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

Tasmania packs a remarkable range of scenery into one small island, and this five-day coast-to-coast trip gives you a fast, practical way to see it. You move from Russell Falls and rainforest to Cradle Mountain, orange rocks at the Bay of Fires, and the white curve of Wineglass Bay. I especially like the varied walking options and the chance to see both remote western Tasmania and the more open East Coast without arranging several separate trips.

I also like the self-catering setup, since you can control your food budget and handle dietary needs more easily. Guides such as Jason, Joe, Joey, Brandon, and Will have been praised for humor, organization, local insight, and patience. 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 to know before booking

• Russell Falls, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires, and Wineglass Bay give you a strong first look at Tasmania’s best-known natural sights.
• Short walks are built into every day, with easy options as well as harder hikes such as Marion’s Lookout and Mount Amos.
• The group can include up to 24 people, so this feels more social than private.
• Motel or hostel accommodation is available, but you need to choose the style that suits you when booking.
• Food is not included, though daily stops allow you to buy groceries, café meals, takeaways, or restaurant food.
• The Gordon River Cruise costs extra, so budget separately if that famous Strahan activity matters to you.

Why this five-day route works

Tasmania is not a place where the headline sights sit close together. Hobart, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, the Bay of Fires, and Freycinet are spread across the island, with winding roads between them. A rental car gives you more control, but it also leaves you to handle long drives, national park fees, accommodation, and route planning.

This tour takes care of the transport, guide, four nights of accommodation, and national park entry fees for $683 per person. That is good value if you want the main route without driving yourself. You also gain local commentary and a simple daily plan, which matters when weather, road conditions, and walking choices can affect your schedule.

The price does not cover meals, drinks, travel insurance, airport pickup, or the Gordon River Cruise. Still, the self-catering approach can work in your favor. You can buy breakfast and lunch supplies at supermarkets, use hostel kitchens when available, or choose cafés and restaurants along the route. Guides provide suggestions for trying Tasmanian produce, but you are not locked into a fixed meal package.

The bus carries no more than 24 people. That is small enough for a friendly group, but not intimate. You will spend a fair amount of time with the same people, so this suits solo visitors who want company. It also means the tour has to keep a steady timetable.

Day 1: Hobart to Strahan through waterfalls and wild rivers

The first morning starts early, with pickup from selected central Hobart hotels and hostels. Departure is at 7:30 AM, so you need to be ready to go. Pickup is not available from Airbnbs or private residences, and anyone outside the central pickup area should confirm the nearest meeting point with the operator.

The route crosses Tasmania from east to west through the Derwent Valley. Your first major stop is Mount Field National Park, home to Russell Falls. The walk is a useful introduction to Tasmanian bush scenery: about 25 minutes return over 1.4 kilometers, on a flat track with no steps. It is short enough for nearly anyone with reasonable mobility, and it gives you an early reward after leaving Hobart.

You also walk among the tall trees of Mount Field. This is one of the day’s quieter pleasures. Instead of simply stopping for a viewpoint, you get time among old forest growth, with the guide explaining the setting as you go. Bring a jacket and rain gear, since western Tasmania can feel cool and wet even when Hobart is warm.

The route then reaches Lake St Clair, described as Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. This is a scenic pause rather than a full exploration of the entire lake area. The main appeal is the change in scale: after the forest and falls, you reach open water framed by mountains.

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park brings the day into Tasmania’s remote west. Expect thick forest, rivers, and a sense of distance from towns. By the time you reach Strahan, you will have seen a great deal, but you will also have spent many hours in the vehicle. That balance is typical of this tour.

You stay overnight in Strahan. Accommodation is either a motel or hostel, depending on your booking choice. Motel rooms have private bathrooms. Hostel options include same-gender dormitories or private single, twin, and double rooms with shared same-gender bathrooms.

Day 2: Henty Dunes and the ancient rainforest near Strahan

Day two focuses on the West Coast, one of the most unusual parts of Tasmania. Henty Dunes gives you a surprise: broad shifting sands close to a region better known for rainforest and mountains. The dunes are a good example of why this itinerary feels varied. You are not seeing the same type of scenery from one stop to the next.

The walk through ancient temperate rainforest adds a completely different mood. Expect a guided outing rather than a strenuous all-day hike. The guide helps you notice the plant life and explains the forest, which gives the stop more meaning than a quick photo break.

