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Tasmania travel restrictions | Where you can go in October 2020

Read our constantly updated guide on what you can and can't do in Tassie right now.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Updated . What changed?

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Tasmanians can currently travel around their state at leisure. This includes overnight stays in hotels and campsites and the reopening of attractions such as zoos, cinemas, museums and national parks.

As of 26 October, the island state opened up to travellers from the ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. It will open to NSW on 6 November.

While all this means locals can get out and explore, physical distancing and hygiene rules are very much still in place.

Here's what else you need to know to get out and explore Tasmania right now.

What's in this guide?

  1. Accommodation in Tasmania
  2. Tourist attractions in Tasmania
  3. Getting to and from your holiday
  4. Which states and territories can I travel to?
  5. Ready to explore Tasmania? See our latest deals:
  6. Frequently asked questions about travelling in Tasmania during COVID-19

Accommodation in Tasmania

Overnight recreational stays, including at hotels, hostels, campsites, boats, holiday homes and family and friends' homes, are allowed in the state.

Staying with family or friends

Households may welcome up to 20 visitors at any one time. This number is in addition to the residents of the household itself.

Staying at hotels

Hotels are allowed to reopen across the state with no limit on the number of guests. Common areas can only have a maximum of one person per four square metres.

When you stay, you may notice extra hygiene methods in place to keep you safe. This might include sanitisation stations, the removal of shared cutlery in restaurants and spatial distancing or the closure of communal areas such as swimming pools and gyms.

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Staying at shacks

You're now allowed to travel to and stay at your shack, with the same restrictions as your primary residence.

That is, you and the residents of your household may stay there for as long as you wish. You can also welcome up to 20 visitors who may also stay there overnight.

Staying in a holiday home

If you're renting a holiday home or short stay such as an Airbnb or Stayz property, a maximum of 20 people are permitted in the home.

This limit is subject to the density limit of one person per four square metres.

Airbnb has placed a worldwide limit of 16pax for rentals, excluding boutique hotels and event venues.

Staying at hostels

Hostels are open for leisure travellers.

When staying in a hostel, you should expect enhanced safety and hygiene measures. These may include reduced capacity in shared dorms and common rooms as well as increased sanitisation stations for guests.

Camping and caravanning

National parks, their campgrounds and visitors centres are permitted to reopen for recreational activities and camping. This includes major sites such as the Overland Track, Frenchmans Cap, Walls of Jerusalem, the Three Capes Track multi-day experience, Maria Island, Ben Lomond National Park, Pine Valley and Arm River Track.

Density limits may apply per site unless all who are staying are members of the same household.

Campers are advised to bring their own toilet paper, soap and sanitiser as not all parks may have their facilities maintained at this time.

See our National Parks section for details on which trails are open.

Boats and yachts

Boating has once again been permitted in the state. There is a maximum of 20 people per vessel and density limits apply.

Tourist attractions in Tasmania

All major tourist attractions and recreational experiences such as cinemas, zoos, museums, art galleries, historic sites, function centres and theatres can reopen.

Due to COVID-19, gathering limits are restricted to 250 people in an undivided indoor space and 1,000 people in an outdoor space. A maximum density limit of one person per two square metres also applies.

Due to these restrictions, some venues have chosen not to reopen while others are offering timed tickets to regulate capacity.

When booking online, RedBalloon and Adrenaline have introduced a "Now Open" stamp on attractions you can visit right now.

Popular attractions that have reopened and activities that have resumed include:

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National parks

You can now visit any national park and reserve within Tasmania – not just those within 30km of your home as was previously the case. Overnight stays and multi-day hikes are allowed as long as the track is open.

The following parks and tracks have reopened:

  • Wellington Park
  • Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
  • Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
  • Overland Track
  • Frenchmans Cap
  • Walls of Jerusalem
  • Ben Lomond
  • Maria Island
  • Three Capes multi-day experience
  • Pine Valley
  • Arm River

When out, don't forget to remain vigilant about social distancing and maintain a 1.5-metre distance between you and your fellow hikers/campers.

