Dining Cruises in Hobart

Dining cruises in Hobart put a meal at the centre of a day on the water, and in Tasmania that usually means fresh seafood, local wine and a coastline to look at between courses. The dining cruises listed here are built around lunch rather than an evening sitting, so plan for a morning departure and an afternoon return. They sit within the wider Hobart cruises range.

What a dining cruise from Hobart involves

A dining cruise is a boat trip where food and drink are part of the itinerary, not something you sort out afterwards. In Hobart that covers a full-day seafood cruise on Bruny Island's coast, and 4-hour cruises around Freycinet National Park with a lunch served on board. The meal is usually the middle of the day, with scenery before and after it.

Departure points shape the day more than anything else. Seafood cruises leave from the Franklin Wharf waterfront in the city, while the Wineglass Bay cruises leave from Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula, so decide whether you want a day in the car or a day in town.

Seafood cruises from Hobart's waterfront

Seafood is the main draw of lunch on the water in this part of Tasmania. The Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise departs the Dock Head Building on Franklin Wharf and heads out to the Bruny Island coast for a full-day outing. Guests pull oysters from the water at Great Bay, the same bay used by the producer Get Shucked, and watch the guide snorkel for abalone and sea urchin.

Lunch on that cruise brings together abalone, sea urchin, rock lobster, sashimi, oysters, mussels and smoked salmon, with fresh breads, salads and artisan cheeses on the side. Tasmanian wines, boutique beers, ciders and organic juices are matched to the food. It runs as an 8-hour outing that returns to Hobart late in the afternoon.

Lunch cruises on the Freycinet coast

Coles Bay is about 185km north of Hobart, roughly a 2.5-hour drive, and it is the departure point for cruises around Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park. A cruise there threads past granite peaks, white beaches and sea caves, and the wildlife on the lookout list includes Little Penguins, Australian Fur Seals and migrating whales.

On the Wineglass Bay cruise with lunch and drinks in the Sky Lounge, adults get a smorgasbord lunch, morning tea and beverages, plus access to the Captain's bridge and a private viewing deck. The Wineglass Bay cruise from the Vista Lounge lets you add a Ploughman's lunch when you book, and there is a licensed bar on board.

How to choose a dining cruise

Check how lunch is handled. Some cruises include the full meal in the ticket, some offer lunch as an add-on, and some sell drinks separately, so the ticket options matter as much as the route. Then check the lounge: a quieter adults-only area suits a long lunch, while an open deck works better for watching wildlife.

Last, think about how you will get there. Franklin Wharf is in the city, which keeps a seafood day simple. A Wineglass Bay cruise rewards an early start and a hire car, or a day tour from Hobart if you would rather someone else drove.

More ways to eat and drink around Hobart

If lunch on land appeals as much as lunch on the water, the Hobart food and drinks page covers tastings and food tours. For the same style of cruise in other cities, see dining cruises across Australia, and the Hobart things to do page has everything else on the south-east coast.

Frequently asked questions

Are there dinner cruises in Hobart?

The dining cruises listed on this page are built around lunch, with morning departures and afternoon returns. Check the session times on each cruise page for the current schedule.

What is served on a seafood cruise in Hobart?

The Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise serves abalone, sea urchin, rock lobster, sashimi, oysters, mussels and smoked salmon, with breads, salads and artisan cheeses, matched with Tasmanian wines, boutique beers, ciders and organic juices.

How long does a dining cruise from Hobart take?

A Wineglass Bay lunch cruise from Coles Bay is a 4-hour cruise, and the Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise from Franklin Wharf runs as an 8-hour day.

Where do lunch cruises from Hobart depart?

Seafood cruises depart from Franklin Wharf in Hobart. Wineglass Bay lunch cruises depart from Coles Bay, about 185km and a 2.5-hour drive north of Hobart.

Are drinks included on dining cruises in Hobart?

It depends on the cruise. The Wineglass Bay cruise in the Sky Lounge includes beverages, the Tasmanian Seafood Seduction lunch is matched with local wines and beers, and the Vista Lounge cruise has a licensed bar with local beverages and snacks available for purchase.

Are dining cruises in Hobart suitable for children?

It depends on the cruise. The Sky Lounge on the Wineglass Bay cruise is adults only, while the Wineglass Bay cruise from the Vista Lounge sells child and infant tickets.

Choose a seafood day from Franklin Wharf or a Freycinet lunch cruise from Coles Bay, then browse the wider range of cruises from Hobart for a scenic trip to add on.