Hobart’s mountain views, Bruny Island’s rugged coast and Port Arthur’s convict-era buildings make a strong three-day introduction to Tasmania. This tour links the three by road, so you can leave the driving and route planning to someone else.
I like that each day focuses on a different region, and that hotel transfers save you from arranging transport between scattered sights. I also like the mix of experiences: a city market, native animals, local food stops and time at a major historic site.
The trade-off is a packed schedule with weather-dependent changes, especially on Bruny Island. If you want long walks, unhurried meals or the freedom to linger wherever you please, a rental car and more days may suit you better.
- What to know before you book
- Three days, three different Tasmanian moods
- Day one: Mount Wellington, Richmond and Hobart
- Day two: Bruny Island’s coast and local produce
- Day three: four hours at Port Arthur
- Is the price good value?
- Pick this tour if you want a simple first look
- FAQ
- What places does the three-day tour visit?
- Is Salamanca Market included?
- Are hotel transfers included?
- Are meals included in the tour price?
- Do I need to buy a Port Arthur ticket separately?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
- What is the minimum age, and can children join?
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What to know before you book
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7 / 7- Mount Wellington puts Hobart in view: Head to 1,272 metres for a broad look over the city, weather permitting.
- Salamanca Market is a Saturday stop: The schedule allows about 90 minutes there, so choose a Saturday departure if the market matters to you.
- Bruny Island follows the day’s conditions: Stops may change or be skipped because of weather or capacity.
- Port Arthur gets four hours: That gives you time to explore the historic site, but not an entire day at your own pace.
- Local tastes are part of the route: Depending on the day’s plan, you may sample honey, oysters and cheese, with lunch at the Bruny Island Pub.
- Transport and entry details need checking: Hotel pickup is included, but the Port Arthur ticket instructions require careful confirmation before you travel.
👉 See our pick of the 12 Best Tours In Tasmania
Three days, three different Tasmanian moods
The appeal here is variety. Hobart brings city sights and a mountain lookout; Bruny Island trades streets for coast and wildlife; Port Arthur focuses on Tasmania’s convict past. You get a useful first look at several parts of the island without hiring a car or navigating unfamiliar roads.
The tour is run by Tassie Tours Tasmania, with air-conditioned transport and live commentary. You may have a different driver-guide each day. Some guides, including Mark and Andrew, have been praised for keeping the ride lively and sharing stories along the way. Mark, in particular, is known for chatty commentary, which will suit you if you like a social bus ride. If you prefer a quiet trip, bring headphones for the stretches when you want a break.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tasmania
Day one: Mount Wellington, Richmond and Hobart
Mount Wellington is the day’s big opening view. At 1,272 metres above Hobart, it offers a striking perspective on the city and, when conditions allow, the wider region. It is also exposed to changeable weather. If cloud and rain obscure the summit, the operator may substitute Mount Nelson or Rosny Hill, so the exact panorama is never guaranteed.
Richmond adds a smaller-town contrast to the mountain and city. You get time to look around this historic township, though the schedule is built for an overview rather than a leisurely day of browsing. A guided city loop and commentary fill in the gaps between the main stops, which is useful if this is your first visit and you want an orientation without organizing your own route.
If your tour runs on Saturday, the itinerary includes about 90 minutes at Salamanca Market. That is enough time to browse stalls, find food and look for souvenirs, but you will need to make choices rather than inspect every stand at length. One useful tip: if the market is a priority, book a Saturday date and keep an eye on the start time for that day.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is listed as part of the day, with the chance to see Australian animals and hand-feed kangaroos. The itinerary describes the stop as optional, so confirm what applies to your selected package. The included details list the Bonorong entrance fee, while additional information also gives a fee of AUD 26 per person. Check the current booking terms to see whether your admission is covered.
There is also a stop at Wicked Cheese for a free cheese tasting. It is a brief, low-effort way to sample a local product, not a substitute for a full meal. Taken together, the day moves quickly between mountain, town, market and wildlife, so expect a sampler rather than an in-depth visit at every stop.
Day two: Bruny Island’s coast and local produce
Bruny Island is the day most shaped by weather and road conditions. There is no fixed sequence of stops, and some places may be missed because of capacity or conditions. That flexibility helps the guide make the best of the day, but it also means you should not book with one single viewpoint or stop as your only reason for going.
The island’s draw is the contrast between open coastal scenery, national park areas and small food producers. A route may include Truganini Lookout at the Neck, where the narrow strip of land gives you a memorable view over the water. Other possible stops include Two Tree Point and Resolution Creek, with Cape Bruny Lighthouse offering a more expansive ocean outlook. These are examples of places associated with the tour, not a promise that every one will feature on your departure.
