Best tours of Hobart

If you plan to visit Hobart, you'll find yourself in the capital of Tasmania, Australia's southernmost island territory. Here you can discover the local history and its past as a penal colony, but you'll also have the opportunity to visit some of Australia's most beautiful protected areas.

Some of the best things to do in Hobart include taking a historic tram tour of the city's main sites, taking a cruise on the Derwent River, participating in a kayaking experience, touring the city centre on the local tour bus, seeing the Iron Lighthouse on a boat tour and marvelling at Mount Wellington on an organised tour.

Hobart is known for its colonial spirit and also for being Tasmania's oldest city, so one of the best ways to get a taste of what it's all about is to take a sightseeing tour on the historic Hobart tram. During the tour, you'll be able to stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of the city centre, but also see many of the city's most famous buildings and monuments.

Along the way you'll see sites such as the historic Salamanca Place warehouse district, Battery Point, the Cascade Brewery, the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens and the local harbour. While there are no stops or hop-on-hop-off service, you'll be able to take in the panoramic views of this harbour city from the tram.

This itinerary will not only allow you to discover the architecture and colonial essence, but will also provide you with information about each site you visit or in the surrounding area with an audio guide in several languages. Through it, you will discover the rich evolution of Hobart from its colonial days to the modern metropolis it is today.

During the tour, you'll also hear local musicians and street performers join the tour, providing live entertainment and a window into the melodies of this destination.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 34 euros per person.
• Duration: About 3 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will be able to live a traditional experience on board one of the recreation of one of the first means of transport that the city had.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: It is not an option with hop on-hop off stops or free routes, so you won't have time to explore the sites on your own.

As a port city, Hobart's history is inextricably intertwined with the Derwent River, which meanders along the waterfront and complements the surrounding mountainous profile. While it is possible to admire the tributary from the estuary, one of the most recommended alternatives is to join one of the city's best cruise excursions.

These Hobart cruises will not only give you the opportunity to cruise the iconic river, but also to get up close and personal with the diverse wildlife along its banks. From seabirds to riverine woodland areas, every corner of the Derwent River is home to a sample of local wildlife. You can also discover Hobart's colonial history at the old docks and dockyards.

Alternatively, these Derwent River cruises offer unique perspectives of iconic historic sites such as the Tasman Bridge and Salamanca Place, a warehouse district that rose to prominence in the late 19th century with the international trade that made the city famous. During the tours, you'll usually be accompanied by an expert local guide who will tell you about Hobart's maritime and cultural heritage.

Interesting details

• Price: Approximately 19 euros.
• Duration: Between 1 and 2 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will get to see the River Derwent, which is one of the main sites around which the city and its harbour were built.
• Disadvantages of these tours: During the winter the boat tours can be windy and can hinder your experience of bonding with your surroundings.

If you want to experience the natural areas around Hobart's waterfront and want to do so on an experience that ties in with the city's cruise tours, you can join a kayak tour. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you'll have the choice of several itineraries to suit your preferences.

From a short 2.5-hour tour from downtown Hobart to a more extensive 7-hour exploration that takes you past cliffs, caves and beaches, or even an epic 10-hour journey that takes you around the island of Tasmania, you'll find something for everyone. Kayak tours are ideal if you're looking for an adventurous experience.

During these tours you'll not only paddle through various sections of the Derwent River, but you 'll also learn about the rich Aboriginal and maritime history of Hobart and Tasmania. Equipped with everything you need, including life jackets and lunch, this tour is run in small groups to ensure a more personalised experience.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 74 euros per person.
• Duration: Around 2 and a half hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You get to see a different side of Hobart and have an adventurous experience.
• Disadvantages of these tours: While this is an experience available to all levels, the current on the Derwent River could complicate the experience for novice paddlers.

If you want to explore Hobart in comfort and at your own pace, you can opt for the city's hop on-hop off sightseeing bus tour. This tour will take you around the highlights of this destination and will give you the opportunity to hop on and off as many times as you like along the 18 stops along the way.

As you make your way through the streets of this port city, you'll see iconic sites such as Salamanca Place and the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens, as well as more remote areas such as South Hobart and Victoria Dock. The itinerary you can book is for one or two full days, where you can hop on and hop off as many times as you like and enjoy one of the city's best sightseeing buses.

Along the way, you can also visit some of Hobart's most important museums, such as the Tasmanian Maritime Museum and the Penitentiary Museum.

