Wilderness Cruise Plus Island Day

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys runs this 10-hour Hobart day with the wilderness coast cruise at its core, the cliff and cave shoreline south of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse. A Tasmanian lunch and the ferry crossing are folded in, and it holds 4.8 across 562 reviews from A$290.

Overview

The day begins at the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Dock Head Building on Franklin Wharf in Hobart, because hotel pickup is not part of this package even though the return drop-off at the end of the day is. From there a guided coach heads south to the ferry crossing, crosses to Bruny Island, and starts the island half of the day with sightseeing and a morning tea of a freshly baked blueberry muffin with a hot or cold drink.

The centrepiece is a 3-hour cruise out of Adventure Bay on a custom-built boat. It runs beneath tall sea cliffs, into sea caves, past the blowhole at Breathing Rock, and out to Friar Rocks, where the listing puts the Australian fur seal colony at over 1000 animals. Dolphins and whales are possible sightings, though reviews make clear they are not guaranteed, and one traveller who missed whales and dolphins still logged albatross and plenty of seals.

After the cruise, lunch lands at a local restaurant: homemade pumpkin soup plus a gourmet salad roll with a choice of Tasmanian salmon or local ham, with vegetarian options handled on request. The afternoon continues with a bus tour of the island, taking in rainforest and beaches, before the ferry back and the drive to Hobart. Total duration is 10 hours. It suits travellers who want scenery, wildlife and a fast boat ride in one packaged day, and who do not mind cold and bumps.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Franklin WharfCheck in at the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Dock Head Building on Franklin Wharf in Hobart. Hotel pickup is not included, so travellers make their own way there.
2. Coach to the ferryA guided bus ride south from Hobart toward the Bruny Island ferry, with live commentary along the way.
3. Ferry crossing to BrunyThe vehicle ferry crosses to the island, then the coach continues with sightseeing and a stop for morning tea.
4. Morning teaA freshly baked blueberry muffin with a hot or cold drink, served on the island.
5. Drive to Adventure BayCommentary continues on the bus as it heads to the cruise departure point at Adventure Bay.
6. Three-hour wilderness cruiseAboard a custom-built boat, the route passes high sea cliffs, sea caves, the Breathing Rock blowhole and Friar Rocks, home to a large fur seal colony. Dolphins and whales may appear.
7. Lunch at a local restaurantHomemade pumpkin soup and a gourmet salad roll with Tasmanian salmon or local ham. Dietary needs, including vegetarian, can be accommodated if noted at checkout.
8. Island sightseeing by coachA bus tour of Bruny Island taking in rainforest and beaches after lunch.
9. Ferry back and Hobart drop-offReturn ferry crossing, then the coach heads back to Hobart with drop-off at your hotel.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day more than the brochure suggests, and most of them come straight from what past travellers reported.

• Dress for cold. The listing asks for warm clothing, a hat, a jacket and gloves, and reviewers confirm it gets genuinely cold on the water. Windproof jackets are supplied for the cruise, but they supplement your own layers rather than replace them. One traveller described freezing, wet conditions that were still wonderful, which is a fair summary of the risk.
• Prepare for motion. Several reviews mention big waves and a thrill-ride feel on the boat, and some feedback says advance warning about the fast, bumpy ride would help. Anyone prone to seasickness should plan ahead.
• Wildlife is a bonus. Seals at Friar Rocks are the reliable sighting, with the colony numbering over 1000. Dolphins and whales appear on some trips and not others, and reviewers who missed them still described the day as enjoyable. Albatross showed up for one group.
• Food and diets. Morning tea, lunch and water are all included. Vegetarian meals came through well for one family who had worried beforehand. Dietary requirements can be noted at checkout.
• Guides carry the day. Reviewers repeatedly single out the crew, calling them funny, informative and caring. One reviewer also mentioned learning a great deal about the city, its culture and history from the guide. The listing's own feedback categories rate the guide highly too.
• Full day, steady pace. The tour runs 10 hours door to door, mixing coach time, two ferry crossings and the cruise. Elderly parents completed it happily in one reported case. The main physical demand is sitting through a long, cold, bumpy boat ride rather than walking.

Common issues. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to Franklin Wharf in Hobart, though drop-off at the end is covered. The cruise is fast and bumpy, and several travellers felt the seasickness risk and ride conditions deserved clearer advance warning. Wildlife beyond the seals is not guaranteed, with one reviewer seeing whales only at a great distance and another missing whales and dolphins entirely. No accessibility information is given in the listing, so anyone with limited mobility should check with the operator before booking.

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