Tasmania car hire

Tasmania is a big island, and it can take a long time to get from north to south if you’re just relying on buses or trains. With plenty of connections to contemplate, public transport can take a lot of time out of your day, so it’s much more convenient and flexible to hire a car. Tasmania is made for driving; there are even self-drive itineraries, such as the Great Eastern Drive, which is 112 miles of road stretching along the island’s beautiful east coast, along the Tasman Highway A3 from Orford to St Helens. If you’re hiring your car in the capital, Hobart, you can usually reach other major towns such as Launceston within 2h 30min and Devonport in 3h 20min, both via National Highway 1.

Tasmania is a stunning place to visit, especially when exploring the beautiful scenery and ever-changing landscapes by car. However, driving around the island can have its dangers if you’re not aware of the rules of the road. Firstly, make sure to note the general speed limits of 50 km/h (30 mph) in urban areas, 100 km/h (60 mph) in rural areas and 110 km/h (68 mph) on motorways. Though roads are well connected, some can be closed off during severe wet weather, so plan out your route beforehand and check the weather forecast regularly. Also, petrol stations are scarce and can close at night or on Sundays, so it’s good to know where the nearest one is and fill up the tank as often as you can. And finally, watch out for animals on the road, especially during the early hours and at night.

If you want to hire a car in Tasmania, you must be at least 21 years old whilst having held your driving licence for a minimum of two years. Furthermore, some companies do not allow drivers under the age of 25 to hire a car. Most car hire companies apply a young driver surcharge, which is typically charged daily on top of the cost of the hire. Make sure to check your chosen car hire company’s minimum age policy; you can find them when booking your car online through KAYAK.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.