Wine Tasting & Tours in Hobart

Wine tasting around Hobart starts with cool-climate vineyards about a 25-minute drive from the city and runs out through the Derwent Valley and the Huon to the east coast at Freycinet. The Coal River Valley is the nearest, and this page explains how winery tours from Hobart work, which regions you can reach in a day, and how to choose between a hop-on shuttle, a guided day trip and a brewery visit. More tastings are listed under food and drinks experiences in Hobart.

Wine regions you can reach from Hobart

The Coal River Valley is the closest. It lies north-east of Hobart between the Meehan and Pontos ranges, with the village of Richmond near its centre, and its cool, dry climate suits Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. Richmond adds Georgian streets, Richmond Bridge and Richmond Gaol to the day, so a tasting trip here can include some history.

The Derwent Valley runs between Hamilton and Hobart, with vineyards on north-east-facing slopes beside the river. South of the city, the Huon and Channel area between Kingston and Southport is known for Pinot Noir. Up the east coast, the Freycinet Peninsula produces Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and the vineyards sit among the coastline and pink granite mountains of Freycinet National Park.

Shuttles, day trips and beer tastings

A hop-on, hop-off shuttle suits visitors who want to set the pace. Tours such as the Coal River Wine Hopper run a 7-hour day through the valley, leaving the corner of Elizabeth and Davey Streets in central Hobart at 10.45am and returning at 6.15pm, with extended stops at venues including Riversdale Estate, Coal Valley Vineyard and Pooley's Vineyard. A carry bag for bottles is included, and the day also covers Tasmania's colonial history.

A guided day trip suits someone who wants the driving and the commentary handled. Tours such as the full-day Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park tour start in Launceston rather than Hobart, walk the Wineglass Bay Lookout and Cape Tourville Lighthouse track, and include a visit to Devil's Corner Winery.

Beer sits in the same category. Experiences such as the 1-hour Cascade Brewery tour with beer tasting run from The Mill on Cascade Road in South Hobart, about ten minutes from the CBD, with a paddle of four beers or a soft drink or cider instead, and the Cascade Brewery Estate historic tour walks the heritage gardens with Mount Wellington as the backdrop.

Planning a wine day around Richmond

A day in the valley works best with a limited plan: a few cellar doors, lunch, and time in Richmond. Some vineyards need bookings and cellar door hours change, so check directly if you are driving yourself. A designated driver, a local stay or a tour keeps the day safe, and a tour is usually the simplest car-free option, since public transport reaches Richmond but not many of the wineries.

Cheese, chocolate, berries and walnuts are also made or grown in the valley, so a day there can include more than cellar doors.

Choosing a wine tasting or winery tour in Hobart

Pick by how much of the day you want to give it. A brewery tour takes an hour. A shuttle through the Coal River Valley takes most of a day and stays close to Hobart, and an east coast winery tour takes a longer day with a different landscape, since Freycinet adds coastal walks to the tasting. For the rest of your itinerary, look at Hobart tours and Hobart activities or browse whiskey and gin tasting in Hobart and food tasting tours in Hobart.

Wine tasting beyond Hobart

If you are travelling on the mainland as well, wine tasting and winery tours across Australia lists every region, and the nearest mainland pages are Melbourne wine tasting and winery tours and Mornington Peninsula wine tasting.

Frequently asked questions

How far are the vineyards from Hobart?

The Coal River Valley, the closest wine region to Hobart, is about a 25-minute drive from central Hobart. Richmond sits near the middle of the valley.

What wine is Tasmania known for?

Tasmania is known for cool-climate wines, led by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. The Coal River Valley is known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine.

Can I do a wine tour from Hobart without a car?

Yes. Shuttle tours such as the Coal River Wine Hopper leave from the corner of Elizabeth and Davey Streets in central Hobart, visit venues in the Coal River Valley and return by late afternoon.

How long is a wine tour from Hobart?

A Coal River Valley hop-on tour is a 7-hour day, leaving Hobart at 10.45am and returning at 6.15pm. A full-day east coast tour to Wineglass Bay and Freycinet is a 12-hour day that starts in Launceston at 7.30am.

Can I taste beer as well as wine on a Hobart tour?

Yes. Brewery tours at Cascade in South Hobart run through the day, with sessions between 10.30am and 3.30pm, and the tasting paddle includes four Cascade beers.

Choose a wine tasting or winery tour in Hobart by how much of the day you want to give it, then book online and plan the rest of the trip around it.