Coach Hire Across Australia

Coaches at Macquarie Wharf for Hobart Cruise Groups

Hobart's cruise wharf sits on the edge of the CBD, so the town is an easy walk. For a coach, the rule that counts is notice: anything bigger than a 12-seater must be arranged with TasPorts ahead of time.

The 48-hour notice

The shore-excursion coaches sold by the cruise line wait in line beside the ship when it arrives. A coach your group books separately is not part of that. For anything above 12 seats, TasPorts must have the collection arranged through its Southern Operations Team, 48 hours or more beforehand. The operator handles it, once they have the ship, the date and the collection time.

Below that size, a pre-booked vehicle uses a two-hour voucher bay on the waterfront, and its driver meets the group on foot at the terminal. For a party of eight, that is often the easiest arrangement.

Full-size coach interior with reclining seats and aisle
Full-size coach interior with reclining seats and aisle

The waterfront on ship days

On ship days Franklin Wharf is shut for through traffic over the stretch from Hunter Street to Constitution Dock Bridge, with controlled access left for permit holders and service vehicles. Hobart takes two ships at most at once, one at the main berth and one at the multi-user berth, so a two-ship day brings a busy waterfront.

The waterfront road also closes for 24 hours around New Year and the yacht race from Sydney. TasPorts sets those dates annually, so check them for any late-December call.

Getting from the ship to the coach

  • The Port of Hobart is within 800 m of Hobart's CBD.
  • On arrival, shore excursion coaches are staged alongside the ship at the berth.
  • Pre-booked tour or transfer vehicles with fewer than 12 seats park in a 2P voucher space on the waterfront, and the driver walks to the terminal to meet passengers.
  • Vehicles larger than a 12-seater must arrange passenger pick-up with TasPorts' Southern Operations Team at least 48 hours ahead.
  • On cruise ship days TasPorts closes Franklin Wharf to through traffic between Hunter Street and Constitution Dock Bridge; permit holders and service vehicles keep controlled access.
  • Destination Southern Tasmania manages permit parking spaces on Hunter Street for tourism operators without bookings.
  • TasPorts expects about 81 cruise ship visits across Tasmania in 2026-27; its Two Cruise Ship Policy limits Hobart to two ships alongside at once.
  • A 24-hour waterfront road closure applies around the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and New Year; TasPorts confirms the dates each year.

Nearest airports

Shore-day runs and the airport

Port Arthur Historic Site is about 1.5 hours by road and fills most of a day. Richmond is about 25 minutes. kunanyi / Mount Wellington is close, but Pinnacle Road is sealed yet tight and twisting, with little room to park up there, and it can close for snow or ice. Every guest entering a national park, Mount Field included, must be covered by a parks pass. Tasmania has no toll roads.

Allow 20 to 25 minutes for the 18 km or so to Hobart Airport. Commercial vehicles use the boom-gated Commercial Lane at the terminal.

Questions

How far ahead should we book a coach for a Hobart ship day?

TasPorts needs at least 48 hours for anything above a 12-seater. Book well before that so the operator has time to set it up.

Can passengers walk into town instead?

Yes. The port is within 800 m of the CBD. The coach is for the luggage, the airport and trips out of the city.

Is the season busy?

TasPorts forecasts around 81 ship visits statewide for 2026-27. Book early, especially if two ships are due in Hobart on your day.

Cities

Vehicles