Devonport, North West and West Coast of Tasmania

Travelling to Launceston by Road

Driving a motor vehicle is the easiest way to get around Tasmania and its surrounding area, particularly for visitors. You can hire a car in all the major cities and towns of Tasmania, or you can bring your own car to Tasmania via the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne. The ferry's only port of call in Tasmania is Devonport, a city in the state's north on the shores of Bass Strait. Launceston is 100 kms or a one hour drive from the Devonport ferry terminal. Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, is 200 km to the south of Launceston by road.

There are few parts of the state of interest to visitors that can't be reached in motoring comfort, although lesser roads, whilst sealed, do tend to be narrow. In Tasmania, the speed limit on the open road is generally 110 kilometres per hour, with 50 or 60 kph in built up areas. In Tasmania, a driver's licence from your home country or another Australian state will usually suffice for up to three months, as long as it has photo identification and it is for the same class of vehicle you intend to drive. If yor're staying more than three months, you will need to get a Tasmanian drivers licence. 

Major Highways Into and Out of Devonport

To/From Launceston: Bass Highway (100 km/1 hr)

To/From Hobart: Bass Highway to Launceston, then Midland Highway via Oatlands and Campbell Town to Hobart (279km/ 3 hrs)

To/From Melbourne: Spirit of Tasmania car ferry to/from Port Melbourne

To/From Hobart via Central Highlands: Lake Highway via Bothwell, Miena and Cressy to Hobart (413 km/6 hrs)

To/From West Coast: Bass Highway to Burnie, then Murchison Highway to Strahan (226 km/3 hours) and Queenstown (211 km/2 hrs 30 mins).

Tasmanian Road Distances