Cruising the Coast of Tasmania
Australia’s island state is internationally renowned for its natural beauty, culture, living heritage and artisanal food and drink.
Hobart is one of the world's deepest harbours. Landing there is a treat for cruise passengers as food is a Tasmanian passion. Visitors can meet the providores of fine single malt whiskey, craft beers, award winning wines; freshly shucked oysters; artisan cheeses and chocolates; and pick their own berries and fruits.
One third of the island is protected wilderness with fresh clean air and fascinating wildlife such as wombats, Tasmanian devils, quolls and wallabies. Guests will cruise past dramatic rugged coastlines, maybe zodiac to a deserted pristine white beach, and discover hidden forest tarns and waterfalls.
Ask the Expert - Why Cruise Tasmania?
“Tasmania is perfect for a cruise holiday. With the short distances and travel times between our ports and popular attractions, passengers get more time ashore to enjoy the people, places, experiences and attractions that makes Tasmania so popular. Throughout the island state, cruise passengers can experience wild and beautiful landscapes, rugged mountains and coastlines, World Heritage wilderness and convict sites, rare flora and fauna including the Tasmanian devil, charming colonial streetscapes, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and amazing local produce and artisan beverages, where passengers are also likely to enjoy friendly encounters with the people who grow, catch or produce it. Add to this the warm and engaging nature of Tasmanians generally, and I am confident our cruise visitors will want to return for a bigger helping!” -
- John Fitzgerald, CEO Tourism Tasmania
Useful Facts
Hobart, Tasmania
- Tasmania is 240 km (150 miles) south of the Australian mainland, separated by Bass Strait.
- Around the size of Switzerland, Tasmania’s coastline is 19,4882km long, including 334 islands.
- Tasmania has a cool temperate climate with summer temperatures averaging 20 °C (68 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F) along the coast.
- Cruise season runs from October to May with over 30 cruise ships visiting the state on multiple visits.
- 91% of Australian cruise passengers surveyed in 2012 intended to return to Tasmania again for a holiday.
- Hobart, Burnie, Port Arthur, Coles Bay and Wineglass Bay are popular Tasmanian ports of call.
- Hobart is Tasmania’s capital city and the island’s liveliest port, with the Cruise terminal 800 metres from the CBD.
- Hobart Airport is 15 minutes drive from the CBD, with domestic flights daily. Launceston, Devonport and Wynyard/Burnie regional airports also have daily domestic flights.
- Time in Tasmania is GMT + 10:00.
Must See Destinations
Russell Falls, Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
Hobart – Port city
Hobart is regarded by cruise passengers as one of the region’s most friendly, exciting and diverse destinations. Rich in character and history, the city nestles alongside one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world at the base of majestic Kunanyi (Mount Wellington). Passengers can meet a Tasmanian devil, pat a baby wombat and feed wallabies and kangaroos, and in the same day explore the MONA gallery – Museum of Old and New Art - developed by Tasmanian philanthropist and art collector David Walsh.
Freycinet Peninsula – Anchorage
This spectacular national park has been lauded by travel experts the world over. Wineglass Bay on the east side and Coles Bay on the west side are popular anchorages. The pink granite dramatic peaks of the Hazards welcome guests, and easy treks lead to secluded bays, clean beaches and bird-filled lagoons. The short Hazards walk from Wineglass Bay over the peninsula to Coles Bay is somewhat steep, but worth it for one of Tasmania’s most photographed views.
Burnie – Shore excursion
Located on Bass Strait and surrounded by farmlands, Burnie is the gateway to northwest Tasmania, an area rich in picturesque old villages, homesteads and historic homes. Inland lies the rainforest and wilderness of Cradle Mountain National Park, a World Heritage Site.
Port Arthur – Shore excursion
Set on the Tasman Peninsula south-east of Hobart, this quaint village on a tranquil harbour boasts a spookily well-preserved penal colony at the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Port Arthur Historic Site.
Must Do Experiences
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Brighton, Tasmania
- Have a close encounter with a Tasmanian devil.
- Taste delicious King Island Brie and Camembert cheese.
- Admire “Old and New Art” at MONA – Australia’s largest privately owned museum.
- Spot seals, dolphins, whales and seabirds from cliffs of the iconic Three Capes track.
- Hike through a dramatic glacier-carved world at Cradle Mountain.
- Explore the remarkable shape of pristine Wineglass Bay.
- View the blue sea, fine white sand and orange-tinged boulders of the Bay of Fires, acclaimed by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s hottest travel destinations.
- Visit the world’s first seahorse aquarium, Seahorse World in Beauty Point.
- Fly high on a zip line at the Hollybank Treetops Adventure near Launceston.
- Gaze up at 300 metre sea cliffs on a Bruny Island eco-cruise.
Who Cruises?
Coral Expeditions, Tasmania
Tasmania's unique environmental and eco-tourism products encourage international cruise ship operators to visit Hobart and Burnie as well as the east coast, Port Arthur and the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, generally as part of a wider regional cruise voyage taking in the Australian eastern seaboard and New Zealand.
The local fleet
Hobart: The expedition cruise ship Coral Expeditions 1 is home-ported for the summer season Nov – Feb, cruising remote natural areas.
Ships Visiting...
Azamara Club Cruises: Azamara Quest, Azamara Journey
Carnival: Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend
Ocean Dream: Ocean Dream
Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Solstice
CMV: Astor
Compagnie Du Ponant: L’Austral
Crystal: Crystal Symphony
Cunard: Queen Mary 2
Hapag-Lloyd: Europa, Europa 2
Holland America: Massdam, Noordam
Norwegian: Norwegian Star
Oceana: Insignia, Sirena
Princess Cruises: Sun Princess, Emerald Princess, Diamond Princess, Golden Princess, Sea Princess
P&O: Pacific Eden, Pacific Aria, Pacific Explorer, Pacific Jewel, Aurora
Phoenix Reisen: Artania
Royal Caribbean: Ovation of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Legend of the Seas
Regent Seven Seas: Seven Seas Voyager
Silversea: Silver Whisper, Silver Muse
Residences at Sea: The World Jan 2017
Tip:
Out-of-season the Pacific Jewel will visit Hobart 15-17 June 2017 for MONA’s renowned ‘Dark MOFO’ mid-winter festival.
Useful Links
Passing Penguin Island - Bruny Island Cruises, Tasmania
