transport options to reach that town. Navigate from the top menu or use the links below.

For each Tasmanian town or Tasmania attraction we also provide links to tours that can be booked if staying from each.

The idea is that everything you need to travel around Tasmania without a car is provided to make it easy to plan. Just connect places by bus or one of the transfer companies to fill in where a bus does not operate.

Transport to each of the following towns in Tasmania:

Bridport
Burnie
Deloraine
Derby
Devonport
Geeveston
Hobart
Huonville
Latrobe
Launceston
Maydena
New Norfolk
Oatlands
Orford
Penguin
Perth
Port Sorrell
Queenstown
Railton
Richmond
Ross
Sheffield
Somerset
Strahan
Stanley
St Helens
Ulverstone
Wynard
Zeehan

Transport to the following Tasmania attractions:

Bruny Island
Cradle Mountain
Freycinet
Lake St Clair
Maria Island
Port Arthur
Tasman Peninsula