Hobart is the cosmopolitan capital of Tasmania, a scenic island state in southeast Australia. Steeped in colonial history, the city is awash with centuries-old sites. A gorgeous natural backdrop of tree-studded mountains and glistening inlets enhances its allure.
While Hobart itself is worth a look, the city also serves as a strategic starting point to explore Tasmania’s vast, untamed landscapes. From wind-swept islands to hauntingly beautiful highlands, tiny Tasmania is a nature lover's dream.
“Tassie,” as the locals call it, also has some of the best RV infrastructure in Australia. Hundreds of picture-perfect free campsites lie scattered around the island, and you’ll find dump stations and water fill-up locations wherever you travel.
Immense natural beauty, compact geography, and abundant free camps make Tasmania a playground for free-spirited RV travelers.
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Renting a camper in Hobart is the most cost-effective and convenient way to explore the southern sections of the state. There’s a wide range of reasons why you should rent a camper in Hobart:
Affordable: You’ll get a wallet-friendly vacation with your accommodation and transport expenses rolled into one. Tasmania is a paradise for free camping.
Convenience: No need to circle back to your hotel each afternoon—pull up at the nearest campsite to retire for the night. Plus, you’ll have all your belongings in the van with you.
Freedom: Explore far-flung regions and draft impromptu itineraries as you go. A motorhome lets you follow the whim of the road.
Get close to nature: Overnighting at a scenic campsite brings you closer to nature than a hotel ever could. Don’t forget to look up and admire the twinkling stars.
On-board amenities: Drive and sleep in one vehicle. From a fridge full of food to fresh water and clean clothes, everything you need is within easy reach.
When embarking on a motorhome vacation, remember these essentials when driving around Tasmania in a campervan rental:
It's hard not to fall in love with Hobart. Despite its frigid winters, mainland Americans are packing up their possessions and moving to the city in droves—the real estate market is piping hot right now.
Part of the appeal lies in the town's spectacular natural setting. Straddling the tranquil River Derwent, the city is blessed with waterfront views. The 4,170-foot Mount Wellington looms in the background, where you'll find panoramic lookouts and the sublime sub-alpine Organ Pipes walk. The verdant Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens offer a glimpse of the island's natural splendor, while Rosny Hill Lookout is your best bet for a lofty cityscape view.
Historic Hobart hosts a multitude of intriguing old-timey sites. The convict-constructed Constitution Dock sits in the center, where shimmering waters cast a reflection of pastel-colored colonial homes.
The Hobart Convict Penitentiary and Cascades Female Factory provide insight into darker days. For a more light-hearted history lesson, order a pint at Cascade Brewery Bar, Australia's oldest beer maker. South of the downtown area, Battery Point is an atmospheric old neighborhood with sweeping views.
Present-day Hobart has a thriving contemporary side. At the helm reigns MONA, a whimsical subterranean space and world-famous art museum. Every Saturday, the Salamanca Market heaves with artisans flogging locally-grown produce and handcrafted wares. A smorgasbord of trendy hospitality venues peppers the center—Hobart is a great place to wine and dine.
A dazzling array of spectacular natural attractions resides within an easy drive of the city.
Venturing northwest leads you past New Norfolk towards Mount Field, one of Tassie's most sought-after national parks. Gushing falls, and rainforest shroud the mountain base—hit the Three Falls Circuit to admire them all. The steep winding drive towards the summit leads to more hiking adventures, including the sublime Tarn Shelf Track.
Heading west, stop at Styx Tall Trees Forest Reserve to marvel at monstrously large Eucalyptus regnans. Next, you'll hit the twin lakes of Gordon and Peddler, home to spectacular waterfront campgrounds and high-altitude trails. At the end of the road, the towering Gordon Dam makes for a top-notch photo op.
Just outside the city, Mount Nelson has a network of hilly hikes, while Kingston straddles a pretty peninsula and the panoramic Alum Cliffs Track. Pop in for pancakes at the Margate Train before jumping on a car ferry to Bruny Island.
Tassie’s most Instagrammable lookout resides at Bruny’s Neck, a razor-sharp isthmus separating north and south. South Bruny hosts the island’s best natural sites. Don’t miss Adventure Bay and the Labillardiere Peninsula.
Back on the mainland, the Huon Valley is home to a smattering of lovely riverfront towns. Swing by Woodbridge, Cygnet, Franklin, and Geeveston for quaint countryside vibes. The Huon is prime apple-growing territory—guzzle a bottle of locally-brewed cider at Pagan or Willie Smiths.
Hartz Mountains National Park is a worthy detour for its glacial lakes and lofty views. The same applies to Hastings Cave, with its enormous dolomite cavern and soothing thermal springs.
Travelers venturing down the long dirt road to Cockle Creek are rewarded with waterfront campsites and glimmering coves. The 10-mile South Cape Bay Track offers a taste of the wild Southwest National Park.
The eastern route first takes you to the Tasman Peninsula, a dramatic landmass with colonial sites and staggering sea cliffs. Eagle Neck is a narrow isthmus separating its two sides—it once helped keep convicts captive with its infamous, canine-guarded Dog Line. Don't miss the kaleidoscopic rock formations at the Tessellated Pavement.
