Coal River Wine Hopper: Hop-on, hop-off tastings from Hobart

Seven stops in the Coal River Valley, yours to pick and linger at

The Coal River Wine Hopper is a hop-on, hop-off tour from Hobart visiting seven wineries and Richmond Village across the Tasmanian wine region, with hourly pickups and the flexibility to spend as long as you want at each stop. You book your preferred cellar doors in advance, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with a live guide, and can take extended breaks, like a two-hour lunch, wherever suits your day. The tour returns to Hobart by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit seven iconic wine destinations

• Travel from Hobart to Coal River Valley
• Visit Riverdale Estate for wine tasting
• Enjoy views and wines at Coal Valley Vineyard
• Relax at Puddleduck Vineyard and stroll vines
• Taste wines and chocolates at Pooley's Vineyard
• Explore vineyard on Butchers Hill with views
• Discover Richmond Village and colonial sites
• Return to Hobart by late afternoon

The experience

You get picked up from Hobart and dropped at whichever of the seven stops you've chosen to visit. The vehicle runs hourly, so if you want to spend two hours at Pooley's Vineyard tasting their wines and browsing their handmade chocolates, you can. If you'd rather move through three stops in a morning, that works too. Riverdale Estate, Coal Valley Vineyard, and Puddleduck are among the options, each with its own character: some set on rolling hills overlooking the valley, others in family-friendly settings where you can walk the vines or sit on a deck. The guide travels with the vehicle and speaks English throughout, so you get context about the region without being locked into a rigid itinerary.

Richmond Village sits on the tour as well, a step back into Tasmania's colonial past with its Georgian buildings, cobblestone streets, and the Richmond Bridge: Australia's oldest sandstone bridge still in use. The town sits in the heart of the wine region, surrounded by farmland and vineyards, so it breaks up the day if you want a walk and a meal away from the cellar doors. Most people build in a longer lunch somewhere, and the tour accommodates that. You simply catch a later pickup when you're ready to move on.

The whole day runs about seven hours from start to finish, with a return to Hobart by late afternoon. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the operator provides carry-on wine bags so you can take home what you buy. Because the cellar doors, especially Pooley's, require advance bookings, you'll need to reserve your preferred stops before the day starts. That's how the flexible schedule actually works. Lunch and drinks are on you, but the logistics of getting between the vineyards are handled.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with hourly pickups from Hobart.
• live English-speaking guide.
• carry-on wine bags for your purchases.
• access to seven cellar doors and Richmond Village on a flexible hop-on, hop-off schedule.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 10:45

Book up toStart time

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Wine Hopper

Is this one for you?The live English guide travels with you throughout the day, so you get commentary about the Coal River Valley and its wines without needing to navigate on your own or book a separate guide. The hourly pickups mean you're not locked into a group's pace: linger over lunch or a long tasting whenever you want, and catch the next van when you're ready to move.

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Top questions

Do I have to visit all seven wineries, or can I pick just a few?

You choose which cellar doors to visit and book them in advance. The hourly pickups let you skip stops or spend extra time at the ones that appeal to you, so a three-stop day and a seven-stop day are both possible on the same tour.

What's the difference between the wineries on this tour?

Riverdale Estate and Coal Valley Vineyard sit in picturesque settings with local wines and views of the wetlands and rolling hills. Puddleduck offers a family-friendly vibe with an outdoor deck overlooking the lake. One vineyard pairs Tasmanian wines with handmade chocolates. Pooley's sits on Butchers Hill with views of Mount Wellington and the valley below. Each has its own character and requires its own booking.

Is lunch included, and where do people usually eat?

Lunch is not included, but the flexible schedule lets you take a two-hour break at any stop to eat. Many people grab food in Richmond Village or at one of the vineyard venues that serve local produce. You arrange it when you book your cellar door visits.

What happens if I want to stay longer at one winery than the hourly schedule allows?

You can take as long as you need at any stop. Simply catch a later pickup when you're ready to move on or head back to Hobart. The hourly service means you're never stranded. There's always another van coming.

Do I need to book the wineries before the day of the tour?

Yes, you must pre-book the cellar doors you want to visit. Pooley's Wine and other venues require advance reservations at all times. You can arrange your bookings through the tour operator's website before your tour date.