7 Day Grand Tasmania Small Group Guided Tour

Tasmania packs a remarkable range of wild places into one island, and this seven-day loop sets out to show you the variety: waterfalls, alpine tracks, west-coast rainforest, pale beaches, pink granite and a convict-era settlement. You leave Hobart by minibus and return there after covering much of the island.

I like two things in particular: the route reaches far beyond Hobart, taking you to places such as the Tarkine, Cradle Mountain and the Bay of Fires, and the walking is built into the trip, rather than treated as a quick photo stop. Bonorong’s wildlife visit and Port Arthur’s harbour cruise add two very different kinds of insight.

The trade-off is a packed schedule with plenty of time on the road and, on some days, a lot of walking. The included accommodation is hostel-level in the base option, and the Gordon River Cruise is an extra, so check the room type and optional costs before you book.

• Two nights in Strahan give you time for west-coast walks, including the route to Montezuma Falls.
• Cradle Mountain and Cataract Gorge bring alpine walking and a dramatic river gorge into the same section of the trip.
• The east coast is a highlight: expect the Bay of Fires, St Helens, Bicheno and Freycinet National Park.
• Bonorong and Port Arthur add wildlife and Tasmanian colonial history to a nature-heavy itinerary.
• Plan for active days: one tour participant reported walking more than 20,000 steps on some days.
• Choose your room with care: hostel rooms have shared same-gender bathrooms, while motel upgrades cost more.

A seven-day route that shows Tasmania’s range

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This is an island circuit, not a stay-put holiday. You start in Hobart, travel west to Strahan, cross north to Launceston, follow the east coast south, then finish with Hobart, Mount Wellington and the Tasman Peninsula. The route makes sense if your priority is seeing several very different parts of Tasmania without arranging a separate car, lodging and park visits for each stop.

You travel in a shared group of one to 24 people, with an English-speaking guide, live commentary and round-trip transfers. The itinerary combines guided walks with free-walking time, so you get some direction without needing to stay shoulder-to-shoulder with the guide at every stop. The group can also change along the way: shorter tours may share sections of the route, and people may leave as their trips end.

That arrangement can make the minibus feel sociable, but it also means the group and guide may not stay exactly the same for all seven days. Past tour leaders have included Jason, Evans, Anthony, Tom and Justin. The operator assigns the guide, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

👉 See our pick of the 12 Best Tours In Tasmania

Day one: Russell Falls and the road to Strahan

The tour departs Hobart at 7:30 a.m. and heads toward Mount Field National Park, where the first big nature stop is Russell Falls. The falls are a fitting opening: a short walk brings you into a forest setting, and the park is also known for its tall eucalyptus trees. The tour’s focus is walking, so bring shoes you can comfortably wear on uneven paths.

Lake St Clair is another named highlight on the westbound journey. It gives you a different view of Tasmania’s interior, with a broad inland-water setting after the close forest around the falls. The first day ends in Strahan, where you stay for two nights. That overnight stop matters: the west coast is too far from Hobart for a relaxed day trip, and spending more than one night here gives the itinerary room for walks in the area.

The schedule is shaped by road and weather conditions, so do not expect every stop to run to a fixed minute. Pack water and a layer you can add or remove, and keep essentials handy rather than buried in your overnight bag.

Day two: Strahan, Henty Dunes and the west-coast rainforest

Strahan is the base for exploring Tasmania’s west coast, a part of the island that feels remote compared with Hobart or Launceston. The route includes the Henty Dunes, the Tarkine Rainforest and a walk to Montezuma Falls. Those stops show off the region’s variety: open sand, dense forest and a waterfall reached on foot.

Montezuma Falls is a particular draw for walkers. The trip description lists it as a stop, but does not give a fixed walk length or a guaranteed time at the falls. Use the day’s walking options and your guide’s instructions to judge how much you want to take on. The tour is not a good match if you want every outing to be a short, flat stroll.

