Tasmania can feel big and spread out fast. This 5-day East Coast tour strings together the island’s biggest highlights with a small group, plus tastings that make the drive more fun than it should be.

I especially like the small-group format (max 15) and the way you keep moving without feeling rushed. Port Arthur’s included 3-hour guided visit, and the steady stream of stops like Mt Wellington, Tasman National Park, and Bay of Fires, do a great job of covering ground with context—not just photos.

One thing to consider: it’s a full schedule with lots of included stops, so if you prefer long free time, this may feel a bit packed. Also, while most meals are included, you may still want to budget for snacks and optional extras.

Key moments worth your attention

• Max 15 people so questions actually get answered, not swallowed by a large bus
• Movenpick Hotel in Hobart (central, check-in from 1pm)
• Port Arthur includes a personally guided 3-hour tour
• Bay of Fires for that famous white sand, ice-blue water, and red/orange rock mix
• Tastings included: wine, chocolate, cheese, and oysters
• Penguin spotting at Bicheno happens as a guided adventure on the rocks

First Impressions: Why This East Coast Route Works

When you’re short on time, eastern Tasmania has a neat trick: it mixes dramatic coastline with convict history and easy-to-understand local food. This tour is built around that. You start in Hobart, work your way down through the Tasman Peninsula region, then move north along the coast toward Launceston.

The big win is that you’re not doing the planning math every day. With entry fees and national park passes included, your “what costs extra?” worry stays low. And with pickup offered and a small group, you spend energy on scenery instead of logistics.

Hobart Arrival Day: Settle In at Movenpick

Day 1 is refreshingly simple: arrive in Hobart at your leisure and check into the Movenpick Hotel once the clock hits 1pm. The location is central, so you can walk to nearby sights without needing to map every trip from scratch.

This kind of arrival day matters more than it sounds. Hobart traffic and pace can be a shock if you arrive on an early flight. Having a real hotel base right away keeps you from spending your first hours stressed. If you want an extra plan, the tour team has helped guests add a pre-tour day in Hobart as well—use that if you arrive with time to spare.

Day 2 in Hobart to Eaglehawk Neck: Convicts, Bridges, and Ocean Cliffs

Day 2 is where the tour finds its rhythm—city history first, then the coast and national park country. Expect a day of viewpoints, quick walks, and tastings. It’s the right mix if you like variety, and you’ll keep noticing how often Tasmania pairs scenery with a story.

Constitution Dock and Salamanca: Hobart’s story in tight bites

You begin at Constitution Dock, where there’s a Mawsons Hut replica museum and statues tied to the first expedition to the South Pole. It’s not just “look, ships.” It helps you understand why Tasmania became a stage for big voyages and difficult choices.

From there you swing through Salamanca Square and the Salamanca and Battery Point areas. You get the scenic drive plus local context, which is ideal when you’re still getting your bearings.

You also stop for the history tied to Tasmania’s female convict experience—your guide explains the significance of a major female correctional facility, and you’ll see the imposing perimeter from the outside. If you care about how convict-era stories are interpreted today, this kind of framing adds weight.

Cascade Brewery and Mt Wellington: photo stops that actually matter

Next is a stop at Cascade Brewery, one of the city’s most recognizable buildings. The quick break is great for photos and a stretch. Then you head up to Mount Wellington (1275m) for wide, panoramic views across Hobart.

Here’s the practical tip: if weather looks changeable, Mount Wellington is the one place you’ll thank yourself for taking seriously. Cloud can roll in fast, and high viewpoints are all about timing.

Puddleduck Vineyard lunch: tastings with real local ingredients

Lunch happens at Puddleduck Vineyard, with a gourmet platter of local produce. Wine tastings are included, which turns a standard lunch stop into a small, enjoyable food lesson.

This is also a good reset point. After history and high viewpoints, a relaxed meal and tastings help your energy level stay steady for the rest of the day.

Richmond Bridge, Denison Canal, and coastal lookouts

You’ll pass Richmond Bridge, built by convicts in 1823 and still in use. Then it’s to Denison Canal, explained as an early shortcut for merchant and trade vessels heading to Hobart.

After that, you reach Pirates Bay/Eaglehawk Neck. The lookout above the coast is a classic Tasman Peninsula scene, and you get an afternoon tea and coffee break there. These small refresh moments help the day feel like a journey, not an endless checklist.

Tessellated Pavement and Tasman National Park: geology you can walk on

The Tessellated Pavement stop is short but memorable. You’ll walk onto unusual rock formations where patterns form along the water edge. It’s one of those places that makes you look down more than up.

Then you hit Tasman National Park with Tasman’s Arch, described as a 90m naturally occurring feature. You also walk over the arch to reach yet another lookout. It’s the kind of stop that gives you both scenery and a simple sense of how the coastline was built.

Day 3 Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula Coast: The Big History Day

Day 3 is the trip’s history anchor: Port Arthur. You get a personally guided 3-hour tour through many buildings with convict transportation history and multiple scenic vantage points.

This is one of the most praised parts of the experience, and I get why. A long site like Port Arthur needs a guide to connect details and keep you from wandering through individual rooms that don’t feel connected. With the time set aside, you don’t rush the story.

Chocolate and lavender: the soft stops that keep it fun

After Port Arthur, you stop at Federation Artisan Chocolate for on-site hand-made chocolate tasting. The point isn’t only sweets—it’s a break from history that still feels local and intentional.

Then you visit Port Arthur Lavender. You’ll see lavender fields and browse a gift shop with lavender products made on site, plus coffee, snacks, and more. These stops are short and pleasant, and they help you avoid the fatigue that can show up after a heavy historic attraction.

