Three distilleries, one relaxed day. This Hobart wine and spirits tour mixes small-batch distilling with a custom tasting plan—you choose 3 out of 4 makers, so the day fits your taste instead of forcing one fixed theme. Stops are paced like a proper outing, not a factory sprint, with a guide who keeps things friendly and safety-focused.

I like two things most. First, the variety: you can line up gin, whisky, rum, vodka, brandy, and wine depending on your choices. Second, the access angle—each stop is built around owner-led, hands-on tastings, which is exactly what makes these places feel personal rather than scripted.

One possible drawback: your exact distillery trio isn’t always guaranteed. They try to match your selection, but outside events can affect what’s available, so booking well ahead matters if you have must-do picks.

Key things to know before you go

• Pick 3 distilleries out of 4 so your tasting day doesn’t feel like a compromise.
• Owner-led, small-batch style visits make each stop feel more like a conversation than a lecture.
• Small group size (max 7) keeps the pace calm and questions easy to answer.
• Two lunch venues with clear price ranges lets you choose between pub-style meals or a winery restaurant.
• A guide named Ingrid runs the show with a safety-first mindset and an easygoing touch.

Picking your 3 distilleries: the real point of this tour

This isn’t the usual one-spirit hop. The core idea is that you select 3 out of 4 distillery stops, then the tour builds the day around those picks. That means you can structure your tasting around what you genuinely want—say gin-forward stops, whisky-led stops, or a mix that gives you a real flavor map of Tasmania.

It also changes how you’ll remember the day. Instead of comparing five versions of the same thing, you’re comparing styles: gin botanicals versus whisky malt versus rum character versus brandy profiles, plus wine where it’s on the menu. If you’re the kind of person who gets bored when every tasting is the same, this layout fixes that.

Do note the practical bit: they try hard to match your selections, but events outside their control can limit what they can offer. If there’s one stop you’d be unhappy to miss, plan ahead and book early.

Price and logistics: what $279.01 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

The price is $279.01 per person for an approximately 6 hours 30 minutes outing. In return, you get pickup and drop-off in Hobart, an air-conditioned vehicle, a goodies bag, and tastings for 3 spirits of your choice (based on your distillery selections).

What’s not included is lunch. You’ll pay for it separately at one of the lunch venues you choose. That’s a fair model because the tour itself covers the spirit experience. You just decide how fancy you want lunch to be.

One more logistics detail that matters: the group is small—maximum 7 people. That’s a big deal for comfort on a tasting day. You’re not waiting for ten different conversations to finish before the next pour.

From One Franklin Wharf at 9:30: a smooth start in Hobart

The day starts at One Franklin Wharf, Hobart at 9:30am, and it ends back at the same meeting point. There’s pickup and drop-off, which is a relief if you’d rather not spend the day navigating parking and timing.

Timing is also handled in a way that feels realistic. You’ve got about 20 minutes to the first stop from Hobart, then about 30 minutes back from the last activity. With a 6.5-hour total duration, that means the day is mostly spent on-site, not in long stretches of bus time.

You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the tour includes a mobile ticket. If you’re traveling with a small group or just want something that feels organized without being stiff, this setup works well.

Stop 1: Spring Bay Distillery Cambridge and its whisky-gin-vodka combo

Your first stop is Spring Bay Distillery Cambridge, and this is one of the options that can kick off your tasting line-up. If you choose it as part of your 3, the tasting option includes an award-winning single malt whisky plus 1 gin and 1 vodka.

Why this stop can be a smart choice: it gives you a clean entry point. Whisky has that structured, malty backbone. Gin brings in botanicals and aromatics. Vodka is usually the baseline that helps you notice what really changes in texture and flavor across different spirits.

The stop length is about 1 hour, and the admission ticket is listed as included. This is a good duration for getting the story of the distillery without dragging the day too long before lunch.

Stop 2: Drifters End Distilling Company for gins and one whisky

Next up is Drifters End Distilling Company. This stop is known for its boutique style, founded by sisters Sam and Chris Jones. If you choose this option, your tasting selection is gins and 1 whisky.

This stop works best if you want gin variety without losing the comparison point. Having whisky in the mix gives you a moment to reset your palate. You’ll be able to draw a line between what gin is doing with botanicals and what whisky is doing with malt and aging.

It’s also about 1 hour, and admission is listed as included. If you’re the kind of person who asks questions about how spirit styles differ, this is the kind of stop where owner-led conversation tends to make it easier to understand what you’re tasting.

Stop 3: Blackmans Bay Distillery at Cambridge—rum and gin with free admission

Stop 3 is Blackmans Bay Distillery (now located at Cambridge). If you include this one, your tasting option is award-winning rum and gin. The distillery is tied to the husband-and-wife team Stuart and Danika Bumford.

A key advantage here is timing and cost transparency. This stop lists its admission as free, so you’re not paying extra just to get in and taste. Even if that doesn’t change your overall tour price, it often signals a straightforward on-the-ground visit.

If you’re a rum fan, this is one of the few ways to get a true rum-and-gin comparison in a single day. Rum can feel sweeter or more rounded depending on the style, while gin usually stays sharper and more aromatic. That contrast is fun, and it’s the kind of difference you remember later when you’re picking bottles.

As with most stops here, you’re looking at about 1 hour for this leg.

Stop 4: Charles Reuben Estate—brandy, gin, and wine after 1.5 hours

Your fourth stop is Charles Reuben Estate. This one has a longer visit length—about 1 hour 30 minutes—and it’s where the tour can shift toward a wine-and-spirits feel rather than just hard spirits.

