5-Day Best of Tasmania Tour from Hobart

Tasmania gives you wild beaches, cold mountain air, ancient rainforest, and towns shaped by mining and convict stories. This five-day circuit packs the island’s biggest natural sights into one brisk trip, with Cradle Mountain and Wineglass Bay as the headline acts.

I like that transport, four nights of accommodation, and national park fees are bundled together. I also like the choice built into many days: you can take the easier Dove Lake walk or aim for Marion’s Lookout, then enjoy free time in places such as Strahan and Bicheno. The catch is the pace. You cover a huge amount of ground, sleep in budget accommodation, buy most of your own meals, and need a moderate level of fitness.

Key points at a glance

• Five days, nearly the whole island: The route links Hobart, the west coast, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, the Bay of Fires, and Freycinet National Park.
• A proper outdoor trip: Expect walks, stairs, uneven ground, possible swimming, and long days rather than a coach tour with quick photo stops.
• Hostel accommodation is the standard: Dormitory lodging keeps the price down, while motel options may be available at a higher cost.
• The Gordon River cruise costs extra: It is a six-hour optional activity, not part of the base price.
• Food is mostly self-funded: The group makes supermarket stops, and you handle lunches, dinners, and most drinks.
• A guide makes the difference: Past guides including Tim, Nat, Evan, Brendan, Jess, Keygan, Gus, and Justin have been praised for safe driving, local stories, flexibility, and good humor.

What $728.58 buys you in five days

At $728.58 per person, this is best understood as a transport and access package, not a luxury holiday. You receive four nights of accommodation, national park entry fees, a guide, and transfers from selected central Hobart locations. That matters in Tasmania, where public transport is limited and a rental car adds fuel, insurance, parking, and the work of planning a long loop.

You also avoid booking separate stays in several remote areas. The west coast, Cradle Mountain, the northeast, and Freycinet are spread far apart, so the bundled transport has real value if you have only five days.

The base deal is budget-minded. Hostel dormitory accommodation is included, and food and drinks are not, unless specifically stated. You should expect supermarket stops, shared kitchens in some places, and the occasional need to buy dinner in town.

Motel upgrades have been available on some departures, but standards can vary by stop. Past accommodation has ranged from comfortable, clean motels to basic cabins and hostels with poor mattresses, limited storage, shared bathrooms, or little heating. If sleep and privacy matter, ask exactly what room type is included before paying. Do not assume that a twin or single option guarantees the same standard in every town.

The group can reach up to 24 people. That is small enough for a social feel, but full enough to make loading luggage, boarding the bus, and agreeing on departure times matter. The bus has been described as comfortable by some people, though air-conditioning and vehicle condition have not been perfect on every departure.

Day one, waterfalls, Lake St Clair, and the west coast

The first morning begins at 7:00 am from YHA Hobart Central on Argyle Street. That early start is useful because the route to the west coast is long, but you should be ready for a full day on the road.

Russell Falls is an excellent opening stop. The walk passes beneath tall trees before reaching one of Tasmania’s best-known waterfalls. About 90 minutes gives you time to walk at an easy pace and take in the forest without turning the stop into a rushed photograph.

Next comes Lake St Clair, at the southern end of Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park. It is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, and the setting feels very different from Russell Falls: open water, mountain air, and a quiet shoreline. You have around 75 minutes for a short walk or lunch, so this is more of a scenic pause than a major hike.

The drive then cuts through Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. This is one of the tour’s strongest road sections, with rainforest, steep peaks, and broad views inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Your guide adds useful context here, and that is a major advantage over driving alone. You can watch the scenery instead of managing a long, winding route.

The day ends in Queenstown, a compact mining town with an unusual, rugged character. Twenty-five minutes is not long, but it gives you a quick look at the town’s western feel before continuing to Strahan for the night.

Day two, Strahan, the Gordon River, and giant sand dunes

Strahan is worth seeing in daylight. This harbour-side settlement sits beside the wilderness area and has a strong connection to Tasmania’s convict and timber past. The morning visit lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to walk near the water before the main optional activity.

