Tassie Tours 2-Day Tasmanian Highlights: Bruny Island & Port Arthur from Hobart

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Two of Tasmania's best day trips from Hobart: the natural beauty of Bruny Island, and the Port Arthur Historic Site and Tasman Peninsula.

Days

2 days

Group size

Max 24

Start / finish

Hobart / Hobart
Hobart, 5:30pm on the Port Arthur day

Return

Hobart, 5:30pm on the Port Arthur day

Accommodation

Not included — stay in Hobart

Transport

Air-conditioned minibus with a local guide, Hobart hotel pick-up, Bruny Island ferry

Meals

Not included; lunch stops at own cost

Route

Map of Tassie Tours 2 Day Bruny Island & Port Arthur Tour From Hobart

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Included experiences

Bruny Island — rainforest walks, beaches and the Neck
Cape Bruny Lighthouse
Port Arthur Historic Site — entry and harbour cruise
Eaglehawk Neck — Pirates Bay lookout and Dog Line
Remarkable Cave — optional
Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry and Port Arthur Lavender Farm

Tassie Tours 2 Day Bruny Island & Port Arthur Tour From Hobart

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Itinerary

Map

BRUNY ISLAND DAY

The two days are separate day tours and run in whichever order suits your dates, with a night in Hobart between. The day starts with a pick-up at about 7:30am and the drive south to Kettering, where a car ferry crosses the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, named after the French admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux, who charted it in 1792. The ferry keeps a fixed timetable, so be ready early.

On Bruny Island the morning is the active part: an easy rainforest walk, then coastal tracks to beaches, cliffs and lookouts chosen for the weather, and a lagoon swim when it's warm enough. Your guide knows where the island's white wallabies, a pale form of the Bennett's wallaby, are often seen. Timber steps at The Neck climb to a platform above the sand strip joining North and South Bruny, where little penguins nest in the dunes. Time allowing, you reach Cape Bruny Lighthouse, built by convicts and first lit in 1838.

Lunch is at the Bruny Hotel (own cost), then honey, chocolate and oysters to taste and buy before the ferry back and drop-off in Hobart at about 5:30pm.

PORT ARTHUR AND THE TASMAN PENINSULA DAY

The day leaves Hobart at about 9:30am for the Tasman Peninsula. The first stop is the lookout over Pirates Bay, then the Dog Line at Eaglehawk Neck, where soldiers once chained a row of dogs across a strip of land less than 100 metres wide to stop convicts escaping. After a short stop at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry you can spend 30 or 60 minutes at the lavender farm, or skip it. Then comes the Port Arthur Historic Site, a convict settlement from 1830 to 1877 and one of the eleven Australian Convict Sites on the World Heritage list since 2010.

Entry is included, and you choose three or four hours among the ruins, cottages and gardens. The great shell of the Penitentiary began life as a flour mill and granary. In the afternoon the included harbour cruise passes the Isle of the Dead, where around 1,100 convicts, soldiers and free settlers lie buried. Take the three-hour option and you add Remarkable Cave, a tunnel the sea has cut through the cliffs below a lookout over Maingon Bay (a parks pass for it is bought on the day). Heading home, the tour stops at Blue Lagoon Oysters in Dunalley, where an oyster-shucking champion works and you can buy oysters or cold seafood. You're back in Hobart at about 5:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Hobart hotels within 5 km of the centre. The two days are separate day tours, each with its own pick-up time and place; your pick-up details are confirmed the week of your tours.
Fitness: Easy to moderate walking on Bruny Island.
Please note: The two days run in either order — choose your start date and tell us if you have a preference. Check the weather the night before and pack for the forecast.

What to bring

Comfortable closed-in shoes for short and medium walks
Sunglasses, hat, camera and water bottle
Towel and swimwear for Bruny Island if you'd like to swim
Food and snacks — there are chances to buy food during the day

What is included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off within 5 km of central Hobart
Air-conditioned minibus
Local guide
Bruny Island ferry
Port Arthur Historic Site entry, with harbour cruise
Bruny Island national park pass

Not included

Accommodation
Food and drinks — lunch stops and tastings are at own cost

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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