The Gordon River Cruise is not included. That distinction matters because a river cruise may sound like an automatic part of a Strahan stay, but you need to budget for it separately if you want to go. One past participant singled it out as an optional extra, so check the current cruise schedule and cost before departure rather than assuming it is covered by your tour fare.

Day three: Cradle Mountain, Sheffield and Launceston

The journey north brings you to Cradle Mountain, one of the trip’s main alpine stops. You get time to explore the area on foot, with guided and free-walking options. The tour does not specify one compulsory trail, so the day’s exact walk can depend on conditions and the group. That flexibility is useful, but it means you should arrive ready to walk rather than expecting a single fixed sightseeing route.

Cradle Mountain is among the most frequently praised parts of this trip, and it is easy to see why it anchors the itinerary. It offers a sharp change from the west-coast forests and dunes, with an alpine setting that rewards time outdoors. The catch is that a guided circuit gives you only a slice of the park. If you want several long hikes here, a longer independent stay would suit you better.

The route also passes through Sheffield, known for its murals, before reaching Launceston and Cataract Gorge. The gorge is a striking natural feature close to the city, with steep sides and a river running through it. You spend the night in Launceston, breaking up the drive and leaving room to see a second northern Tasmanian highlight before heading east.

Day four: Bay of Fires, St Helens and Bicheno

The east-coast section brings a change of pace and scenery. The Bay of Fires is known for its coastal views and orange-tinged granite, while St Helens gives the route a town stop before you continue to Bicheno for the night. This is a good stretch for anyone who wants coastal walks and open views after several days of forest and mountain country.

The itinerary includes walking time, but does not promise a particular beach, swim or length of walk. Conditions and the day’s schedule will shape what you can do. Bring swimwear and a towel if you would like the option to get in the water, but do not count on a long beach stay.

Bicheno is an overnight stop, not a multi-day beach break. That is the pattern across this trip: you get enough time to sample each area, then move on. The pace is the price of seeing so much of the island in one week.

Day five: Freycinet, Wineglass Bay and Cape Tourville

Freycinet National Park is a major east-coast highlight, with Wineglass Bay and Cape Tourville among the named stops. Pink granite peaks, coastal views and beaches make this one of Tasmania’s most memorable stretches. The walking options let you get beyond the roadside viewpoint, though the tour does not specify which trails or how long each walk lasts.

The word options is important here. The tour includes guided walks and free-walking time, and a participant has described the trip as a hiking-focused experience with the choice to walk less or rest. You can adjust your effort, but the group’s overall schedule still moves on. If a particular walk is a top priority, ask the operator what is planned for your departure date.

The route continues toward Hobart, where you spend two nights. Freycinet, the Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain are the areas most likely to stay with you if you value scenery and walking. They also make clear why the tour’s broad coverage comes with a lot of time in transit.

Day six: Bonorong, Mount Wellington and Richmond

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary gives you a chance to see Tasmanian devils and kangaroos, with admission included. It is a useful counterpoint to the national parks: instead of looking for wildlife on a trail, you visit a sanctuary where animals are easier to see. If wildlife is your main reason for travelling, Bonorong is a strong addition, though it is one stop rather than a dedicated wildlife tour.

Mount Wellington, also known as kunanyi, offers a high viewpoint over Hobart and its surroundings. Weather can affect what you see at the top, so dress for the day rather than assuming the conditions in town will hold. The tour also includes Richmond Village, whose historic buildings offer a quieter change from the mountain and wildlife stops.

The day balances natural views, a wildlife visit and a historic town. The order and timing may shift with weather and traffic. Keep a warm or waterproof layer accessible, especially if you are spending time outdoors around Mount Wellington.

Day seven: Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula

The final day turns toward the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur Historic Site. Admission and a harbour cruise are included, making this more than a brief stop for a photo. Port Arthur’s former penal settlement gives the trip a different kind of context from the forests and coast: it is a place to consider the people and systems that shaped Tasmania’s past.