The Gordon River cruise takes about six hours and is not included in the tour price. It is the costliest decision of the trip, so check the current fee before departure. The cruise travels into the World Heritage Area, with rainforest and calm river scenery forming the main appeal.

I would treat the cruise as a weather-sensitive choice. On a bright day, the river and forest can be a highlight. In wet conditions, you may find the experience less rewarding, especially since the alternative is spending much of the day walking in the rain. One past participant felt the extra cost was not worthwhile on a rainy day, while others valued the scenery and the included lunch on the cruise. Bring a rain jacket either way.

The Henty Dunes provide a sharp change of mood. These dunes stretch for about 15 kilometres along the coast, with sand hills reaching roughly 30 metres. You get around 45 minutes, enough to climb partway, feel the wind, and take in the scale. Sand walking is harder than it looks, so save some energy.

Ocean Beach is another broad, exposed stop. It runs for more than 40 kilometres, and the distant horizon gives the place a genuine edge-of-the-world feeling. The group pauses here for about 45 minutes, often with time to see the surf and west coast light.

In Strahan, you may also choose The Ship That Never Was, a 75-minute theatrical retelling of a real 1834 escape from Sarah Island. It is an optional extra and suits anyone who wants history delivered with humor rather than a formal museum visit.

Day three, the big Cradle Mountain choice

Cradle Mountain is the tour’s most important outdoor day. The schedule allows roughly four hours for the main walking options, which gives you enough time to choose a route based on your energy, weather, and footwear.

The gentler choice is the Dove Lake Circuit. It offers close views of the famous mountain and a mix of intimate forest and open water. Four hours is generous for the circuit and photo stops, but the terrain can still be uneven, wet, or cold.

The harder option is Marion’s Lookout. The climb rewards you with broad views, but it is not a casual stroll. A moderate fitness level helps, and the guide normally explains the routes and timing before the group sets off. If you are unsure, choose the shorter walk. Tasmania is more enjoyable when you still have energy for the next day.

Ronny Creek offers a chance to spot wombats, though wildlife is never guaranteed. Keep your distance and follow the guide’s instructions. Warm layers are essential here. Even when the weather is pleasant elsewhere, Cradle Mountain can feel cold.

Sheffield, reached later in the day, is a friendly town known for murals covering its buildings. The 45-minute stop breaks up the drive and adds a human, artistic side to a day dominated by mountain scenery.

Day four, Launceston, the Bay of Fires, and Bicheno

Cataract Gorge Reserve is close to central Launceston but feels far removed from a city street. You get about an hour to use the walking tracks and see the gorge. The reserve also has the world’s longest single-span chairlift, though the schedule does not promise a ride, so treat it as an optional feature rather than part of the core experience.

The route continues east to St Helens, where a short stop allows time for lunch and a look at the fishing harbour. This is one of several moments when you need to manage your own food budget. Supermarket stops are built into the wider trip, but you should not expect restaurant meals to be included.

The Bay of Fires is a major payoff. White sand, clear water, and orange lichen on granite boulders create one of Tasmania’s most memorable coastal scenes. If conditions are right, you can swim. Pack a swimsuit and towel, but do not plan the whole day around getting into the water. Weather on the east coast can change quickly.

Bicheno is your evening base. With two hours at leisure, you have more freedom than at most stops. Walk along the coast, buy fish and chips, or look for local wildlife. This is also a useful chance to rest before the final day, which includes another serious walking area.

Day five, Wineglass Bay and the Great Eastern Drive

Freycinet National Park gets an early start, a smart choice for a famous place with limited time. The main goal is Wineglass Bay Lookout, where the curved beach and blue water sit below the pink granite Hazards Mountains.

The schedule assigns about five hours to Freycinet and the lookout area. That sounds relaxed, but the walk includes hills and stairs, and the final day can feel demanding after four active days. Wear proper walking shoes and carry water.

