
Easy Tasmania Car Rental Guide
How to find the best and the cheapest Tasmania car rental in 5 minutes
Exploring Tasmania by car is hands-down the best way to soak in the island’s rugged landscapes and hidden gems. And soon, you’ll be zipping through Hobart’s streets, taking the scenic route to Cradle Mountain, and making your way to a remote beach on Bruny Island. Car rental in Tasmania offers the ultimate in freedom and flexibility for your Tasmania travel.
But car rental in Tasmania is not the same as it is in the rest of Australia. There are some important things to understand – key take-aways and conversations to have with your car rental company – before you hit the road.
Lucky for you, we’ve got an easy 5 minute guide on exactly what to know. 😉 👇🏽


Where to rent a car in Tasmania?
The good news is, picking up a car in Tasmania is easy, with rental companies at Hobart and Launceston airports, and also in Hobart city and Launceston city.
🔐 Pro Tip: Check out or Tasmania Airports Map if you’re not sure which airport to fly into for Tasmania.
If you’re flying in through Tasmania’s regional airports, you can hire a car from Devonport Airport and from Burnie Airport too.
Big names like Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and SIXT are there. But did you know that there are local Tasmania car rental companies? Small local businesses like Tassie Car Rentals, SafeDrive Car Rentals, Lo-Cost Auto Rent, YesDrive Car Rentals, and Alice Car Rental offer friendly service, budget prices, and more flexibility with young drivers.
One-way car rentals are also popular in Tassie, especially if you want to start in Hobart and finish in Launceston (or vice versa). Just know, one-way fees might apply—so plan your route ahead of time to avoid surprises.
Hobart car rental companies compared 👇🏽
Tasmania Car Rental Guide
Key Take-Aways
✅ Tasmania’s driving conditions vary. Plan where you’re going, then choose your rental car for those conditions.
✅ Hire a car with good road clearance. Sadly, Tasmania’s roads are littered with road kill. Swerving to miss it can be dangerous.
✅ Avoid overpaying. Take our tips on how to find the cheapest car rental in Tasmania. 👇🏽
✅ Tasmania has the worst road safety record in Australia. We highly recommend excess reduction for your car rental in Tasmania.
✅ With poor road safety here, follow our tips for driving safely, driving in snow and on unsealed (gravel) roads.
✅ Plan ahead where you’re going to fill up your rental car. Especially if you’re heading off main roads.
What type of hire car is best for Tasmania
The best car for your trip depends on where you’re going.
- City Explorers: If you’re sticking to Hobart or Launceston or highways and interconnecting sealed roads, a compact car like a Toyota Corolla or Suzuki Swift is nice and cheap and will do the job.
- National Parks and Gravel Roads: An SUV like a Hyundai Kona or Toyta Rav4 gives you extra comfort and security if you’re exploring remote areas. Go for something higher off the ground on gravel or in National Parks. Sadly, there’s a lot of road kill in Tasmania and swerving around it because you don’t have clearance is dangerous.
- Snow, high elevation or off-road: we recommend 4WD only at high elevations in winter – read more on driving a rental car in winter in Tasmania, down below 👇🏽. Also if you’re driving on beaches on South Bruny Island or hitting more remote spots in the west or central highlands.
- Longer distances: If you’re doing a lot of driving an SUV will provide greater comfort on the road, and better suspension. With Tasmania’s potholded roads, that can be a godsend.
- Electric Vehicles EVs): Want to test an electric vehicle for a possible future purchase? The good news is you can hire EVs in Tasmania. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are the most popular options. Just make sure you have a map of all of the EV charging stations with you as you tour around.
What do you need to rent a car in Tasmania?
Age requirements are a common question. Most car rental companies in Tasmania rent to drivers 21 years and older, but for premium SUVs and luxury cars you might need to be at least 25. Some local companies like Tassie Car Rentals even rent to drivers under 21, with conditions that still feel fair.
International travelers will need a valid driver’s license to rent a car in Tasmania. And if it isn’t in English, you’ll also need an International Driving Permit. Make sure you get this from the authorised provider in your home country before departing. There are a lot of counterfeit sites online, so beware.
If you’re planning to share the driving load, you can add additional drivers to your rental agreement for a small fee. Just make sure everyone who gets behind the wheel is listed in the contract, otherwise you might void the insurance.
