Hobart Activities & Experiences

Hobart activities range from a kayak past Battery Point and a horse ride along Seven Mile Beach to a scenic flight over Wineglass Bay and guided day trips to Port Arthur or Cradle Mountain. This page groups them by type, with where each one starts and roughly how long it takes, so you can match an activity to the time you have. For the wider picture, see all things to do in Hobart.

Kayaking and cruising on the water around Hobart

The Hobart city kayaking half-day tour is the easy one to fit in: a 2.5-hour paddle from Sandy Bay past Battery Point and the docks, in stable double kayaks, finishing with fish and chips. A 3-hour guided kayak in Freycinet National Park starts from Muirs Beach at Coles Bay, with morning or afternoon tea included. On a boat instead of a paddle, the 3-hour Bruny Island wilderness cruise leaves from Adventure Bay on South Bruny and looks for seals, dolphins and cliff formations along the coast. More boat trips sit under Hobart cruises.

Horse riding near Hobart

The 2-hour horse ride on Seven Mile Beach in Cambridge is a popular choice, and it sits a 15-minute drive from Hobart. A lesson comes first, the pace is gentle, beginners are welcome and the views run back towards Mount Wellington and the city. Rides start at 10am and 2pm. Further out, the Bush Rangers Track horse ride heads through state forest from Woodsdale towards Mount Hobbs with Maria Island in view, and it has chances to trot and canter for riders who want more pace.

A scenic flight over Wineglass Bay

The Wineglass Bay and Wildlife tour with scenic flights is a popular way to see Freycinet from above. The 3-hour trip flies over the pink granite mountains and beaches of Freycinet National Park, passes the seal colony at Ile des Phoques and lands on Maria Island for a walking tour and a seafood and wine picnic. It departs from Par Avion in Cambridge, flight paths depend on the weather and at least 2 passengers are needed.

Day trips and guided tours from Hobart

The Port Arthur Historic Site full-day tour leaves Brooke Street Pier at 8.45am and returns at 5pm, taking in Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, a guided walk through the ruins and a cruise around the Isle of the Dead. Closer to the city, the Hobart city highlights tour with MONA entry and ferry runs from 9.30am to 5.30pm via Salamanca Place, Battery Point and Rosny Hill Lookout.

South of the city, the Hastings Cave, Tahune Airwalk and Huon tasting trail day tour departs at 7.30am and adds a tree-canopy walk, a guided tour of Hastings Cave and a Huon Valley tasting platter. For spirits, the craft spirits tour at 7K Distillery in New Norfolk starts with a cocktail and goes behind the scenes of a working distillery before tastings of gin, vodka, coffee liqueur and single malt whisky.

Cradle Mountain and multi-day tours

Tours to Cradle Mountain leave early and run long. The Hobart to Launceston transfer and Cradle Mountain tour collects from Hobart CBD hotels from 6.45am and finishes in Launceston, with Sheffield's murals, the Dove Lake Circuit and wombat spotting on the way. For longer, the 4-day Wild Tasmania tour travels from the east coast to the west, with Freycinet, Mount Field National Park and Cradle Mountain on the route.

Choosing a Hobart activity by time and distance

With a morning or an afternoon, the city kayak, the horse rides and the distillery visit are the practical choices. With a whole day, the Port Arthur, Huon Valley and MONA tours all start from Hobart's waterfront or CBD. For a night or more away, the Cradle Mountain tours do the driving for you. For more sightseeing, look at Hobart tours and attractions in Hobart; for a tasting trip, start with Hobart food and drinks.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top activities in Hobart?

Hobart activities on this page range from a scenic flight over Wineglass Bay to horse riding on Seven Mile Beach, kayaking from Sandy Bay and guided day trips to Port Arthur, Bruny Island and Cradle Mountain.

What activities near Hobart suit couples?

Couples can book the craft spirits tour at 7K Distillery in New Norfolk, which is designed for two people and starts with a cocktail, or the Wineglass Bay and Wildlife tour, a 3-hour scenic flight that includes a seafood and wine picnic.

What are good activities in Hobart for kids and families?

The Bonorong Sanctuary and Richmond Village tour lets visitors hand feed roaming animals, with child tickets for ages 4 to 14, and the Bruny Island wilderness cruise sells a family ticket. The Hobart city kayaking tour takes children from age 7.

How far are Hobart activities from the city?

The Seven Mile Beach horse ride is a 15-minute drive from Hobart. The Bruny Island cruise needs a 45-minute drive to the Kettering ferry terminal, a 20-minute ferry crossing and a 35-minute drive to Adventure Bay. The Port Arthur, MONA and Huon Valley tours start in Hobart and include pick-up from selected hotels.

What happens to Hobart activities in bad weather?

Weather can change outdoor activities. The Wineglass Bay and Wildlife flight paths are subject to weather, and Horse Riding Tasmania postpones or cancels rides when winds go over 50km/h or there are bushfires or thunderstorms.

What is a good 3-day plan for Hobart activities?

A 3-day Hobart plan could start with the Hobart city highlights tour with MONA entry, follow with the Port Arthur full-day tour or the Bruny Island cruise, and finish with a horse ride on Seven Mile Beach.

Local tip: When you book the Hobart city kayaking tour, say in the booking notes whether you want the 10am or the 4pm departure.

Pick the Hobart activity that fits the time you have, from a 2.5-hour paddle to a multi-day trip to Cradle Mountain, and book it online.