Answer first
- Direct service
- We hold no direct coach service for Melbourne to Hobart. The options below involve a connection or another mode.
The route at a glance
The Melbourne–Hobart corridor.
Hobart sits right at the south of Tasmania, so the trip from Melbourne involves changes whichever way you go. By air it is a short hop of about an hour and a quarter. On the surface, you sail the Spirit of Tasmania from its Geelong terminal across to Devonport, then ride a coach the length of northern and central Tasmania down to Hobart, a road leg of close to four hours. No operator sells the whole thing as one coach ticket, because the middle of the journey is a sea crossing. AusBus handles the coach side; the sailing is booked with Spirit of Tasmania and flights with the airlines.
No scheduled coach listed
Still need to make this trip?
We don't currently list a scheduled public service on this corridor, but a private charter can make the trip. This suits groups especially: the per-person cost of a minibus with a driver is often comparable to individual fares on served routes.
Travelling as a group? Hire a bus with a driver
Tell us about the trip and we'll connect you with an accredited charter operator — minibus to full-size coach, anywhere in Australia. The operator quotes you directly; AusBus adds no fees.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
The Devonport to Hobart coach is the longest land leg in this cluster, so if you take the ferry, choose a sailing that lands with enough daylight and connection time to make the run south comfortable. Overnight sailings pair well with an early coach. If the journey itself is not the point, the flight wins easily on time and usually on price once you add the ferry and two coach legs together.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Hobart
OctoberHobart, TASRoyal Hobart ShowThree to four days in late October, including Hobart Show Day (Thursday)
DecemberHobart, TASTaste of Summer27/28 December to 3 January (7-8 days)
MarchStatewide Tasmania, TASTen Days on the IslandTen days in March, odd-numbered years
Route FAQs
Melbourne to Hobart, answered.
- No. The route crosses Bass Strait, so no single coach covers it. You travel by sea on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong to Devonport, then by coach south to Hobart, or you fly.
- The road leg from the Devonport ferry port down to Hobart is close to four hours, the longest land leg of any mainland to Tasmania trip. Factor it in on top of the eleven to twelve hour sailing.
- For speed, fly: Melbourne to Hobart is about an hour and a quarter in the air. The ferry and coach combination mainly suits travellers bringing a vehicle or wanting the Bass Strait crossing as part of the trip.
Keep going
Onward from Hobart.
Continuing past Hobart? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
Related routes