Two Days, Bruny And Port Arthur

Port Arthur's convict history and a full guided day on Bruny Island, packed into one short break from Hobart with Tassie Tours Tasmania. Guests rate it 4.8 over 15 reviews, with seats from A$310 and free cancellation.

Overview

This package from Tassie Tours Tasmania bolts together two separate day tours out of Hobart: one to Bruny Island, one to Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula. It runs over two days, with a different pickup time and possibly a different pickup point each day, and the operator contacts travellers during the week of the tours to confirm those details. A guide, transport with on-board audio, the Bruny Island ferry ticket, a National Parks Pass and Port Arthur entry are all part of the deal.

The Bruny day leans toward nature. Expect an easy to moderate morning of walking tracks, lookouts, beaches and a lagoon where swimming is optional, plus a chance to spot the rare albino wallaby. Lunch is at the Bruny Hotel, with choices to suit various budgets and diets, and the afternoon may include tastings of honey, fudge, beverages or oysters, time pending and at own cost.

The Port Arthur day mixes scenery with history: Pirates Bay lookout, the Dog Line monument at Eaglehawk Neck, the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry and a lavender farm, then roughly four hours at the historic site with a harbour cruise included. There is also an option to leave after three hours for a short drive to the Remarkable Cave, reachable by a staircase of 115 steps down to a viewing platform. Travellers who like guides with plenty of local knowledge, a pattern several reviewers praised, will feel well served. Accommodation and food are not included, so this suits visitors based in or near Hobart.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup, HobartPickup and drop-off is included from select locations within 5 kilometers of the Hobart CBD. Each day has a different pickup time and possibly a different location, confirmed during the week of the tours.
2. Bruny Island day tourTravel to Bruny Island by ferry, with the ticket included, then spend an easy to moderate morning on local walking tracks, lookouts, beaches and a lagoon, with swimming optional and albino wallaby spotting along the way.
3. Lunch at Bruny HotelLunch at the Bruny Hotel offers options for various budgets and dietary requirements. Food and drinks are at your own cost.
4. Produce tastingsThe afternoon may include sampling award winning local produce such as honey, chocolate fudge, beverages and oysters. This is time pending and at your own cost.
5. Tasman Peninsula driveOn the Port Arthur day, stop at Pirates Bay lookout and the Dog Line monument at Eaglehawk Neck, then call in at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry and Port Arthur Lavender Farm.
6. Port Arthur Historic SiteEntry is included, along with a 20-minute harbour cruise. Travellers can spend the full 4 hours at the site, or leave after 3 hours for an optional bus trip to the Remarkable Cave, a short 8-minute drive away, with 115 steps down to a viewing platform.
7. Return to HobartThe bus collects remaining passengers at the historic site at 4pm and returns to Hobart at 5:30pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help travellers get the most out of these two days.

• What to bring. The listing recommends a towel, camera, flip flops, sunglasses and sunscreen. Guests are welcome to bring their own food, which helps since meals are not included.
• Clothing and footwear. Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately, especially for Bruny Island. Comfortable footwear matters for the morning walks on the island day.
• Pace and fitness. The Bruny morning is active at an easy to moderate level, with nature walks and beach exploring on tracks the operator says only locals know. The optional Remarkable Cave stop involves descending 115 steps to a viewing platform.
• Guides and commentary. Reviewers repeatedly praised the guides as knowledgeable and personable, with several saying they learned a lot and were taken to places they would not have found alone. On-board audio helps everyone hear the guide clearly.
• Food and extras. Lunch at the Bruny Hotel and any tastings are at your own cost, as are snacks and drinks throughout. The Bruny Island Lighthouse tour is also not part of the package.
• Free time choices. At Port Arthur you can take the full 4 hours at the site, or hop back on the bus after 3 hours for the Remarkable Cave trip. Decide on the day based on your interests.

Common issues. A minimum number of participants is required for the tours to run, and if that minimum is not reached, an alternative date or a full refund is offered. The Bruny Island Lighthouse tour is not included. Pickup is limited to select locations within 5 kilometers of the Hobart CBD, and pickup times and points differ between the two days.

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