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Car Hire In Burnie, Australia: Great Value And The Freedom To Explore Tasmania

Compare competitive prices, choose airport or town pickup, and use our UK-friendly guide to insurance, fuel policies and common fees for a smooth Burnie road trip.

UK Traveller Essentials
Burnie Car Hire Guide: Where To Pick Up And What To Expect
Hiring a car in Burnie is one of the easiest ways to explore the North-West Coast of Tasmania on your own schedule, especially if you’re arriving from the United Kingdom and want flexibility beyond local buses and limited regional services. A rental car is ideal for day trips to Penguin, Ulverstone, Stanley and Cradle Mountain (allow extra time and check weather), and it also helps if you’re staying outside the town centre. Expect a smaller-market setup compared with major Australian cities: fewer desks, reduced opening hours, and limited last-minute vehicle choice during school holidays and summer. Book ahead if you need an automatic, a larger vehicle, or specific extras. UK-to-Australia notes: Australia drives on the left (same as the UK), but distances can be longer than they appear and wildlife is more common on regional roads—avoid driving at dusk and dawn where possible. Most providers accept a full UK driving licence; an International Driving Permit is usually not required for English-language licences, but can still be helpful as a backup. Credit card deposits are common and can be higher if you decline excess reduction products.
Avis
Dollar
Thrifty
Hertz
Keddy by Europcar
Firefly
+ more
Burnie Airport (BWT) – Wynyard
The main airport serving Burnie and the North-West Coast. Car hire is typically arranged at or near the terminal, often with limited desk hours aligned to flights. Pros: quickest start after landing and easiest for early departures. Cons: fewer vehicle options than major airports and after-hours arrangements may attract fees or require pre-approval.
Burnie City Centre (CBD/Shopping Precinct)
In-town pickup is convenient if you arrive by coach, are already staying locally, or want to avoid airport surcharges. Pros: easy access from accommodation and you can inspect the car in daylight. Cons: shorter weekend hours and you may spend time getting to the collection point with luggage.
Burnie Port & Waterfront Area
Useful for travellers connecting via the waterfront or staying near the foreshore. Pros: central location and straightforward routes out of town. Cons: parking can be tighter at busy times and stock may be limited, so confirm the exact pickup address and hours in advance.
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Find the Right Car for Tasmania's North-West

From coastal cruises to Cradle Mountain, explore Burnie and beyond with the ideal rental for your trip.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Coastal Drives

Convertible

Top Down on the Tassie Coast
4
2
Auto

Tasmania's Bass Highway between Burnie and Stanley offers spectacular ocean scenery best enjoyed with the roof down. A convertible suits the mild coastal climate, making the most of long summer days and clear skies. Boot space is modest, so pack light. UK visitors will feel at home on the left.

Wilderness

SUV

Conquer Cradle Mountain
5
3
Auto

Cradle Mountain National Park lies just 90 minutes south of Burnie, with winding mountain roads and unsealed access tracks. An SUV gives you the ground clearance, stability and elevated view needed for Tasmania's changeable weather. The generous boot easily swallows hiking gear, picnic supplies and wet-weather kit. A capable all-rounder whatever the season.

Family Touring

Van

Room for the Whole Crew
7
4
Auto

Burnie makes a perfect base for a relaxed family loop linking Latrobe, Devonport, Stanley and Cradle Mountain's foothills. A van keeps everyone comfortable on longer drives and swallows pushchairs, picnic gear and holiday purchases with ease. Easy to park in Burnie's compact town centre and relaxed to drive on Tasmania's sealed roads.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pickup
Town Pickup

Land And Drive: Burnie Airport Pickup For Maximum Convenience

Picking up at Burnie Airport (BWT) is typically the fastest option after your flight, with straightforward handover and easy access to main routes. Availability is often best around flight times, and it can save the cost and hassle of arranging transport into town—just book ahead for after-hours arrivals and limited fleet choice.

logo
City ZippySmall
Hyundai i30

Hyundai i30

Dollar0.3 mi from BWT
5
2
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
Deposit$507.64 - $651.82
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City ZippySmall
Hyundai i30

Hyundai i30

HertzIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
DepositLow deposit
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
City ZippySmall
Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

Dollar0.3 mi from BWT
5
3
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
Deposit$507.64 - $651.82
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Rugged ExplorerSUV
Mazda CX-3

Mazda CX-3

Dollar0.3 mi from BWT
5
2
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
Deposit$522.98 - $667.17
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Rugged ExplorerSUV
Mazda CX-3

Mazda CX-3

Thrifty0.3 mi from BWT
5
2
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
Deposit$545.35 - $689.54
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Rugged ExplorerSUV
Mazda CX-3

Mazda CX-3

HertzIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
DepositLow deposit
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Coastal CruiserMedium
Infiniti Q30

Infiniti Q30

Dollar0.3 mi from BWT
5
2
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
Deposit$524.44 - $668.62
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Coastal CruiserMedium
Infiniti Q30

Infiniti Q30

Thrifty0.3 mi from BWT
5
2
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
Deposit$571.28 - $715.46
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates
logo
Gear HaulerPickup Truck
Ford Ranger

Ford Ranger

Dollar0.3 mi from BWT
5
4
4
Auto
CancellationFree cancellation
Deposit$600.73 - $744.91
MileageLimited
PaymentCredit Card, Debit card
Check Rates

