Are you visiting Hobart on your Tassie itinerary?

For travellers exploring Tasmania at their own pace, it is hard to beat the serenity of a day on the water – warm sun on your back and refreshing glass in hand.

The best way to experience what I feel is one of the world’s prettiest riverside cities?

A relaxing day out with Peppermint Bay Cruises!

Set on the banks of the Channel around 35km south of Hobart, Peppermint Bay celebrates the produce, wine and scenery of Tasmania’s south.

Depending on your appetite and time available, the team at Peppermint Bay provide you with two fantastic cruise options – a half-day Cruise & Lunch taking you all the way to Peppermint Bay, and a 90-min River Derwent Guided Cruise.

Together with my wife I have enjoyed their Cruise & Lunch twice now, and having lived here for more than 20 years I can honestly say that it is one of the best tours we have experienced in Tasmania!

1. Peppermint Bay Cruise & Lunch: A Day to Savour

This is Peppermint Bay’s signature cruise, and with two cruises under our belts it is easy to see why couples keep coming back.

Departing Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier at 10:30am on select Sundays, you can look forward to a leisurely 90-minute cruise down the Channel, with commentary on the region’s history and landmarks along the way. Keep your eyes peeled while on the water, as there is a very good chance you’ll spot seals on the rocks, white-bellied sea eagles, and even dolphins or whales if you’re lucky!

Arriving in the tiny hamlet of Woodbridge, there’s time for a stroll through the grounds of Peppermint Bay before a long, unhurried lunch built around the season’s best produce: ingredients from the Huon Valley, seafood from Bruny Island’s waters, and herbs grown in Peppermint Bay’s own garden, all paired with Tasmanian wines and craft beers.

Depending on how quickly you finish your meal, we found we had plenty of time afterwards to walk the main street of Woodbridge. Every time I visit, by foot or by car, I’m always reminded just how pretty it is – especially during autumn when the leaves are changing colours.

The return cruise will have you back ashore in Hobart by 4pm, with the opportunity to enjoy another cheeky glass of bubbles, a beer, or even a Tasmanian whisky on the way.

2. River Derwent Guided Cruise

If you’re a little short for time, or maybe you are trying to squeeze in as much as possible into a single day – Peppermint Bay’s Saturday sightseeing cruise is exactly what you need – 90 minutes of harbour views without the half-day commitment.

Also departing Brooke Street Pier, the Guided Cruise takes you out onto the flat, sparkling waters of the River Derwent for unique views of Hobart, with your friendly guide narrating the geology, Indigenous and European history, and maritime heritage of the region as you pass landmarks including the Shot Tower, Alum Cliffs and Iron Pot Lighthouse.

The scenery will be the highlight, but you will also appreciate the levels of relaxation provided onboard your catamaran, Peppermint Bay II. Built for both comfort and stability, there are two indoor levels with floor-to-ceiling windows for all-weather comfort, plus three outdoor decks – bow, stern and top – for open-air photography and unobstructed views of the scenery and marine life.

Feeling peckish? Tasmanian wines and local cheeses are also available as you cruise – the perfect way to sip and graze the day away.

Long enough to appreciate what I feel is one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbours, and short enough to fit into any Tassie itinerary – you’re going to love your Derwent River Guided Cruise!

What Travellers Are Saying

It only takes a quick review of their many guest reviews to see some common themes coming through – friendly and knowledgeable crew, delicious food, and the perfect pace for a day on the water.

Here are just a couple that stood out to me:

Given the scenic pace, comfortable vessel and standout local food and wine, it’s little wonder Peppermint Bay draws couples back again and again. My wife and I did, and I’m sure you will too!

Whether you have half a day or a couple of hours, it is a genuinely relaxing way to see the best of Tasmania’s Derwent River, Channel, and of course Peppermint Bay itself.

Use the button below to jump over to their website to learn more about these two scenic cruises and to make your booking.

Oh, and don’t forget to use the LAPOFTAS code for your complimentary glass of bubbles on your Cruise & Lunch, or 10% discount on your Guided Cruise!