Day hikes depart from Doo Town—the Waterfall Bluff Track is a winner. Further south, Fortescue Bay leads to the peninsula's most mind-blowing cliff-top walks. Tackle the steep steps to Cape Hauy or the overnight trek to Cape Pillar.
Not that energetic? You can book a cruise around this portion of the peninsula instead.
Port Arthur is Australia's best-preserved convict settlement. Allow several hours to explore its crumbling Penitentiary and other historic abodes. Further south, you'll find more jaw-dropping trails on Cape Raoul, plus the aptly named Remarkable Cave.
North of the peninsula, passenger ferries depart Orford for the wildlife-rich Maria Island, a car-free haven home to fuzzy wombats and ferocious Tasmanian devils. Some visit as a day trip. But if time permits, it's worth bringing a tent and camping overnight (you'll have to leave the van on the mainland).
North of Maria sits Freycinet, a dreamy national park packed with granite mountains and turquoise coves. The curvaceous white sand beach at Wineglass Bay is its most celebrated site, though avid hikers will find plenty more to explore.
The northern half of Tasmania hosts a plethora of pristine wilderness regions. If you plan to primarily explore the north, you're better off renting a campervan in Launceston or Devonport. Nonetheless, due to the state's small size, it's still feasible to visit the north from Hobart.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair is Tasmania's—and some say Australia's—most spectacular national park. Spell-binding walking trails and scenic lookouts abound in both the southern Lake St Clair and northern Cradle Mountain sections. You don't need to be a gung-ho adventurer. Easy-going family-friendly hikes cut through the rugged alpine terrain.
Other worthwhile northern sites include the likes of Cataract Gorge, Bay of Fires, Liffey Falls, Montezuma Falls, Leven Canyon, and Tarkine Drive. Of course, that's by no means an exhaustive list.
Tassie is a hiking mecca with endless breathtaking trails to explore. See the Parks & Wildlife Service 60 Great Short Walks for a cheat sheet of Tasmania's most scenic day hikes.
Long-distance hikers can enjoy an impressive selection of multi-day walks, including the world-famous Overland Track. Use a local transport agency to save on van rental fees during longer hikes. On short or overnight stints, you can leave your camper at the trailhead until you return.
Here's an easy itinerary designed for travelers who want to spend more time sightseeing and driving less. You'll start in and near Hobart, and then on day two, you'll head north in a loop, returning to Hobart at the end of a relaxing week.
MORE: East Coast 7-Day ItineraryHighlights include the Port Arthur Historic Site and Coles Bay (which has over 300 days of sunshine annually - more than Gold Coast, Queensland!). You’ll also have time for a cruise on the world-famous Gordon River.
Starting from the capital city of Tasmania, Hobart, we take you north to enjoy the east coast, then west to Launceston and on to the rugged west coast. Then it’s cross-country back to Hobart.
MORE: Tasmania 14-Day ItineraryAustralians need a full and valid (no Learner, Provisional, or Probationary) class C car license to rent a camper in Hobart.
International travellers must have an International Drivers Permit or an English translation of a comparable foreign license.
Drivers under 21 can’t rent a camper in Australia. If you’re under 25, you’ll need to pay a young driver surcharge.
Many rental agencies don’t allow driving on unsealed roads (i.e., the southern parts of Bruny or Cockle Creek). Double-check your route with the company before you go.
Yes, the most popular route is Hobart to [Launceston]((australia/launceston) (or in the opposite direction). Vehicles can also be picked up in Devonport, though the choices there are limited.
Most campervan rental companies in Tasmania are located in Hobart, and hence the largest selection of campers is available there. As a result, many travelers decide to do a full circuit of the island, traveling one way along the east coast and the other along the west coast of the island.
This allows you to see many of Tasmania's popular tourist attractions, starting with visitor favorites Mount Wellington and Salamanca Market in Hobart City, through the Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet National Park, and Wineglass Bay on the east coast, to Cradle Mountain and the Tamar Valley up north and the Gordon River along the rugged west coast.
The majority of motorhome rental companies in Tasmania have their branch located in Hobart, so you'll find a wider selection of rental vehicles available there.
Not many rental RVs in Australia accommodate a bike rack. Let’s Go Motorhomes allows and hires bike racks (on motorhomes only) while Jucy allows but does not hire bike racks. There is also the option to store a bike inside a larger motorhome rental from Apollo, Cheapa Campa, and Hippie. It’s worth noting that bikes should be kept in a bag if stored inside and extra care should be taken if bringing your own bike rack, where it is allowed
Yes, generally unlimited miles are included for standard vehicle rentals in Australia. Limits are placed on some types of vehicles e.g. 4x4 campers. The comparison tool will show you if your preferred vehicle has unlimited miles included or if the mileage is restricted.
Yes, it’s standard for most RV rental companies to allow an additional driver. This driver and any others must be named on the rental agreement and there may be a nominal fee.
Additional drivers must also hold an appropriate driver’s license and must meet driver age requirements.