7-Day Super Value Tour of Tasmania: Explore Tasmania’s West and East Coasts

Tasmania’s best sights are scattered across the island, and this seven-day circuit links them without asking you to plan every road, hotel, park entry, and transfer yourself. You move from rainforest and waterfalls to alpine lakes, orange granite beaches, convict ruins, and wild oceanfront dunes.

I like the mix of big nature and real history, especially Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park, Port Arthur, and the Gordon River area. I also like the wildlife stop at Bonorong and the chance to see Tasmania beyond Hobart. The tradeoff is a demanding schedule: several days begin early, include long drives, and offer only short visits in some towns.

Key things to know before booking

• Russell Falls and Lake St Clair open the tour with classic Tasmanian scenery, from tall forest to Australia’s deepest freshwater lake.
• The Gordon River day is optional in cost, so budget separately if you want the six-hour cruise from Strahan.
• Cradle Mountain gives you a choice of walks, including the easier Dove Lake Circuit and the more demanding Marion’s Lookout route.
• The east coast combines Freycinet, Wineglass Bay, Binalong Bay, and Bicheno, with some free time for beaches and local food.
• Bonorong and Port Arthur add substance to the scenery, giving you close views of native animals and a clear look at Tasmania’s convict past.
• The group can reach 24 people, and the moderate fitness requirement matters because walking is central to several days.

Why this seven-day route works

At $1,038.14 per person, the tour is not a bare sightseeing shuttle. The price includes six nights of accommodation, national park entry fees, Hobart hotel, hostel, and motel pickup and drop-off, a guide, Port Arthur admission, and Bonorong entry.

That makes the cost easier to judge. You still pay separately for the Gordon River cruise, and some optional activities are extra, but the package removes several expenses that can add up on a self-drive trip. It also saves you from arranging a one-way route through remote parts of Tasmania, where driving distances are significant.

The tour is listed as advanced eco-certified, which will appeal to you if responsible travel matters. The format is practical rather than luxurious. You should expect a shared trip, a maximum group of 24, and days built around walking, scenic stops, and road travel.

The strongest part is the range. In one week, you see giant trees, temperate rainforest, alpine country, beaches, coastal rock formations, historic settlements, and native wildlife. The weak point is that this range requires pace. You will not have the long, slow stay that a two-week self-drive holiday would allow.

Day 1: Russell Falls, rainforest, and the road to Queenstown

The opening walk at Russell Falls is a fine introduction to Tasmania. The Tall Trees walk takes you among very large trees before leading to the waterfall, with about an hour and a half set aside. The route gives you a taste of the island’s forest without demanding a full-day hike.

Next comes Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Expect mountain views, rainforest, and a strong sense of distance from towns. The stop lasts about 90 minutes, so this is a scenic introduction rather than an extended backcountry outing.

At Lake St Clair Park Center, you have about 75 minutes near Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. You can walk by the water or stop for lunch. This pause is useful after the morning’s forest time, though you should not expect enough time for a major lake walk.

The day ends with 25 minutes in Queenstown, a mining town with a rough-edged character and a noticeable old west feel. The stop is brief, but it breaks up the drive and gives you a look at a town shaped by the west coast’s mining past.

This first day is a long introduction to Tasmania’s interior. Pack water, wear shoes suitable for uneven walking, and keep your expectations realistic: the reward is variety, not lingering time at one site.

Day 2: Strahan, the Gordon River, and the wild west coast

Strahan is more than a departure point for the river. You have about 45 minutes to look around this harbour-side settlement, which is tied to Tasmania’s convict past and the wilderness area nearby.

The main event is the Gordon River cruise, scheduled for six hours. The cruise itself is not included in the stated price, so confirm the extra cost before booking. If you pay for it, this is likely to be one of the tour’s signature days, taking you into a remote rainforest setting by water rather than road.

A long cruise can be a welcome change after the previous day’s driving. It also lets you see the west coast from a different angle, with the river and forest doing the work while you rest. The downside is that six hours is a large block of the day, so you have less flexibility if you prefer independent walking.

The afternoon moves to Henty Dunes, a vast sand system extending about 15 kilometres along the coast, with dunes reaching roughly 30 metres. This is an unexpected contrast to rainforest and river. You then stop at Ocean Beach, a more than 40-kilometre stretch of exposed coast facing an enormous sweep of ocean.

The coast here is open and forceful rather than gentle. You get around 45 minutes at each site, enough to walk, take in the views, and feel the wind, but not enough for a long beach outing.

