A spirits tour that lets you choose your own stops sounds like a good day. That’s exactly how this Hobart tour works, with an intimate route through Tasmania’s craft distilling scene and tastings across gin, whisky, rum, vodka, and brandies. You’ll also get a comfortable ride and a small group size, so the day feels personal, not like cattle in a bus line.

I like two things most. First, the custom pick-3 format gives you control, so you can steer the day toward what you actually want to drink. Second, the hands-on distillery time is the kind of set-up where you can ask questions and get real context from the people making the stuff.

One consideration: your chosen distilleries are a best-effort match, not a guaranteed lock. If something runs out of schedule or events crop up outside anyone’s control, you may need a swap—so book early if you’re chasing a specific combo.

Key highlights before you book

• Pick 3 of 4 distilleries so your day matches your taste, from gin to whisky and more
• Small group of up to 7 with air-conditioned transport and door-to-door Hobart pickup
• Guided tastings of 3 spirits of your choice (alcoholic tastings are included)
• Distillery owners/specialists lead the stops, with an intimate feel rather than a quick walk-through
• Lunch is your choice at either Richmond Arms Hotel or Frogmore Creek, both paid separately

The 6.5-hour format that keeps the day from dragging

This tour runs about 6 hours 30 minutes, starting at 9:30 am from One Franklin Wharf in Hobart and returning to the same spot. Travel is short but planned: roughly 20 minutes to the first stop, then about 30 minutes back after the final activity. That matters because spirits tours can get slow when you’re spending half the day stuck in traffic.

You’re also in a small group (max 7 travelers). That’s not just a comfort detail. It usually means less waiting, more actual interaction at each tasting, and a smoother flow when you’re rotating between four different producers. Add the air-conditioned vehicle and pickup/drop-off in Hobart, and it’s a day built for easy pacing.

There’s a practical rhythm here: one hour at each early stop, then a longer block at Charles Reuben Estate, and finally your lunch option. If you’re the type who gets impatient when tours run late, this schedule feels designed to keep momentum.

How the pick-3 distillery setup changes the whole experience

Most distillery tours push you through one theme: gin-only, whisky-only, or wine-forward days with token spirit stops. This one lets you choose 3 out of 4 carefully selected distilleries. That’s a big deal because Tasmania’s distilling scene is diverse, and the differences are easier to notice when you’re switching styles across the day.

Your included alcohol is tastings of 3 spirits of your choice. So while the itinerary gives you the stops, you’re also shaping the tasting line-up. If you love variety—say gin, then a whisky comparison, then something completely different like rum or brandy—this format is made for that.

There’s also a heads-up built into the tour approach: your selection is matched to the best of the operator’s ability, but rare external disruptions can change what’s available. Translation: if there’s a specific distillery you care about most, don’t treat it like a last-minute impulse buy.

Stop 1: Spring Bay Distillery Cambridge (whisky, gin, and vodka)

The first stop is Spring Bay Distillery Cambridge, about an hour on-site. This is where you start building a base for the day, with a tasting set that can include award-winning single malt whisky, plus gin and vodka.

What I like about leading with this kind of mix is that it sets the tone right away. Even if your main love is gin, having whisky and vodka in the first block helps you compare how different Tasmanian distilling styles feel on your palate. It’s also a strong opener for groups because not everyone has the same favorite spirit—and you’re not stuck with a single track.

If you’re picky about what you taste first, this is the stop where you’ll want to be clear about your preferences, since it locks in the early flavor direction of the whole day.

Stop 2: Drifters End Distilling Company (sister-led boutique gins and whisky)

Next you’ll head to Drifters End Distilling Company, also around one hour. This stop can cover gins along with one whisky depending on your option selection.

Drifters End is a boutique operation founded by sisters Sam and Chris Jones. That “family business” angle isn’t just trivia—it often shows up in the way a tasting is explained. You tend to hear more about process and decisions, not just brand storytelling. The location is also convenient for context: it’s just minutes from Hobart International Airport, which adds to the sense that this is a working distillery you can easily reach and support.

If you like your tour stops with personality—people who answer questions directly—this is the kind of place that fits.

Stop 3: Blackmans Bay Distillery in Cambridge (rum and gin, admission free)

Stop three is listed as unit 1/8 Cessna Wy, and it’s described as Blackmans Bay Distillery now located at Cambridge. This is another one-hour stop, and one standout detail: the admission ticket is free for this stop.

Your tasting option here focuses on award-winning rum and gin. If your day up to this point leaned heavier toward gin and whisky, this is a smart mid-tour pivot. Rum brings a different balance—think different sweetness or spice cues depending on the style—so it helps reset your palate before you move into the wine/spirits blend at Charles Reuben Estate.

Because it’s ticket-free at this stop (per the tour details), it also feels like the kind of value where you’re not constantly paying extra for access while you’re already paying for the overall experience.

Stop 4: Charles Reuben Estate (brandy, gin, and wine around a winery base)

The final distillery/estate stop is Charles Reuben Estate, with about 1 hour 30 minutes on the itinerary. This is where brandy, gin, and wine come into play, and it runs longer than the earlier stops—likely because it blends tastings with a more estate-style pace.

Charles Reuben Estate has been operating since 1989, and the property is known for both wines and spirits. The tour description mentions award-winning wine varieties including Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Chardonnay, alongside distinctive brandy production.

