Safe Travel and Tour Services Hobart City Highlights & Scenic Lookouts

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A private tour of Hobart for cruise passengers and visitors, with your own driver-guide: Salamanca Place, Battery Point, the Cascades Female Factory, the Botanical Gardens and the view from Rosny Hill, with port pick-up and drop-off.

Days

Up to about 6 hours

Group size

Private tour

Start / finish

Hobart port / Hobart city sights / Hobart port

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Safe Travel and Tour Services Hobart City Highlights & Scenic Lookouts

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Included experiences

Salamanca Place and Battery Point — Georgian warehouses and old cottages
Cascades Female Factory — former prison for convict women
Tasman Bridge — views of the Derwent River
Rosny Hill Lookout — Hobart, Sandy Bay and Mount Wellington
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens — free time to walk

Safe Travel and Tour Services Hobart City Highlights & Scenic Lookouts

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Itinerary

Map

START: THE WATERFRONT AND SALAMANCA PLACE

Your driver-guide meets you at the port, or at your Hobart CBD hotel, and the day starts slowly around Sullivans Cove, where Hobart was settled in 1804 and fishing boats still tie up beside the cruise ships. You pass Parliament House, built by convicts as the colony's customs house. At Salamanca Place you step out among the sandstone warehouses that whalers and merchants filled in the 1830s and 1840s; the name honours Wellington's victory at Salamanca in 1812. Then it's up the lanes of Battery Point, named for the gun battery set on the headland in 1818, where fishermen's cottages and sea captains' houses still line the streets.

SOUTH HOBART: BREWERY AND FEMALE FACTORY

The road climbs into South Hobart, under the slopes of kunanyi (Mount Wellington). Cascade Brewery, founded by Peter Degraves in 1824, is the oldest working brewery in Australia, and its pale stone front with the mountain behind is one of Hobart's favourite photographs. You stop at the brewery gardens and see it from outside. Just down the road, the Cascades Female Factory held convict women and their children from 1828 to 1856. It is one of the 11 Australian Convict Sites on the World Heritage list, and its high stone walls tell a story most visitors never hear. Coming back through town you pass the Town Hall and the Penitentiary Chapel, where prisoners once worshipped above the cells.

ACROSS THE DERWENT TO ROSNY HILL

Past Government House, the route swings onto the Tasman Bridge, almost a kilometre and a half across the Derwent River. In 1975 a bulk ship struck the bridge and brought down part of the deck, cutting the eastern shore off from the city for nearly three years. From the far side you climb to Rosny Hill Lookout, the best spot on the eastern shore to see the whole of Hobart at once: the docks, Sandy Bay, the bridge and the 1,271 metre bulk of kunanyi behind them all. Bring a jacket, because the wind off the river can be fresh even on a sunny day.

FINISH: THE BOTANICAL GARDENS AND BACK TO PORT

The last stop is the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, founded in 1818 and the second oldest botanic gardens in Australia. You have about half an hour to walk. Look for the old convict-built brick wall that was heated from inside to keep fruit trees warm, and the Subantarctic Plant House, which recreates the cold, misty vegetation of Macquarie Island. The pace all day is easy, with short walks and photo stops, and you can stay in your seat at any stop you'd rather skip. Then it's back across the Domain to the port, in good time for your ship.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: At the port, or pick-up from a Hobart CBD hotel or Brooke Street Pier. Be ready 10 minutes before; your pick-up is confirmed by email the day before.
Duration: Up to about 6 hours, with the start time confirmed when you book.
Fitness: Short walks only, and much of the tour can be seen from your seat. A moderate level of fitness is recommended; not suited to people with spinal injuries, poor heart health, or during pregnancy.
Please note: This is a private tour for your group only. Runs daily.

What is included

Private driver-guide
Port pick-up and drop-off, or Hobart CBD hotel pick-up
Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
Bottled water

Not included

Meals, coffee and tea
Additional drinks
Personal purchases

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.