From Hobart: 5-Day Tasmania West & East Coast Tour

Tasmania packs an astonishing range of scenery into one compact island, and this five-day circuit gives you a brisk look at nearly all of it. You move from Hobart across the wild West Coast, up through Cradle Mountain, and along the Bay of Fires and Freycinet before returning to Hobart.

I like the mix of short walks and big views, especially the chance to see Russell Falls, Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, and two very different coasts in one trip. I also like the self-catering setup, which lets you control your food budget and choose from supermarkets, cafés, takeaways, and local restaurants. The tradeoff is clear: you cover a lot of ground, so expect several hours on the bus most days and limited time in some places.

Key points at a glance

• Coast-to-coast route: See Tasmania’s western rainforests, central mountains, and eastern beaches without arranging several separate trips.
• Active but flexible: Walks range from a flat 25-minute return path to a two-to-three-hour circuit with hills, rough ground, and steps.
• Cradle Mountain choice: At Dove Lake, you can take an easier stroll or aim for a more demanding walk such as Marion’s Lookout.
• Food on your terms: Meals are not included, so you can shop cheaply, cook in hostel kitchens, or eat out.
• Accommodation choice: Select a motel room with a private ensuite or hostel accommodation with shared bathrooms and dorm options.
• Strong guide element: Guides including Jason, Joe, Joey, Brandon, and Will have been praised for humor, organization, local insight, and patience.

The big picture: five days across Tasmania

At $683 per person, this tour is best understood as a sightseeing and transport package rather than a luxury holiday. It includes four nights of accommodation, a guide, transportation, national park entry fees, and pickup and drop-off at selected central Hobart locations.

That is useful value if you want to see Tasmania but do not want to plan a long self-drive route. Fuel, park fees, accommodation, and route planning can add up quickly on an independent trip. Here, the major decisions are already made, and you can focus on the views and walks.

The group size is capped at 24. That is small enough for a more personal feel than a large coach tour, but it is still a group trip. You will need to keep to agreed departure times and accept that the pace is designed for broad coverage, not slow travel.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 369 reviews, with repeated praise for the guides. Names that come up include Jason, Joe, Joey, Brandon, and Will. The practical lesson is that your guide will shape the experience. A good guide can make long drives more enjoyable with local stories, music, quizzes, route advice, and help choosing walks.

Day 1: Russell Falls, Lake St Clair, and Strahan

Your first day begins early, with a 7:30 AM departure from Hobart. You travel through the Derwent Valley and cross Tasmania from east to west, so this is both a sightseeing day and a major transfer day.

The first major stop is Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park. The walk is a good introduction to the tour because it is short, flat, and accessible for people with reasonable mobility. The example route is 1.4 kilometers return and takes about 25 minutes, with no steps.

You also walk among the tall trees of Mount Field. This gives you a quick sense of Tasmania’s cool forest country before the route continues toward the central highlands.

Lake St Clair is another important stop. It is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, and the visit adds a broad, open contrast to the enclosed forest around Russell Falls. You should think of this day as a series of carefully chosen snapshots rather than a long stay at each attraction.

The route then enters Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, one of the tour’s strongest sections. Expect thick rainforest, mountain scenery, and a feeling of distance from towns and roads. The day ends in Strahan, a small West Coast settlement where you stay for two nights.

The main caution is timing. You will see a great deal, but the first day includes a long transfer. Bring water, a jacket, and something comfortable for the bus. A reusable bottle is especially useful because you can refill and carry it between stops.

Day 2: Henty Dunes and the wild West Coast

Day two gives you more time in the West Coast region. Henty Dunes is an unusual stop, with shifting sand rising inland from the coast. It is a sharp change from the rainforest and mountains seen on day one.

You then take a guided walk through ancient temperate rainforest. This is a quieter part of the trip, and your guide’s explanations matter here. Look for the small details of the forest rather than expecting one single dramatic viewpoint.

You also have the option of joining the Gordon River Cruise, at your own expense. This can be an appealing addition if you want more time on the river and a slower look at the wilderness. It is not included in the tour price, so check the extra cost before you go and consider how it fits with your budget.

The optional cruise creates one of the few major choices in the itinerary. If you take it, you get a signature West Coast experience. If you skip it, you avoid an added expense and can keep your day focused on the included activities.

