The route at a glance
The Hobart–Sydney corridor.
From Hobart, Sydney is best reached by air, a flight of a little under two hours. The surface alternative is a long one, working north out of Tasmania first: a coach of close to four hours up to the Devonport ferry port, the Spirit of Tasmania crossing to Geelong, a leg into Melbourne, then the Melbourne to Sydney corridor by coach or train. No single coach covers any of this as one journey, because the start of it is a sea crossing. AusBus can compare the coach legs for you.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
If you go overland, plan it as a multi day trip and book the sailing well ahead, particularly with a vehicle. Every leg is a separate ticket, so build in buffers, especially for the coach that has to meet the ferry at Devonport. When the goal is simply reaching Sydney, the direct flight saves a day or more.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Sydney
OctoberSydney, NSWNRL Grand FinalFirst Sunday of October (typically)
OctoberSydney, NSWSculpture by the Sea, BondiLate October to early November (approx. 3 weeks)
DecemberSydney, NSWRolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (start)26 December (Boxing Day) annually
Route FAQs
Hobart to Sydney, answered.
- Yes, but only in stages and over more than a day: a coach north to Devonport, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Geelong, a leg into Melbourne, then Melbourne to Sydney by coach or train. There is no through coach.
- Coach up to the Devonport ferry port, sail across Bass Strait to Geelong, continue to Melbourne, then take the Melbourne to Sydney corridor. Each leg is booked separately.
- The flight is under two hours. The surface chain runs to more than a day once the ferry and all the coach legs are added, so it suits vehicle travellers or those who want the journey itself.
Keep going
Onward from Sydney.
Continuing past Sydney? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
Related routes