Iron Pot Cruise

Overview

Step back into Tasmania's colonial past and come face-to-face with the island's most iconic wildlife on this popular half-day tour combining historic Richmond village with the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Travel across the Tasman Bridge into the picturesque Coal River Valley to Richmond, a beautifully preserved colonial town of mellow stone cottages, Georgian mansions, and the oldest convict-built road bridge in Australia. After exploring the village's shops, galleries, cafes, and the historic Richmond Bridge, continue on to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in the Brighton Valley, where you'll get up close with Tasmania's native animals — including the endangered Tasmanian Devil (known as purinina in the Palawa Kani language). With hand-feeding, guided encounters, and plenty of photo opportunities, this tour is a perfect blend of heritage and hands-on wildlife experience.

Itinerary

1. Departure & Tasman Bridge Crossing – Set off and travel across the Tasman Bridge into the Coal River Valley, heading towards historic Richmond.
2. Richmond Orientation Tour – On arrival, enjoy a short orientation tour of the village with your driver, learning about its colonial history and heritage.
3. Explore Richmond Village – Stroll along the picturesque Coal River and through the main street, lined with restored stone cottages and Georgian buildings. Visit the historic Richmond Bridge, the oldest convict-built road bridge in Australia, and see the oldest operating Catholic Church in the country.
4. Free Time in Richmond – Browse local shops and galleries for unique gifts and souvenirs, and take the chance to taste some local produce at one of the village's cafes or restaurants.
5. Travel to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – Continue on to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in the Brighton Valley.
6. Wildlife Encounter – Take part in an up-close encounter with the Tasmanian Devil and other native Tasmanian animals, guided by the sanctuary's passionate team, who also run a successful Tasmanian Devil breeding program.
7. Stroll the Sanctuary Grounds – Wander the grounds and hand-feed animals that roam free, with plenty of opportunities for photos.
8. Return – Head back at the end of your wildlife and heritage-filled afternoon.

Things to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes for strolling through Richmond village and the sanctuary grounds
• A camera or phone for photo opportunities with Richmond's colonial architecture and the sanctuary's wildlife
• Cash or card for shopping at Richmond's galleries and gift shops, or for local produce at cafes and restaurants
• Weather-appropriate clothing, as the tour includes outdoor walking in both the village and sanctuary

Tasman Island Cruises provide three-hour coastal wilderness cruises along the unspoilt coastline of the Tasman National Park between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck in southern Tasmania.

On the 3 Hour Wilderness Cruise you will sit at the foot of the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere including the spectacular dolerite cliffs at Cape Pillar, marvel at the towering sea stacks such as Cathedral Rock, the Totem Pole and Candlestick and glide in and out of sea caves witnessing the erosive power of Mother Nature.

A major highlight of your experience will be Tasman Island, one of the great landmarks of the Southern Ocean, an iconic turning point for Sydney to Hobart yachts persons.

Our distinctive yellow boats are purpose built for the rugged cost of southern Tasmania. Their unmatched manoeuvrability gets us closer to cliff faces and into deep sea caves.

The team at Tasman Island Cruises are dedicated to providing world-class customer service. Your enjoyment and safety is paramount to them.

Getting There

Check in at our Tasman Island Cruises Booking Centre, located at 6961 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur. This is on the left side of the road, 100m before the Port Arthur Historic Site entrance. Guests should allow 90 minutes to drive from Hobart to Port Arthur. It is important that guests check in on time to allow for pre-cruise briefing and bus transfer to the boat.

If you are booked on our Morning Cruise you will need to check in at 9:15am, for pre-cruise briefing and bus transfer to the boat for the 10:00am to 1:00pm cruise.

If you are booked on our Afternoon Cruise you will need to check in at 1:15pm for pre-cruise briefing and bus transfer to the boat for the 2:00pm to 5:00pm cruise.

Things To Bring

Make sure you dress warmly for the cruise - warm jackets, scarves, beanies and gloves are recommended. And don't forget your camera!

Discover Bruny Island – A Day of Flavour, Scenery, and Storytelling

Join us for an unforgettable full-day adventure exploring the natural beauty, gourmet delights, and rich maritime history of Bruny Island. Just a short journey from Hobart, this all-inclusive experience blends indulgent local produce, spectacular scenery, and heartfelt storytelling into a truly immersive island escape.

Company Director Craig Parsey, whose childhood was spent on lighthouse stations around Tasmania, including Cape Bruny, brings a personal connection and deep knowledge of the island’s history, people, and hidden gems.

Our first stop is a secluded beach, where we treat you to a picnic-style morning tea, "our way." Relax by the shore as you enjoy fresh Bruny Island oysters, local cheeses, freshly baked bread, and tea or coffee. It’s the perfect way to settle into island time.

As we explore Bruny’s iconic sights, you'll taste your way across the island, sampling hand-crafted fudge and chocolate at the Bruny Island Chocolate Co. and enjoying sweet local honey at Bruny Island Honey’s charming gift shop.

Next, we head to The Neck, the isthmus that connects North and South Bruny. Climb the stairs to Truganini Lookout for breathtaking 360-degree views over the island and its stunning coastline. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive White Wallaby, Bruny’s rare native resident. We then venture deep into the wild beauty of South Bruny National Park. Here, you’ll enjoy a truly special experience, an exclusive guided tour of the heritage-listed Cape Bruny Lighthouse, Tasmania’s only publicly accessible lighthouse tour, available only through Bruny Island Safaris. Stand on the windswept viewing platform and take in panoramic views of the mighty Southern Ocean.

After working up an appetite, we sit down for a delicious one-course lunch at Hotel Bruny, featuring the island’s finest local ingredients and stunning views over the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Satellite Island.

Throughout the day, our local guides share stories that bring the island to life, its Indigenous heritage, maritime legacy, and vibrant food culture, ensuring you don’t just visit Bruny Island, but truly experience it like a local.

Tour Includes:

• Beachside picnic-style morning tea with oysters, cheeses, bread, tea/coffee (GF options available)
• Fudge and chocolate tasting at Bruny Island Chocolate Co.
• Honey tasting at Bruny Island Honey shop
• Walk to Truganini Lookout at The Neck
• Exclusive Cape Bruny Lighthouse tour with breathtaking views
• Scenic journey through South Bruny National Park
• Wildlife spotting – including the White Wallaby (not guaranteed)
• One-course lunch at Hotel Bruny
• Visits to Two Tree Point and Resolution Creek
• Short walks, guided commentary, return ferry fares
• Hotel pickup/drop-off and National Park entry fees
• Tour subtitles available in Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese

Enjoy small personable group tours of up to 20 people per bus. 

This tour is not recommended for children under 1 year of age, please contact us before booking infants and toddlers.

Due to safety regulations children under 5 years are unable to participate in the Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour, but can walk around inside at the base under the supervision of an adult.