You stay in Strahan again that night. Two nights in the same place is welcome after the long first day because it means you do not have to pack up immediately after arriving.

Day 3: Cradle Mountain and the walk that suits you

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is the centerpiece for many people on this route. At around 950 meters above sea level, the area has a cooler alpine feel and a much more rugged character than the eastern beaches.

The main choice comes at Dove Lake. You can take a gentler walk around the lake or choose a harder route toward Marion’s Lookout. The Dove Lake Circuit is listed as a two-to-three-hour walk covering about six kilometers, with hills, rough sections, and steps.

That range is important. You do not need to be a serious hiker to enjoy Cradle Mountain, but this is not a sightseeing stop where everyone simply steps off the bus for a photograph. Wear proper hiking shoes, bring rain gear, and dress in layers. Tasmanian weather can change quickly, and the recommended packing list wisely includes both a jacket and weather-appropriate clothing.

The flexibility also helps groups with different fitness levels. You can choose an easier option while more active walkers take on a greater challenge. Still, the tour is not suitable for people with low fitness, serious mobility limits, back problems, or wheelchair users. Moderate fitness and good mobility will let you enjoy much more of the day.

After Cradle Mountain, the route passes through Sheffield, known as the town of murals, before continuing to Launceston. This makes for another long travel day, but it also shows how quickly Tasmania’s scenery changes from alpine country to settled northern towns.

You stay overnight in Launceston. By this point, the route has already covered much of the island, but the eastern coast still brings a different kind of scenery.

Day 4: Bay of Fires, palawa culture, and Bicheno

The fourth day heads east to the Bay of Fires, one of Tasmania’s most memorable coastal areas. The visual contrast is strong: white sand, clear coastal water, and boulders covered in orange lichen.

The Bay of Fires is a good place to slow down after the mountain day. You can enjoy the beaches and coastal views without needing a strenuous hike. Bring swimwear if you want the option of getting in the water, though conditions and weather will determine how inviting that feels.

The itinerary also includes an opportunity to learn about the palawa, the Aboriginal people of Tasmania, and their local culture. This is an important part of the trip because the island is not only forests, mountains, and beaches. Ask questions and give this portion your attention rather than treating it as a quick stop between photographs.

Later, you follow the scenic coastal road from St Helens to Bicheno. Bicheno is known as a home of the little penguin, and you stay there overnight. The day combines beach time, cultural learning, and a pleasant coastal drive.

The accommodation style can vary from night to night. You choose between motel and hostel arrangements. Motels provide private ensuite rooms. Hostels offer same-gender dormitories or private twin, double, or single rooms with shared same-gender bathrooms. A twin or double booking requires two people.

This choice has a real effect on value. A hostel bed keeps the price lower and suits solo visitors who want a social setup. A motel room gives you more privacy after active days, but you should select the correct accommodation type when booking.

Day 5: Wineglass Bay before the crowds

The final day starts early so the group can reach the Wineglass Bay lookout first. That early start is one of the smarter choices in the schedule. A famous viewpoint is more enjoyable when you have a better chance of experiencing it without the largest midday crowds.

Freycinet National Park gives you several ways to spend your time. You can go to the Wineglass Bay lookout, relax on the beach, or choose a harder walk such as Mount Amos or Hazards Beach. The options are not equal in effort, so be honest about your fitness and footwear.

The lookout provides the classic view, while the beach gives you more time beside the water. Mount Amos is the more demanding choice, and Hazards Beach adds another longer walking option. Your guide can help you judge which route fits the conditions and your ability.

After Freycinet, the tour follows the East Coast through Swansea and Orford before returning to Hobart. It is another transfer-heavy day, but the coastal route gives the journey a pleasant finish.

One useful tip is to keep your final-day expectations realistic. You are not spending a full day only at Freycinet. The group must return to Hobart, so time at each part of the park is limited by the schedule.

What the bus days are really like

This is an active sightseeing tour, but the bus is where you spend much of your time. One detailed account described several hours of driving on many days and a bus that was sufficient for the route but not especially roomy.

That is not a flaw unique to this trip. Tasmania’s major sights are spread across the island, and reaching the West Coast, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires, and Freycinet in five days requires long transfers. The benefit is broad coverage. The cost is less free time and less room to change plans.

