Three distilleries. One guided day. This private day tour from Hobart mixes a relaxed food start with hands-on spirit tasting at Spring Bay Distillery, Hobart Whisky, and Killara, plus the chance to blend your own whisky and leave with a personal whisky story. The private setup keeps things flexible, and the blend-your-own part turns tasting into something more memorable.

I like that you’re not just sampling in a room. You get genuine owner and distiller time, including Susanne and Cam at Spring Bay, and the Hobart Whisky team (John, Ben, or Trevor) talking through the behind-the-scenes workings. I also like how well the food is built in from the start: morning tea includes award-winning local cheeses, biscuits, and chocolates, and lunch is catered in a distillery loft setting.

One consideration is the price. At $860.69 per person for about six hours, this is best when you’ll actually use the included tastings and meals (and you’re happy that the day is very alcohol-focused). Also, any bottle purchases are on you.

Key points before you go

• Three distilleries, one flow: Spring Bay, Hobart Whisky, and Killara, each with its own pace and style.
• Owners meet up close: Susanne and Cam at Spring Bay, Kristy Lark at Killara, and distillers at Hobart Whisky.
• Included tastings across spirits: gin, whisky, vodka, rum, and liqueurs at all venues.
• Food that keeps the day comfortable: morning tea with cheeses plus lunch catered for the group.
• You blend your own whisky: you create a personalised whisky blend as part of the experience.
• Bottle purchases are extra: the tour provides tastings, but you’ll pay separately if you want to take bottles home.

A private Tassie distillery day that feels personal from start to finish

This is the kind of tour you choose when you want more than a basic tasting. The private format means it’s just your group, so the schedule doesn’t feel like it’s being rushed around other people’s timelines. You’ll also have the same guide for the day, which matters because spirits people tend to talk best when they know you’re listening.

The tour is run by Bruny Island Safaris, and the experience is designed around conversation as much as tasting. One review note that stands out is how the guide, Lee, handled questions and varied topics with confidence, and that kind of calm rapport makes distillery visits more than a checklist. For you, that usually means fewer awkward pauses, more context while you taste, and a smoother transition between stops.

Pickup is offered, which is a big deal when alcohol is part of the plan. Even if you’re staying centrally, being collected and returned keeps the day simple and cuts down on stress.

Morning tea in Hobart’s style: cheeses, biscuits, and a calm start

The day starts at 10:00 am with morning tea. It’s not a tiny snack either. You get brunch-style food including cheese, biscuits, and chocolates, so you’re tasting spirits with a solid base in your stomach.

Why this matters: gin and whisky tastings can get intense fast, especially if you’re sampling multiple styles. Starting with local cheese and sweet bites makes the whole day more comfortable. It also sets the tone. You’re not thrown straight into a formal tasting room; you’re eased into the theme of Tasmania’s craft scene, with food that fits the vibe of small, serious producers.

If you’re the type who likes to ask questions once you’re settled, this is a good moment. The guide can set up what you’ll see later, and you can share any preferences early (for example, whether you’re more interested in whisky, gin, or liqueurs).

Stop 1: Spring Bay Distillery in Cambridge and meeting Susanne and Cam

Spring Bay Distillery is your first full taste of the day, about one hour on site. It’s based in Cambridge, not far from Hobart, and the focus is on where the process starts and how the people behind it think.

The owners, Susanne and Cam, are part of what makes this stop click. When producers talk about what they make, you tend to learn details that don’t show up on labels. Here, that personal storytelling pairs with spirit tastings, and you also get the chance to sample something called new make spirit fresh from the still. That’s the real baseline—before whisky turns into whisky through aging and transformation.

Practical tip: pacing is everything in a multi-distillery day. Spring Bay is a strong start, so if you have a sensitive palate or you’re driving later (even though pickup is offered), take your time with each pour. You don’t need to rush to keep up.

What’s also nice is that this stop is positioned as the start of the day’s learning curve. You get enough process context early to make the later behind-the-scenes discussions at Hobart Whisky easier to follow.

Stop 2: Hobart Whisky behind-the-scenes at the repurposed Egg Factory

Hobart Whisky is not open to the public, which is a polite way of saying you’re getting access most people don’t. This is a longer stop, about two hours, and it’s built around meeting the distillers in person.

You’ll speak with John, Ben, or Trevor, and they guide you through the story of the operation housed in a repurposed old Egg Factory. That specific setting matters because it signals something about the distillery’s character: craft often means adapting space, not building from scratch, and you can feel that in the way the site is explained.

This stop is where you’re likely to connect the dots between fresh spirit and finished whisky. Earlier in the day, you sample new make, and here the conversation shifts toward how whisky becomes what you pour in a glass later—how time, handling, and production decisions shape flavour. You also get the behind-the-scenes viewpoint that turns whisky into something you can actually picture.

A quick reality check for your expectations: this isn’t just a tasting hall with a few samples. The tone is more hands-on and conversational, so come ready with at least a couple of questions. The guide Lee’s style, as noted in reviews, seems well-suited to that kind of give-and-take.

