7-Day Super Value Tour of Tasmania: Explore Tasmania’s West and East Coasts

Tasmania’s best scenery arrives in quick succession here: Russell Falls, the Gordon River, Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, the Bay of Fires, and the Tasman Peninsula. You move from cool rainforest to alpine tracks, bright beaches, convict ruins, and wildlife sanctuaries without having to plan a complicated road trip.

I like the way the tour mixes major sights with less polished places such as Queenstown, Henty Dunes, Ocean Beach, and Sheffield’s mural-covered streets. I also like the practical value: six nights’ accommodation, park fees, hotel pickup, Port Arthur, and Bonorong are included. The catch is the pace. Seven days cover a lot of ground, and the optional Gordon River cruise costs extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven days from Hobart: The route loops through western rainforests, Cradle Mountain, the east coast, and the Tasman Peninsula.
• Six nights included: Accommodation is part of the package, along with Hobart CBD pickup and drop-off.
• Up to 24 people: This is a small-group road trip, but not a private tour.
• Walks range from easy to demanding: Russell Falls and Cataract Gorge are gentle, while Marion’s Lookout can be strenuous.
• Gordon River cruise costs extra: The six-hour cruise is a major Day 2 option, not part of the included price.
• Strong guide service: Natalie is praised for handling a wide range of ages, while Evan is noted for careful driving, useful suggestions, and engaging local history.

What this seven-day Tasmania tour is really like

This is a sightseeing road trip with walking built in. You spend much of each day moving between places, then get time to stretch your legs at waterfalls, beaches, lookouts, parks, and historic sites.

The route makes sense geographically, but it is full. Day 1 begins at 7:00 a.m. in Hobart and heads west. Later days cross to the north, then follow the east coast before returning toward Hobart and finishing on the Tasman Peninsula. You will see a broad slice of Tasmania, but you will not have long, slow stays in every place.

The maximum group size is 24. That gives you company and keeps costs below a private trip, though the minibus setting means you need to be ready when the group moves on. The tour suits you best if you want a guided overview, do not want to drive long distances yourself, and are happy with a moderate level of activity.

Day 1: Russell Falls, rainforest, Lake St Clair, and Queenstown

The opening day gives you a strong taste of Tasmania’s western side. At Russell Falls, the Tall Trees walk leads among huge trees before reaching the main waterfall. The stop lasts about 90 minutes, so you have time to enjoy the path rather than simply step out for a photograph.

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park follows. This is one of the most important natural areas on the route, with rainforest, mountain views, and a sense of distance from towns. The 90-minute visit is valuable because it introduces the protected wilderness that shapes much of western Tasmania.

At Lake St Clair, you reach the southern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The lake is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, and the stop gives you about 75 minutes for a walk or lunch beside the water. It is a welcome pause after the morning’s forest roads.

The day ends in Queenstown, where you have about 25 minutes. That is enough to look around the unusual mining town and see its rough-edged character, but not enough for a detailed visit. Think of Queenstown as a brief, atmospheric stop rather than a full town tour.

This first day is long and scenic. If you prefer a relaxed schedule with several hours in each place, the pace may feel demanding. If you want to cover ground and see how quickly Tasmania changes from forest to mountain country, it gets the job done.

Day 2: Strahan, the Gordon River, dunes, and Ocean Beach

Strahan receives a short morning visit before the main activity. This harbor-side village sits beside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and has a convict past that adds weight to its pretty waterfront setting. The planned 45 minutes lets you get oriented, not conduct a deep town exploration.

The six-hour Gordon River cruise is the day’s major attraction. It carries you into the temperate rainforest along the Gordon River, one of Tasmania’s signature experiences. The water, forest, and remote setting provide a slower counterpoint to the road travel.

There is one important budget detail: the cruise is not included in the listed price. Ask for the current extra cost before you book, since it can change the real total by a noticeable amount. If you are choosing between optional activities, this is likely the add-on with the biggest effect on your Day 2 experience.

The Henty Dunes offer a very different view of the coast. The sand extends for about 15 kilometers, with dunes reaching 30 meters high. You get roughly 45 minutes here, enough to walk into the sand and see the scale of the place.

At Ocean Beach, the tour pauses beside more than 40 kilometers of open coast. The useful detail is its sheer remoteness: the next landfall is South America, more than 10,000 kilometers away. You have 45 minutes to take in the surf and wide horizon.

In Strahan, you can also pay extra for The Ship That Never Was, a 75-minute play based on the 1834 escape from Sarah Island. It is described as both dramatic and funny, and it gives the convict past a lively human angle. The activity is optional and not included, but it is a good choice if you enjoy local stories presented with humor.

