Hobart International Airport is located in Cambridge which is 11 miles NE of Hobart itself. It is the major passenger airport in Tasmania. Public transport has not been a highly used service for those traveling to and from the airport. The main forms of transportation are the Airporter shuttle bus, Metro bus, taxi and hire car.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us, The Airporter shuttle bus is the cheapest way to get to and from the airport, city center and your accommodation. The friendly driver of the Redline Coaches departs outside the terminal after the arrival of every flight in to the city. The cost is approximately AU$19 one way or AU$35 round trip for adults and about AU$14 each way for children round trip around AU$25.You will need to book at least 2 hours prior to you departure time. If your flight leaves before 9am you will need to book by 6pm the evening prior to your departure. Most hotels will be happy to make the booking for you.
You can call tel. 1300 38 55 11 for more information or visit airporterhobart.com on the web.

If you have not booked a rental car through us, the best options for public transportation in and around Hobart are the Metro Bus services, taxi`s, rental car, or by foot. The city offers options to rent bicycles and has a ferry to reach other areas including Melbourne. There is a market shuttle bus in Salamanca which is free on Saturdays between 9am - 2pm.

Taxi services are located directly in front of the Hobart Airport building. The journey from the airport to the city center takes around 20 minutes by taxi and costs around AU$40. If you need a larger taxi, mini bus or are in need of wheelchair assistance please see a curbside assistant who can request this for you. If no taxis are available at the time of your arrival phone numbers for major taxi companies can be found inside the terminal by the baggage carousels.

Here are some phone numbers for taxi services in the area.
Airport Taxi Service Group tel. 0418 179 202
Chauffeured cars and coaches tel. 1300 308 000
Executive Taxi Service tel. 0411 488 734
Tascabs Hobart Inc Prestige Teri Service tel. 0406 106 067

Hobart is a coastal town and offers `The Spirit of Tasmania`s (spiritoftasmania.com.au) ferry services to connect passengers across the Bass Strait from Melbourne and Davenport. There are two high speed ships that connect Hobart to Melbourne`s Station Pier and Tasmania`s Devonport the journey takes between 9 and 11 hours. The ferry`s can carry up to 1400 passengers and up to 500 vehicles. There are three ferry operators that run upon the Derwent River. Hobart Water Taxis operate a ferry in the morning and evening between the eastern shore and Sullivan`s Cove.

The State Government provides bus services also known as the Metro to transport passengers around the city. Buses operate on an electronic Green Card system or you can buy a ticket once on board. A single ticket will cost around AU$3, day tickets can be used after 9am daily and cost approximately AU$6. The bus system can be fairly complicated with more than a dozen different fare types, routes, destinations and concession types. Although schedules are clearly posted and the buses do tend to run on time and the staff is patient, friendly and helpful. The main bus hub is downtown around Elizabeth and Macquarie St.
For timetable and Service information you can call tel. 13 22 01 or visit metrotas online.

If you have not booked your rental car with us you can arrange to pick up your car at the airport. Renting a car also known as `car hire` is one of the best ways to see Tasmania. A dual-lane highway will take you from the airport to the city of Hobart. They drive on the left side of the road and Hobart is a relatively straightforward city to navigate with good signage. The information desks for car rental companies are located inside the arrival hall.

Hobart City Council manages parking in the city of Hobart. Visitors and shoppers can access a range of parking areas also known as `car parks` that are all within walking distance to the city center. Multi story parking garages are strategically located throughout the city. There are over 2000 short term parking spaces available in the area.

The city charges for parking on the street and in designated parking garages. Voucher machines are available in designated areas. Voucher machines accept 10c, 20c, AU$1 and AU$2 coins. The City is introducing new machines that will accept credit cards. These are not available in all parking areas. In addition to the voucher machines you will find on street parking around the city with multi bay and single head parking meters. These meters also accept coins and are available Mon - Sat from 8:30am - 6pm and Sunday from 9am - 4pm. Meters do not operate on public holidays. Parking fees are displayed on the meters and voucher machines.

