The ferry is much more expensive than flying, but you can avoid car rental costs. The break even point for bringing your own car on the ferry is about 10 days of touring. Less than that and it's cheaper to fly and rent a car.
Tasmania may be small but there's so much to see. How long would we recommend? It depends what you're coming for, but generally speaking, nothing less than 6 days if you want to see the main sights but even then you may find yourself rushing.
A single person estimated monthly costs are 985$ (1,316A$) without rent. Hobart is 24.81% less expensive than New York (without rent). Rent in Hobart is, on average, 62.06% lower than in New York.
How long does the trip take? The trip on board Spirit of Tasmania takes approximately 9-11 hours. On days of single sailings, the voyage takes 11 hours.
The Lap of Tasmania route [map] is around 1,500km long, and we feel that you should allow at least 7 days (this itinerary shows you how). Ideally, we recommend 14 days or more to drive around Tasmania (especially if you are in a caravan).
Accommodation for passengers (without vehicles) on night sailings ranges from recliners in the lounge ($96) to a four-bed inside cabin (from $96 a person plus $132 a cabin), four-bed porthole cabin (from $96 a person plus $180 a cabin), twin-bed porthole cabin (from $96 a person plus $180 a cabin) and queen-bed deluxe
The average maximum daily summer temperatures are between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius and winter daily temperatures sit between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius. Rainfall varies dramatically across the island.
Where can I find snow in Tasmania? The central highlands and the more mountainous areas often get snowfalls in the winter months. However, snow rarely settles at sea level. Mount Mawson at Mount Field National Park in the south (90-min drive from Hobart) is also a great spot after heavy snowfall.
Though not widely known for its snow sports, Tasmania has two ski fields operating over the winter months. Mount Mawson, located at Mount Field National Park in the south, and Ben Lomond in the north.
The coldest month is July with an average maximum temperature of 12°C (54°F).
The best time to see snow in Tasmania is in July and August, and to a lesser extent June and September. You'll be excited to know that even if you're not visiting Tasmania in winter it is still possible for it to snow. All it takes is one big Antarctic blast and you can have a dusting of snow at Christmas!
Temperatures and RainfallIn terms of yearly averages for temperatures, the maximum for Tasmania is approximately 16.9°C (62.4°F), while the minimum sits at a chilly 8.3°C (46.9°F) - which, as can be seen, has markedly cooler than most of its' mainland capital city cousins.
How long is the ferry from Melbourne to Tasmania? It takes nine to 11 hours to get to Tasmania from Melbourne by ferry.
January is a warm and slightly rainy time for sunbathing in Tasmania. January is too cold for swimming in Tasmania for any length of time, unless you have a wetsuit. Also consider one of our other suggestions for January.
That said, the Southern Lights can be seen year round from Tasmania. No one knows precisely when a light show may occur. Space weather maps and predictions are helpful, but ultimately the sun decides. The Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook page is a great way to keep up with real-time sightings.
Spirit of Tasmania - Vehicle Fares
| Cars towing caravans or motorhomes/campervans |
|---|
| Period | 0.1m to 7m | Extra Metres |
|---|
| Off - peak Season | $94 | $69 |
| Peak Season | $135 | $80 |
On average you can expect to pay $504 for a flight from Melbourne to Tasmania. The cheapest flight overall is $47 while the most popular route, (Melbourne - Hobart) is currently priced at $90.
As Australia's only island state, access to Tasmania is by air and sea only. Regular flights depart from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and fly direct to Hobart and Launceston. Direct flights are available from the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth to Hobart, and from Adelaide to Launceston from 7 September 2021.
Tasmania is well known to book-out over peak periods including Christmas, New Year and Easter. If you are interested in visiting Tasmania during these times or in the busier summer months you really need to book well in advance (at least 6 months prior), to secure your accommodation preferences.
If you cannot maintain physical distance, wearing a mask is an important protective measure. There are situations when wearing a mask is mandatory in Tasmania. The mask must cover your mouth and nose.
The unit of currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD), which is divided into 100 cents. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are freely available throughout the country. Banks and bureaux de change exchange most foreign currencies.
From Wednesday 15 December, 2021, Tasmania will open its borders to interstate and international travellers — see 'Plan to reopen Tasmania' below for more details.
Tasmania in 3 Days – Recommended Itinerary
- Hobart City Half-Day Tour.
- Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise.
- Port Arthur Day Tour.
- Explore the City in the Morning: Take the time to explore the town of Hobart at your leisure and see what it has to offer away from the tourist itinerary.
Australian flag consisting of a dark blue field (background) with the Union Jack in the canton and, at the fly end, a red lion on a white disk. Like many other Australian flags, the Tasmanian flag can be described as a defaced Blue Ensign.
Hobart International Airport is situated in Cambridge, Tasmania, Australia. The Tasmanian Gateway Consortium currently owns the airport under a 99-year lease agreement with the Federal Government. The airport serves 17,000 domestic, international and general aviation flights each year.
It is located 240 km (150 mi) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated from it by Bass Strait.
| Tasmania |
|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Crown colony as Van Diemen's Land | 1825 |
| Responsible government as Colony of Tasmania | 1856 |
| Federation | 1 January 1901 |
A G2G PASS provides a QR code – a type of barcode that can be scanned on your arrival. Travellers who receive their G2G PASS QR code before travelling are able to quickly pass through Tasmanian ports on arrival.