This is often the stop where people slow down a bit and stop thinking purely about spirit types and start thinking about how producers build flavors. If you’re someone who enjoys comparing “spirit logic” against “wine logic,” this is your chance. You get gin and brandy in the same orbit as the estate’s wine profile.

One small practical note: because this stop mixes categories, you’ll want to taste with intent. Pick one thing to focus on for notes—say brandy—then circle back for smaller comparisons like gin.

Lunch at Richmond Arms Hotel or Frogmore Creek (you pay separately)

Lunch is optional and not included in the tour price, but you choose between two places. It’s scheduled as one hour, which keeps the day from turning into a food marathon.

Lunch Option 1: Richmond Arms Hotel

At Richmond Arms Hotel, meals are described as hearty and priced roughly $20–$50 per person. It’s a straightforward lunch choice when you want something filling without spending winery-restaurant money.

Lunch Option 2: Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant

At Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant, you’ll find a winery setting with share plates and views to the vines. The tour info estimates lunch around $75 per person.

Which one is “best”? If you want to keep costs down, Richmond Arms is the safer bet. If you want the scenic winery finish—especially after tastings—Frogmore Creek feels like the more memorable send-off.

Either way, I recommend planning your lunch order with your tasting list in mind. With alcohol already in the schedule, go for food that won’t knock you out. Save the big risk-dish for another day.

Ingrid and the day’s pacing: why the hosting matters

This tour is run through Foodie Lover Tours, and the name that pops up again and again in the tour experiences is Ingrid. The vibe you’re aiming for here is friendly, organized, and safety-aware. Reviews emphasize that Ingrid takes safety seriously without making the day tense.

You’ll also get a sense that Ingrid works the room. One review notes that she was attentive and accommodating, even down to dietary considerations for a group setting. Another mentions photo help, which matters more than you’d think: on a busy tour day, it’s easy to end up with blurry “bus-window” shots. Having someone take photos for you means you get proof you were there—without you playing cameraman all afternoon.

Add in the fact the tour is limited to 7 travelers, and the hosting style has room to work. This isn’t a “hold your phone up and wait” kind of day. It’s more like a small crew outing.

Price and value: what $279.01 buys you in real terms

At $279.01 per person, this isn’t the cheapest Hobart day tour. But it also isn’t trying to be. Here’s what you’re paying for, based on the tour inclusions:

• Pickup and drop-off to Hobart
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• A goodies bag
• Alcoholic tastings of 3 spirits of your choice
• Four on-the-day stops with structured time blocks

The value logic is simple: transportation plus access plus tasting time is hard to recreate on your own without either (a) renting a car and driving yourself or (b) coordinating bookings with multiple distilleries. The pick-3 format also adds value because you’re not boxed into one spirit type.

The extra cost to plan for is lunch—because it’s separate. If you choose Frogmore Creek’s option, your total day cost rises. If you choose Richmond Arms, you’ll keep the spending closer to the core tour price.

If you’re the type who likes to taste, compare, and actually learn instead of just collecting bottles, this price often feels fair.

What to expect at each stage (and where you can slow down)

Here’s the day flow in plain terms:

• Morning start at One Franklin Wharf, then you’re on the road quickly.
• Each distillery stop is about one hour, giving you time for tastings and questions rather than a rushed lineup.
• Charles Reuben Estate gets extra time, so you can sit with the wine-and-spirits mix.
• Lunch sits right after the tastings shift, then you’re back by late afternoon.

I also think the group size is key to comfort. When you’re with up to 7 people, you can actually hear what’s being explained at the tasting bench. That’s the difference between enjoying the flavor and learning why the flavors land the way they do.

If you want a smoother day, eat a normal breakfast and drink water on the ride. Not glamorous advice, but it keeps you sharper for the later tastings.

Who this tour is best for (and who should reconsider)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Like variety and want gin, whisky, rum, vodka, brandy, and wine options in one day
• Want a small group experience with real interaction
• Enjoy estate and cellar-door atmospheres, not just industrial tasting rooms

It may be less ideal if you:

• Only want one spirit type (because this is intentionally mixed)
• Prefer a tour where everything is included, because lunch is extra
• Have firm expectations about specific distilleries on the same date. The tour says your selections are accommodated as best they can, but not always guaranteed.

If you have dietary needs, it’s worth messaging ahead. The operator has shown they can accommodate groups, but the tour still runs on a tight schedule.

Should you book the Cambridge Hobart Wine & Spirits Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, organized Hobart day that trades “drive and plan” stress for guided tastings and a custom pick-3 route. The small group size, the combination of different spirit styles, and the presence of an attentive host like Ingrid are the big reasons this works.

Before you book, do two things. First, lock in your distillery choices early so you’re not relying on last-minute availability. Second, decide your lunch option up front—Richmond Arms for lower cost, Frogmore Creek for winery views and a higher spend.

If your ideal vacation day is tasting your way through Tasmania’s distilling craftsmanship without turning it into a logistics project, this is a very solid choice.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do we meet?

The tour starts at 9:30 am at One Franklin Wharf in Hobart. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Do I get pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off services to Hobart are included.

How many distilleries do I visit, and can I choose them?

You choose 3 out of 4 distilleries. The operator tries to accommodate your selection, but availability can be affected by events outside their control.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can choose between Richmond Arms Hotel (meals around $20–$50 pp) or Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant (lunch around $75 pp). You pay separately.

What’s included in the tastings?

The tour includes alcoholic beverage tastings of 3 spirits of your choice.

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