Central Hobart is a small and intimate city with beautiful cobblestoned streets. Getting around on foot is very easy and most of the attractions are within walking distance of the city center. You can also hire electric bicycles for around AU$35 for the day. The council provides services such as Hobart CBD mobility map and a free wheel chair to improve access to the city center and Salamanca Market for the disabled.

Hobart is the capital of Australia`s island state of Tasmania straddling the Derwent River and nestled amongst the foothills of Mt.Wellington with sweeping views. It is the second oldest city in the country after Sydney and offers a contrasting blend of heritage, scenery and culture in a setting of exceptional beauty. With its captivating history, old sandstone warehouses, gourmet experiences, rugged mountains and picturesque waterways Hobart has something to offer everyone.

Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasmanian Peninsula. It is the states number one tourist destination. Visitors should plan to spend at least one day here. Set on one of the prettiest harbors with a haunting past, this is one of Australia`s most significant heritage areas and has an open air museum. The Port Arthur Historic site is a large area with 19th century buildings. Your day trip can include visiting the remains of the church, a prison, the guard tower and many other historic buildings. Call or visit the web for more information (tel. 1800 659 101 orportarthur.com on the web).

Mount Field National Park is just over an hour`s drive from Hobart and is one of the prettiest park`s in Tasmania. Entrance fees are around AU$12 per person or approximately AU$24 per car (up to 8 people). Highlights of the park include walking through man-ferns and wet eucalypt forest, spectacular views of the dolerite capped mountains and dramatic glaciated valleys with wildlife including wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils. There are several walking trails including one to the spectacular Russell Falls near the park`s entrance and Styx Valley where the world`s tallest hardwood trees grow in the Valley of Giants. You can visit the parks website parks.tas.gov.au or call tel. 03/6288 1149 for more information. Open daily from 8:30am - 5pm between November and April and 9am - 4pm in the winter.

Battery Point is a suburb of the city of Hobart immediately south of the central business district. The area got its name after the battery of guns which were established on the point in 1818 as part of Hobart coastal defenses. Be sure to visit `Runnymede Street` the best preserved street in the heart of Battery Point with a collection of tiny houses and cottages formed in a circle around the village green. Today the city is known for its more prestigious suburbs with large extravagant homes and historic houses dating from the first European settlement of Hobart Town. There are tearooms, restaurants and antique shops.

What is the weather like in Hobart?

Tasmania has four distinct seasons summer, winter, autumn and spring.

Summer is between December and February with average temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) to 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) with sea temperatures around 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit). The hottest areas of the state are in the valleys west of Hobart; however the highlands tend to be much cooler.

Winter months are between June and July and tend to be the wettest and coldest months in the state. The most elevated areas receive a considerable amount of snowfall. Temperatures range from 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit) along the coast to 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit) on the central plateau.

Autumn is between March and May with changeable weather patterns where summer weather gradually takes on the winter weather patterns.

Spring is the season of transition between winter and summer. Snowfall is not common in the mountain areas until October. This season can be the windiest time of the year with afternoon sea breezes coming off the coast.

The Australian dollar (Au$) which is made up of 100 cents is the official currency of Australia. Banks are the best place to exchange cash or travelers checks. Numerous banks are located around the city and are normally open Monday - Friday closing at 5pm on Friday and 4pm every other evening. There are ATM`s located in Salamanca Place and Square.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Australia by clicking here Australia

The peak season in Hobart is the summertime when the weather is the warmest. Easter is a busy time as well as June. In the springtime you will avoid some of the crowds.

Christmas and New Years in Hobart can be spectacular! The area sparkles! The annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is held on December 26th and lasts 2 to 4 day. The event dominates the area with party goers and spectators descending on the area. Sailors and fans normally stay on to celebrate New Year`s Eve. The New Year also coincides with the `Tastes of Tasmania Festival` also know as `Hobart Summer Festival` which starts on December 28th. The dockside area comes alive with the best food and wine which is offered in numerous cafes, bars and waterfront stalls.

The area is known for its fresh seafood. You can enjoy fresh caught oysters, crayfish, trout, salmon and crab at one of the many restaurants.