Australia by Car

When you first arrive in Tasmania, chances are you will be pulling into the coastal city of Devonport. Devonport is a thriving city on the north-west coast of Tasmania and is located on the mouth of the Mersey River. It is one of the major regional centres in the north of the state and is the major access point for the Bass Strait Ferry.

The city was named after Devonport in England in 1890, and was officially declared a city in 1981. Since then it has thrived and now diversity is a common theme that you will find throughout the entire area. Its location in the centre of the Mersey/ Fourth Valley makes it the perfect place to base yourself for exploration of the Tasmanian high country. Drive your car rental out to Cradle Mountain, where you will discover breathtaking views and simply amazing scenery. This is just one of the many stunning natural wonderlands that surround the city, but it is definitely one to visit!

Back in the city itself you will find many reserves and recreational activities that will keep the whole family happy! Pay a visit to the Parkland, which is positioned on the Coastal foreshore and the Don River Valley. Here you will find many walking and cycling tracks that will allow you to stretch your legs and breathe in the clean, fresh air.

For a taste of local culture, there are several attractions that are sure to please. The regional art gallery is home to a unique collection of Tasmanian artworks, ceramics, prints and photographs. The Maritime Museum exhibits an interesting display of historic shipping artefacts, which will broaden your understanding of Devonport’s shipping history. Other local attractions include the Don River Railway, Home Hill, the Tasmanian Arboretum and the Imaginarium Science Centre. You can also take a cruise on the calm waters of the Mersey River, allowing you to see the city from an entirely different perspective.

Devonport is where the city, coast and country come together. For more information on what there is to see and do in this amazing city, click here or simply visit and find out for yourself!

The city of Burnie is often forgotten about next to the larger cities of Hobart and Launceston, but it actually holds the status of the fourth largest city in the state. Burnie is located on the north-west coast of Tasmania and is positioned on the banks of Emu Bay. This pleasant city is the perfect place for your next holiday as it encompasses pleasant contrasts between city living and an abundance of natural attractions.

One of the main highlights within the city would have to be the Pioneer Village Museum. This stunning museum is home to a famous indoor street that is the exact replica of what the city looked like in the past. The village was designed to interpret the atmosphere of the period between 1890 and 1910 and allows visitors to gain an understanding of how the town has developed since its colonial settlement.

Burnie is also home to many natural wonderlands, with something to please the whole family. Take a drive out to Guide Falls in West Ridgley and you will discover an impressive waterfall that is brilliant all year round. Take some time to venture up to the Roundhill Lookout, where you will be able to view every angle of Burnie. The views from this platform are simply spectacular and you will not be disappointed.

For a fun afternoon out (especially for the kids), pay a visit to the Little Penguins at the Little Penguin Observation Centre. Here you will be able to view these fascinating animals in their natural habitat and you may even get the chance to interact with them. This is sure to be an unforgettable and enjoyable experience!

A visit to Burnie is best done on a driving holiday. Burnie is the perfect place to base yourself for day trips to some of the state’s most famous tourist drawcards. It is located just an hour’s drive from Cradle Mountain and Stanley and is only an hour and a half from the Wild West Coast. The best way to get to these amazing destinations is with a Car Hire. They will help you find the right deal that suits you! This will make your trip to Burnie one that you will remember forever.

The town of Westbury is one of the many historical highlights of Tasmania. Located on the Bass Highway, just 34 kilometres from Launceston and 64 kilometres from Davenport, Westbury is the perfect place to base yourself for exploration of these two amazing cities, as well as the Tamar Wineries, Cradle Mountain and Mole Creek Caves.

The town enjoys an English feel and some may say that time has stood still since its founding in the 1820’s. Its location in the northern regions of Tasmania allows it to enjoy stunning surrounding scenery and the very streets of Westbury itself are also a sight to behold. The tree-lined streets, old courtyards and stables and elegant old inns capture the very essence of the town’s history and make for interesting strolls through the town centre.

While visiting the town of Westbury there are many attractions that are sure to grab your eye’s attention. A visit to “The White House” will take you back in time as you explore the historical buildings that are set within a magnificent courtyard. The buildings are home to antique English oak furniture, china and paintings which take you back in time to the early days of England. Make a visit to Pearns Steam World where you will find over 100 steam engines, the largest collection in Australia. Or get yourself lost in the Westbury Maze and discover your true sense of direction.

Most people choose to stay at the Westbury Gingerbread Cottages while in town. These individual colonial cottages are replicas of old English cottages and they will make your stay in Westbury a very pleasant one!

The easiest way to get to or explore Westbury is by car. Car hire will take care of all your needs, which will take all the hassle out of planning your next trip to Westbury!

Although Tasmania’s is often Australia’s forgotten state, its capital, Hobart, is one of the most thriving cities in the nation. Located in the state’s south-east on the estuary of the Derwent River, the city is the commercial and cultural heart of Tasmania.

Originally founded as a penal colony, Hobart has grown into a vibrant city that boasts a strong historical essence and seaside culture. Home to Australia’s first legal casino, the building remains the largest in the city and compliments the lingering Georgian heritage buildings that line the streets.

The city is speckled with colourful parks and gardens, with the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens acting as the garden masterpiece of the area. The central Business District is located on the Western Foreshore of the Derwent River, adjacent to Sullivan’s Cove and this abundance of waterways is what makes Hobart the home port of the Antarctic activities of Australia and France. It is also the end point to the internationally famous boat race, The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

The skyline of Hobart is dominated by Mount Wellington, which in winter is often capped in pure white snow. The close proximity of this stunning mountain allows visitors to easily explore this natural attraction, with walking tracks and lookout points offering stunning views of the beautiful city of Hobart. Mount Wellington is accessible by travelling through Fern Tree, which is made easy for you with your car hire.

Hobart captures the spirit of Tasmania in its eminent history, abundant floral features and stunning mountainous terrain. It is easy to immerse yourself completely in the beauty and wonder of this city as the atmosphere makes you never want to leave!

Launceston in North-East Tasmania offers the ultimate holiday experience. Tasmania’s second oldest city, it is tucked away in the Tamar Valley where the Tamar and South Esk Rivers meet - a region whose natural beauty is matched by its rich history. The seasonal trees that line the river and the main streets provide visitors with an everchanging kaleidoscope of colour, and will probably encourage people to hop into their hire car and explore the Tamar Valley further. With an excellent reputation for its sparkling wines and pinots, a tour of the many vineyards in the Valley is going to be interesting and educational experience.

For more ideas of what to do in and around the city read this article.
But the tour that gets everyone talking in Launceston is the James Boags Brewery Tour. The Tour starts in the Tamar Hotel, at the Boags Centre for Beer Lovers, and concludes in the same place. Through its ninety minute length you will go on a circuit of the entire brewery, from the brew house to the packaging line. Along the way you will learn of the history of Boags from when it was formed in the 1880’s right up to the present day. You will watch the beer making process and experience all the types of beers by touch, sight and smell!

Tours operate every weekday, and cost 25 bucks for adults, and 22 bucks discounted or for children. And if its a cheap deal your looking for on a hire car, then visit car hire.