Car Hire Launceston Airport
Launceston Airport is the gateway to northern Tasmania — the island state that sits off Australia's southeastern coast, with a landscape of mountains, wilderness, colonial towns, and a food and wine culture that has grown rapidly in the past two decades. The airport handles flights from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, and is the primary entry point for visitors whose itinerary focuses on the north, east, or west of the island rather than Hobart in the south.
A rental car collected at Launceston Airport is essential for almost any Tasmanian itinerary outside the immediate city. Launceston itself has attractions — Cataract Gorge, the Queen Victoria Museum, and a well-preserved nineteenth-century streetscape — but the island's major destinations are all outside town. The Tamar Valley wine region, Cradle Mountain, the Bay of Fires, Freycinet National Park, and the historic towns of the north and east coast all require a vehicle. Tasmania has no train network, and bus services are limited to a few main routes with infrequent departures.
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Northern Tasmania
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timing that varies with traffic and conditions south of Launceston
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Why Collect at Launceston Airport
If you are flying into Tasmania and your itinerary includes the north, northwest, or east coast, Launceston Airport is a potentially practical collection point. It avoids the need for a separate transfer into the city, and it positions you immediately for drives to the Tamar Valley, Devonport, or the Midlands Highway south toward Hobart. Confirm with your supplier whether the desk is inside the terminal or if collection requires a shuttle to a nearby depot. Save the exact address, contact number, and any after-hours collection procedure.
Launceston Downtown Collection
For visitors staying in central Launceston before beginning a road trip, collecting in the CBD may be more convenient. Downtown offices are typically within walking distance of major hotels and the Cataract Gorge reserve. The trade-off is that you will need to arrange transport from the airport to your accommodation first — by taxi, shuttle, or rideshare — before collecting the vehicle. Compare the total cost and convenience of both options before booking.
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Launceston is Australia's third-oldest city — founded in 1806, barely twenty years after Sydney and before Melbourne. Its early growth was tied to the Tamar Valley's agricultural land and the port at Georgetown, where goods entered and left the northern settlement. The city's nineteenth-century wealth is still visible in the sandstone and brick buildings along Civic Square and in the churches and hotels that dominate the streetscape.
But Launceston's real appeal is not the city itself — it is what the city gives access to. Within an hour's drive you can be tasting wine in the Tamar Valley, walking through Cataract Gorge in the centre of town, or heading west toward the high country of the Great Western Tiers. Within two hours you can reach Cradle Mountain, the east coast beaches, or the historic towns of the Midlands. That concentration of distinct landscapes within a small island is what makes Tasmania unusual, and it is why a rental car is not a luxury here but a necessity.
Tasmania's isolation has preserved landscapes that have disappeared from mainland Australia. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area covers nearly a quarter of the island and includes some of the last temperate rainforest on Earth. The east coast has beaches with water clarity that rivals the tropics, despite the latitude. The food and wine culture, built on clean air, cold winters, and rich soil, has produced products that are now exported globally. None of this is accessible from a hotel room in Launceston. It all requires a car, a road, and the time to stop when something catches your eye.
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Choose for people, bags and roads
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- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Driving in Tasmania
Tasmania drives on the left. Major highways — the Bass Highway along the north coast, the Midland Highway between Launceston and Hobart, and the Tasman Highway along the east coast — are sealed and well-maintained. Many secondary roads, particularly those leading to national parks, remote coastlines, and mountain areas, are narrow, winding, and occasionally unsealed. Wildlife is a serious hazard: wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils are most active at dusk and after dark.
Fuel and Remote Areas
Fuel is available in all major Tasmanian towns, but if your itinerary includes the west coast, the far south, or remote national park areas, fill up whenever you pass a service station. Some remote areas have no fuel for long stretches. The west coast towns of Queenstown, Strahan, and Zeehan have fuel, but the roads between them are isolated and mobile phone coverage is limited.
Weather and Seasonal Driving
Tasmania has a cool, maritime climate. Summer (December–February) is mild and the busiest season. Autumn (March–May) offers stable weather and autumn colours in the highlands. Winter (June–August) brings snow to elevated areas, particularly around Cradle Mountain and the Central Plateau, and some mountain roads may require snow chains or close entirely. Spring (September–November) is unpredictable, with rapid weather changes. Always check official road and park condition reports before travelling into remote or elevated areas.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Launceston Airport.
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Tamar Valley Wine Region
The Tamar Valley, north of Launceston, is one of Australia's premier cool-climate wine regions, with more than 30 cellar doors producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and sparkling wine. The valley follows the Tamar River between steep hillsides and flat river flats. The roads are sealed and suited to all vehicle types, though some winery access tracks are gravel. The region also includes the Narawntapu National Park, known for its wildlife and coastal walks.
Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair
Cradle Mountain is the most iconic peak in Tasmania and the northern gateway to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Dove Lake circuit is the most popular walk, offering views of the mountain reflected in the lake. The drive from Launceston passes through dairy farmland and forest before climbing into the highlands. The final approach involves winding mountain roads. In winter, snow can affect access and walking conditions.
The East Coast and Freycinet
The Tasman Highway runs from Launceston to Hobart along Tasmania's east coast, passing through historic towns such as Scottsdale, St Helens, and Swansea. Freycinet National Park, home to Wineglass Bay, sits on a peninsula midway down the coast and is one of Tasmania's most visited natural attractions. The Coles Bay road leads to the park entrance, with sealed access to major trailheads and lookouts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 4WD in Tasmania?
For most standard itineraries — Launceston to Hobart via the east or midlands, the Tamar Valley, and the major national parks — a standard car is sufficient. For remote tracks such as the Western Explorer on the west coast, or specific off-road access to remote lodges, a 4WD may be required. Check your rental agreement for unsealed road permissions before booking if your plans include remote or wilderness areas.
Can I take a rental car on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry?
The Spirit of Tasmania operates between Geelong (Victoria) and Devonport (Tasmania). Some rental suppliers allow their vehicles on the ferry; others prohibit it. If you are planning a trip that includes both mainland Australia and Tasmania in the same rental period, you must confirm ferry permissions with the supplier before booking. One-way rentals between Tasmania and the mainland are generally not available.
What is the best base for exploring northern Tasmania — Launceston or Devonport?
Launceston is the larger city, with more accommodation, dining, and service options. It is closer to the Tamar Valley, Cradle Mountain, and the east coast. Devonport, on the north coast, is the arrival point for the Spirit of Tasmania and is closer to the northwest coast, the Tarkine wilderness, and Stanley. If your itinerary focuses on the north and east, Launceston is the better base. If you are arriving by ferry and heading west, Devonport makes more sense.
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