Tasmania Car Hire

Things to do in Tasmania

Climb Montezuma Falls

Start your Tasmanian adventure with a visit to the pristine Montezuma Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the state. To get there, you'll want to first set up base at Williamsford, an old mining colony south of Rosebury. Once you've stocked up on camping essentials, begin your trek up the West Coast Range, following the old tramway that winds its way through the thick forest. If you're lucky en route, you might catch glimpses of several exotic bird species, including White's thrush! The waterfalls themselves get their name from the great Aztec emperor, Montezuma of Mexico, but sadly, you won't find gold in the creeks! The real treasure at the end of your climb, however, will be your view from atop the magnificent waterfalls.

Go hiking in the bush

Next, drive east towards the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Situated within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the park's highlight is the bushwalking trail known as the Overland Track. Pull your socks up because this is arguably one of the best hiking trails in the world! You will have a rare opportunity to spend five to six days in the bush, so don't be surprised if you stop to admire the landscape every step of the way. From Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, you will cross mountains, forests, rivers and plains on foot. As long as you watch out for the infamous leeches and don't feed the wildlife, you will have the time of your life.

Relax at Wineglass Bay

On the eastern coast of Tasmania rests Wineglass Bay, a pure blue swathe of water that looks like a wineglass when seen from above. Here, feel free to run across a perfect, unspoiled beach, gaze up at majestic granite mountains, scuba dive, take a helicopter flight or go sea kayaking! To reach the water, you'll have to leave your vehicle in the camping grounds at the nearby Coles Bay and then take a short hike. Alternately, if you'd prefer to relax and enjoy the sea breeze on your journey, you can take a water taxi or cruise boat from Coles Bay.

Go diving & discover ancient fossils

Near the outpost at Darlington, on the northern side of the island, lie the Fossil Cliffs. Here you can admire fossils embedded in the limestone millions of years ago. In addition to a large variety of plants, also keep an eye out for Pacific gulls, three different snake species, and several small marsupials. If you can swim, put on your diving gear and explore one of the many dive wrecks around the island – you may find something exciting.

Step back in time at Port Arthur

For a deeper – and scarier – venture into history, visit Port Arthur, which once held the country's most infamous convict centre. The stone walls of the Port Arthur Historic Site were built to contain the most hardened criminals of them all. Aside from the 30-odd structures that remain of the prison camp, there is also an art gallery, several cruise routes, and the Tasman National Park nearby. Itching for a taste of the paranormal? Port Arthur also offers the Ghost Tour: a midnight walk around some of the spookiest places in the country!

Explore Hobart city

While in Hobart, you may wish to visit the Salamanca Market. Here you can explore over 300 stalls that sell a variety of locally made products – ranging from cheeses to jewellery. You'll find it every Saturday at Salamanca Place. Battery Point, just a short walk away from here, has tons of accommodation options for families, while solo travellers may prefer to hole up in West Hobart.

Eating out in Tasmania

Most of Tasmania's food is locally produced by small farmers. Since the state has some of the cleanest air, water and soil in the world, this means that whatever you eat here is guaranteed to be nutritious, exotic and subtle. A good rule of thumb to follow when looking for good restaurants here is: find out where the desired dish is produced, see if the owners of the factory or farm have a restaurant, and make table reservations. That being said, here are our favourite places to eat out in Tasmania. Savour the island flavour!

House of Anvers, Latrobe

Sitting quietly on the Bass Highway between Devonport and Launceston is the House of Anvers. This chocolaterie, founded by a Belgian chocolatier in 1989, blends the very best Tasmanian cream, butter, liquors and flavours with dark and light chocolate to create luscious delights. You can spend hours here and at the attached chocolate museum, but each new dessert will only keep you licking your fingers for a little longer.

Get Shucked Oyster Bar, Bruny Island

There's nothing like oysters paired with a glass of sparkling wine to keep the summer heat away. At the open-air tables of the Get Shucked Oyster Bar, you can put your feet up, rub in your sunscreen and watch crates full of oysters being loaded. This locally owned and operated oyster farm prides itself on its Pacific oysters, brought in from East Asia long ago, though it also harvests the Angasi oysters native to Australia. If you ever wondered what freshly caught oysters taste like, this is your chance to find out!

Timbre Kitchen, Legana

This restaurant, which shares space with the Velo Winery near Legana, is best known for its homemade farm delicacies. Prepare to eat like the average Tassie! The food may look simple, but there's nothing about the roast beef, pickled mushrooms or 'nduja dumplings that doesn't warrant second and third helpings. Most of the food at Timbre's Kitchen is cooked in a wood-fired oven, ensuring that everything you have has a deliciously earthy, smoky, rustic taste.

The Source, Hobart

The Source is a part of the Museum of Old and New Art – a part of the avant-garde art experience, one might say. After a long afternoon spent being amused, perplexed and surprised by the museum's other displays, allow yourself to be drawn in by this restaurant's five-star establishment with aesthetically pleasing seating arrangements. We'd recommend you try any of the European dishes on the menu – the sourdough flatbread, pork loins, and kingfish are enough to make you never want to leave!

Transport in Tasmania

Airports in Tasmania

The main passenger airport in Tasmania is Hobart Airport (HBA) in the south. In the north is Launceston Airport (LST). The easiest way to reach either of them is to fly in from Melbourne, which is about an hour away by air (flights from Sydney are also fairly common). At least four major airlines – Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Qantas and Regional Express – have regular flights to Tasmania. An alternate (and possibly more romantic) way to reach the island state is to take a ferry from Melbourne. This is an excellent option if you want to bring your own vehicle with you.

Driving in Tasmania

Within the state, if you're travelling with family, it's best to drive around by car. However, you also have the option of using metro services within Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. To visit tourist spots like Port Arthur or Cradle Mountain, you will need to book a place on a shuttle in advance. Alternatively, car rentals are possible both at the airport as well as in downtown Hobart, and it is the most preferred way to travel around the island at ease. It’s best to pre-book your car of choice to ensure that your trip and car hire in Tasmania is seamless. You can compare and choose from several different car rental companies with Enjoy Travel.