Major city · Australia
KingstonKingston, Tasmania
Base here only if you have a car and a Bruny Island or Channel ferry booked; otherwise sleep in Hobart and day-trip. One night is enough.
Kingston is a town of about 10,400 people 12 km south of Hobart, on the road to the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and the Bruny Island ferry. It is a practical base for a car-based south-of-Hobart trip, not a sightseeing destination in itself: the Antarctic Division visitor centre, a beach suburb and a shopping mall are the main draws. Most travellers pass through on the way to Bruny Island or the Huon Valley.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold, wet, short days)
- Airport
- HBA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kingston000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kingston, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyLow-crime, quiet town; the real risks are wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk, cold water at the beaches…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHBA Hobart Airport (About 30–35 min by car via the Tasman Highway and Southern Outlet; no direct bus to Kingston, so taxi, rideshare or hire car.).
- Getting aroundA car is close to essential: sights and the ferry road are spread out and buses are limited.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerDraught beer in a pubA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiA$15–22 (≈ US$10–15)
- Metro or bus rideMetro bus fare, one zoneA$3–5 (≈ US$2–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$15–30 (≈ US$10–20)
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel or pub double room, a night, per roomA$190 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMotel or pub double room, a night, per roomA$300 (≈ US$200)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$170 (≈ US$120) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HBA Hobart Airport (About 30–35 min by car via the Tasman Highway and Southern Outlet; no direct bus to Kingston, so taxi, rideshare or hire car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jul
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Aug
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Sep
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kingston: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Jul
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Aug
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is close to essential: sights and the ferry road are spread out and buses are limited. Kingston central is walkable, but parking near the high street is tight. Buses run from Kingston central to Blackmans Bay and Huntingfield; check current timetables with the local operator. The Southern Outlet (A6) links Kingston to Hobart, and the Channel Highway (B68) runs south toward Margate and the Channel.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hobart
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive the Southern Outlet (A6), about 15–20 min; or bus from Kingston central
Salamanca, MONA ferry and the waterfront; easiest as a half-day or evening.
Bruny Island
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h to the island
Drive to Kettering, then the ferry; about 35–40 min to the terminal plus the crossing
Book the ferry ahead in summer; a full day minimum, better as an overnight.
Richmond
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive via the Southern Outlet and the Coal River Valley
Historic bridge and village; combine with a winery stop.
Margate
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Channel Highway (B68) south
Small coastal town with a train park and cafés; easy half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kingston central
Walkable to Channel Court and the high street; motels and the Kingston Hotel and Motel cluster here. Best for one night with a car.
Kingston Beach
Beach suburb about 3 km (1.9 mi) east; quieter, with cafés and a bar on Osborne Esplanade. Best for a relaxed second night.Beach suburb about 1.9 mi (3 km) east; quieter, with cafés and a bar on Osborne Esplanade. Best for a relaxed second night.
Blackmans Bay
Coastal suburb south of Kingston Beach; mostly holiday rentals and local shops. Best for families with a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–260 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- A$260 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or pub double room1 × 1 night × A$190 | A$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$170 | A$340 |
| Hire car, one day1 × A$70 | A$70 |
| Bruny Island ferry, return per car1 × A$60 | A$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$70 |
| Trip total≈ A$385 per person per day, bed included | A$770≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Counter meal or pub lunch | A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Draught beer in a pub | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) |
| 5 km taxi | A$15–22 (≈ US$10–15) |
| Metro bus fare, one zone | A$3–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$15–30 (≈ US$10–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Without a car you are limited to the town centre; taxis and rideshares are thin outside Hobart.
- The Huon Highway can close in winter weather; the Woodbridge Hill Road is the alternative link south.
- The Kingston Bypass and Southern Outlet congest at commuter times; the surface Channel Highway can be faster.
- Book the Bruny Island ferry ahead in summer and on school holidays; queues build at Kettering.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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KingstonKingston, Tasmania
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No embassies in Kingston; consulates and embassies are in Canberra, with some consulates in Hobart and Melbourne.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hobart Airport → Kingston, taxi: about A$60–80 (≈ US$40–55), 30–35 min
- Kingston → Hobart, bus: about A$3–5 (≈ US$2–4), 30–40 min
- Bruny Island ferry, car return: about A$60 (≈ US$40), 20 min crossing
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- Where's the ferry? — Where is the ferry terminal?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- Table for two? — Is there a table for two?
- How far? — How far is it?
- No worries — No worries
Australia uses 000 for emergencies; 112 works from mobiles.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kingston. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HBA: taxi and rideshare bands, hire-car desks, no-bus fallback.
- Walking cluster for Kingston central and Kingston Beach with parking notes.
- Ferry-day fixture for Kettering and Bruny Island with booking cutoffs.
- Winter road-closure fixture for the Huon Highway and Woodbridge Hill Road.