You can also choose the Gordon River Cruise at your own expense. This is an important planning choice. The cruise is a well-known Strahan experience, but it is not included in the $683 price. If you want to take it, check the extra cost and available timing before you go. Choosing the cruise may affect how much independent time you have, while skipping it leaves you with the included walking program.

Strahan itself is a useful overnight base because it avoids another long transfer on the same day. You get a second night in the same accommodation, which means no need to repack every morning. That small convenience matters on a busy route.

Day 3: Cradle Mountain and the choice between gentle and serious walks

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is the central walking day. At around 950 meters above sea level, the area brings alpine scenery, exposed tracks, and a sharper change from the warm coastal stops.

Your walking choice is one of the best features of the tour. You can take the Dove Lake Circuit, roughly 6 kilometers and two to three hours, with hills, rough ground, and steps. It is moderate rather than extreme, but comfortable hiking shoes are essential. The route gives you time around Dove Lake and views toward the Cradle Mountain area.

If you want a bigger challenge, you can choose Marion’s Lookout. The tour does not require every person to complete the same walk, which helps groups with mixed fitness levels. You should still be realistic about your own pace. This is not a sightseeing coach trip with only paved paths. Several daily walks are optional, and people with moderate fitness and good mobility will get the most from the schedule.

Cradle Mountain is also the point where weather preparation matters most. Pack a warm jacket, sunscreen, a hat, water, and rain protection. Conditions can change quickly in alpine areas, so light clothing alone is a poor plan even in summer.

After the park, the route continues through Sheffield, known for its outdoor murals, before reaching Launceston. The town gives you a change from the national parks and provides the night’s accommodation. By this stage, you may be ready for a shower, a proper meal, and an early night.

Day 4: Bay of Fires, palawa culture, and the road to Bicheno

Day four moves east, and the scenery changes again. The Bay of Fires is famous for pale beaches, clear coastal water, and boulders marked with orange lichen. The color contrast is the main attraction: white sand, blue water, and warm-toned rocks make this one of Tasmania’s most memorable coastal areas.

You have time for a beach walk and a chance to slow down after the more demanding Cradle Mountain day. Bring swimwear if you want the option of getting into the water, though the tour does not promise a swim or provide water activities.

The cultural part of the day introduces you to the palawa, Tasmania’s Aboriginal people. This is valuable because the island’s story is not only about European exploration, mining, wilderness, and national parks. The tour gives space to learn about Aboriginal people and local culture alongside the natural sights.

Later, you follow the scenic coastal road from St Helens toward Bicheno. The route itself is part of the appeal, with seaside towns and changing views along the way. Bicheno is known for little penguins, though the supplied schedule does not promise a penguin viewing activity, so treat that as a feature of the town rather than a guaranteed evening event.

You spend the night in Bicheno. As on the other nights, accommodation depends on your motel or hostel selection. This is another good point to use the self-catering option if you prefer to keep costs down.

Day 5: Wineglass Bay before the crowds, then back to Hobart

The final day begins early. That early start is not just a scheduling nuisance. It is designed to get you to the Wineglass Bay lookout before the busiest part of the day, giving you a better chance at a quieter viewpoint and cooler walking conditions.

Freycinet National Park offers several choices. The lookout is the simplest main goal, while the more active options include relaxing on the beach, walking toward Mount Amos, or taking the Hazards Beach route. Mount Amos is the harder choice, and you should not select it casually if you lack hiking experience or suitable shoes.

Wineglass Bay is one of Tasmania’s signature views, but the tour’s appeal is not limited to taking a quick photograph. You can decide how much effort and time you want to spend, within the group schedule. Some people will prefer the lookout, while others will use the opportunity for a longer walk or beach time.

The return journey follows the East Coast through Swansea and Orford before arriving back in Hobart. This is a full final day, not a relaxed morning followed by a short transfer. If you have a flight from Hobart that evening, allow plenty of extra time and confirm the expected return schedule before booking it.

What the guides add to the experience

A good guide matters on a trip with this much driving and so many short stops. Jason has been praised for sharing insight about Tasmania and keeping a large group happy. Joe has been described as organized, funny, and good at using music and quizzes to make long drives more enjoyable.

