Hobart & Southern Tasmania
Hobart is one of those Australian cities that catches international travellers off guard. It’s compact, walkable, and set against the dramatic backdrop of kunanyi/Mount Wellington – but it punches well above its weight when it comes to history, food, and natural scenery. The Salamanca waterfront, the farm gate trail running through the Coal River Valley, and the convict heritage sites scattered across the Tasman Peninsula all add up to something that feels distinct from mainland Australia.
This 4-night package gives your clients a focused introduction to Hobart and southern Tasmania. It pairs a full-day Port Arthur tour – one of Australia’s most significant convict heritage sites and a UNESCO World Heritage listing – with the award-winning Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise along some of the country’s highest sea cliffs. Accommodation is at The Old Woolstore Hotel Apartments in central Hobart (or similar, subject to availability), with return private airport transfers included. There’s also the option to swap the Port Arthur day for a visit to MONA, or add a scenic helicopter flight over Port Arthur. It’s designed for agents building Tasmanian FIT itineraries or adding a short-break extension to broader Australian programmes.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Your Hobart Experience – Day by Day
Airport Transfer & Settle Into Hobart
Clients arrive at Hobart Airport and are met by a private transfer to The Old Woolstore Hotel Apartments (or similar) in central Hobart. The hotel sits within easy walking distance of the Salamanca waterfront, Battery Point, and the city’s restaurant precinct.
The rest of the day is at leisure. Depending on arrival time, there’s plenty to fill an afternoon. The Salamanca Market runs on Saturdays, the waterfront fish punts are worth a visit any day, and a walk up to Battery Point through the narrow colonial streets is a good way for clients to get their bearings. For clients wanting something more structured, we can arrange a kunanyi/Mount Wellington summit tour or a Hobart city walking tour.
Trade tip: Most clients fly into Hobart from Melbourne or Sydney – it’s a short hop, roughly 90 minutes. The private airport transfer takes about 20 minutes to the CBD. If clients are arriving on a Saturday, the Salamanca Market is a real highlight and worth building the arrival day around.
Full-Day Port Arthur Historic Site Tour
A guided day tour heading south-east from Hobart onto the Tasman Peninsula. The drive itself is part of the experience – the route passes Government House, crosses the Tasman Bridge over the Derwent River, and travels through the Coal River Valley wine region and the historic town of Richmond (October to April departures include a photo stop at the convict-built Richmond Bridge).
Continuing on to the Tasman Peninsula, clients skirt Norfolk Bay and stop at Eaglehawk Neck, Doo Town, and Pirates Bay in the Tasman National Park for views of the dramatic coastal rock formations. The scenery along this stretch is genuinely striking – rugged cliffs, clear water, dense bushland.
At Port Arthur itself, there’s approximately 5 hours on site. That includes an introductory 40-minute guided walking tour covering the Penitentiary, Separate Prison, Commandant’s House, church ruins and more. A harbour cruise around Carnarvon Bay passes the Isle of the Dead, giving clients a feel for what it was like to arrive at this remote convict settlement by boat. The rest of the time is free to explore the Interpretation Centre, wander the grounds at their own pace, and purchase lunch independently.
Trade tip: Port Arthur is a World Heritage Site and one of the most compelling convict heritage experiences in Australia. Five hours on site is generous and clients genuinely need it – there’s a lot to absorb. For an added wow factor, a 15-minute scenic helicopter flight with Osborne Helicopters can be added while at Port Arthur. It’s a spectacular perspective over the site and the surrounding coastline.
3-Hour Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise
The highlight for many clients. The award-winning Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise is a 3-hour journey along the rugged southern coastline of Bruny Island. Custom-built yellow boats carry a maximum of 43 guests with covered, open-air tiered seating that provides excellent views in all directions.
The cruise passes some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs, enters deep sea caves, drifts beneath towering crags to listen to the phenomenon known as “Breathing Rock,” and navigates the narrow gap between the coast and “The Monument.” The real drama comes at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean – the raw power of it is something clients talk about long after.
Wildlife is a major draw. Seals, dolphins, migrating whales (seasonal), and abundant seabirds are regularly spotted. The interpretive guides are passionate and knowledgeable – they work hard to make the experience entertaining as well as informative. The boats themselves are fuel-efficient and low-emission, which is worth mentioning to environmentally conscious travellers.
Trade tip: This cruise consistently rates among the top experiences in Tasmania. It works for a wide range of clients – couples, families, wildlife enthusiasts, and those who just appreciate dramatic coastal scenery. The boats are comfortable but it is the Southern Ocean, so advise clients to bring warm layers regardless of the season. Transfer from Hobart to the departure point can be arranged.
Explore at Leisure or Add an Optional Tour
A flexible day in Hobart. Clients can explore independently or we can arrange an additional experience. The obvious option is MONA – the Museum of Old and New Art – which can be substituted for the Port Arthur tour or added as a separate day at additional cost. The ferry ride up the Derwent to MONA is part of the experience.
Other options for this day include a visit to the Huon Valley and Tahune Airwalk, a wine tour through the Coal River Valley, a walking tour of Hobart’s street art and laneways, or simply time to wander Salamanca Place and the waterfront.
Trade tip: We’d recommend discussing this free day with clients before departure so we can tailor it. For food-focused travellers, Hobart’s restaurant scene is outstanding – Templo, Fico, Franklin. For those wanting to get out of the city, the Huon Valley or a Mount Field National Park day trip are both within easy reach. This flexibility is one of the package’s strengths for FIT bookings.
Private Transfer to Hobart Airport
A private transfer collects clients from their hotel and delivers them to Hobart Airport for their onward flight. Depending on departure time, there may be a chance for a final walk along the waterfront or a coffee at one of the Salamanca cafes.
Trade tip: Hobart Airport is small and efficient – clients don’t need to allow the same buffer they might for larger Australian airports. For agents building broader Australian itineraries, Hobart connects easily to Melbourne and Sydney with multiple daily flights. This 4-night package works well as a Tasmanian add-on to east coast itineraries, or as the starting point for a longer Tasmanian self-drive taking in Cradle Mountain, the east coast, or the Tarkine wilderness.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