Stop 3: Killara Distillery with owner Kristy Lark and gin-first energy

Killara is the newest addition on the scene and comes with a strong owner story. You meet Kristy Lark and her distiller team during a stop that lasts about one hour.

This is also where you’ll see how Tasmania’s distilling scene builds identity through people, not just branding. Kristy has local distilling heritage, and that background helps explain the distillery’s approach. You’ll be greeted with Lavender Gin as part of the experience, which is a great tasting entry point because it’s memorable even if you’re not usually a gin person.

One thing I appreciate about a stop like this is contrast. If the earlier locations lean heavily on process and whisky transformation, Killara can add a lighter, aromatic angle—especially with a botanically driven spirit like lavender gin. It helps balance the day so you don’t feel like you’re only drinking the same style again and again.

Practical consideration: since the tour includes alcohol at all venues, your goal should be enjoying the differences, not trying to sample everything at maximum speed. Use your guide for suggestions if you’re deciding what to focus on.

Tastings + lunch: how the tour avoids the usual alcohol-slogging problem

The tour doesn’t treat food like an afterthought. Lunch is catered, with individual serves, and it’s served in a rustic distillery loft atmosphere. That matters because loft-style spaces tend to feel open and social, and it gives you a break from the constant standing, walking, and sniffing that distillery days can bring.

The day includes alcoholic beverages at all venues—gin, whisky, vodka, rum, and liqueurs—so you’ll likely taste a range of styles rather than only one category. You also get a chance to taste multiple “stages” of spirit, including new make early on and whisky context at Hobart Whisky.

Some days with distilleries can turn into a blur of “drink, walk, repeat.” Here, the built-in lunch makes it easier to slow down, regroup, and actually pay attention to what you’re liking. If you want to come away with a few favourites (instead of just feeling tipsy and impressed), using lunch as a mental reset helps a lot.

Your whisky blend session: making something personal, not just tasting it

One of the best parts of this tour concept is that it doesn’t stop at tastings. You become a creator yourself and blend your own whisky, which turns the day into a personal craft experience.

Even if you’re not a whisky nerd, blending can still be surprisingly fun because it trains your palate to notice how small changes affect flavour. The tour’s framing is also thoughtful: you get a fleeting glimpse of whisky before it becomes what it is later, and then your blending gives you a hands-on way to think about that transformation.

Important note: the tour data doesn’t promise bottle take-home as part of the included package. What it does clearly say is that bottle purchases from the distillery aren’t included. So if you want to buy your own finished bottle or any extras, plan for that expense separately.

Price and logistics: what $860.69 per person really buys

At $860.69 per person for about six hours, this isn’t a budget activity. The value comes from how many elements are bundled into one guided day:

• Three distillery visits in one continuous plan (with admission tickets included at each stop)
• A private group experience so you’re not competing for attention or time
• Alcohol included at all venues, spanning multiple spirit categories
• Morning tea food (cheese, biscuits, chocolates) plus catered lunch with individual serves
• Owner and distiller access, which is the hardest thing to replicate on your own

You also get pickup offered, which protects your comfort and keeps timing sane. For a small group, the private format and food + tastings can start to feel more like a curated day out than a series of separate purchases.

If you’re a solo traveller, the per-person cost can feel steep. If you’re a couple or small group who will genuinely taste, ask questions, and enjoy being hosted rather than self-guided, it can make more sense.

Who this tour is best for (and who should consider something else)

This private tour is a strong fit if you:

• Like whisky, gin, or spirits generally and want structured tastings with context
• Enjoy meeting makers—Susanne and Cam, Kristy Lark, and distillers John, Ben, or Trevor
• Want a day that includes food (not just drinks) and a guided rhythm
• Prefer a calm, private pace over crowded public tours

You might think twice if you:

• Only want a quick taste without spending most of the day in distillery-focused activities
• Don’t drink alcohol and are unsure what non-alcohol options would be (the tour explicitly lists alcohol included, but it doesn’t specify non-alcohol alternatives)
• Have a very tight schedule, since you’re committing to around six hours

Should you book? My practical take

If you want a hosted day that connects Tasmania’s distilling scene—people, process, and flavour—this tour is an excellent choice. The standout strengths are the owner/distiller access, the mix of spirit styles included, and the fact that your day is paced with morning tea and a proper lunch.

I’d book it if you and your group are spirits-curious and enjoy asking questions. I wouldn’t book it if you’re expecting a low-cost sampler or a short stop-and-try outing. This is a real craft day, and the price is basically paying for the hosting, access, and included tastings in one private package.

FAQ

How long is the private Tassie Distillery Tour?

It runs for approximately 6 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour operate from?

It departs from Hobart, Australia.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What food is included?

Morning tea includes brunch cheese, biscuits, and chocolates, and lunch is catered with individual serves.

Are drinks included, and what types?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included at all venues, including gin, whisky, vodka, rum, and liqueurs.

Are distillery bottle purchases included?

No. Bottle purchases from the distillery are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Are service animals allowed and is the tour suitable for most people?

Service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate. The tour is also near public transportation.