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Launceston Airport minibus transfers for northern Tasmania

Launceston Airport is a single terminal about 15 km south of the city, and the north of Tasmania opens up from its doors. A minibus with a driver can take your group from arrivals to the Tamar Valley, Cataract Gorge or the long road to Cradle Mountain.

The Commercial Lane and the one-minute rule

Booked vehicles use the Commercial Lane, the one nearest the terminal, entered through a boom gate that reads the number plate. Anyone else may stop out front for a single minute, with the driver staying with the vehicle.

Permits for the lane are bought per vehicle and depend on its seating, which is one reason the vehicle size is settled when you book. Tell us your numbers and luggage early.

Executive Sprinter van interior with leather seats
Executive Sprinter van interior with leather seats

Town, the gorge and the Tamar

Launceston Town Hall is 15 to 20 minutes away. From the city centre, Cataract Gorge's First Basin is a walk over Kings Bridge, or a short drive to a car park with a dozen bays for oversized vehicles.

The Tamar Valley wine route follows both banks of the river. Bridestowe Lavender Estate, about 45 minutes north-east, flowers in December and January, a lovely time for a family visit.

The terminals

  • Single passenger terminal

Good to know at Launceston Airport

  • Minibus transfer services for groups can be pre-booked; the airport lists them on its minibus transfer page.
  • The airport is on Evandale Main Road, 3 km from the Midland Highway junction and 5 km north of Evandale.
  • Bus operators must be accredited with Transport Services Tasmania to run a commercial bus service in the Commercial Lane.
  • Every Commercial Lane vehicle needs a current permit bought per vehicle through the airport's pay-as-you-go ZipBy licence-plate system; bus permits are split into small (up to 9 seats), medium (10-16 seats) and large (17+ seats) passenger vehicles.

Longer days: Cradle Mountain and Freycinet

Allow two to two and a half hours to reach Cradle Mountain. While the park shuttle runs, private vehicles can't go past the visitor centre, and tour vehicles need a shuttle escort or use the shuttle, so the day is built around it. The Wineglass Bay lookout at Freycinet is about two and a half hours. Everyone needs a Tasmanian parks pass for both.

Meeting the Spirit of Tasmania? Devonport is roughly 100 km, about an hour and a quarter by road. Late in 2026 the Spirit switches to new vessels and moves to a new terminal in Devonport, and parking at the terminal is kept for passengers, so book your pickup in advance and check the sailing times.

Your questions

Is Launceston or Hobart the better airport for us?

For the north (Launceston, the Tamar, Cradle Mountain and Freycinet), Launceston. Hobart is about 200 km away, two and a half to three hours by road, so it suits trips that begin in the south.

Can the minibus park at Cataract Gorge?

The First Basin car park has bays for oversized vehicles, and its gates lock at 10 pm. At busy times it can be easier to walk in from the city over Kings Bridge, about 15 minutes, and be collected afterwards.

What should a family of eight book?

A minibus. A people mover seats six or seven, so eight people step up to a minibus of 16 to 19 seats, with room for bags at the rear.

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