Port Arthur, Richmond and Tassie Devils Active Tour from Hobart

The Tasmanian Devil feeding is the tour’s wild-card highlight. You watch these small, fierce animals snarl, wrestle and crush bones, then head to Port Arthur Historic Site for a very different look at Tasmania’s past. I like that the day pairs wildlife with the coast and convict history instead of giving you one long museum visit. The early start helps fit a lot into one outing.

I also like the Waterfall Bay Cliff Top Walk, an easy but hilly track with big views, and the included Port Arthur harbour cruise. The trade-off is pace: ten and a half hours is a long day, and three hours at Port Arthur, about an hour at Unzoo, and a short Richmond stop may leave you wanting more time.

Key points to know before booking

• Tasmanian Devils feed close by: Watch a scheduled feeding, with growls, fights and bone-crunching behaviour.
• Waterfall Bay adds real walking: The coastal track takes about 45 minutes, with undulating sections and excellent sea views.
• Port Arthur admission and cruise are included: You can explore the historic site and take its harbour cruise without adding those fees.
• This is a full day outside Hobart: The tour leaves at 7:30 am, returns to 20 Davey Street, and runs for about 10 hours 30 minutes.
• Richmond is a brief final stop: You get roughly 45 minutes for the old bridge, streets, coffee, sweets or ice cream.
• Plan for an active outing: A moderate level of fitness is advised, with plenty of walking at both Waterfall Bay and Port Arthur.

Why this Hobart day trip covers so much

At $139.86 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Tasman Peninsula. It is a useful package, though, because the price includes the Tasman National Park fee, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo entry, devil feeding, Port Arthur entry and the harbour cruise.

You also get a driver-guide for the long stretches between stops. Guides named Jimmy, Nick, Nicholas, Ben, Ian, Lucas, Peter and David have led this outing at different times, and the strongest part of the guiding is the running commentary on the road. A good guide gives you the background before you arrive, so Port Arthur feels less like a set of scattered ruins and more like a place with a human story.

The group size can reach 20 people. That is small enough for questions and practical help, but it is still a group tour, not a private visit. The advertised rating is 4.7 from 128 reviews, with 95 percent recommending it, which fits the overall shape of the day: high on variety, scenery and guiding, but not generous with free time.

Eaglehawk Neck and Pirates Bay set the tone

The bus leaves central Hobart from 20 Davey Street at 7:30 am. The early departure is part of the bargain. It gives you a chance to reach the Tasman Peninsula before spending the middle of the day at Port Arthur, but you should be ready for a long, active schedule from the start.

The first area is Pirates Bay and Eaglehawk Neck. This narrow stretch of land links the Forestier Peninsula with the Tasman Peninsula and carries some of the area’s most memorable convict-era stories. Your guide uses the drive and stops to explain local history, including the old Dogline, the system once used to help prevent convicts escaping from the penal settlements.

This portion is not a formal attraction with a large entry gate. It is a scenic and historical introduction. Expect time for views and photographs, then a continued drive through Tasman National Park. If you enjoy hearing how geography shaped Tasmania’s past, the guide’s commentary makes the road time worthwhile.

The pace can feel brisk here. The schedule allows about an hour for the first two areas together, so you are getting an overview rather than a slow morning by the water.

Waterfall Bay offers the day’s best walk

The Waterfall Bay Cliff Top Walk is one of the tour’s strongest choices. The track takes around 45 minutes and follows the clifftop toward the spectacular rock formations near Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen. It is classed as easy, but easy does not mean flat.

You will walk on an undulating track, with some hills and repeated lookouts. One account describes the route as about 1.5 kilometres, while the official timing allows roughly an hour. That gives you some room for photographs and pauses, but not an unlimited amount of time to wander.

The reward is immediate: open sea views, high cliffs and changing angles along the coast. Several guides have also pointed out wildlife along the way, including a wallaby seen on one outing. You might find this morning walk more memorable than a string of roadside photo stops because you are moving through the area under your own power.

Bring shoes you can walk comfortably in. Seniors or anyone with mobility concerns should take the fitness warning seriously. The walk is manageable for many people, but the hills and the later walking at Port Arthur can add up.

Tasmanian Devil Unzoo brings the animals close

At Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, the focus shifts from scenery to native wildlife. The attraction’s unusual approach is part of its appeal: kangaroos and Tasmanian Devils are confined, while other animals are allowed to move more freely. That can make some creatures harder to spot, so do not expect a conventional zoo where every enclosure guarantees an animal in view.

The devil feeding is the main event. You watch the animals compete over food, with sharp calls, snarling and bone-crushing strength. You do not hand-feed or touch the Devils, and that is sensible. You are close enough to see their behaviour clearly without turning the feeding into a petting experience.

Kangaroo feeding is another popular part of the stop. Depending on the day’s arrangements, you may be taken to the kangaroo area and offered food for them. Some people have also seen mothers with joeys in their pouches. A wild bird feeding is included in the Unzoo experience described by one visitor, with birds flying in after a bell and landing on an outstretched hand.

Allow roughly an hour here, though the exact time can feel short. If you are especially interested in wildlife, you may wish you had several hours to explore the Unzoo at your own speed. The tour’s value comes from giving you a well-planned introduction, not from allowing a full day at the sanctuary.

Port Arthur turns the afternoon serious

Port Arthur Historic Site receives the longest scheduled stop, about three hours. That sounds generous until you see how much there is to cover. The grounds spread around the harbour, with former prison buildings, remains, gardens and other historic places to visit.

