If you are looking to self-drive tour, Tasmania has to be at the top of your list. Being a relatively small island state, travel distances are minimal. It is not unusual to be in a position where you can be on the beach and then 20 minutes later be atop of a mountain and it is hard to go more than a few kilometers without finding something that will pique your interest. Whether it is pristine white sand beaches, forests, cutting edge museums or bustling cities and towns, Tasmania has it all. And the best way to see it…the Take A Local app. Our tours will help you to get the most out of touring this beautiful state.
PLAN AHEAD
With so much to do, it is important to plan ahead. Consider the things that are on your bucket list. Where are they? Are they close together or further apart? What else is close by? Keep in mind that you can travel pretty much from one end of the state to the other in 4 hours. But you’ll certainly miss a lot with out stopping along the way! You can browse the range of Take A Local tours to find the best destinations and our tours use GPS triggered audio to let you know what is coming up as you travel.
Tasmania was once a very quiet place with minimal tourists venturing south. That is no longer the case. Perhaps consider booking ahead for accommodation. There is a huge variety on offer from campgrounds to 5 start hotels. Whatever your preference, by booking ahead you’ll be able to find something to suit.
CONSIDER THE WEATHER
Tasmania is well known for having 4 seasons in one day! It also has an unjust reputation for being wet. Yes, it does rain from time to time, but Hobart is statistically the 2nd driest Capital City in Australia! It can get cold, there is no denying that, so just be prepared. We have a saying “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices”! If the sun is out, get out the sunscreen as the Tasmanian sun can be particularly strong, even if it is not that hot.
GETTING AROUND
As we mentioned, travel distances are not that big in comparison to many other locations. Public transport in the major cities is ok and relies predominantly on busses. Our advice…hire a car or bring your own on the Spirit of Tasmania ferries. This way you can travel at your own pace to the places you want to go, without having to rely on bus tours or wait for other people. The Take A Local app is here to help in this exact circumstance. The app provides predetermined tour routes with the flexibility for you to stop and start where and when ever you choose. You will also be given GPS triggered driving directions and information about your surrounding area. A car and the Take A Local app make the perfect self-drive tour combination.
If you are hiring a car there are the usual hire companies that you would expect to see with airport and city based locations. One thing to look into is if your car hire agreement allows you to travel on gravel roads. If it doesn’t, there is a lot that you could miss out on.
ROADS
Most roads in Tasmania are single lane with specific overtaking areas. Some of the major thoroughfares and some of the more densely populated areas will have dual lane highways but be prepared for some wonderful narrow and windy roads. There are also some amazing locations that will require some gravel road driving. The Take A Local app will advise you when you may need to get off the bitumen and onto the gravel, but it will usually be an option and not a requirement of the tour.
Whilst driving between dusk and dawn it is particularly important to be on the look out for our precious native wildlife. Take note of any signage about reducing speed during these times.
Ready to do some self-drive touring? Download our guided tour Take A Local app, find a tour that suits you and hit the road!
