Derwent River cruises: Can I see Iron Pot on a Hobart boat trip?

Iron Pot Cruises offers a Derwent River cruise from Hobart to see Australia’s oldest lighthouse and the sea birds of Betsey Island.

Hobart may be on the Derwent River, but the Tasmanian capital is a city tied to the sea. The best way of discovering the city’s maritime history is on a cruise exploring the waterways.

Iron Pot Cruises runs a two-and-a-half-hour Derwent River cruise from Hobart. In a small boat holding up to 12 passengers, the cruise travels down the Derwent River. The enclosed cabins have large windows to allow for better views.

9 Hobart experiences worth your time.
1. Bruny Island day tour. 2. Port Arthur day tour. 3. Tasman Peninsula cruise. 4. Hop-on hop-off bus. 5. Iron Pot Lighthouse cruise. 6. Mt Wellington bus tour. 7. Maria Island cruise. 8. Derwent River sailing adventure. 9. Boronong Wildlife Park and Richmond day tour.

Iron Pot Cruises Derwent River cruise in Hobart, Tasmania — The Iron Pot Cruises Derwent River cruise from Hobart visits Australia’s oldest lighthouse and Betsey Island. Photo courtesy of Tourism Tasmania & Peter Aitchison.

Iron Pot Cruises from Hobart

The Iron Pot Cruises tour heads towards Iron Pot, Australia’s oldest lighthouse. On the way, it goes past Battery Point – home to some of the most expensive houses in Tasmania. It also passes the Wrest Point Casino and the Shot Tower. There’s a chance to truly appreciate how Mount Wellington looms over Hobart, too.

Once at Iron Pot, the tour guide tells tales of the colonial era in Hobart and how what happened in the early settlement years still has an impact on the city today.

After visiting Australia’s oldest lighthouse, the Derwent River cruise from Hobart moves into Storm Bay, home of surf spot Clifton Beach. Here, the main attraction is Betsey Island, an uninhabited island home to hundreds of seabirds. There’s a good chance of seeing a white-bellied sea eagle, while you’re pretty much guaranteed to spot gulls and cormorants.

Hobart boat trips: Hope Beach on Betsey Island

The boat tour circumnavigates Betsey Island in order to see Hope Beach. Notorious for its big breaks and offshore winds, Hope Beach is a great place to experience the power and surging swells of the Southern Ocean. It’s popular with local surfers, but absolutely not for beginners.

The Iron Pot Cruises along the Derwent River and into Storm Bay depart at 2pm daily, year round. There are extra 10am departures in the Tasmanian summer. Tickets cost $125, and bookings are essential. Book via the Iron Pot Cruises website.