In Strahan, you can also choose The Ship That Never Was, a one-hour-and-15-minute play based on a real 1834 escape from Sarah Island. It is optional and costs extra. I would consider it if you enjoy local stories presented with humor, since it adds a human side to the west coast instead of giving you another lookout.

Day 3: Cradle Mountain and the choice of two walks

Cradle Mountain is one of the tour’s main reasons to book. You get four hours in the area, which allows a meaningful walk rather than a quick photo stop.

The Dove Lake Circuit is the gentler choice. It offers close views and larger mountain views around one of Tasmania’s best-known alpine lakes. The exact walking experience depends on conditions, but the route is presented as a premier nature walk and should suit you if you want scenery without choosing the toughest option.

Marion’s Lookout is the more strenuous choice. The reward is a higher viewpoint and broad views over the surrounding country. The tour requires a moderate level of fitness, and this is one of the clearest reasons why. You need to choose honestly, since a challenging uphill walk is very different from a lakeside circuit.

The schedule also includes Ronny Creek, where the guide leads a short boardwalk walk of about 30 minutes. This is a chance to look for wombats in an area where the animals are accustomed to people. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the stop gives you a sensible opportunity without requiring a long search.

Sheffield follows with 45 minutes in a town known for murals and a blend of history and art. It is a lighter stop after Cradle Mountain. The main value is the change of mood: from alpine walking to a small-town art scene.

Day 3 is one of the most active days. Bring layers and shoes with good grip. Even if you skip Marion’s Lookout, you should expect walking on this tour to be part of the daily routine.

Day 4: From Cataract Gorge to the Bay of Fires

Cataract Gorge Reserve is just outside central Launceston, but it feels separate from the city. You have one hour to follow walking tracks, see the gorge, and look at the world’s longest single-span chairlift. The visit is short enough that you will need to choose what interests you most.

The route then heads northeast. St Helens gets only 30 minutes, mainly for lunch and a look at the fishing harbour. It is a practical stop, not a full town visit. If seafood interests you, this is a good moment to check what is available, but the timing will be limited.

Binalong Bay is the day’s visual prize. Its clear water, pale sand, and orange lichen-covered granite boulders create a striking shoreline. You have 90 minutes, and if conditions are suitable, you may swim. Bring a towel and swimwear if that possibility matters to you, but do not count on a swim in every kind of weather.

The evening is spent in Bicheno, with about two hours at leisure. You can walk around the seaside town, take in coastal views, and try local fish and chips. The schedule also allows you to keep an eye out for local wildlife.

This day moves fast, but the contrast between gorge, fishing harbour, granite coast, and seaside town is worthwhile. It is also a good example of the tour’s style: several strong sights, each visited for a defined period.

Day 5: Freycinet, Wineglass Bay, and Cape Tourville

Freycinet National Park receives about five hours, which is generous by the standards of a seven-day circuit. The group arrives early to avoid some of the crowds, then walks to the Wineglass Bay lookout.

The lookout gives you the famous curved beach view from above. It is the easiest way to see why the bay has become one of Tasmania’s best-known sights, but it is not the same as spending a full day on the sand. The itinerary allows time to relax at Wineglass Bay as well, so you get more than a single viewpoint.

Cape Tourville Lighthouse adds another angle. A 45-minute visit gives you views toward the Tasman Sea, the pink granite Hazards Mountains, and Wineglass Bay. The short walk is useful if you want more scenery without committing to a hard hike.

The Great Eastern Drive continues south, with a short stop in Orford. At 15 minutes, this is mainly a break in the journey. The important point is that Freycinet is the centerpiece, not Orford.

This is another day when comfortable footwear helps. Freycinet offers choices, but the walking and time outdoors are not optional parts of the experience. If your top priority is Wineglass Bay, this day delivers well. If you want every beach walk and trail in the park, you will need a longer stay on your own.

Day 6: Bonorong, Richmond, and kunanyi

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary gives you two hours with Tasmanian animals such as quolls, birds, wombats, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils. This is a useful stop because wildlife sightings in the open cannot be promised. At the sanctuary, you have a better chance to see species that can be difficult to spot on the roadside.

Richmond follows with an hour in a well-preserved colonial-era town. More than 50 Georgian buildings remain, many now used as cafes, restaurants, galleries, and accommodation. The setting gives you time to slow down and look at buildings rather than chase another natural viewpoint.

Richmond Bridge, said to be Australia’s oldest existing stone arch bridge, gets a 15-minute stop. It is brief but easy to combine with the town visit.

