Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about your Coal River Valley Explorer Bus experience. If you've still got a question, please get in touch!
Pre-booking is essential for all tours. The fastest and easiest way to book your Coal River Valley tour is online. Here you can see all available dates and times. You’ll receive a confirmation of your booking via email. BOOK NOW.
Alternatively, you can also make a booking:
- At Coal River Valley Explorer Bus Booking Office – Located inside Brooke Street Pier in Hobart. Open 7 days, 8:30 am – 4 pm (Summer) and 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (Winter).
- On the bus – Credit card only, paid directly to the driver. Subject to availability.
- By phone – dial +61 3 6236 9116.
- Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre – Corner of Elizabeth and Davey Street, Hobart. Phone +61 3 6238 4222.
The Summer timetable operates from 1st October – 30th April.
The Winter timetable operates from 1st May – 30th September.
The tour operates 7 days a week including all public holidays except Christmas Day (December 25th).
On Anzac Day (April 25th) the first tour departs the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 1:30 pm.
On New Year’s Day (January 1st) the first tour departs from the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre at 1.30 pm.
Yes. Throughout the year Hobart experiences road closures for annual festivals and events as well as road works and construction. We will always endeavour to find an alternate route to avoid road closures.
However, in some cases, it may be necessary for us to close bus stops or cancel Coal River Valley departures when road closures impact a large area of the city and/or the Coal River Valley.
For further details, please contact us by phone on 03 6236 9116, email bookings@coalrivervalleyexplorer.com.au or check our Facebook page for updates.
There are many car parking stations throughout Hobart. The closest of which is in Argyle Street (opposite the Royal Hobart Hospital). Specific information on car park locations and parking fees can be found at the Hobart City Council’s website www.hobartcity.com.au.
The first tour departs from opposite the Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre, 4 Elizabeth Street in Hobart (outside the Hydro Tasmania building).
The kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus tour includes 5 bus stops, including Fern Tree Park, The Springs, The Chalet, Big Bend and The Pinnacle. Whether you are interested in taking in the amazing panoramic views over Hobart, taking a short stroll, a longer bushwalk or even an exhilarating mountain bike ride, there is something for everyone.
Visit our Map & Timetable page to view the route. Or go to our Bushwalking and Mountain Biking pages for a list of our favourite tracks and trails.
Hop onboard and enjoy professional and informative commentary from your driver. Learn all about the Coal River Valley region including; indigenous and colonial history, main attractions and local tips on what to see and do.
It is entirely up to you how you use your Explorer Pass. You can choose to stay on the bus for the full 2 hours return tour, which includes 30 minutes to take in the panoramic views at The Pinnacle.
OR, you have the option to hop-off at other bus stops along the route. However, if you choose to do so you will need to catch the next bus to continue along the route. Please refer to our Map & Timetable page for specific details.
Please advise us at the time of booking, or let your driver know what time you’d like to catch the return bus back to the city.
Yes, please advise us at the time of booking, or let your driver know what time you’d like to catch the return bus back to the city.
Summer timetable: If you hop-off at any of the bus stops along the route, the next bus will arrive 1.5hrs later. Please refer to our Map & Timetable page for specific details.
Winter timetable: If you hop-off at any of the bus stops along the route, the next bus will arrive 2.5hrs later. Please refer to our Map & Timetable page for specific details.
Toilet facilities are available at 54 Bridge St, Richmond, and at our bus stop at the Richmond Bus Station, Franklin St Car Park.
Consumption of food and drinks (except water in screw top containers) is not permitted onboard our vehicles. The transportation of hot food and drinks, irrespective of the container/vessel used is also prohibited onboard. This is in the interest of passenger safety and comfort.
Yes, there is room for a pram storage. Please apply the brakes and do not leave children or belongings unattended.
Yes, our primary fleet are wheelchair accessible. However, some bus services may not be wheelchair accessible. So it’s most important to let us know before your tour. Reserve a wheelchair space when you book. Simply fill in the “Special Requirements” field. Or contact our booking office to discuss any specific needs and we’ll certainly do our best to assist. Phone +61 3 6236 9116 or email bookings@coalrivervalleyexplorer.com.au.
For ramp access on the bus, please board the bus at Bus Stop 1 opposite the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre. Refer to your driver for further instructions.
During the tour, disabled access is available at The Pinnacle and The Springs. There’s also an accessible walkway to the western viewing deck at The Pinnacle. People with a disability or limited mobility may require assistance to enter the enclosed observation shelter at The Pinnacle. Assisted access is required at Fern Tree Park. Accessible toilets are available at The Pinnacle.
For those booking the Mt Wellington + City Loop Combo, Red Decker’s modern open-top and closed-top double-deckers are also wheelchair accessible.
Please visit our Accessible Travel page for further details.
Yes, with every paid tour the “companion” accompanying that person/ client travels for free. The companion must be a holder of a valid companion card.
Yes. Bookings are essential for groups of 6 people or more. Please contact us by phone on +61 3 6236 9116 or email bookings@coalrivervalleyexplorer.com.au to enquire.
Yes definitely. Just click on the BOOK NOW button and then select “buy as a gift”.
Yes, you certainly can. Once you have made your initial reservation with us, you are free to change your date of travel, as long as it is more than 24 hours prior to your tour departure. Please contact us by phone on +61 3 6236 9116 or email bookings@coalrivervalleyexplorer.com.au.
If you need to change your booking, we can transfer it to any day and any date for up to 6 months in advance. Please contact us by phone on +61 3 6236 9116 or email bookings@mtwellingtonexplorer.com.au.
Bookings which are cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time will be charged a 100% cancellation fee.
A 30% administration fee applies to cancellations made within 2-7 days of the scheduled departure.
kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus reserves the right to cancel tours due to bad weather or as required. In this case, customers will be offered a full refund or the ability to change the date of travel.
We encourage our customers to purchase travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances.
Photo: Organ Pipes Track.