Bring a small daypack onto the vehicle with water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, snacks, and a jacket. Your main luggage can weigh up to 20 kilograms and is stored in a trailer on travel days. Keeping your daily items organized will make the repeated stops easier.

The guide can make a big difference during driving time. Joe, for example, was praised for using music and quizzes to keep the group engaged. Other guides were noted for clear communication, humor, patience, and helpful recommendations. These touches matter when a scenic route also includes several hours on the road.

Meals, budgets, and accommodation choices

Food and drinks are not included. The tour is self-catering, with daily chances to buy supplies from supermarkets or eat at cafés, restaurants, and takeaways.

I see this as a useful feature for many people. You can spend less by buying breakfast and lunch supplies, use a hostel kitchen when available, or spend more on Tasmanian produce and restaurant meals. You can also make choices that fit dietary needs instead of accepting a fixed group menu.

Ask your guide for food suggestions. The tour specifically encourages you to try Tasmanian produce, and the guides can point you toward suitable options along the route. Since meals are separate from the $683 price, set aside a food budget before departure.

Accommodation is described as motel or hostel, with the exact arrangement depending on your selection. Private motel rooms offer the most comfort. Hostel accommodation may be a better fit for solo visitors and people who enjoy meeting others, but shared bathrooms and dormitories are not for everyone.

Who will enjoy this five-day route

I would recommend this tour to a solo visitor, first-time Tasmania explorer, or anyone with only five days who wants the main sights without hiring a car. It is also a good fit for active adults who enjoy short walks, flexible activity choices, and a social group setting.

The tour suits younger and older able walkers, provided you have moderate fitness and good mobility. Several activities are easy, but the overall schedule is busy and includes uneven tracks, hills, steps, and long periods in the vehicle.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a slow, restful holiday. It is also a poor match if you dislike group schedules, motion sickness, long road journeys, or shared hostel facilities. Children under eight are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with significant mobility impairments.

Pickup is available from centrally located Hobart hotels and hostels, but not from Airbnbs or private residences. If you stay outside the pickup area, contact the operator for the closest available meeting point. Airport pickup is not included.

For cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 14 days in advance. Travel insurance is not included, so arrange your own cover if you want protection for illness, disruption, or other problems.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum Tasmanian variety in five days and are willing to trade slow mornings for broad coverage. The route reaches the West Coast, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires, and Freycinet, with enough walking choices to keep active people interested.

The $683 price offers good value when you count transport, four nights of accommodation, a guide, and national park entry fees. Just budget separately for meals and the optional Gordon River Cruise.

Skip it if you want private transport, long stays in one place, or a carefully paced hiking holiday. For everyone else, this is a practical first look at Tasmania, especially if you choose your accommodation carefully, pack for quick weather changes, and accept that the best views come with some time on the road.

FAQ

How long is the Tasmania West and East Coast tour?

The tour lasts five days and begins and ends in Hobart.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Mount Field National Park, Russell Falls, the tall trees, Lake St Clair, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Strahan, Henty Dunes, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Sheffield, Launceston, the Bay of Fires, St Helens, Bicheno, Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay, Swansea, and Orford.

How large is the tour group?

Transportation is provided for a maximum of 24 people per tour.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy meals and groceries from restaurants, cafés, takeaways, or supermarkets during the trip.

Is the Gordon River Cruise included?

No. The Gordon River Cruise is optional and available at your own expense.

What accommodation is available?

You can choose motel or hostel accommodation. Motels offer private ensuite rooms. Hostels offer same-gender dormitories or private twin, double, or single rooms with shared same-gender bathrooms.

How much luggage can I bring?

You may bring up to 20 kilograms of luggage, which is stored in a trailer while the group travels.

What level of fitness is needed?

The tour includes short daily walks that are mostly easy to moderate. Moderate fitness and good mobility are recommended. The Dove Lake Circuit takes about two to three hours and includes hills, rough sections, and steps.

Is pickup available from my Hobart accommodation?

Pickup is available from centrally located hotels and hostels in Hobart. It is not available from Airbnbs or private residences. If you stay outside the pickup area, the operator can advise you of the closest available pickup location.