Long Term Car Rental Hobart ~4 Months Hobart, TAS

LBob01 on 17/01/2018 - 13:16

Hello all,

I'm a university student and have to move to Hobart in July this year (2018). I'm there for my final year placement as part of uni degree, which will be around 4 months. I won't be making any money.

So I was looking for a affordable solution in order to secure some sort of transport. Shipping/ driving my car down is too expensive (central QLD), mainly due to ferry across bass strait. I will be working in New town, Hobart and hoping to find accommodation around that area (which is also so very expensive ~220 a week).

Automotive

Comments

  • GG57 on 17/01/2018 - 13:22
    +3

    New Town is not that far out of Hobart's CBD. I used to live just down the street in North Hobart and regularly walked to and from work in Macquarie St.
    If you are working near where you live, you may get by with relying on the bus network to get about. I would recommend a bike but it is a little hilly there and July onwards will be cold (for a Queenslander).

    Also, keep an eye out for off-peak fares on the car ferry to Tassie; prices may drop to make taking your own car viable.

    • Bob01 on 17/01/2018 - 13:35

      Thanks for your advice. I have a very small window of travel time assigned by the university to get to hobart from QLD. So very specific with my dates when I can drive down. But I'll keep a eye out for cheaper ferry prices.

    • Randxyz123 on 17/01/2018 - 13:49

      This.

      Personally what I’d do is, get there a couple of days early, have a look whether you can walk to work or will need a car or if a bike or bus will work.

      If you do need a car, you’re probably better flying to Melbourne to buy one. Then sell it to a backpacker after 4 months.

  • mskeggs on 17/01/2018 - 13:32
    +3

    Buy a cheap car and sell it again.
    That said, new town is pretty central - do you really need a car?

    • Bob01 on 17/01/2018 - 13:41

      Thanks. I was trying to avoid this option just because of cheap and reliable don't really go hand in hand.

      • Clear on 17/01/2018 - 14:19

        I assume all of your classes will be at Sandy Bay?

        • Bob01 on 17/01/2018 - 14:26

          No New Town

    • brih on 17/01/2018 - 16:10

      New Town is central, but it's definitely worth having a car in Hobart, so that you are free to explore all the interesting places that aren't accessible by public transport. Outside of the city and suburban areas, public transport services are sorely lacking.

  • dazweeja on 17/01/2018 - 13:47
    +2

    I'm not sure how the ferry is expensive? $376 return with passenger and vehicle (July/November). Seems reasonable when you'd have to get a flight instead.

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 17/01/2018 - 14:09
      +1

      Yeah if OP books the Spirit of Tasmania far in advance (i.e. now) it would seem to be the most economical choice by quite a margin (if a car was absolutely necessary)? I can't imagine renting any car for 4 months would be a better value option (if you have a registered and insured car sitting there).

      The long drive from Central QLD would be the painful part (unless you turn it into a trip). You'd have to add ~$600 for fuel (return trip) and $30 a night for backpackers accommodation (if desired).

  • Bob01 on 17/01/2018 - 14:43

    Thank you everyone for advice

    Finding accommodation that is affordable and nearby is hard. Even the places I have found within 3kms are about ~40 mins walk because of the hilly nature of the area. Plus don't want to be doing 40 min walks in freezing temps in July isn't going to be pleasant, especially because I'm from QLD. I have also looked into the bus and public transport. But frequency is the the problem, every 60 mins. So if I was to miss the bus one evening I would either have to wait 60 mins or walk 40 mins in the cold. Grocery shopping would also be a problem with bus/walk/bike.

    Yes it seems likely that driving is the best possible choice. my only reservation was me having to get back quickly, 4 days from Hobart to Cairns QLD at the end of my placement to do my final exams. (my parents live in central QLD, Uni campus is in Cairns). Anyway it is all a logistical nightmare. Too many things to consider while having no money. Lucky this is my last year of uni.

  • CMH on 17/01/2018 - 17:15

    Offer free use of your car for someone looking to do a one way trip from where you are to syd\melb. You might get lucky and someone will drive that for you and pay for fuel. Of course there's drawbacks with this idea…

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