Stops included on the sightseeing bus

• Brooke Street Pier
• Salamanca Place
• Princess Park
• Battery Point
• St. George's Anglican Church
• Saint Georges Terrace
• Wrest Point Hotel Casino
• Sandy Bay Road
• Cascade Brewery
• Cascades Female Factory
• South Hobart
• Village Cinemas Hobart
• Hobart CBD
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
• Hobart Convict Penitentiary
• Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
• Victoria Dock

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 27 euros per person, for the 24 hour non-stop option.
• Duration: You can choose a 24 or 48 hour service, but if you decide to do the full tour it lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will be able to see the main sites of the city centre and the surrounding area at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of these tours: The winter frequency of services is approximately one hour between each bus, which may delay your tour.

One of the maritime architectural wonders you can discover in Hobart is the Iron Pot Lighthouse. This famous Tasmanian lantern, which holds the title of Australia's oldest lighthouse, will give you an insight into the complexities that navigators of the past had to navigate in one of the most dangerous bays in the world. For this experience, you can opt for a 2.5 hour cruise on the Derwent River with the assistance of an expert local guide.

Along the way, as well as learning about the history of the Iron Lighthouse, you'll have the opportunity to spot native birds, such as the popular white-bellied sea eagle, from the deck of the boat, and you'll also be able to see views of Mount Wellington on the horizon. This experience, which is usually for small groups of up to 12 people, is considered one of Hobart's best cruise excursions.

From the Derwent River to the iconic Hope Beach, these cruises give you the opportunity to see not only the local architecture, but also the natural richness of the region. Plus, an expert guide's detailed explanations of Tasmania's Aboriginal history will also give you an insight into the interrelationship of this site with the island's past.

Interesting details

• Price: Approximately 85 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will get to see one of Hobart's most iconic maritime tourism sites, a port city that was built around shipping and trade.
• Disadvantages of these tours: If you plan to visit Hobart during the summer, which is a rainy season, these experiences may be postponed or cancelled due to the heavy rainfall that characterises the region.

There's no way to really get to know Hobart without visiting Mount Wellington, so if you're an adventure travel enthusiast you can't miss a trip to this distinctive site on the region's skyline.

These experiences usually include a round-trip hotel pick-up and drop-off and are guided by a professional hiker, so you can rely on their expertise to take in the panoramic views across the island.

From the top of Mount Wellington, which rises more than 1,200 metres above sea level, you'll be able to see Hobart and the whole of the Derwent River. The route also takes you through fascinating alpine surroundings, giving you the opportunity to admire the varied wildlife that inhabits the region. On the way down, you'll visit the Cascades district, making it one of the best and most comprehensive tours from Hobart.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 35 euros per person.
• Duration: Between 3 and 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will see one of the highest points in Tasmania and also the bush that is present from any viewing horizon in Hobart.
• Disadvantages of these tours: It is a very intense tour, not recommended for the elderly or people with reduced mobility.

You can either book any of these experiences in advance online or book them once you are in the island's capital. In any case, if you are planning to visit Hobart during the summer, which is the peak season, I advise you to book before you arrive to secure your place and also to get better prices, as rates are dynamic.

Also, if you book in advance you will have the opportunity to put together an itinerary that will allow you to make the most of your visit and combine sightseeing around the city or on the nature trails with cultural experiences in Hobart's best museums or guided tours of the city centre which is noted for its picturesque colonial architecture.

The answer will mainly depend on the tour you choose, but in general you will have the opportunity to see the main sights of Hobart. As well as some of the most outstanding natural attractions, such as Mount Wellington and the Derwent River, you can also learn about the local history, monuments and landmarks, and take part in adventure tours.

You can also choose from a range of transport options for guided or self-guided tours of the city, including Hobart's hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus, cruise ships that take you around the region's maritime attractions and even a historic tram, which will take you back to the most significant stories of Hobart's past.

If you are planning to visit Hobart and want to opt to discover the city on an organised tour, I advise you to book in advance, which will allow you to secure your place and also to get better rates, which can be increased by last minute bookings. I also suggest that, if you travel during the summer, you check the weather, as the temperature is warm but the region is very humid and the rains are very frequent.

On the other hand, I advise you to do a thorough research before visiting the historical sites of the city, which will allow you to make the most of the visits to the buildings and museums close to the points of the tour, such as the Cascades Female Factory or the Tasmanian Maritime Museum.

While Hobart is a well signposted city, as are the busier parts of the island, and so you'll be able to get around without too much trouble on your own, opting for a guided tour will help you get the most out of your sightseeing and make the most of your time. Usually, expert local guides will tell you about the mysteries and secrets of each historical site, which you will find difficult to find out on your own.

In addition, the same guides will recommend places to eat, attractions to visit and even save you money by making the margin of error during your tour much smaller and enhancing your experience on the island.