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 Out of Launceston
Midland Highway: Launceston to Hobart via Oatlands, Campbell Town
Lake Highway: Launceston to Hobart via Bothwell, Miena and Cressy
Tasman Highway: Launceston to Sorell, Swansea, St Helens, Scottsdale
Bass Highway: Launceston to Burnie, Devonport and Wynyard; Melbourne via Devonport, then by car ferry to Port Melbourne

Tasmanian Road Distances

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Book Car Hire



Regional Drives From Launceston

Esk and Fingal Valleys


Tasmania's North East


Cradle Mountain


Tasmania's North West


Great Western Tiers


Georgian Era Villages

Highland Lakes Road


Midland Highway


Circumnavigate Tasmania

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