Australian airport doubles in size after $200 million transformation

Virgin Australia VA1335 to Melbourne

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When I pull into Hobart Airport to drop off my hire car, all signage is clear and the car rental offices modern and easy to find at night. These improved experiences are part of the airport’s $200 million upgrade project.

It feels like I’m about to board a flight to somewhere like Singapore, but instead it’s a quick hop across Bass Strait. Not only has the terminal doubled in size, but the existing space feels more high-end. Even the bathrooms have had a zhuzh-up. Blacks, dark browns, creams and whites keep the palette neutral with a premium tilt. Some construction hoarding remains as work continues around gate areas.

I have brought cabin baggage only, which keeps the fare down, allows online check-in and avoids the bag-drop queue. My Economy X seat in the exit row gets me into the priority boarding queue (a fast-track perk of Velocity gold and platinum status). For passengers arriving, the renovations bring an extra baggage reclaim belt for a speedier getaway.

A breeze. I can’t overemphasise how much I love scanners that allow you to leave everything in your bag, which Hobart Airport now has. Given I’ve squished a whole long weekend into the tight cabin allowance, not having to remove bits and pieces for separate screening allows me to sail through.

I arrive early to devour a chicken parmigiana at York Street Bar. Coal River Farm Cafe and Bar is next door and offers a relatively similar menu, while Cafe Outbound serves lighter bites. On the arrivals side, Cafe Marketplace is the airport’s newest venue, opened in August 2026, for barista-made brews and meals after you touch down.

Purely Tasmania stocks locally produced goods which make great gifts, although the same Tasmanian chocolate-coated macadamias I bought for $12 outside the airport cost $20.99 here. It also also sells wine, spirits and skincare. There’s a Relay store for the usual convergence of pharmacy and convenience goods.

Even with the refurbishment, there’s not a lot to do before boarding. Clearly, the money has gone into aesthetics, flight capacity and building the shops and restaurants. This makes the terminal more about spending money than spending time. For eligible travellers, there’s a temporary grab-and-go Qantas Club nook for quick takeaway bites and fee-free coffees. A new Qantas lounge is set to open in early 2027. There’s also an exclusive Saffire Lounge operated by Tasmanian luxury lodge, Saffire Freycinet. There’s free Wi-Fi in the terminal’s public areas, but speeds are mediocre with downloads just shy of 12Mbps and uploads similar at 13Mbps. It works, but you’ll be waiting a while to load up on entertainment for the flight ahead.

The airport’s new design is very nice, and the upgrades to security are noticeable and appreciated. But unless you plan to dine – or hit the Qantas lounge, once it opens – there’s really no need to arrive early. You’ll just sit around killing time.

The writer travelled at his own expense.

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