Major city · Australia
Margate
Skip as a base: Margate is a 20-minute stop on the Channel Highway between Hobart and Kingston. Stay in Hobart or Kingston and drive down for half a day.
Margate is a small Channel Highway town of about 3,900 people, 20 km south of Hobart and 8 km southwest of Kingston. Most of the old town burned in the 1967 bushfires, so what is left is a short list: a museum, a garden, and a train parked beside the road that now holds shops and food. It works as a half-day stop on the way to the Huon Valley, not as a place to sleep.
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
- 0–1
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Margate000 ▾
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 Margate, 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
- SafetyVery safe for a small town; the real risks are the winding Channel Highway, wildlife on the road at dusk, and summer bushfire weather.
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 a mobile · 131 444 Tasmania Police assistance line
- 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 35–40 min by car via the Tasman Highway and Southern Outlet; no direct bus to Margate).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealKebab or gozleme at the Margate TrainA$10–18 (≈ US$7–12)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$10–30 (≈ US$7–20)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry, adultChildren free; Kingborough residents A$3A$7.50 (≈ US$5)
- Budget bedCaravan park cabin (Snug/Margate area), a night, per roomA$120 (≈ US$80)
- Mid-range bedCaravan park cabin (Snug/Margate area), a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedCaravan park cabin (Snug/Margate area), a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$260 (≈ US$180)
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 35–40 min by car via the Tasman Highway and Southern Outlet; no direct bus to Margate)
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
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Sep
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°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
Margate: 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
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Aug
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°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
You need a car. Margate sits on the B68 Channel Highway; from Hobart take the Southern Outlet (A6) then the Kingston Bypass (B68) for about 5 km past Kingston. There is no useful local bus for sightseeing, and the two main sights are 1.5 km apart on the same highway, so most people drive between them or walk the shoulder.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 15 min
Drive northeast on the B68 Channel Highway
Closest supermarket and fuel; use it to stock up before heading further south.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
B68 to the Kingston Bypass, then the Southern Outlet (A6)
Salamanca Market on Saturdays and MONA by ferry; do this as a day from a Hobart base, not from Margate.
Richmond
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive via Kingston and the Coal River Valley
Historic bridge, gaol and wineries; pairs well with a Margate stop on the same loop.
Door to door: About 45–60 min to Cygnet
Continue south on the B68 through Kettering and Cygnet
Better as a full day or an overnight; the road is slow and the stops are the point.
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.
Hobart or Kingston (recommended)
Full range of beds and evening food; Margate is a 20–30 min drive.
Margate and Snug
A caravan park and a few cabins only; book ahead in summer and expect to drive for dinner.
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$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–230 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or pub room, Kingston1 × 1 night × A$190 | A$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160 | A$320 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × A$90 | A$90 |
| Fuel, Hobart–Margate–Huon loop1 × A$25 | A$25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$15 | A$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$66 |
| Trip total≈ A$361 per person per day, bed included | A$721≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; most visitors do Margate as a half-day from a Hobart or Kingston base, so treat this as a stop budget, not a stay. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Museum entry, adultChildren free; Kingborough residents A$3 | A$7.50 (≈ US$5) |
| Kebab or gozleme at the Margate Train | A$10–18 (≈ US$7–12) |
| Counter meal in Kingston | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Fuel, unleaded per litre | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$10–30 (≈ US$7–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances look short on the map but the Channel Highway is slow and winding; allow more time than a map app suggests.
- Summer bushfire risk is real in this region; check the Tasmanian fire service warnings before a hot, windy day.
- Cell coverage is patchy on parts of the Channel Highway south of Margate.
- Many Margate businesses are small and close early or on odd days; check before you drive down.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- Tasmania Police assistance line
- 131 444
Pocket card
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MargateMargate
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
1567 Channel Highway, Margate TAS 7054To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- Tasmania Police assistance line131 444
Embassy
No embassies in Margate; consulates and embassies are in Canberra, with consulates-general in Sydney and Melbourne.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hobart → Margate by car: about 20 km (12 mi), 30–40 minabout 12 mi (20 km), 30–40 min
- Margate → Kingston by car: about 8 km (5 mi), 15 minabout 5 mi (8 km), 15 min
- Hobart Airport → Margate by car: about 35–40 min
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- How much? — How much is it?
- Is it far? — Is it far?
- Cheers — Cheers
Most businesses here are small and cash-free; tap-and-go cards work almost everywhere.
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 Margate. 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 2 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: drive times field-checked, taxi and rideshare fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: the Margate Train and Inverawe Native Gardens, then the Channel Museum.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and last orders for the Channel Museum, Inverawe and the Margate Train businesses.
- Fire-risk and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Margate
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