Head to the historic waterfront and meet your small group at Franklin Wharf. Board your custom-built motorboat, which features a spacious enclosed cabin, leather seats and large viewing windows.
Cruise down the Derwent River, passing highlights such as Battery Point, one of Tasmania's most prestigious addresses; Wrest Point Casino, Australia’s first legal casino; and Shot Tower, a 160-foot (49m) brick tower once used for manufacturing ammunition. In the background Mount Wellington towers over the city.
At the mouth of the Derwent River, round a small rock island where Australia's oldest lighthouse, Iron Pot, stands. Built in 1832 after numerous shipwrecks, the lighthouse has been a landmark for nearly two centuries. Your knowledgeable local guide shares tales of Hobart's early settlers, among them the lighthouse keepers and their families. The Iron Pot is the final turn in the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, widely considered one of the world’s most challenging sailing events.
Continue onto the waters of Storm Bay to reach Betsey Island, an uninhabited island that is home to a variety of seabirds, including the white-bellied sea eagle. Beyond the horizon to the south lies the next landmass: Antarctica!
As your boat comes around the far side of Betsey Island, catch sight of Hope Beach, an isolated stretch known for large breaks and offshore winds─conditions that make this a favorite surfing spot. Cruise close to shore and feel the swell surging in from the Southern Ocean. Then continue to motor north on your return to Hobart, keeping an eye out for whales or other marine animals as you take in the scenic Tasmanian coast.