Tasmania Rental Car Insurance and Excess
Here’s where things get tricky. Most rentals include basic insurance, but with high excess (your out-of-pocket cost if anything goes wrong). This can be as high as AUD 5,445, which can feel like a lot to swallow.
Luckily, you’ve got options:
- Excess reduction packages are available, lowering your liability to a few hundred dollars, or even to zero. You’ll pay a bit more per day, but it’s peace of mind if something happens. We recommend excess reduction for your car rental in Tasmania. Because Tasmania has the worst road safety record of all states in Australia.
What’s not covered in your standard Tasmania care rental policy?
Be careful about windscreen, tire, and underbody damage—these are common exclusions. If you plan to travel on gravel roads, it’s a good idea to confirm the conditions with your rental company.
Read more about taking rental cars on unsealed roads in Tasmania👇🏽
How to find cheap car rentals Tasmania
Cheap car rentals in Tasmania are as rare as hen’s teeth. We hear you. And there’s so many car rental companies. How do you get the best deal? To save you time, here are our insider tips on how to actually find the chepeast car rental in Tasmania:
1. Book early, especially if you’re traveling in the busy summer or school holiday season. The best deals go fast, and availability drops closer to peak periods.
2. Fly into Hobart. More competition from more Hobart car rental companies means you get a better price. There are also more local Tasmania car hire companies operating out of Hobart.
3. Check out local Tasmanian care rental companies. You’ve probably never heard of Tasmania car rental companies like Lo-Cost Auto Rent and Tassie Car Rentals. They don’t win Google searches but often they offer cheaper car rentals from Hobart Airport and Launceston Airport in particular. They have unlimited kilometer packages and no-frills options that are cheaper than the big brands. They’re also better at providing a personalised service, because often they’re family owned.
4. Pick up and return in the same location. A popular option for car rentals in Tasmania is to pick up in Hobart and drop off in Launceston. Or vice versa. But don’t do this if you want a cheap car rental. There’s often an additional charge attached.
Can you hire EVs in Tasmania?
Driving an electric vehicle (EV) in Tasmania is more doable than you might think. There’s a growing network of charging stations across the island, including key spots like Hobart, Launceston, and Cradle Mountain. Some rental companies, like SIXT and Drive Car Hire, now offer EVs, including Teslas, for eco-conscious travelers or first time EV drivers.
👀 Expert tip: If you’re taking an EV to remote areas, plan your charging stops carefully. Tasmania’s scenic detours might take you off the beaten path, so it’s good to know where the nearest charger is.
Read more: Everything you need to know about EV charging stations in Tasmania 👇🏽

Fuel policies and where to fill the tank
Most rentals operate on a full-to-full policy—you get the car with a full tank, and you need to return it full. Don’t forget to fill up before drop-off—otherwise, the rental company will charge you, and trust us, their fuel prices aren’t friendly.
Check out the maps below 👇🏽 that show where to fill up your rental car at Hobart Airport and Launceston Airport.
In remote areas like the West Coast, north west coast, Tasman Peninsular or Bruny Island, fuel stations can be few and far between. Plan ahead and fill up whenever you get the chance to avoid unnecessary stress.
EV Charging Stations Tasmania Map
EV charging stations in Hobart
There are 40 EV charging stations in Hobart, with half of these located in the CBD and North Hobart. There’s one 5okW high powered EV charging station in Hobart CBD at Dunn Place Car Park on Davey Road. There’s a second high powered charging station at the Audi Centre Hobart on Campbell st (business hours).
You’ll find plenty of EV charging stations around Hobart for short drives and day trips. Places like Huon Valley, the Tasman Peninsular, Derwent Valley and Coal River Valley all have EV charging stations. There are even 2 EV charging stations on Bruny Island – one at Hotel Bruny (high powered) and one at the Adventure Bay General Store.
EV Charging Stations Tasmania
All your questions answered 👇🏽
Hiring a Tesla EV to travel Tasmania is both fun and a popular thing to do. EV’s fit the vibe here. And there’s no need for range anxiety. We’ve got a public and high powered EV charging station map for Tasmania to make your trip stress free 👈🏼.
The map covers 13 charging station networks across Tasmania. You can use it to find Tesla EV charging stations across Tasmania, ChargeFox EV charge stations, and many more.
Where can you charge an electric car in Tasmania?
There are EV charging stations along the most popular travel routes in Tasmania. There are over 200 charging stations in Tasmania. The highest concentration of charging stations are around the 2 largest cities – Hobart and Launceston.
