Hobart: Derwent River Harbour Cruise with Dinner & Commentary

Hobart's working harbour, seen from the water

You board at Hobart's waterfront and spend 1–2 hours on the Derwent River, moving past landmarks like Tasman Bridge, Rose Bay, and Battery Point with a crew member narrating. Lunch and dinner cruises include meals. Morning and afternoon cruises are shorter and lighter. Book the dinner cruise only if you can confirm eight passengers are going.

Step-by-step itinerary

Derwent River harbour cruise tour

• Board the Spirit of Hobart vessel
• Travel north up the river
• Pass Botanical Gardens and Government House
• Go under Tasman Bridge
• Cross river to Rose Bay
• Return from Montagu Bay
• Travel south down the river
• Pass Battery Point, Sandy Bay, and Casino
• Cross to eastern shore towards Bellerive Bluff
• Return from Kangaroo Bay

The experience

You're standing on the Hobart waterfront with an afternoon free, and the thought hits: you could just walk around the same streets, or you could actually see the river the city is built on. The Derwent River harbour cruise does that. It's a straightforward way to move through the water instead of past it, and the boat does the work of showing you what's where. The Spirit of Hobart has been running this route for over 30 years, so the crew knows the river the way locals know their own street.

There are three options depending on how much time you have. The morning or afternoon cruise runs an hour, no meal attached. You're just on the water, moving past the Botanical Gardens, Government House, under the Tasman Bridge, across to Rose Bay on the north route, or down past Battery Point and Sandy Bay toward Bellerive Bluff on the south route. The lunch cruise stretches to 90 minutes and includes a one-course meal (kids under five don't get a meal included, which is worth knowing if you're bringing small children). If you're staying for dinner, the 2-hour cruise comes with a three-course meal and one complimentary drink, though this one needs at least eight people booked to run, so check availability before you commit. Live commentary runs on all of them, so you're not just looking at the shoreline, you're hearing what you're looking at.

The boat is pram-accessible and there's no dress code, so you're not fussing with what to wear. Light refreshments are available to buy on the shorter cruises if you want something beyond what's included. The whole thing is built for people at any fitness level (you're sitting on a boat, not hiking), and the crew handles the rest.

What’s included

• Your cruise includes live commentary from the crew throughout the journey.
• Dinner cruises come with a three-course meal and one complimentary drink.
• Lunch cruises include a one-course meal.
• Morning and afternoon cruises offer light refreshments available for purchase.
• All cruises depart from Hobart's waterfront and follow either the north or south river route.

Options for this experience

5 options

Morning cruise at 11 amGuide in English · 11:00Cruise of one hour on the North route

Afternoon Cruise SouthGuide in English · 13:45Afternoon cruise on the South route of one hour (1:45 pm)

Afternoon Cruise NorthGuide in English · 14:45Afternoon cruise on the North route of one hour (2:45 pm)

See 2 more options

Lunch cruise at 12:15 pmGuide in English · 12:15Lunch cruise lasting 1.5 hours, with a one-course meal

Dinner Cruise @5.30pmGuide in English · 18:00Dinner cruise at 5:30 pm lasting two hours, with a three-course meal and one complimentary wine

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 90

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 due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Hobart historic cruises

Is this one for you?Right for an afternoon or evening when you want to see Hobart from the water without arranging your own transport or navigation. The dinner cruise works best if you're a group of eight or more, since that's the minimum to run: otherwise, the lunch or afternoon cruise gives you the same river views on a shorter schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Derwent River harbour cruise?

One hour for morning and afternoon cruises, 1.5 hours for lunch cruise, and 2 hours for dinner cruise.

What's included in the dinner cruise?

A three-course meal and one complimentary drink per person. Minimum eight passengers required to depart.

Is lunch included on the lunch cruise?

Yes, one course is included. Children under five do not receive a meal.

What landmarks do you pass?

North route: Botanical Gardens, Government House, Tasman Bridge, Rose Bay, Montagu Bay. South route: Battery Point, Sandy Bay, Casino, Bellerive Bluff, Kangaroo Bay.

Is there a dress code?

No dress code.

Can I bring a pram?

Yes, the boat is pram-accessible.

What if I want a snack on the shorter cruises?

Light refreshments are available for purchase on morning, afternoon, and lunch cruises.

Do I need to be fit to go on the cruise?

No, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels. You're seated on the boat for the duration.