Joey has also been singled out for clear communication and enthusiasm, while Brandon has been praised for humor, useful recommendations, and accommodating different needs. Will is noted for energy, attentiveness, and explanations about Tasmania’s nature, history, and Aboriginal culture.

Guides can vary by departure, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your trip. The useful point is the role they play: handling the route, explaining the places you see, recommending food stops, and helping people choose walks that fit their abilities.

The group dynamic is part of the product. A recent group included around 20 people, and the maximum is 24. That size can create a fun social atmosphere, especially for solo visitors, but it also means you should expect shared decisions and a fixed pace.

Accommodation, food, and what to pack

The accommodation choice makes this tour more flexible than a single-style package. Motel lodging gives you a private ensuite room. Hostel lodging may be a same-gender dorm, or a private single, twin, or double room with shared same-gender bathrooms. Twin and double bookings require two people.

The rooms can vary from town to town, so keep your expectations practical. The accommodation is mainly a clean base for sleeping, washing, and storing your things, not a featured part of the holiday.

Food is entirely your responsibility. Daily opportunities to buy meals or groceries make this manageable, and hostel kitchens may help if you choose that style of lodging. I would carry a reusable bottle and a few small snacks, then use the guide’s suggestions to decide when to buy local produce or eat at a café.

You may bring up to 20 kilograms of luggage, stored in a trailer during travel days. Pack for changing conditions rather than trying to dress for one season. Your basic kit should include:

• Hiking shoes with a firm sole
• Warm layers, a jacket, and rain gear
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimwear
• Camera and reusable water bottle
• Comfortable clothes suitable for long vehicle rides

Motion sickness is a serious consideration. The route includes long drives on winding roads, and the tour is not suitable for people prone to motion sickness. It is also not designed for children under eight, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, serious back problems, or very low fitness levels.

Is $683 good value for five days?

I think the price is fair for the amount of ground covered. You receive transportation, a guide, four nights of accommodation, and national park entry fees. Booking these separately would take time, and a rental car would add fuel, insurance decisions, parking, and the strain of driving long distances.

The price becomes better value if you are a solo visitor who wants an organized route and social company. It is also useful if you want to walk in several national parks but do not want to plan the transfers between them.

The main extra costs are food and the Gordon River Cruise. Your total spending will depend heavily on your accommodation choice and dining habits. Hostel rooms and supermarket meals keep the trip more affordable, while private motels, restaurant meals, and the cruise raise the final bill.

You are paying partly for convenience and local guidance, not luxury. The bus is described as sufficient but not especially roomy, and you should expect hours of riding each day. If you dislike fixed schedules or need generous time at each sight, a self-drive trip may suit you better.

Should you book this Tasmania tour?

Book it if you want a highlights route with real walking, can handle long drives, and like having a guide manage the complicated parts. It is especially well suited to solo visitors, active couples, and anyone with five days who wants to connect Hobart with the West and East Coasts.

Choose the motel option if a private ensuite matters. Choose the hostel option if you want to lower costs and meet people. Add the Gordon River Cruise only after checking the extra price and schedule.

I would skip this tour if you want a slow holiday, dislike group travel, struggle with winding roads, or need fully accessible routes. For the right person, though, $683 buys a remarkably broad introduction to Tasmania: waterfalls, rainforest, alpine tracks, Aboriginal culture, beaches, dunes, and two of the island’s most famous bays in one tightly planned trip.

FAQ

What is included in the $683 tour price?

The price includes transportation, a guide, national park entry fees, and four nights of motel or hostel accommodation. Pickup and drop-off at selected central Hobart locations are also included.

Are meals included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy meals, takeaway food, café items, or groceries during the trip, and guides can recommend places to eat and Tasmanian produce to try.

Is the Gordon River Cruise included?

No. The Gordon River Cruise is optional and costs extra. You can choose it during the Strahan portion of the tour.

What type of accommodation can I choose?

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

How difficult are the walks?

The tour includes short daily walks, most of which are easy to moderate and optional. Russell Falls is an easy 25-minute, 1.4-kilometer return walk, while the Dove Lake Circuit takes about two to three hours over six kilometers and includes hills, rough sections, and steps.

Where can I be picked up in Hobart?

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, contact the operator for the closest available meeting point.