Huon River Cruises

21/08/2026

🚢 AWBF 2027 — Our on-water schedule is here!! See more for the link.

We're heading to the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in February 2027 and honestly, putting the schedule together has got me pretty excited.

FOR LOCALS: This time we're adding something new — one-way cruises from Heriots Point to Kettering on the way there, and two legs coming back (Hobart → Kettering → Heriots Point). All at lower rates than any cruise we normally offer. It's our way of giving regular cruisers and locals a chance to see more of the Huon River and the d'Entrecasteaux Channel than they usually would.

A few picks if you're wondering what to book: ⚡ Parade of Sail — only 2 spots left, mostly sold out after the last festival 🎆 Fireworks Cruise — great night on the water ⛵ Admirals Sail — close the festivities and see the fleet under sail

Check the full schedule and book here 👉 huonrivercruises.com.au/awbf-2027

Hope to see you there! 🌊

Cheers, Taylor

07/08/2026

The AWBF is coming around again fast and we will be there cruising amongst the tall sh ips again.

Stay tuned for our schedule of cruises over the weekend.

What better way to see the on water events, than on the water?

04/08/2026

Winter is the best time of year for a cruise on the Huon River!

02/08/2026

Another absolutely stunning winters morning on the Huon River!

Photo by Skipper Scotty.

11/07/2026

11/07/2026

Glimmer of sun shinning through.

Our tours operate daily all year and the Huon Valley is a magical spot.

06/07/2026

Gliding along will be a breeze!

The most magical river.

06/07/2026

Huon Valley is a magical spot to spend a quick weekend or an extended break.

We love showcasing the Huon River.

Destination Southern Tasmania has officially launched its new Winter in the Huon Valley campaign, encouraging Tasmanians to rediscover one of the state's most rewarding winter destinations during the school holidays.

Launched at Willie Smith's Apple Shed in Grove, the campaign shines a spotlight on the Huon Valley's family-friendly experiences, cosy accommodation, outstanding local food and wine, and the natural beauty that comes alive during the cooler months. The campaign is supported by a dedicated consumer guide on the Hobart and Beyond website, showcasing places to stay, attractions, local businesses and suggested itineraries designed to inspire overnight visits.

Read the full article:
https://southerntasmania.com.au/media-release/winter-in-the-huon-valley-campaign-launched/

View the consumer guide on the Hobart and Beyond:

https://hobartandbeyond.com.au/blog/winter-in-the-huon-valley/

06/07/2026

Happy smiles. We are lucky to see people enjoying the Huon River in winter.

30/06/2026

Many of you will remember the historic vessel Cartela from on the water during a cruise with us.

We will be sad to see her go. But if this is all a go, we are stoked to see her being restored.

We’re pleased to say that things are in the final preparation stages to begin the tow of The Steamship Cartela.
More on this topic will reach this page in the coming weeks

Where is Cartela Going?

Cartela will be relocating to Hunter’s Slipyard at Battery Point in the near future, where a dedicated slipway is currently in its final stages of adaptation specifically for her restoration. This purpose-built facility will provide the environment needed to undertake the next major phase of works.
(Photos and more info in the next few days)

Why Not Franklin?

We’ve also been asked why the restoration isn’t taking place in Franklin.
After extensive investigation, it became clear that a full restoration there isn’t possible due to:

* The foreshore’s conservation zoning.
* Water depth limitations.
* Planning constraints and associated reforms.

That said, Franklin remains an important part of Cartela’s story, and work will still be undertaken there where appropriate. The move to Battery Point provides the best opportunity to preserve this remarkable vessel and continue her restoration.

A New Chapter for This Page

We’ve also refreshed this page to keep everyone better informed.

From this week onwards you can expect:
📅 Tuesdays & Fridays – Project updates, restoration progress, and historical stories.
🎥 Wednesdays – Reels featuring behind-the-scenes footage, archive material, and life onboard Cartela. (Starting in a few weeks)

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Tasmania’s last surviving river steamer. If you’ve got a story to share, a photo, or want to chat - join our Facebook group!