The route also features Tasman National Park and the peninsula’s coastal scenery. The tour returns to Hobart at about 5:30 p.m., though timing can change with traffic or weather. Avoid scheduling a tight flight or other fixed commitment immediately after the return, since a long island circuit has little room to make up lost time.

Walking, driving and what a typical day feels like

This is an active tour, not a coach trip with a few steps at each lookout. The itinerary includes guided walks and free-walking options, and one participant reported exceeding 20,000 steps on some days. That is not a guaranteed daily count, but it is a fair warning: bring broken-in walking shoes and be ready for uneven paths and changing weather.

You also spend long stretches travelling between regions. One participant found the minibus uncomfortable on longer drives, a practical point worth weighing if you have back trouble or dislike road time. The tour’s breadth is its strength, but the distances between western Tasmania, the north and the east coast are real. You gain coverage, not a leisurely stay in each place.

A group of up to 24 can offer an easy way to meet people, but it is not a private small-group outing in the most intimate sense. The operator calls it a small-group tour, yet the upper limit is large enough that the pace and social feel may vary.

Rooms, fares and what is included

Six nights of accommodation are included, with stays in Strahan, Launceston, Bicheno and Hobart. The base package is a hostel double room. Hostel twin and double rooms use shared same-gender bathrooms, and a twin or double booking requires at least two people. Solo travellers cannot be matched with another person for a shared twin room.

Motel packages are available in double, twin and single options, at higher prices. The listed package prices are US$1,100.65 for hostel double, US$1,192.05 for motel double or twin, and US$1,614.05 for motel single. The tour’s headline starting price is $1,265.75, so check the currency and final checkout total before booking. Room upgrades can make the trip more comfortable, but compare the extra cost with how much time you will actually spend in the room.

Park admission, Bonorong admission and Port Arthur entry with its harbour cruise are included, along with transfers and an English-speaking guide. Meals and drinks, personal expenses, tips, insurance and the Gordon River Cruise are not included. Since meal arrangements are not specified, plan to pay for your own food and beverages during the week.

The price represents a lot of ground covered and several included admissions, but it is not an all-inclusive holiday. The most important extras to budget for are food, drinks and any optional cruise. Personal travel insurance is recommended, particularly because cancellations within 14 days of departure incur a full cancellation fee.

Is this the right Tasmania tour for you?

I would choose this trip if you have a week, want to see several sides of Tasmania and enjoy walking more than sitting in a coach all day. The route covers a substantial range of places, and the mix of parks, wildlife, coastal towns and Port Arthur gives you more than scenery alone. It also saves you from arranging a car and six nights of lodging across a large circuit.

I would look elsewhere if you want slow mornings, long independent hikes in one park, private transport or hotel-style accommodation at the base price. Before booking, confirm the room category, the currency and total fare, and whether the Gordon River Cruise fits your budget. If you are comfortable with early starts, long drives and active days, this is a practical way to see a lot of Tasmania in one week.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Hobart. The pickup location is selected during checkout, and the operator re-confirms the pickup time in advance.

What time does the tour leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on the first day, and the return to Hobart is scheduled for about 5:30 p.m. on day seven. Traffic and weather can change the schedule.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Six nights are included, with stops in Strahan, Launceston, Bicheno and Hobart.

Is the Gordon River Cruise included?

No. The Gordon River Cruise is an optional extra and is not included in the tour price.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included.

What accommodation choices are available?

Options include hostel double, motel double, motel twin and motel single rooms. Hostel twin and double rooms have shared same-gender bathrooms.

Can a solo traveller book a shared twin room?

No. A twin or double booking requires at least two people, and the operator cannot match solo travellers for a twin-share room.

What is the minimum age to join?

Participants must be at least eight years old. Children aged eight to 17 must travel with a paying adult, and infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount.

How much walking should I expect?

The tour includes guided walks and free-walking options. One participant reported walking more than 20,000 steps on some days, so prepare for an active trip.

Is the tour wheelchair-accessible?

No. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.