Maria Island views, Spiky Bridge, and Bicheno at dusk

You pass by Maria Island for coastal views from Raspin’s Beach in Orford. You learn about convict settlement history there, and how the island now hosts one of Tasmania’s healthiest devil populations.

At Spiky Bridge, you’ll see that quirky structure with its rows of spiky rocks, built by convicts in the 1840s. The tour then heads to Spiky Beach, giving you a relaxed follow-up stop.

The day finishes at Bicheno Blowhole with a fully guided penguin spotting adventure on the rocks near the blowhole area. This is one of the coolest “evening nature” moments in the itinerary, and it’s a real highlight if you want wildlife without the stress of guessing timing.

Day 4 Bay of Fires and Nature Stops: Coastline That Looks Unreal

By Day 4, the scenery starts feeling like a reward for keeping up. You still get guided structure, but there’s more room for you to slow down and look.

East Coast Natureworld: animals with context

You visit East Coast Natureworld, described as an animal sanctuary housing most Tasmania native animals that are either rescued from the wild or bred onsite. It’s a guided experience, which matters because these places often have rules and feeding/background info that you’ll miss if you’re on your own.

Bay of Fires: the signature stretch of sand and rock

After lunch, the tour explores Bay of Fires, known for white sand, ice-blue water, and those red and orange rocks. This is one of the stops where you’ll want a camera—and more importantly, time to just walk and find your own angle.

The stop is timed so you can actually enjoy the coastline, not just pause at a signboard.

Oyster farm tastings in St Helens

In St Helens, you get oyster tastings at Lease 65 Oyster Farm. The tour positions it as Pacific oysters at their freshest, and the included tasting is one of the most practical “food value” moments on the whole route.

Pyengana Dairy: cheese tasting plus the behind-the-scenes

Next up is Pyengana Dairy for cheese tasting at a multi award-winning operation. You also see and learn about the automated, robotic dairy process behind the scenes.

If you’re a cheese person, this is a great day to be hungry. If you’re not, it’s still a useful stop because it breaks up the day’s scenery with something hands-on and easy to understand.

Legerwood Memorial Tree Carvings: a pause that lands

Later, you stop for Legerwood Memorial Tree Carvings, a chainsaw-carved war memorial that tells stories of local men who died in the Great War. This is the kind of stop that doesn’t feel like a “tourist attraction,” but it gives the day meaning beyond photos.

Day 5 Launceston Free Morning: Easy Ending Without a Big Farewell Rush

The final morning is unguided in Launceston, with about 3 hours to explore. Hotel check-out is by 11am, so you can rest, wander the city mall area, or head toward nearby parklands on foot.

This free time is a smart way to end a packed trip. After several days of scheduled stops, you get to choose what matters to you—whether that’s coffee, a stroll, or simply taking a breath and letting Tasmania sink in.

If you want an optional extra, there’s a note about a chairlift ride across the gorge being available for an additional fee (listed as $15 per person). It’s not required, but it can add a scenic finish if weather cooperates.

Price and Value: Is $1,574.35 a Good Deal?

At $1,574.35 per person for an approximately 5-day trip, the price only feels fair if you believe in “included value.” Here, you’re getting more than transportation.

You’re covered for:

• attraction entry fees and national park passes
• most meals (breakfasts and 3 lunches)
• tastings like wine, chocolate, cheese, and oysters

That adds up quickly in Tasmania, where admissions and food tastings can stack. You also get a small group (max 15), which typically means you spend less time waiting and more time actually doing the things you paid to see.

Could it be pricey for someone who plans to eat out anyway and hates structured days? Yes. This tour is best for people who want guided time and included experiences rather than solo freedom.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This one is ideal if you:

• want an efficient introduction to Hobart, Port Arthur, and the east coast
• like a mix of history, wildlife, and food
• enjoy meeting people in a group that doesn’t feel oversized
• are traveling solo and want the social ease that comes with a small group (some past groups had a large share of solo guests)

It may be less ideal if you:

• want long, unstructured time every day
• hate early starts and multiple stops in one day
• strongly prefer fully independent travel with minimal guidance

Practical Tips Before You Go

• Bring layers. The itinerary moves between high viewpoints and coastal areas where weather can change fast.
• Plan to wear walking shoes for things like Tasman National Park and Port Arthur.
• If you care about photos, use the timed stops wisely: Mt Wellington and Bay of Fires are the two places where lighting can make or break your shots.
• If food tastings are your thing, keep room in your day after meals—those included tastings are generous.

Should You Book Fun Tassie Tours’ East Coast 5-Day Trip?

I’d book this tour if you want a high-coverage Tasmanian east coast experience with included admissions, real tastings, and guided time where it counts. The day structure works well: Hobart history, Tasman Peninsula geology and lookouts, Port Arthur’s guided depth, then Bay of Fires and wildlife/nature stops, with an easy Launceston ending.

I’d think twice only if you’re the type who gets cranky with a packed schedule. If you’re happy trading a little freedom for expert timing and a tight set of highlights, this is a very strong way to experience Tasmania’s east coast without second-guessing every decision.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Tasmania 5 Day East Coast Tour?

It runs for 5 days (approx.).

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Hobart, Australia, with a start time of 8:30 am.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes all attraction entry fees, all national parks passes and fees, tastings of wine, chocolate, cheese, and oysters, and meals including 4 breakfasts and 3 lunches.

What is not included?

A chairlift ride across the gorge is mentioned as possible for $15 per person.

What hotel is included for the Hobart night?

The itinerary includes accommodation at the Movenpick Hotel in Hobart, with check-in available from 1pm onwards.

Is Port Arthur guided?

Yes. Port Arthur includes a personally guided 3-hour tour.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you prefer more walking or more sitting. I’ll suggest what to prioritize on the spot during Bay of Fires and Mt Wellington days.