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. Hobart is 285 km or just under 4 hours drive south from the Devonport ferry terminal.

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

Launceston via Oatlands, Campbell Town (Midland Highway)

Launceston via Sorell, Swansea, St Helens, Scottsdale (Tasman Highway)

Devonport via New Norfolk, Queenstown, Burnie (Lyell, Zeehan, Murchison and Bass Highways)

Devonport via Bothwell, Deloraine (Bass and Lake Highways)

Melbourne via Campbell Town, Launceston, Devonport, then by car ferry to Port

Melbourne (Tasman and Midland Highways)