Hobart Airport’s new arrivals area featuring an 85-metre U-belt baggage carousel and a Tasmanian-designed outdoor forecourt opens today, adding roughly 800 square metres of space, a new arrivals exit with easier access to the car rental offices, and an outdoor forecourt inspired by Tasmania’s natural landscape.
The overall $200 million expansion is now around two-thirds complete, and will ultimately double the size of the terminal. More areas will open over the coming months as work progresses, following the recent opening of two new departure gates as part of the same redevelopment.
The centrepiece of the arrivals upgrade is a new 85-metre U-belt carousel designed to improve baggage flow and handle higher passenger volumes. One existing carousel has been taken offline to be upgraded and expanded as part of the works.
Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter said the opening marked a significant milestone in the terminal expansion project, “providing more space, more choice of food and retail, and more jobs for Tasmanians”.
“The opening of our new arrivals area is an exciting moment for Tasmania as the terminal expands to meet growing demand,” Carter said.
“It features more baggage claim space, a new arrivals exit with easier access to the new car rental offices, and a welcoming outdoor forecourt inspired by Tasmania’s unique landscape.”
A Tasmanian welcome at the forecourt
The outdoor forecourt was designed by Tasmanian landscape architects Playstreet, drawing on a native planting palette to create a distinctly local sense of arrival.
Playstreet director Miriam Shevland said the forecourt was designed as a welcoming journey through Tasmania’s landscapes.
“In the rainforest zone, the planters are underlit to subtly evoke bioluminescence, adding depth and atmosphere after dark,” Shevland said.
“The movement of different paving types helps guide people through the space, but overall, the design is about more than wayfinding, it’s intended to reflect Tasmania’s rugged coastlines and natural environments, and create a calm, inviting arrival experience that connects visitors to Tasmania from the moment they land.”
Busy holidays ahead
The opening comes as Hobart Airport prepares for one of its busiest periods of the winter season, with around 135,000 passengers expected to move through the terminal during the July school holidays, at a time when the state is drawing visitors with free public transport statewide until mid-2027.
Carter encouraged travellers to allow extra time for their journey.
“If you haven’t travelled through Hobart Airport recently, you’ll notice things look quite different,” he said.
“We encourage passengers to allow plenty of time to get through security, find your gate and take the opportunity to explore some of the new spaces and shops that have opened.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: Tasmania remains a strong domestic seller, and a larger, smoother Hobart terminal makes the gateway easier to recommend for clients heading south this winter. With works ongoing and one carousel offline, the extra-time message is worth passing on at booking, particularly for tight connections and hire-car pickups.