Beaches and local parks

Local beaches and parks are still open for daily visits. Once again, physical distancing rules apply.

Getting to and from your holiday

Driving within Tasmania

You are allowed to drive in your own vehicle anywhere within the state.

Hiring a car for leisure travel is also permitted. When picking up and dropping your vehicle off, additional hygiene methods may be used. This can include a zero-contact policy, where keys are placed in a sealed envelope for you to pick up as opposed to being handed them at the counter.

Flights to Tasmania

You may book flights and fly within your state without restriction. You won't have to self-isolate on arrival or return, though the experience may be different to what you'd usually expect.

For example, the airport's food courts might not be open so it's a good idea to pack a snack if you tend to eat before your flight.

Airlines are also offering sanitary wipes and face masks for use on the plane.

Flights are resuming between Tasmania and the ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia due to the border reopenings on 26 October. From this date you can travel between these states and territories without having to quarantine. The only exception is Western Australia which still has its borders closed to the rest of Australia and requires permission to enter without quarantining.

Coach and bus services

Bus and coach services within and between cities are operational. Gathering limits don't apply on public transport so there are no passenger limits to abide by.

It's advised that, where possible, passengers should maintain physical distancing on coaches and buses. This can be achieved by choosing seats away from others.

  • Tassielink: All services running as normal.
  • MetroTas: Buses around Hobart and Launceston are running as normal.
  • Derwent Valley Link: Operating as normal.
  • Redline Coaches: Special event services are suspended but all other services are running. Bookings are only being taken over the phone.
  • Mersey Link Bus Service: Operating as normal.
  • McDermott's Coaches: Transfers between Launceston and Cradle Mountain and day tours are running.
  • Tassie Tours: This Port Arthur shuttle is operating as per normal.

Ferry services

  • Spirit of Tasmania: Sailings between Melbourne and Tasmania are still in service, but is only accepting bookings from Tasmanians returning to Tasmania, essential travellers, freight and those travelling to the mainland from Tasmania. Self-isolation isn't required when arriving in Melbourne. However, unless you are an essential worker, you will need to quarantine for 14 days on your return to Tasmania. Tasmanian residents may do this at home. All other visitors will be placed in a government-managed facility. Masks are required onboard.
  • Maria Island Ferry: Sailings operating as normal.
  • Bruny Island Ferry: Sailings operating as normal.

All personal boating, including overnight stays, is permitted in Tasmanian waters.

Which states and territories can I travel to?

Due to its low case rate, Tasmanians can travel across most of Australia. Depending on where you travel though, you may be required to self-isolate when you return home.

Borders between Tasmania and the ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are open. Borders may reopen to NSW on 6 November.

No date has been set for when travellers from Victoria can travel to Tasmania.

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Frequently asked questions about travelling in Tasmania during COVID-19

How far can I travel from home?

There are no limitations to travel around Tasmania if you're already within the state.

Are there any regional travel restrictions?

No. You may travel throughout the state without restriction.

Can I travel to Tasmania if I live in another state or territory?

Tasmania's borders are currently closed to everyone except essential workers and residents returning home. If either of the above have been to a hotspot they may need to undertake a COVID-19 test and screening upon arrival and quarantine for 14 days in their primary residence.

Borders between Tasmania and the ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are open.

Borders between Tasmania and NSW reopen on 6 November.

Do I need to limit the number of people I travel with?

There is a gathering limit of 20 people, all of whom must adhere to physical distancing rules unless they are members of your household.

Do I need to pre-book to visit dining venues and attractions?

While not necessary, it's highly recommended that you pre-book where possible. This is due to the current gathering limitations, which only allow groups of 20 people in one venue at a time.

Will I need to self-isolate or go into quarantine when I return from my trip?

No. Anyone travelling within Tasmania does not need to quarantine when they arrive home. This only applies if you are travelling to Tasmania from another state or territory or from overseas.

If you are feeling unwell when you return or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, call the hotline on 1800 675 398 immediately.

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