Day 3: Cradle Mountain walks and Sheffield murals

Day 3 is the most important walking day. At Cradle Mountain, you can take the Dove Lake Circuit, scheduled for four hours. This is one of Tasmania’s best-known nature walks, with close views of the mountain and broader views around the alpine lake.

You can also choose Marion’s Lookout. The walk is described as challenging but scenic, and the four-hour allowance gives you time to tackle it without rushing. This choice matters. The tour is not simply a photo stop at Cradle Mountain, but you should be comfortable with uneven ground and sustained walking if you want the more demanding option.

The available information calls for a moderate physical fitness level. That is a useful warning, especially because the itinerary contains several walking days rather than one isolated hike. Bring sturdy footwear, water, and clothing that can handle changing conditions. The tour does not list special hiking equipment, so you should arrive prepared for ordinary outdoor walking.

Ronny Creek adds a shorter wildlife-oriented walk. The guide leads you along a boardwalk and back through wombat territory, where wombats are used to people and can sometimes be seen. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the stop gives you a better chance to notice animals in their own setting than a quick roadside pause.

Sheffield breaks up the mountain day with art and town life. Its murals turn local stories and history into a walking display, and 45 minutes gives you time to look around. This is a small stop, but it keeps the tour from becoming seven days of scenery alone.

Day 4: Cataract Gorge and the Bay of Fires

Cataract Gorge Reserve lies just minutes from central Launceston, making it one of the easiest major natural stops on the trip. You have about an hour to use the walking tracks, see the gorge, and perhaps view the world’s longest single-span chairlift. A rest area is also mentioned, which helps after the longer walks at Cradle Mountain.

The route then heads east toward St Helens. The 30-minute stop is mainly for lunch and a look at the fishing harbor, including the cray boats. Do not expect a full coastal town visit here. It is a practical break with a local working-port feel.

Binalong Bay is the visual prize of the day. Its clear water, pale sand, and orange-lichen-covered granite boulders create the classic Bay of Fires scene. You have about 90 minutes, and swimming is possible if conditions are right. That last point matters: treat a swim as an opportunity, not a guaranteed part of the program.

Bicheno receives a longer evening stop of about two hours. You can explore at your own pace, look along the coast, and buy fish and chips. The town is also a place to keep an eye out for local wildlife, though the schedule does not promise a sighting.

Day 4 shifts from inland gorge to working harbor to beach country. It is a good example of the tour’s range, but again, the schedule favors several short introductions over a deep stay in one town.

Day 5: Wineglass Bay and the Great Eastern Drive

Freycinet National Park gets a generous five-hour visit, which is helpful because this area deserves more than a quick lookout. The tour aims to arrive early, a smart choice for enjoying the park before the busiest part of the day.

Wineglass Bay Lookout is included within the Freycinet visit. From the lookout, you see the curved bay and surrounding granite peaks. You may also have time to continue toward the beach or simply relax, depending on the route chosen and your walking pace.

Cape Tourville Lighthouse provides another perspective. The short 45-minute stop looks across the Tasman Sea and back toward the Hazards Mountains and Wineglass Bay. It is less demanding than the longer park walks, so it gives your legs a break while keeping the views coming.

The itinerary also passes along the Great Eastern Drive and pauses briefly in Orford for about 15 minutes. This is a quick look at a popular holiday town, not a major attraction. The day’s real value lies in Freycinet, especially if you want a proper block of time for the park rather than a rushed photograph.

Day 6: Bonorong, Richmond, and kunanyi

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a two-hour visit and one of the clearest wildlife stops on the tour. You can see animals including quolls, birds, wombats, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils. Entry is included, so there is no extra fee to budget for this part.

The sanctuary works well for two reasons. First, it gives you a reliable place to learn about Tasmanian animals after several days when sightings in the wild are uncertain. Second, it adds variety after the parks and coast. You are not only looking at scenery; you are also getting close to the animals that define the island.

Richmond follows with an hour to walk through a well-preserved colonial-era town. More than 50 Georgian buildings remain, many used as cafes, restaurants, galleries, and accommodation. The Richmond Bridge gets a separate 15-minute stop and is described as the oldest existing stone arch bridge in Australia.

The final major stop is Wellington Park, around Mount Wellington, also called kunanyi. You have about two hours among fern glades, eucalyptus forest, rock columns, and large boulders. The park is Hobart’s nearby natural escape, and it gives the trip a fitting return to mountain country before the final day.

