Where to Start: the 4 Best Hobart History Tours

1.Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 570 reviews · from $25Our pick

Cruise from Murray Street Pier through Hobart Harbour and the Derwent River, with commentary covering the Botanical Gardens, Tasman Bridge, Battery Point, Sandy Bay, and more. Choose a one-hour morning or afternoon trip, a 1.5-hour lunch cruise, or a two-hour dinner cruise with a three-course meal and one drink.

“Pleasant excursion on a vintage tour boat. Friendly crew. Prerecorded commentary was good, not intrusive. Convenient and easy.”

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2.Tasman Island Cruises and Port Arthur Historic Site Day Tour from Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 477 reviews · from $236Top rated

Travel from Hobart to the Tasman Peninsula for a three-hour Pennicott wilderness cruise past sea caves, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and seabirds. Then spend three hours at Port Arthur Historic Site. Drivers such as Paul, Murray, Phil, Daniel, and Alan have led this route.

“We loved this cruise! It was amazing to watch all those ancient rocks formations! The captain maneuvered the cruise very skillfully around different rocks so that we could enjoy a 360 * view. The scenery on the Tasman sea was so beautiful!! We even saw some Dolphins playing and some Seals on the rocks! The tour in Port Arthur was very interesting and Informative to learn about the prison system. The tour guide had made a very good arrangement for breakfast & Coffee and also a delicious lunch! All in all the Tasman Island Cruise was very exciting and we thoroughly enjoyed it! We do have one comment though. We…”

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3.Tasman Peninsula Tour, Cruise & Port Arthur Historic Site

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 339 reviews · 10h 30m · from $233

From Hobart, ride with an English-speaking guide to the Tasman Peninsula, enjoy morning tea, then take a three-hour open-boat cruise past cliffs, caves, waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and possible whales. Finish with lunch and about three hours at Port Arthur before returning around 6 pm.

“Tasman Island cruise so exciting, the Arthur Port Historic Heritage also with many beautiful photospots. The transport arrangement is really with much hospitality that make us comfortable, and the driver do a good job with briefing and some introducing. For breakfast, I am still impressed by the delicious coffee and muffin. Also the weighty and quality lunch brings us great satisfaction.”

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4.Hobart: Historic Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

See Hobart from the Derwent River on a 90-minute lunch cruise from Murray Street Pier. Your captain provides live English commentary as you pass Battery Point, Sandy Bay, Bellerive, the Tasman Bridge, Government House, and the Royal Botanic Garden. Choose steak, fish, chicken schnitzel, or a veggie patty.

“Well informed captain. Very polite staff. Overall was a great day.”

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