Car Rental at Hobart Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital and most populous city of Tasmania, Hobart is a great place to visit. Not only an exciting destination in its own right, it can also serve as a gateway to the beaches, villages, and nature areas of the southern part of the island. Here are some intersting facts about Hobart: 

• Hobart is the capital city of the Australian island state of Tasmania and the second oldest capital city in the country (after Sydney). It was founded in 1804 initially as a penal colony during the convict era.

• The city is situated beneath the towering peaks of Mount Wellington (kunanyi), a 1271-meter mountain with amazing hiking trails and waterfalls.

• Hobart is home to the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which is a famous Australian sailing event taking place yearly on Boxing Day (December 26).

• With a population of just 206,000 people, Hobart is visited by close to 2 million tourists annually.

With its unique historical position, wedged between Mount Wellington and the River Derwent, the city is a hub for nature lovers and fans of Australian history. Here are some  exciting Hobart attractions to add to your list of things to do and see  in the region. You can find more things to do in this great guide to Hobart.

• Mount Wellington trails. Hobart’s famous mountain, known as kunanyi is host to an extensive network of walking and mountain biking tracks. Hike to the summit or explore the many waterfalls and forest trails that are within walking distance of Salamanca Place.

• Top of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington. The summit of Kunanyi offers wonderful views of Hobart and southern Tasmania. While you can walk, there is also a road (often closed in Winter) leading all the way to the summit, where travelers will find an information center and many excellent lookout points.

• Salamanca Markets. The most famous weekly market in Tasmania. Salamanca Markets are held every Saturday at Salamanca Place near Hobart’s waterfront district. This market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and friendly stalls selling everything from local crafts to fresh Tasmanian produce.

• Antarctic attractions. Australia is usually associated with extreme heat rather than cold, but the southern part of the country, including Tasmania, is actually one of the main access points for Antarctica, and there are many attractions in Hobart that are dedicated to Antarctic research. These include the visitor’s center of the Australian Antarctic Division, the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum dedicated to the expedition of the seventh continent by one of Australia’s most famous explorers, the exhibitions of ‘Islands to Ice’ at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens which houses many unique subantarctic plants. Tasmania is also one of the best places in the world to view the Aurora Australis, or the southern lights, with many companies in Hobart offering watching tours, especially during the southern hemisphere’s winter which lasts from June to August.
• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Celebrating its 40th birthday in 2021, the Bonorong is dedicated to the protection of Tasmania’s unique and threatened species, as well injured individual animals. Visitors of the sanctuary can learn about the conversation efforts, as well as observe inhabitants like Forester kangaroos, wombats, koalas, and cockatoos. Located north of the city, the center can be reached in about 30 minutes.
• Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas. Two wild, fascinating areas just southeast of Hobart that can be easily reached by car, the peninsulas are great either for a day-trip or a longer, slower expedition. Sparsely populated and with a truly stunning coastline, they are home to attractions like the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Unzoo, a number of national parks, and former penal sites that have been turned into heritage destinations.
• Maritime Museum of Tasmania. Covering such varied topics as shipbuilding, whaling, and the lighthouses of Tasmania, this is one of the most interesting museums in Hobart. The museum also deals with the arrival of the Europeans (which, naturally, took place over water) and even has a fascinating exhibition on Indigenous Tasmanian sailing.
• Freycinet National Park. Located on the island’s eastern coast, Freycinet takes up most of the peninsula of the same name. Best known for the beautiful beaches around Wineglass Bay, this is also a nature preserve and home to such unique inhabitants as echidnas, flame robins, and blotched blue-tongued lizards. A car trip from Hobart takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Top international routes

• Melbourne
• Sydney
• Brisbane
• Launceston
• Canberra
• Gold Coast
• Adelaide
• Perth

Main airlines

Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Tigerair Australia, Cobham Aviation, and Skytraders

Terminals

The domestic terminal serves most flights while the international terminal is only used for flights to Antarctica.

Location

Hobart Airport is about 17 km (11 mi) northeast of Hobart, the largest city on the island of Tasmania. Tasman Highway/A3 is the main road connecting the airport to the city. The drive from Hobart International Airport in Tiger Head Bay to the city center takes approximately 20 minutes.

Most popular types of rental car

• Medium cars - from $35 per day
• SUVs - from $46 per day
• Large cars - from $59 per day
• Vans - from $137 per day
• Small cars - from $35 per day
• Premium cars - from $96 per day
• Station wagons - from $109 per day

Car rental desks

Some desks are inside the airport terminal, while other rental companies offer free shuttle service to their facilities nearby. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.

Services and facilities

The airport is small, but it has quite a few services and facilities: coffee shops, wine bars, and restaurants, as well as a souvenir shop, convenience stores, and other kinds of shops. There are also ATMs, baby changing rooms, a bicycle workshop, travel agencies, and an on-site hotel located right outside the terminal. Keep in mind that the airport is only open from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Some of the airport’s facilities are equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. Special assistance is also available; just contact your airline in advance if you’d like this service. The airport provides free hearing devices for travelers with impaired hearing.

Nearest gas station

BP gas station at 3 Holyman Avenue can be reached in about three minutes. There are many other gas stations near Hobart Airport and on the way to the city.

Popular one-way rentals

• Launceston (192 km / 119 mi)
• Devenport (272 km / 169 mi)
• Melbourne (711 km / 442 mi)