Most popular car hire location in Tasmania
Tasmania Mini Guide
Tasmania is an island off the coast of Australia and is the smallest of Australia’s states. It was originally a penal colony and those visitors who are interested in history may wish to visit some of the island’s old prisons.
Tasmania is a good place for nature lovers to go on holiday as well. The island promotes itself internationally as 'Australia's Natural State' and within Australia as the 'Island of Inspiration'. About 40% of Tasmania is protected in the form of national parks, World Heritage Areas, and forest and marine reserves. Its most famous animal is the nocturnal Tasmanian Devil, the inspiration for the Warner Brothers cartoon, which is small black and white marsupial with sharp teeth and ferocious screams.
Tasmania is also a great place to go fly fishing for trout. Walkers, hikers and bikers are sure to be satisfied too as there are a number of wonderful nature trails to explore. If you are a wine connoisseur then Tasmanian will tantalise your palate and it is worth taking a tasting tour in the Tamar River and the Huon Valley.
Tasmania has a few airports and the main ones are at Launceston and Hobart, though there are also airports at Burnie, Devonport and Melbourne. If you plan to use car hire from Australia and drive to Tasmania, rental cars can be ferried across to Tasmania from Australia on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, but please check the rate details before you book to ensure this is permitted on your particular rental. The main highway which goes between Devonport, Launceston and Hobart is the quickest way of travelling around the island.
Most of the roads on Tasmania are windy and you will struggle to get up to the state speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour. Because of this you should be conservative when estimating your journey times as the routes may not be as direct as they appear on maps. You may wish to request a GPS system when booking car hire to help you navigate your way around especially in the forests where it is easy to get lost. Otherwise a map will serve you well.
Tasmania uses an alphanumeric system for road references, and all roads are well marked with references and destinations. Attractions are generally well signposted from the nearest main road. Make sure you observe the speed limits and keep an eye out for any wild animals which may suddenly run in front of your rental car.
Tasmania Factfile
- Tasmania is a state and Australian island, approximately 507,000 people live there
- Around 37% of the land in Tasmania is given over to reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites
- Tasmania has many nicknames including 'Island of Inspiration', 'The Apple Isle', 'Holiday Isle' and 'Tassie'
- The country is named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who made the first reported European sighting of the island in 1642
- The national animal in the country is the Tasmanian Devil