Day 7: Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula

The last day turns to the Tasman Peninsula. At Pirates Bay and Eaglehawk Neck, a brief ten-minute lookout offers broad views toward the peninsula, Cape Hauy, and Cape Pillar. It is short, but the location helps you understand the shape of the coast before the main stops.

Port Arthur Historic Site receives three hours and included entry. This is Australia’s best-preserved convict site and a UNESCO-listed place, with a difficult past that shaped Tasmania and Australia. Three hours gives you enough time to see the main remains and absorb the story without treating the site as a rushed photo stop.

The tour then visits the natural features of Tasman National Park. Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and the Blowhole show how the sea has cut into the peninsula. The scenery is dramatic, but the paths and viewing platforms make these stops accessible as short walks rather than full-day hikes.

Tasman Arch Track takes about 20 minutes, while Devils Kitchen has a 15-minute observation-platform visit. These are compact stops, so wear shoes suitable for walking even if you are not taking a long trail.

Remarkable Cave receives the longest final stop, about two hours and 15 minutes. The route includes a short walk to see the cave and the coastal sand dunes of Crescent Bay. It is a fitting end because the peninsula combines geology, open sea, and walking in one place.

What the $1,038.14 price covers

At $1,038.14 per person, the value depends on how much of Tasmania you want to see without handling the driving and reservations yourself. The package includes six nights of accommodation, national park entry fees, Hobart CBD pickup and drop-off, a guide, Port Arthur entry, and Bonorong entry.

That list covers several costs that can add up on an independent trip. You also get a planned route through the west and east coasts, rather than spending time working out how to connect Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, the Bay of Fires, and Port Arthur.

The price does not cover every activity. The Gordon River cruise is extra, and The Ship That Never Was is optional and extra. Meals are not listed as included, so plan to pay for food along the way. Accommodation details are also not specified beyond six nights, so check the lodging standard and room arrangements before paying.

The operator identifies the tour as Advanced Eco-Certified. That may matter to you if environmental practices are part of your buying decision, though the supplied details do not spell out the exact standards or projects behind that certification.

Guides, group size, and the real pace

A good guide matters on a route this full. Natalie is praised for accommodating a group with a wide range of ages, which suggests a flexible approach when people choose different walking options. Evan is singled out for careful driving, detailed but interesting local history, and useful recommendations.

Those details are worth considering because you spend many hours on the road. Careful driving and clear explanations can make the long transfers feel far better than simply being moved from stop to stop.

With up to 24 people, the group is small enough for a more personal feel than a large coach, but you should not expect the freedom of a private vehicle. Departures are set, stops have fixed time windows, and the early 7:00 a.m. start favors people who can get moving early.

Who should book this trip

I would choose this tour if you have one week, want Tasmania’s major natural and historic sights, and prefer a guide to manage the route. It is especially useful for first-time visitors who want both coasts, Cradle Mountain, wildlife, and Port Arthur in one organized trip.

It also suits you if you enjoy short walks and are open to one or two harder options. The itinerary gives you choices at Cradle Mountain, but the overall program still includes plenty of walking at national parks, lookouts, beaches, and historic sites.

I would hesitate if you want long stays in each location, a slow food-focused holiday, or complete control over your daily schedule. The pace is ambitious, and the extra cost of the Gordon River cruise should be settled before you compare the tour with self-drive alternatives.

Cancellation is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Make sure your dates are firm before booking.

Should you book the 7-Day Super Value Tour?

Book it if your priority is breadth with minimal planning. You will see rainforest, alpine country, wild beaches, granite bays, wildlife, colonial towns, convict ruins, and coastal rock formations in seven days.

The strongest parts are the included entries, the six nights of accommodation, the broad route, and the guides. The main compromises are the packed schedule, moderate fitness requirement, group timetable, and extra charge for the Gordon River cruise.

For a short first visit to Tasmania, I think the tour offers solid value, especially if you would otherwise struggle to connect the island’s far-flung highlights. Check the accommodation details, add the cruise to your true budget, and book only if you are comfortable starting early and walking often.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at YHA Hobart Central, 9 Argyle Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 7:00 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Hobart.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels, hostels, and motels in Hobart CBD.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Six nights of accommodation are included.

Is the Gordon River cruise included in the price?

No. The six-hour Gordon River cruise is listed as an activity with admission not included.

Is Port Arthur Historic Site entry included?

Yes. Entry to Port Arthur Historic Site is included.

Is Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary entry included?

Yes. Entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is included.

How physically demanding is the tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The itinerary includes short walks as well as longer options, including the four-hour Dove Lake Circuit and the challenging Marion’s Lookout Walk.

How large is the group?

The tour can have a maximum of 24 people.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.