If you pick this option, your tasting set includes brandy, gin, and wine. The estate has been producing since 1989 and makes award-winning wines and spirits, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Chardonnay, and brandy.

This stop is worth prioritizing if you like a slower pace. The extra time helps you absorb the place as a full estate, not just a quick tastings room. And because you’ll see wine mixed into the spirit day, it can be a good “bridge” before lunch.

Admission is listed as included here too, so it’s another well-covered stop within the tour framework.

Lunch choices: Richmond Arms Hotel versus Frogmore Creek views

Lunch isn’t included, but you get to choose between two clear options:

Richmond Arms Hotel (Lunch option 1)

This is the more casual, hearty choice. Meals range from $20 to $50 per person, and you buy lunch separately.

Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant (Lunch option 2)

If you want a winery restaurant feel, this is the one. Expect share plates and views to the vines, with lunch prices around $75 per person (again, purchased separately).

How to choose? If you want value and a quick reset between tastings, the pub-style meal range makes it easier to control cost. If you want the experience of eating in a cellar-door setting with scenery, Frogmore Creek is the splurge path—worth it if views and the slower meal pace matter to you.

Ingrid’s guiding style: safety-first, relaxed, and actually helpful

This tour is hosted by Ingrid, and the consistent theme around her is simple: she makes the day feel smooth without bossing people around. She’s known for being friendly, attentive, and serious about safety. That matters on a day where alcohol is involved—good guides manage pace and keep things comfortable.

Another practical perk: she helps keep the experience personal. People mention dietary requirements being handled with care, and that she’s accommodating rather than rigid. That’s important because tasting days can go off-track fast if someone’s needs aren’t considered.

If you like capturing the day without thinking about it, Ingrid also takes photos for the group. That’s a small detail, but it’s exactly the kind of convenience that makes the outing feel cared for.

The driver also gets praise for being great, which matters more than most people think. A relaxed, efficient route keeps you from feeling rushed between stops.

How the tastings work: what you’ll get, and how to plan your palate

The tour includes tastings for 3 spirits of your choice, aligned with the 3 distillery stops you select. You’ll see options that include gin, whisky, rum, vodka, and brandy, plus wine in the estate stop depending on which option you choose.

For a better tasting day, pick based on how you want to feel by lunchtime. If you choose three heavier, spirit-forward options, you’ll likely want a satisfying lunch venue like the hotel. If your selections mix styles more evenly (for example, gin plus whisky plus rum), you’ll often find your palate stays fresher and the later stops feel more distinct.

Also, go into tastings with curiosity instead of shopping mode. The value here is understanding what makes each producer’s style different—then buying something at the end feels more informed, not impulsive.

Is it good value at $279.01? A quick reality check

On paper, $279.01 is a premium day. But when you break it down, it starts to make sense. You’re paying for a full Hobart-hosted logistics package: transport, a small-group visit, a host, a guided schedule, and tastings tied to your 3 selected distilleries.

You’re also getting time at multiple makers, including a longer estate stop and a mix of spirit styles. That kind of variety usually costs more when you try to stitch it together on your own with drivers, entry fees, and scheduling.

Where the budget still hits is lunch. You can keep costs lower at Richmond Arms Hotel (with meals listed at $20–$50), or pay more at Frogmore Creek (around $75). If you’re watching spend, plan your lunch choice early. If you’re treating yourself, Frogmore Creek is the more indulgent option.

Who should book this tour (and who might skip it)

This is a strong fit if:

• You want a mix of spirit styles, not just gin or just whisky.
• You like small, owner-focused visits rather than big bus crowds.
• You’d rather not drive after tastings—pickup and drop-off takes that stress off your plate.
• You want a day that feels structured but not rigid, with a guide like Ingrid keeping things relaxed.

You might consider a different plan if:

• You’re only interested in one very specific spirit and don’t care about comparing styles.
• You’re extremely sensitive to the idea that your exact distillery trio can be affected by outside events.
• You want lunch fully included in the base price, since it’s a separate cost here.

Should you book the Cambridge Hobart Wine & Spirits Tour?

If you want a calm, guided Hobart day that blends tasting variety with small-group access, I’d book it—especially because you get control over which 3 distilleries you visit. The combination of short, well-timed stops, a safety-minded host (Ingrid), and the option to choose between a hotel lunch and a winery lunch makes it feel flexible in a good way.

Book early if you have a must-have distillery in mind. And decide your lunch style before you arrive—pub value versus winery scenery is the main lever for your overall spend.

In short: this is a practical, friendly tasting tour where your choices shape the day, and the hosting makes it feel well run from start to finish.

FAQ

How long is the Cambridge Hobart Wine & Spirits Tour?

It runs for approximately 6 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at One Franklin Wharf in Hobart and finishes back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:30am.

Do I get picked up in Hobart?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off services to Hobart are included.

How many distilleries do I visit, and can I choose which ones?

You choose 3 out of 4 distillery options. The tour tries to accommodate your selections as best it can.

What tastings are included in the tour price?

The tour includes alcoholic beverage tastings for 3 spirits of your choice based on your distillery selections.

What are the lunch options and do they cost extra?

Lunch is purchased separately. Option 1 is at Richmond Arms Hotel, with meals priced from $20 to $50 per person. Option 2 is at Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant, with share plates and views to the vines, around $75 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.