Food is woven into the outing. Stops may include local honey, oysters and cheese, and lunch is planned at the Bruny Island Pub, where fresh fish and chips are among the choices. A past menu also included chicken parma and mushroom pasta, though what is available can change. Meals and drinks are not included in the tour price, so budget separately.
The ride itself is part of the day’s value. Bruny is not a simple add-on from central Hobart, and guided transport saves you the work of arranging the route and keeping track of the day’s stops. The downside is less control over how long you spend at each place. If a coastal walk or a particular food stop is essential to you, ask the operator what is likely to be included before booking.
Bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes if you are keen to swim. The tour may offer a chance to get into a lagoon or the ocean, but swimming is not guaranteed. Tasmania’s weather can change the plan, so pack for more than one kind of day.
Day three: four hours at Port Arthur
Port Arthur is the tour’s most substantial historical stop. The former convict settlement is known for its imposing buildings and monuments, set beside Mason Cove. Four hours at the site gives you a meaningful window to explore, but it is still a fixed visit within a day that includes transport to and from Hobart.
The site combines historical interpretation with a striking coastal setting. I would give priority to the main structures and displays that interest you, then leave time to pause and take in the grounds. The wider site can invite more time than a timed group visit allows, so history fans who want to read every panel or explore at a slow pace may prefer a separate day.
There is an important ticket detail to settle before departure. The inclusions list Port Arthur entrance and a national parks pass, but the additional instructions say you must buy a Port Arthur ticket through the official website and choose a pickup location, with no ticket sales at the stops. Because those details appear to conflict, confirm directly with the operator or booking provider which ticket you need and whether it is already covered. Do not wait until the day of the tour to sort it out.
The Port Arthur day has different pickup arrangements from the other two days. The operator assigns one of eight pickup locations and confirms the closest option by email. Build time into your morning to reach the assigned point; the return is to your hotel or a personal address, with timing dependent on the selected option and the day’s schedule.
Is the price good value?
The listed price starts at $376.09, while the package option is also shown from US$327.05. Since those figures use different currency formats, check the currency and final total at checkout rather than comparing them as though they were the same amount.
Value depends on what you would otherwise spend on transport. The package includes three days of air-conditioned transport, hotel transfers, a driver, live commentary, the Hobart city loop, Mount Wellington, Richmond, Bruny Island and four hours at Port Arthur. It also lists Bonorong admission, the Salamanca Market visit on Saturdays, a cheese tasting and taxes. For a solo visitor or anyone uneasy about driving, the convenience can be worth a lot: you can watch the road go by instead of studying maps and parking options.
It is not an all-inclusive holiday. Accommodation, meals, drinks, personal costs and insurance are excluded, and you should confirm the Port Arthur ticket arrangement before paying. Bruny Island’s flexible route also means you are paying for a guided day out, not a fixed checklist of stops.
The tour requires at least four participants to operate. If that minimum is not met, the operator may cancel after confirmation and offer another date or a full refund. Cancellation is refundable if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity, using local destination time.
Pick this tour if you want a simple first look
I would consider this tour if you have three days in Hobart, want to see the island’s headline sights and would rather not drive. The mix is especially useful for a first Tasmania visit, and the guides’ commentary can add context to the scenery and history between stops. It can also work well for solo visitors who want transport and company built into the plan.
Think twice if your priority is independent exploration. The schedule is shared, the Bruny Island route varies, and some stops may be shortened or dropped. The tour is not recommended for people with impaired physical mobility, and participants must be at least five years old; children need an accompanying adult.
3 Day Tasmania Hobart, Port Arthur & Bruny Island Tour
“Good experience ❤️ Tour guides are really nice and helpful. Highly recommend.”
FAQ
What places does the three-day tour visit?
The tour covers Hobart, Richmond, Mount Wellington, Bruny Island and Port Arthur. The precise Bruny Island stops can vary with weather and capacity.
Is Salamanca Market included?
Yes, the visit is included on Saturdays, with about 90 minutes to explore. It is not part of the itinerary on other days.
Are hotel transfers included?
Yes. Round-trip hotel transfers are included, and the operator reconfirms your pickup time in advance. Arrive at the hotel lobby five minutes before your confirmed pickup time.
Are meals included in the tour price?
No. Meals and beverages are not included. Lunch is planned at the Bruny Island Pub, where you can buy food.
Do I need to buy a Port Arthur ticket separately?
The tour details list Port Arthur admission as included, but also instruct you to pre-purchase a ticket through the official website and choose a pickup location. Confirm the ticket requirement with the operator before travel.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The schedule may change because of traffic or weather. If Mount Wellington is cloudy and rainy, the tour may visit Mount Nelson or Rosny Hill instead. Bruny Island stops may also change.
What is the minimum age, and can children join?
Participants must be at least five years old, and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