Cape Tourville Lighthouse offers a shorter 45-minute walk and a different view. From there, you look across the Tasman Sea and back toward the Hazards and Wineglass Bay. It is a good complement to the lookout because it puts you at sea level rather than above the bay.

The trip then follows the Great Eastern Drive, with a brief stop in Orford before returning to Hobart. This final stretch is more about connecting the coast to the city than adding another major attraction. Expect to finish back at the original meeting point.

How active is the trip?

The operator describes the tour as active, and that is accurate. You will walk at Russell Falls, Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain, Cataract Gorge, the Bay of Fires, and Freycinet. Some choices are moderate, while Marion’s Lookout and parts of Freycinet demand more effort.

The guides have generally handled mixed ability well. Jess, Tim, and others have explained route choices and offered easier and harder options where possible. Still, this is not a sightseeing bus with a few steps at each stop.

Pack for several kinds of weather. Bring warm clothes, rain gear, hiking shoes, sandals, swimwear, and a towel. One useful packing approach is to bring four sets of walking clothes and use laundry facilities during the trip. Tasmania can give you sun, wind, rain, and cold in the same five days.

The guide and group experience

A strong guide is central to this trip because the days involve long drives, changing weather, and many moving parts. Past guides including Brendan, Evan, Nat, Tim, Justin, Keygan, Gus, Jess, and Ian have been praised for local knowledge, safe driving, clear walking instructions, and a lively sense of humor.

Guides also add small unscheduled pleasures. Brendan has been known to break up long drives with extra stops, including a favorite waterfall and an ice cream stop. Those touches help the route feel less like a checklist.

You will spend a lot of time with the group, especially on the bus and at shared accommodation. Groups have included solo adults, families, younger backpackers, and older walkers. That mix can be a real strength if you enjoy meeting people, but you should not expect a private, quiet holiday.

What is included, and what is not

Included:

• Four nights of accommodation
• National park entry fees
• Transport and selected Hobart CBD pickup and drop-off
• An expert guide
• Advanced Eco-Certified operation

Not included:

• Food and drinks, unless specified
• The Gordon River cruise
• The Ship That Never Was
• Any optional upgrades to accommodation

Airport drop-off may be available on request. Children aged 8 to 16 can join when accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the departure point is near public transport.

The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed after purchase, so confirm your dates, room needs, fitness level, and optional activities first.

Should you book the Best of Tasmania tour?

Book it if you have limited time, do not want to drive, and care more about seeing Tasmania’s major natural sights than sleeping in polished hotels. The combination of Cradle Mountain, the west coast, Bay of Fires, and Freycinet would be difficult to arrange independently in five days without a car.

Skip it if you want slow mornings, included meals, private accommodation, or long stays in each national park. The route is a whirlwind, and the hostel option can be basic. I would also think twice if long walking days or shared rooms are not your style.

For the right person, $728.58 is a fair price for a packed introduction to Tasmania. Pack light but warmly, budget for meals and optional extras, and choose the easier walking route when your legs say so. You will see the island’s major scenery, meet a mixed group, and leave with a clear sense of where you would like to return for a slower visit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at 7:00 am from YHA Hobart Central, 9 Argyle Street, Hobart. It returns to the same meeting point at the end of the five days.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Four nights are included. The standard package uses hostel dormitory accommodation, while motel options may be available depending on the booking choice and departure.

Are meals included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. The tour makes grocery stops, so you can buy supplies, use shared kitchens where available, or eat at nearby restaurants.

Is the Gordon River cruise included?

No. The six-hour World Heritage Cruises trip is an optional extra and requires a separate admission payment.

How fit do I need to be?

You should have a moderate level of fitness. The tour includes walks in national parks, uneven terrain, hills, and optional activities such as Marion’s Lookout. Easier walking choices are available at some stops.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged 8 to 16 may join, but they must be accompanied by an adult.