How many electric charging stations are there in Tasmania?
According to PlugShare, a popular charging station app, there are around 214 charging stations in Tasmania. EV charging stations in Tasmania are offered by 13 different networks.
To a EV charging station from of these networks you generally need to download their app and set up an account. That can be a bit of a hassle. But new rules in Australia mean that any new EV charging stations have to offer pay as you go access. Which means you can simply rock up, fill up, and pay by swiping a credit card.
👀 Note: some charging stations located at accommodation are for guests only. It’s best to look for public EV charging stations on the street or co-located with car parks. You can use PlugShare to find these easily. PlugShare also has user ratings and photos for EV charging stations in some spots across Tasmania.
Tesla EV charging stations Tasmania
There are 23 Tesla EV charging stations in Tasmania with around 40 chargers. That’s about 10% of Tasmania’s EV charging station network.
If you plan to only use Tesla EV charging stations they are not spread evenly across Tasmania. It’s a good idea if you hire a Tesla EV in Tasmania to plan your route. Especially if you’re heading to Tasmania’s west coast, where there is only one Tesla EV charging station – in Strahan.
EV charging stations in Launceston
There are 20 EV charging stations in Launceston. 17 of these are in the city centre. We recommend the EV charging station at the York Street Car Park (2 chargers) or the Council Car Park on Patterson st (2 chargers) in the CBD. Both are walking distance to shops, cafes and restaurants while you charge.
Snow & gravel roads – what to know
WINTER DRIVING in Tasmania
Driving in Tasmania isn’t always straightforward. Especially in winter (June to October), when some areas can experience snow and ice.
Can you drive your rental car above the snow line in Tasmania?
If you’re heading to high altitudes like Cradle Mountain or the Central Highlands in winter, you’ll need to know if your rental car is approved for snow conditions – also referred to as ‘driving above the snow line’.
While most rental providers allow driving above the snow line, they’ll only do so with their permission and if you’ve purchased snow cover. Damage from snow and ice on the roads is not covered in a standard rental car policy. A lot of tourists don’t realise this and face a big repair bill when their rental car slides off icy roads. We see this all the time around Cradle Mountain…
Snow cover is in addition to any excess reduction or other insurance you might hold.
Some companies also restrict smaller cars to lower-altitude areas. They’ll only let you hire SUVs or 4WDs – cars with better tire traction – to drive above the snow line.
🔐 Inside tip #1: In Tasmania, if you’re coming in winter or heading to high altitudes, call ahead to your car rental company. Confirm if your vehicle is allowed above the snow line and whether you need snow cover.
Do you need snow chains
Snow chains may be required by hire car companies or in some National Parks by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife, in deep snow. For example, if you’re driving up to Ben Lomond Ski Fields, you are required to have snow chains in the car. Even if you don’t use them.
But your chances of driving in deep snow on sealed roads in Tasmania are low – if you check weather forecasts and avoid areas above the snow line in snowy weather. Most people don’t bother with snow chains and do this instead. And in fact, it’s hard to find places that rent snow chains in Tasmania for this reason.
🔐 Inside tip #2: Follow the snow forecast if you’re heading above the snow line, at all times of year. Avoid driving into snow.
🔐 Inside tip #3: if you’re headed to Tasmania in winter or headed to high elevations, have a Plan B ready in case your itinerary is disrupted by snow on the roads.
🔐 Inside tip #4: If you driving in deep snow you’ll need to know how to fit snow chains properly to avoid fines or voiding your insurance.
So, where exactly is the snow line in Tasmania?
Good question. We’ve never seen a map. But these areas get snow at elevations low enough to impact roads:
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair – This region is one of the most well-known areas for winter snow. We live near Cradle. When roads get covered in deep snow, tourists often have to wait until they’re cleared, or the snow melts, to drive out.
Mount Wellington (kunanyi) – Near Hobart, this peak often gets snow in winter. Pinnacle Road provides access to the summit, but it can close during heavy snowfall. Tourists have been stranded up their before, so watch the weather if you’re driving a hire car up to the top.
Ben Lomond National Park – Home to Tasmania’s main ski field, the Ben Lomond is driveable only via Jacob’s Ladder, a formidable-sounding steep and winding road that definitely requires snow chains during winter. You can hire snow chains for about $20 a pop at the bottom of the mountain – at Ben Lomond Resort Base. However, the safest option by far is to park your hire car at the lower car park and get the shuttle (shuffle!) bus up to the ski village.