The final stop is Wellington Park, around Mount Wellington, also called kunanyi. You have two hours to explore this large natural area above Hobart, known for fern glades, eucalyptus forest, rock columns, and boulder fields. Weather can shape the experience at any mountain viewpoint, so keep a flexible attitude.

Day 6 balances wildlife, colonial buildings, and mountain country. It is also one of the more comfortable days for anyone who wants variety without a major hike.

Day 7: Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula

The final day heads onto the Tasman Peninsula, beginning with a 10-minute stop at Pirates Bay and Eaglehawk Neck. The lookout gives you broad views toward Cape Hauy and Cape Pillar. It is a quick orientation to the peninsula’s dramatic coast.

Port Arthur Historic Site receives three hours, enough to explore Tasmania’s best-preserved convict settlement at a useful pace. The site presents the harsh realities of imprisonment and the structure of the former settlement. This is not filler between nature stops. It is one of the places that gives the whole trip historical weight.

Tasman National Park then brings you back to the coast. You visit Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and the Blowhole, with about an hour for the area. These formations show how the sea has cut and shaped the rock over time.

Tasman Arch Track and Devil’s Kitchen receive shorter visits, 20 and 15 minutes. These timings are enough for viewpoints and photographs, but not for an extended walk. Remarkable Cave gets about two hours and 15 minutes, including a short walk toward the coastal sand dunes of Crescent Bay.

The last day is packed, but the sights are close enough in theme to work together. You finish with a strong combination of convict history and coastal geology, then return to the Hobart meeting point.

Guides, group size, and the daily pace

The tour uses expert guides, and the guide can make a major difference on a route this full. Natalie is noted for accommodating a wide range of ages and needs, while Evan is praised for detailed but engaging history, careful driving, and useful recommendations. Those qualities matter here because you spend many hours on the road and depend on the guide to keep the group moving.

The maximum group size is 24. That is not an intimate private tour, but it is small enough to function as a shared minibus experience. Expect some waiting when the group gathers, especially at popular parks and walking starts.

Pickup and drop-off are offered at Hobart CBD hotels, hostels, and motels. The listed meeting point is YHA Hobart Central at 9 Argyle Street, with a 7:00 am start. Confirm your pickup details before the first morning, since an early departure leaves little room for confusion.

The moderate fitness requirement is worth taking seriously. You do not need to be an expert hiker, but you should be ready for regular walks, uneven paths, changing weather, and long days. The tour works best for you if you enjoy active sightseeing and can adjust your walking choice to your own ability.

What the $1,038.14 price really buys

The value comes from combining transport, accommodation, park access, guide service, and two major admissions in one trip. Six nights’ accommodation is a large part of the cost, and national park fees across several areas would otherwise need to be handled separately.

The Gordon River cruise is not included, and The Ship That Never Was is optional. Set aside extra money for those if they appeal to you. You may also spend separately on meals and personal purchases, since those are not listed among the inclusions.

At an average booking lead time of 61 days, popular dates may fill well ahead. The bigger concern is flexibility: this booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Only book once your dates are firm.

Who should book this Tasmania tour?

I would choose this tour if you have one week, want to see both coasts, and do not want to drive long distances yourself. It is especially suitable for nature lovers who also want Port Arthur, Richmond, and a wildlife sanctuary rather than a trip made only of beaches and lookouts.

It may not suit you if you want luxury accommodation, slow mornings, long independent hikes, or the freedom to change plans each day. A self-drive trip would give you more control, while this tour gives you less planning and a much broader route.

Should you book it?

Book it if your priority is maximum Tasmanian variety in seven days. Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, the Bay of Fires, the west coast, Bonorong, and Port Arthur make a strong set of experiences, and the included accommodation and park fees help justify the price.

Before paying, check the extra cost of the Gordon River cruise, make sure you can manage the walking and early starts, and accept the strict no-change policy. If you can handle the pace, this is a practical way to see Tasmania’s wild places and difficult past in one well-packed week.

FAQ

Where does the Tasmania tour start?

The tour starts at YHA Hobart Central, 9 Argyle Street, Hobart, Tasmania.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:00 am.

Does the tour provide hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at Hobart CBD hotels, hostels, and motels.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Six nights of accommodation are included.

Is the Gordon River cruise included in the price?

No. The six-hour World Heritage Cruises Gordon River experience has admission listed as not included.

Is admission to Port Arthur included?

Yes. Entry to Port Arthur Historic Site is included.

Is Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary included?

Yes. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entry is included.

How fit do I need to be?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour includes regular walks, including the Dove Lake Circuit and the more challenging Marion’s Lookout option.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 24 participants.