River Derwent Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the River Derwent. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Hobart Sailing Experience

• Hobart Sightseeing Cruise Including Iron Pot Lighthouse

• Cradle Mountain OMG! Hobart to Cradle Active Day Trip

• Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

Sightseeing cruises along the River Derwent and the historic harbor from Hobart start at US$24, while longer small-boat cruises that include attractions such as Betsey Island, Iron Pot Lighthouse, and Hope Beach start at US$97. Day trips with access to hiking in Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park start at US$183 per person.

The most explored section of the River Derwent is the Derwent Estuary surrounding Hobart, and cruises are a great way to explore the city’s waterfront attractions. From the water, you’ll see the Tasman Bridge, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and Rose and Montagu Bays, while further north is the MONA art museum.

While early morning temperatures can be cool, even in summer, morning cruises are a great time to spot wildlife such as seabirds and dolphins. Afternoon cruises are usually a safer bet for visibility and photography, as the morning mist should have lifted, while evening cruises are most atmospheric.

Boat cruises run year-round, but expect cold weather and choppy waters in the winter months. Late spring through early fall is usually the best time to get on the water, and the summer months of December through February are most popular, especially if you’re hoping for sunshine.

It depends. Unfortunately, many River Derwent cruises are not accessible for wheelchairs, especially those that use smaller sailboats or older cruise ships. If you have specific access needs or have limited mobility, contact the tour operator in advance to see whether accommodations can be made.