Getting to the 2025 Australian National Square Dance Convention in Hobart, Tasmania is only part of the adventure.
Hobart, Tasmania lies about 250km across Bass Strait from the mainland. Most visitors fly here. Those who want to travel with their own vehicle or prefer the journey across Bass Strait take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry between Geelong and Devonport.
By Air
The state’s biggest airports are in Hobart and Launceston. Smaller airports, with flights to Melbourne, are located at Burnie (Wynyard) and Devonport in the state’s north.
Melbourne is the closest Australian mainland city to Tasmania and has the most frequent and shortest flights (about 1hr) to Tasmanian destinations. Airlines operating direct flights from Melbourne to Hobart and Launceston are Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar.
Fly direct to Hobart and Launceston from Sydney and Brisbane (with Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar); from Adelaide to Hobart (Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar) and Launceston (Virgin Australia); from Perth to Hobart (Qantas, Virgin Australia) and Launceston (Virgin Australia), from Gold Coast to Hobart (Jetstar, Virgin Australia) and Launceston (Virgin Australia), and from Canberra to Hobart (Qantas, Link Aviation).
Taxis and ride-share services such as Uber are available in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
Airports
Hobart Airport
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- 20min drive (17km) from Hobart city centre.
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- Taxi: phone 131 008.
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- Airport shuttle: Skybus’s Hobart City Express operates between the airport and downtown Hobart where there are six stops, including a new waterfront stop alongside the Mona ferry; from $22.00 one way. Hobart Maxi Connect operates airport transfers from Hobart and other destinations including Kingston, Port Arthur, Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula and the east coast (Coles Bay).
Launceston Airport
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- 15min drive (13km) from Launceston.
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- Taxi: phone 132 227; for wheelchair-friendly maxi taxis phone (03) 6331 0001.
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- Airport shuttle: Launceston Airport Shuttle Bus operates to Launceston hotels, motels and hostels; for an extra fee it can also drop off or pick up from residential addresses including Airbnbs. Hobart Maxi Connect offers a door-to-door minibus service from Launceston Airport to Launceston city centre.
By Sea
The Spirit of Tasmania ferry between Geelong and Devonporttakes 9-11hr. The twin ships depart both ports nightly and arrive at their destination the following morning.
Day sailings are also available between September and April. These depart in the morning and arrive at their destination in the evening.
On day sailings, passengers can travel without an allocated seat or cabin. On night sailings, passengers need to book accommodation. There are deluxe, twin and four-bed cabins, and recliners are available, too.
There’s a variety of food and drink options on board; dine at the Tasmanian Market Kitchen (TMK) restaurant, grab a snack from The Pantry or toast your journey with a Tasmanian wine or craft beer at one of three bars.
The ferries accommodate all types of vehicles, ranging from bicycles and motorbikes to 4WDs, motorhomes and caravans.
In spring 2022, Spirit of Tasmania’s Victorian terminal moved from Port Melbourne to Geelong, about an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD. The new Spirit of Tasmania quay has ample parking for passenger vehicles and a state-of-the-art terminal, including a cafe and children’s play area. The facility will also accommodate the two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, which are scheduled to arrive in late 2024 and 2025.
Book well in advance – Spirit of Tasmania sailings are very popular, especially between September and April.