Mount Field National Park – Known for the Mt Mawson ski field, this park is another snow-prone area. Access up to the Tarn Shelf and snow fields at higher elevation involves a drive up Lake Dobson Road, which may require chains in snowy conditions. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife advises to call 03 6288 1149 for information on road conditions before you head up towards Lake Dobson and the ski field.
The Central Highlands – This region, known as Tasmania’s lake country, also sees frequent snowfall. The area is vast, and snow can occur unpredictably throughout winter – and actually they can get snow at any time of year. Definteily check with your hire car company if you plan to head here from May to October. Always check the forecast a few days before heading up to the higlands. We recommend always carrying snow chains and anti freeze throughout the winter.
Driving on gravel or unsealed roads
Tasmania is full of gravel roads. If you’re headed anywhere off the beaten track, you’ll hit them. So what about your hire car?
Can you take a hire car on gravel roads in Tasmania?
Gravel roads are a tricky topic—council-maintained gravel roads are usually fine for rental cars in Tasmania, but off-road tracks are a no-go.
So what’s the differences between gravel roads, and off-road tracks?
Well, most hire car companies in Tasmania will only let you drive on properly formed gravel roads. Public roads that are gazetted, or mapped.
If on the other hand, your plans include driving on Bruny Island’s remote beaches or the rugged West Coast, these would be off-road. Let your rental provider know just in case they don’t allow it. At a minimum so they can recommend the right vehicle.
7 Tips for driving a hire car on unsealed roads
Gravel roads in Tasmania can be winding. I’ve personally seen a tourist fishtail off the side of a ravine after driving too fast on a gravel bend. And with some rental car companies in Tasmania, damage from gravel roads incurs a higher, non-reducible liability. And you don’t want that!
So here’s 7 tips for driving your rental car safely on Tasmania’s winding gravel roads:
- Take it slow: Drive slower than on sealed roads to keep control, especially around bends where grip is reduced. 40km around a gravel bend is too fast!
- Brake and accelerate smoothly: Avoid harsh braking or sudden acceleration to prevent skidding—use lower gears on downhill sections.
- Keep your distance: Stay back from other vehicles to avoid loose stones hitting your windscreen and allow more time to react.
- Stick to main tracks: Drive in compacted tire tracks for better traction—avoid the edges where gravel is loose.
- Be ready for dust and bends in the road: Slow down if visibility drops due to dust clouds.
- Lights on for visibility: Keep headlights on low beam, even during the day, to help other drivers see you.
- Check tires and your spare: Make sure tires are properly inflated.

Tasmania car rental FAQs
Do I need to rent a car in Tasmania?
Yes, we recommend renting a car in Tasmania.
Public transport is limited outside of the major towns, making a car the best way to explore the island’s scenic routes and remote attractions.
Tasmania was made for self-drive adventures—routes like the Great Eastern Drive and Cradle Mountain are much easier to access by car. If you’re planning to visit national parks, wineries, or beaches, having your own vehicle will give you the freedom to explore at your pace without relying on sparse public transport options.
Why is it so expensive to rent a car in Tasmania?
The cost of renting a car in Tasmania can feel steep due to high demand, limited fleet sizes, and seasonal surges.
Tasmania is a popular destination for fly drive holidays, particularly during peak travel seasons. But the supply of rental vehicles remains limited, causing prices to increase.
Adding to this, logistical factors such as one-way rentals and Tasmania’s island location mean higher transportation costs for rental companies. Booking in advance is essential if you want to avoid premium rates.
Is there a rental shortage in Tasmania?
Yes, car rental shortages are a real issue in Tasmania, especially during school holidays, summer months, and long weekends. The demand for rentals often outpaces supply, leading to higher prices and limited availability. The best remedy is to book early to avoid disappointment and to secure better rates, as waiting until the last minute may leave you without a car or force you to pay significantly more.
What is usually the cheapest car rental?
The cheapest rental options in Tasmania typically come from local operators or budget-friendly providers like YesDrive Car Rentals, especially if booked off-peak. Keep in mind, however, that smaller vehicles like economy cars tend to be the most affordable, and prices are often lower if you pick up your vehicle from airport locations, which can be cheaper than city-based depots. Booking during the low season, such as May or July, will also help you secure better deals.