Hobart: Mount Wellington Summit Bus & Alpine Walks
Ride to the Top of Hobart, Then Walk Down if You Want
You ride a shuttle bus from Hobart's waterfront up to Mount Wellington's 1270-metre summit, spend 30 minutes at the lookouts, then return, or use your all-day pass to hop off at any of five alpine walking stops and catch a later bus down. The pass includes guide commentary, a bushwalking map, and WiFi on board, so you choose whether to stay on for the full loop or break the journey into walks.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore kunanyi/Mt Wellington and walks
- Depart Hobart waterfront by bus
- Travel to kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit
- Enjoy 30 minutes at summit lookouts
- Take short Zig Zag Track walk
- Optional hop-off at Fern Tree Park
- Optional walk Pipeline Track to Silver Falls
- Optional visit Fern Tree Tavern
- Optional hop-off at The Springs
- Optional walk Lenah Valley Track to Sphinx Rock
- Optional visit Lost Freight Cafe
- Optional hop-off at The Springs or The Chalet
- Optional walk Organ Pipes Walk
- Return to Hobart by bus
What’s included
Your day includes an all-day bus pass valid across all five Wellington Park stops, informative local guide commentary, a complimentary bushwalking map, WiFi on board, and access to the summit observation area with toilets. The air-conditioned bus departs from Hobart's waterfront daily and can accommodate wheelchairs and mountain bikes.
Times
- Every day 09:30 11:00 12:30 14:00 15:30
Before you book
Operated by kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
"You'll see the whole state from up there on a clear day," the driver told me as the bus wound up Pinnacle Road. That's the thing about kunanyi/Mount Wellington. It's not just a view, it's a choice. The 2.5-hour return trip from Hobart's waterfront gets you to 1270 metres, gives you 30 minutes at the summit to stand in the observation shelter and actually absorb what you're looking at, then brings you back down. But the real flexibility is the all-day bus pass. You can hop off at any of the five Wellington Park stops (Fern Tree Park, The Springs, The Chalet, Big Bend) walk one of the alpine tracks, and catch a later bus whenever you're ready.
The stops aren't random. Fern Tree Park has the Pipeline Track to Silver Falls, a 40-minute return walk through fern gullies that feels like stepping into a different climate altogether. The Springs opens onto the Lenah Valley Track to Sphinx Rock, 45 minutes out and back, with views down to the Organ Pipes and Hobart sprawling below. If you want something bigger, the Organ Pipes Walk itself is one of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks. Three hours, genuinely steep, but you're walking around the base of 120-metre dolerite columns that look like they were carved by hand. The bus stops at both ends, so you can walk downhill instead of up if that matters to you. At the summit, there's a short easy walk across the plateau on the Zig Zag Track if you just want to move around a bit without committing to hours.
The bus itself comes with WiFi, an air-conditioned cabin, and a local guide who actually knows the mountain, not just the facts but the rhythm of it, which tracks are best in which season, where to stand for the light. You get a bushwalking map when you board. Wheelchairs fit, mountain bikes fit, and the service runs every day regardless of weather, though the driver will tell you to check conditions before you go and dress for what's actually happening up there, not what Hobart feels like at sea level. This is the only operator with exclusive access when Pinnacle Road closes for snow, which matters if you're visiting in winter and want to be sure the mountain is reachable.
Is this one for you?Pick this if you want the summit views without driving yourself and the flexibility to add a walk or two without committing to a full day hike. The all-day pass means you control the pace, and the guide knows which tracks match the weather and your energy.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 16 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 full return trip?
2.5 hours from Hobart waterfront to the summit and back, with 30 minutes at the top.
Can I get off the bus and walk, then catch a later bus?
Yes. Your all-day pass lets you hop off at any of the five Wellington Park stops, walk a track, and board the next bus whenever you're ready.
What walking tracks are available?
Five main options: Pipeline Track to Silver Falls (40 min), Lenah Valley Track to Sphinx Rock (45 min), Organ Pipes Walk (3 hours, difficult), Zig Zag Track at the summit (20 min, easy), and several others marked on the complimentary map.
Does the bus run in winter?
Yes, daily in all weather. It's the only operator with exclusive access when Pinnacle Road closes for snow. Check conditions before you go and dress accordingly.
Is the bus accessible for wheelchairs?
Yes, the bus is wheelchair accessible, and the summit has disabled access toilets.
Can I bring a mountain bike?
Yes, the bus can carry mountain bikes, and several tracks allow them.
Where does the bus depart from?
Hobart's waterfront, daily.
What's included in the ticket?
All-day bus pass, guide commentary, bushwalking map, WiFi on board, and access to Wellington Park and the summit.
How much time do I get at the summit?
30 minutes at the observation shelter and lookouts.
Hobart: Mount Wellington Summit Bus & Alpine Walks
2h 30m · EN
from AU$ 55 per person
≈ US$ 39 in your currency
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