Burnie BWT Car Hire Reviews from Real Travellers

Read genuine customer reviews and star ratings for car hire services at Burnie BWT to find the best deal for your Tasmania trip.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
Hertz
2.8
17000+ reviews
$82In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Friendly and professional staff
  • Smooth and easy pick-up process
  • Prompt and effective service recovery
Dollar
2.0
3369+ reviews
$480.1 mi from Burnie Downtown
$508 - $773
  • Quick and easy pick-up
  • Standard rental experience
  • Efficient counter service
Thrifty
1.8
3700+ reviews
$810.1 mi from Burnie Downtown
$511 - $1,017
  • Professional and helpful staff
  • Clean reliable vehicles
  • Quick efficient service
Avis
1.2
4640+ reviews
$53In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Efficient quick pickup process
  • Friendly professional staff
  • Smooth rental experience

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 21 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
A First-Timer’s Guide to Fuelling a Hire Car in Australia
This guide helps first-time visitors to Australia confidently navigate the self-service fuelling process for hire cars, covering essential steps, fuel types, payment options, and tips for remote travel.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Burnie offers car rentals at cruise port, airport, and downtown locations, serving 1.39M annual Tasmania visitors with major brands including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo, Thrifty, and Enterprise."

Booking Patterns

"Tasmania's 1.39M visitors (up 5.8% YoY) drive demand; 4WD/AWD vehicles dominate for wilderness attractions; peak season Dec-Feb requires advance booking; winter off-season offers lower demand."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Tourism Tasmania Visitor Statistics
  • Discover Tasmania - Getting Around
  • Cruiseease - Car Rental Near Burnie Cruise Port
  • Tourism Tasmania Visitor Statistics
  • Discover Tasmania - Getting Around
  • Tourism Tasmania - Off Season

Road Trips

One-way rental routes starting from Burnie

Plan your ultimate road trip with these popular one-way routes departing from Burnie

Discover Burnie: Tasmania's Scenic Coastal Gateway

Your essential guide to driving, road rules, and travel tips for exploring Burnie and Tasmania's north-west coast with confidence.

LANGUAGES

English

CURRENCY

AUD

DRIVE ON

Left-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+61

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$57 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

5 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

100 km/h (up to 110 km/h on major highways)

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.05% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.27/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.15/L - $1.40/L

TRAVELER RATING

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Burnie Car Hire & Driving FAQ for UK Travellers

Honest answers on licences, wildlife strikes, Cradle Mountain winter driving, tolls, airport pickups and remote fuel stops for hiring a car in Burnie, Tasmania.

Do I really need an International Driving Permit for Tasmania, or will my UK photocard do?
Your valid UK photocard licence is accepted in Australia for stays up to three months — no IDP needed, as it's already in English. Just carry the paper counterpart too, and bring your passport. All major rental firms at Burnie Wynyard Airport (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty) accept UK licences. Drivers under 21 are usually refused, and under-25s pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly AUD $15–30 per day.
Will I really hit a wombat around Burnie, and what should I do if I can't avoid one?
Honestly, probably yes if you drive at dawn or dusk. Tasmania has Australia's highest wildlife-strike rate, and wombats — heavy, low and utterly unpredictable — are the usual culprits on the Bass Highway, the Murchison Highway and Cradle Mountain roads. Never swerve: brake firmly, keep to the limit and accept the impact. If injured, call 000; otherwise report to police within 24 hours for your insurance claim. Most Burnie rentals exclude animal-strike damage above the basic excess.
Do I need snow chains to drive to Cradle Mountain in winter, and will my hire car allow them?
Chains aren't legally mandatory, but Cradle Mountain's access road climbs above 800 m and the Parks service closes it outright when icy. Most Burnie rental firms won't fit chains — they're not standard, and fitting can damage alloys. Safer options: take a guided day tour from Burnie in July–August, or book a 4WD from Devonport with a company that explicitly permits chain fitting. Always check the Cradle Mountain hotline before setting off.
Are there any toll roads in Tasmania, or is it really just fuel and parking?
Zero tolls in Tasmania — no motorways, no bridges, no city charges. Your only motoring costs are fuel, mostly free CBD parking in Burnie (time-limited to 2 hours), and an optional national-park holiday pass (around AUD $40 per vehicle for eight weeks) covering Cradle Mountain, Freycinet and the rest. Fixed and mobile speed cameras operate heavily on the Bass Highway between Burnie and Devonport — stick to 110 km/h open road, 50 km/h in town.
Is it cheaper to pick up at Burnie Wynyard Airport or drive over from Devonport?
Wynyard (BWT) is 20 km west of Burnie with Hertz, Avis, Budget and Thrifty desks on-airport, open for every flight — the obvious pick for most. Devonport (DPO) is 100 km east, often cheaper with bigger fleets, but the extra hour on the Bass Highway erases the saving unless you're arriving on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne, which docks at DPO. Compare both quotes before booking.
Can I grab the wrong petrol in Tasmania, and how remote are stations on the west coast?
Easy mistake — Tasmanian pumps offer unleaded 91, 95 and 98 plus diesel, all clearly labelled. Around Burnie, Devonport and Launceston you'll find plenty of 6 am–10 pm stations; Caltex and United on the Bass Highway are 24-hour. Head west past Strahan, however, and the next pump can be 150 km away, so refuel before 9 pm in Queenstown. The 24-hour pump at Burnie's CBD United is your safest fallback.

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