Your entry includes the site admission and a complimentary harbour cruise. The cruise gives you a calmer view of the settlement and its setting, and it breaks up the walking. It also helps you understand why this location was chosen as a penal colony. The water, surrounding hills and distance from Hobart all shaped the experience of the people sent here.

Port Arthur is not a polished reconstruction. You will see empty shells, weathered stone and partial buildings rather than a restored town that looks ready for its former residents. That can disappoint if you expect every room to be furnished, but the bare remains also leave space for the site’s difficult story to come through.

I recommend using the guide’s road commentary as preparation. Several guides, including Nick, David and Ian on different departures, have been praised for explaining the history before arrival. That background matters because the site itself can feel spread out and quiet. Without context, you may simply walk from one ruin to another.

Three hours lets you see a great deal, but it may not be enough for a serious history enthusiast. Guided talks at Port Arthur can cost extra and may fill up, so you should not assume you can join one on the day. If a particular talk matters to you, check availability as soon as you know your visit time.

There are food and drink options at the visitor centre, but lunch is not included. The café offers meals and snacks, though queues can be longer in the busy summer period. You can also bring suitable snacks, but remember that this is a day pack outing. Large luggage is not accepted on board.

Wear sunscreen and carry a hat in warmer months. The Tasmanian sun can be strong, and the open grounds offer limited shelter in places. A jacket is wise in cooler or windy weather, especially near the harbour.

Richmond is charming, but the clock is tight

The final stop is Richmond, a historic township on the return route to Hobart. The highlight is Richmond Bridge, built by convicts and recognised as Australia’s oldest bridge still in use. It is an easy place to stretch your legs after Port Arthur and take a few photographs.

The scheduled visit lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough to cross the bridge, stroll along the streets and stop for a coffee, sweet treat or ice cream. You may also find a lolly shop and chocolatier, which gives this last stop a lighter mood after the serious history of Port Arthur.

Here is the main timing complaint I would keep in mind: 45 minutes is not enough for a proper visit to Richmond. Shops may close around late afternoon, and a delayed arrival can reduce the stop to a quick walk. Some people love the pause, while others would trade it for more time at Port Arthur or Unzoo.

I see Richmond as a pleasant extra, not a reason to book the tour. If you want to explore its galleries, shops and historic buildings at leisure, plan a separate visit or a longer stay in the town.

How hard is the day?

The tour calls for moderate physical fitness. The main demands are the Waterfall Bay walk and the broad Port Arthur grounds, where you can spend several hours on your feet. There is also getting in and out of the vehicle and walking at the other stops.

The cliff walk is short, but it includes slopes. One person with mobility issues found the early walk taxing, while another described it as suitable for a mixed-age group. Those statements can both be true. Your comfort will depend on balance, stamina and how well you manage uneven or rising paths.

This is not the right outing if you want a slow, sit-down sightseeing day. It is a good match if you like to keep moving and want several different experiences without arranging transport yourself.

What the transport and timing are really like

The tour starts and finishes at 20 Davey Street in Hobart, with no airport drop-off. Hotel pickup may be offered on some bookings, but you should confirm that before relying on it. Bring only a day pack because luggage is not allowed on board.

There is no Wi-Fi or charging port on the bus. A power bank is useful if you plan to use your phone for photographs, maps or translation. Mobile reception is available much of the time, but it should not be treated as guaranteed.

The long day works best when you arrive ready. Eat before departure, carry water and keep lunch money or a card handy for Port Arthur. Build in enough energy for the return drive, because Richmond comes late and Hobart is still some distance away.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Hobart, cannot drive, or want a guide to handle the roads and explain the region. It gives you coast, wildlife, convict history and a historic town in one day. That variety is the reason many people consider the price fair after the outing.

It also suits first-time visitors who want an overview before deciding where to return. You can see which parts deserve a slower second visit, perhaps Port Arthur for more history or Unzoo for a longer wildlife session.

I would hesitate if your main goal is deep, unhurried exploration. History fans may want more than three hours at Port Arthur, wildlife lovers may want more time at Unzoo, and Richmond can feel too brief. A rental car or separate day trips would give you more control, but you would need to pay entry fees, plan the route and provide your own interpretation.

The tour has a strict non-refundable cancellation policy. Check your dates carefully before paying, and remember that the experience requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Port Arthur, Richmond and Tassie Devils tour?

Book it if you want the big picture in one busy day. The Tasmanian Devil feeding, Waterfall Bay views and Port Arthur cruise give the outing real range, while the included admissions make $139.86 easier to justify.

Skip it if you want long, quiet visits at each stop or if hills and extended walking are difficult. For most fit visitors with only a short Hobart stay, this is a practical and memorable way to get beyond the city, especially when a strong guide such as Jimmy, Nick, Ian, Lucas or David is behind the wheel.

FAQ

How long is the Port Arthur, Richmond and Tasmanian Devils tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours 30 minutes. It starts at 7:30 am and ends back at the meeting point in Hobart.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The meeting point is 20 Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000. The activity ends back at that meeting point.

Are Port Arthur entry and the harbour cruise included?

Yes. Port Arthur Historic Site admission and the complimentary Port Arthur Harbour Cruise are included.

Is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo admission included?

Yes. The Unzoo entrance fee and a Tasmanian Devil feeding are included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Port Arthur has several options for lunch and snacks at the visitor centre.

How much walking is involved?

You should expect a moderate level of physical activity. The Waterfall Bay Cliff Top Walk takes about 45 minutes, is undulating and is classed as easy. Port Arthur also involves substantial walking across its grounds.

Can I bring luggage on the vehicle?

No. Luggage is not allowed on board, so bring only a day pack. Airport drop-offs are also not provided.