Tasmania 5-Day Aurora Viewing & Classic Attractions Tour

Tasmania packs striking contrasts into this five-day circuit: Hobart’s mountain-top views, the cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, Wineglass Bay’s curved shore and Cradle Mountain’s alpine scenery. You also get four hotel nights, breakfast, transport and a ticket to Port Arthur, so the trip handles much of the planning for you.

I like two things in particular: the range of places covered gives you a useful first look at Tasmania, and the included hotel stays and transport spare you from changing lodgings every night or arranging a rental car. The Chinese-speaking driver-guide also shares stories and facts along the way.

One important caveat: the Southern Lights are a possibility, not a promise. The extra chase runs only once during your Hobart stay, and only when the activity forecast reaches 5 or higher and the sky is expected to have little cloud. Wineglass Bay can also feel rushed, with about 90 minutes reported for the lookout walk and return.

At a glance: five useful details

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• The route links Tasmania’s headline sights: Hobart, Richmond, Port Arthur, Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain, Launceston and the Tamar region.
• Port Arthur admission is included: You can visit the historic prison site without buying its entry ticket separately.
• The aurora chase has strict conditions: It is offered once during the Hobart portion of the stay, and only when the forecast and cloud cover cooperate.
• The final-day stop changes by season: Bridestowe Lavender Estate is scheduled in December and January, while Tamar Wetlands is the alternative in other seasons.
• Four nights and breakfast are part of the package: Hotel names and locations can vary, particularly on the final night.
• There are seasonal extras: Cherry picking from mid-December to mid-January costs extra; pre-booked participants receive a box of Tasmanian cookies.

👉 See our pick of the 12 Best Tours In Tasmania

A five-day sampler, not a slow country stay

This tour is built for coverage. You travel between several distinct parts of Tasmania, with a driver-guide handling the transfers and a planned sequence of stops. That is useful if you have five days and want to see the island’s best-known sights without driving yourself.

The trade-off is time. Some stops are brief, the order can change with weather and traffic, and you will not set your own pace throughout. Think of this as an introduction to Tasmania, not a base for long walks or unhurried visits at every stop.

The group has a Chinese-speaking professional driver-guide, though the guide may change during the five days. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect the same person throughout. The operator says your guide will contact you one day ahead.

Day 1: Richmond, Salamanca and Mount Wellington

The tour departs at 9:00 from Hobart. If you need airport pick-up, your flight must arrive before that time; hotel pick-up is limited to hotels in central Hobart. The early start makes the first day easier to manage if you arrive in Tasmania the night before.

Richmond is a small historic town with around 800 residents and a concentration of 19th-century buildings. The old stone bridge and Richmond Prison, built in 1825, offer a compact introduction to the island’s colonial past. You get a change of pace from Hobart without needing a long detour.

The plan also lists Salamanca, but do not build your Saturday around the market without checking the final schedule. Salamanca Market operates only on Saturdays, and the visit may not be arranged even when your tour falls on that day. The itinerary can shift to suit actual conditions.

Mount Wellington, also called kunanyi, rises to 1,271 metres above Hobart. From the top, you can look across the city and surrounding country; the view is the point, though weather can affect what you see. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket, even if Hobart looks mild below.

You spend the first night in Hobart at a four-star hotel such as ibis Styles Hobart or an equivalent. From February 13 to February 24, accommodation is arranged at Iron Creek Bay Estate instead, so check the location for your travel dates.

The Southern Lights chase may happen on one night while you are staying in Hobart. It is not a standard nightly outing: the activity forecast must reach 5 or higher, and the weather must indicate minimal cloud. If conditions do not meet those requirements, you may not go out at all. Treat a sighting as a fortunate bonus, not the reason to book the entire trip.

Day 2: Waterfall Bay cliffs and Port Arthur

The Tasman Peninsula brings dramatic sea cliffs and a coastal walk at Waterfall Bay. The walk is described as easy, but the setting is the main reward: high cliffs, open sea and a close look at the peninsula’s rugged edge. Wear shoes you can walk in, and keep your rain layer handy.

Port Arthur Historic Site is the day’s major stop, with admission included. The former penal settlement is now a historic site beside the water, and its buildings and setting help put Tasmania’s colonial history into context. Since entry is covered, you avoid a separate ticket purchase, though your time on site remains part of a guided day rather than an open-ended visit.

You return to Hobart for the second night. This repeat stay is practical: it keeps the first half of the trip based in one city and avoids packing up after every excursion. The hotel may differ from the first night, but the stated standard is four-star.

Day 3: Wineglass Bay, Coles Bay and Honeymoon Bay

Freycinet National Park is one of the tour’s visual high points. At the Wineglass Bay Lookout, the view opens over a pale crescent of shore and the surrounding waters. It is a rewarding stop, but the uphill walk means the clock matters.

Plan for a brisk visit. About 90 minutes has been allocated on at least one departure for the walk up and return to the parking area, leaving limited time to linger. If you want a long hike or a relaxed day in the park, this schedule may disappoint. For a first look and the famous panorama, it can still be worthwhile.

The coach also visits Coles Bay and Honeymoon Bay. Honeymoon Bay is known for calm, clear water and smooth granite rocks, a gentler contrast to the heights and exposed coast earlier in the day. The itinerary describes a coach visit, so do not assume there is time for swimming or a long beach stay.

