Campervan hire Hobart

Hobart driving guide 

Get your motorhome road trip off to the best possible start with our tips for driving the Tasmanian roads. If you're driving a campervan in Australia for the first time, you’ll want to be prepared and informed about the rules of the road. After all, a safe journey is an enjoyable one!

• In Australia, traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road. For many international visitors, this is a novelty—and if you’re accustomed to driving on the right, give yourself time to practice before hitting the busy roads and highways.
• The legal blood alcohol limit for driving in Tasmania is 0.05%, a very low concentration. We highly recommend that you abstain from drinking even a small amount before going on a Tassie road trip in your motorhome.
• The mountainous regions of Tasmania may have steep, narrow, and winding roads. Take extra care when driving on these, keep your speed down, and always consider the conditions and the size of your vehicle. Rain, ice, and snow can make roads more dangerous.
• In residential and commercial areas, the default speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour. In rural areas and on open roads, the limits are 100 or 110 kph. Posted speed limit signs are the most reliable source of information.
• The scenery around Tasmania can be spectacular. If you want to take a closer look, pull over—driving while distracted is hazardous. The advantage of a private motorhome hire Tasmania road trip is that you can pop into the back, make a cup of tea, and enjoy those views properly!

Above all, pay close attention to the orientation given when you pick up the campervan rental. The depot staff can tell you all you need to know about its operation. You should also get in touch with the supplier should questions arise while on your camper hire Hobart road trip. It’s better to ask than to break something or put yourself in harm’s way due to misuse.

What to see and do with your Hobart campervan hire 

With Mount Wellington almost standing like its sentinel, you'll discover Tasmania is a small state that packs a big punch. Wherever you take your campervan or motorhome, you’ll find spectacular sights and exciting activities. The biggest problem for many travellers is simply knowing where to start, but a visit to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens at the heart of the CBD, proves to be a great choice.

Are you looking for the most beautiful stretch of sand? The most interesting of historic sites and iconic national parks? The densest wilderness in which to get (temporarily) lost? We’ve put together a few options to kick off your itinerary planning for your next Tassie road trip.

Freycinet National Park

Just a few hours’ drive northeast from Hobart is Freycinet National Park, home to some of the state’s best beaches. This includes the iconic Wineglass Bay, a breathtakingly beautiful place with a slightly horrifying story behind its name—when whalers operated there in the 1800s, they would turn the bay red (like wine) with whale blood. There’s no trace of gore there now, just a very aesthetically pleasing spot for a swim. If you’re visiting Freycinet, be prepared to lace up your boots and get walking. Many of the best beaches and lookouts are accessible only by foot, and the park is criss-crossed with scenic trails.

Port Arthur

A short jaunt from central Hobart, the Port Arthur Historic site is a significant destination in the Tasman Peninsula and that should be a great first stop on your trip. It’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed and considered Australia’s most intact and expansive convict site with more than 30 buildings and ruins. There are many different tours you can take here, from informative harbour cruises to spooky night-time ghost walks.

Port Arthur is just an hour drive from Hobart Airport and is also conveniently located next to Tasman National Park, where you’ll find a popular campsite at Fortescue Bay and plenty of dramatic coastal scenery. If you have more time, you can also head to the Royal Tasmania Botanical Garden and see abundant number of plants.

Maria Island National Park

If you want to explore Tasmania's East Coast, head to the famous Maria Island National Park and have a glimpse of historic ruins and spectacular cliffs. You may begin your tour at Darlington, a well-known World Heritage Australian Convict Site. Check out the convict buildings since 1824 and ruins that show the benefits of the convict probation system. Have a different perception about history through interpretive displays at the Coffee Palace Museum and Commissariat Store. If you wish to rest overnight in the old Penitentiary buildings, you may opt to camp in the nearby campground.

The southwest wilderness

Made up of Southwest National Park, Southwest Conservation Area, and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, this region is a delightfully remote and uninhabited part of the island state. Nearer to the west coast is Cradle Mountain, another renowned attraction. Situated in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, it boasts unparallelled panoramic views and home to a unique local wildlife, such as the famous Tasmanian devils.

If you’re looking for unspoilt, untouched wilderness, you’re on the right track. Head in on the Gordon River Road to Strathgordon, which is about as far as you can penetrate with a traditional vehicle. To explore more in-depth, you’ll need to continue on foot—but there are some stunning places accessible on short and easy trails. Stay awhile at the free Teds Beach camping ground on Lake Pedder.

Launceston

Half a day’s drive on National Highway 1 from Hobart will see you in Launceston, the second-largest city in Tasmania. Situated in the Tamar Valley wine region, there are some lovely villages to stop at along the way, and this is a great route for those who like a little civilisation mixed in with their spectacular Tasmanian scenery. In Launceston, don’t miss out on visiting Cataract Gorge and the surrounding recreation area.