The third night is again in Hobart. That means three consecutive nights in the same city, a useful comfort after two full days on the road. The main compromise is that the return journey limits the time you can spend around Freycinet.

Day 4: Sheffield murals and Cradle Mountain

Sheffield is known as the Town of Murals. Paintings across the buildings depict local stories and the history of the Cradle Mountain region, making the town a short, easy stop with a distinctly local character. It gives you a break from the coach before the day’s bigger natural attraction.

Cradle Mountain is the headline of the day, with a choice of walking trails and scenery that changes with the weather. The tour information does not specify a particular trail or walking duration, so ask your guide what time is available before setting off. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle and clothing suited to the forecast.

The fourth night is at a four-star hotel such as Tamar Valley Resort, or an equivalent property in Launceston or near Cradle Mountain. That location can vary, so the last morning’s travel may differ depending on where you stay. It is worth confirming the hotel details when they are sent.

Day 5: Lavender, wetlands and Cataract Gorge

The final day changes with the season. In December and January, the itinerary includes Bridestowe Lavender Estate, with admission at your own expense. In other months, the tour visits Tamar Wetlands instead. If the lavender fields are a priority, check the dates and whether the estate visit fits your expectations before booking.

Cherry picking is a separate optional activity offered at additional cost from mid-December to mid-January. It is not included in the base price, and it should not be confused with the lavender stop. A complimentary box of popular Tasmanian cookies is provided to each pre-booked participant.

Cataract Gorge Reserve is a self-guided visit. Its parkland and gorge setting give you time to look around at your own pace, within the tour’s schedule. The description also mentions a long monorail ropeway, but it does not say that a ride is included, so check locally if that is something you want to do.

The return to Hobart is scheduled for around 19:30, with airport transport arranged. Book a departure flight after 19:30, as the return time leaves little room for an earlier flight. If you are using hotel transfers instead, pick-up and drop-off are available only for central Hobart hotels.

What the price covers, and where extras start

The advertised price begins at $968.85, while a package option is also shown from US$842.45. Those figures may reflect different package or booking details, so compare the exact date, currency and inclusions at checkout rather than assuming they are interchangeable.

The value comes from combining four hotel nights, breakfast, transport, a driver-guide and a broad itinerary. Port Arthur admission is specifically included. For a five-day trip across several regions, having the transfers arranged is a real convenience, especially if you would rather not drive unfamiliar roads or plan each overnight stop yourself.

Allow extra money for personal expenses, tips and gratuities, Bridestowe admission when applicable, and the optional cherry-picking activity. The tour information also lists other attraction admissions as included, but the seasonal Bridestowe visit is explicitly at your own expense. Check the final package details for any other paid activities you want to add.

A good part of the value depends on what you want from Tasmania. If you need a compact overview and prefer transport and accommodation bundled together, the price may make sense. If you would rather spend half a day walking at Wineglass Bay or linger at Port Arthur, a self-drive trip or a slower itinerary could suit you better.

Practical things to know before you reserve

The departure is at 9:00, and the return is about 19:30 on the last day. Airport pick-up is available, but you need to arrive before the tour departs; book your flight home after the stated return time. Hotel transfers are limited to central Hobart properties.

The schedule may change because of traffic or weather. The tour has no age limit, but the walk at Wineglass Bay and the outdoor stops still call for sensible footwear and clothing. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a raincoat or poncho, water and a change of clothes. Pets are not allowed, and anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service without a refund.

Cancellation terms are strict close to departure: a full refund is available when you cancel at least seven days ahead, subject to the stated conditions. Late arrivals can forfeit the booking, so arrive 15 minutes before departure. Confirmations are expected within 24 hours; contact customer support if yours does not arrive.

Who should book this Tasmania circuit?

I would choose this tour if you have five days, want the major sights in one organized loop and value having hotels, breakfast and transport arranged. It is particularly practical if you are not keen to drive between Hobart, the Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet and the Cradle Mountain region.

I would think twice if the aurora is your chief goal, or if your ideal day means slow walks and long stops. The Southern Lights depend on forecast and cloud, while Wineglass Bay may get only a short window. For a first visit with broad interests, the route offers a useful mix of history, coast, mountain scenery and city time. For a deeper stay in any one region, book a longer trip or choose a more focused tour.

FAQ

Is the Southern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. The chase is arranged only once during the Hobart stay, when the activity forecast is 5 or higher and conditions indicate minimal cloud.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Four nights in four-star accommodation are included, with breakfast. Hotel names and locations may vary.

Is Port Arthur admission included?

Yes. Admission to Port Arthur Historic Site is included.

Does the tour visit Salamanca Market?

It may, if the schedule and day allow. The market operates on Saturdays, but the visit is not guaranteed even when the tour falls on a Saturday.

Is Bridestowe Lavender Estate included in the price?

No. It is scheduled in December and January, but admission is at your own expense. In other seasons, the itinerary lists Tamar Wetlands.

Can I go cherry picking?

An optional cherry-picking activity is available at extra cost from mid-December to mid-January.

Where can I be picked up?

The operator offers airport pick-up or pick-up from hotels in central Hobart. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not available outside the city centre.

What flight times should I book?

For airport pick-up, arrive in Hobart before 9:00. On the return day, book a flight departing after 19:30.