Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1:    Arrive Hobart

  Welcome to Tasmania, Australia’s island state and home to jaw-dropping natural beauty, vastly different from much of what you would find on the mainland.

  Arriving in Hobart, the island’s capital, you’ll immediately be struck by the vibrant culture, trendy food scene and the towering Mt Wellington perched high above the city. It might not be ‘The Festival State’, but Tasmania certainly is home to festivals galore, including the Taste of Tasmania, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Dark MOFO festival.

  Meeting up with the tour group at the hotel at 2.30pm, we’ll have a quick briefing to find out more about what we can expect over the next 14 days. Our first adventure then takes us to the top of Mt Wellington for incredible 360-degree views of Hobart and beyond. Be warned – the weather conditions can change quickly at the top so make sure you’re prepared for anything. Along the way we’ll also get to see some of the highlights in the surrounding areas.

  This evening we’ll get to know each other better with a welcome dinner, bonding over a delicious meal of fresh Tasmanian produce.

  (Dinner)

• Day 2:    Hobart – Mt. Field National Park (Russell Falls) – Hobart

  Hobart really comes alive on a Saturday morning thanks to the bustling Salamanca Market. One of Australia’s most vibrant and loved markets, you’ll be wowed by colourful stalls, music, locally made arts and crafts, tasty food and top-notch coffee. We’ll have some free time here to make our way through the stalls and perhaps purchase a souvenir or two.

  After we’ve finished soaking up the atmosphere in the market, we travel to Russell Falls.

  Located within Mt Field National Park, Russell Falls is one of Tasmania’s favourite waterfalls. From the Visitor Centre, it’s just a short walk through the vibrant green forest to this spectacular sight. A tiered-cascade waterfall formed from eroded beds of rock, you will truly be able to feel the serenity as you see and listen to the gently cascading water.

  (Breakfast)

• Day 3:    Hobart – Bruny Island – Hobart

  * SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

  Bruny Island is known as Tasmania’s very own Treasure Island. One of the state’s most beautifully preserved natural environments, we’ll get to spend the day exploring it.

  After a short 20-minute ferry ride south of Hobart, we’ll arrive on the island, which is technically two separate land masses joined together by a long, sandy isthmus known as ‘The Neck’. We’ll spend the rest of the day taking in the pristine surrounds, including towering cliffs overlooking sandy beaches, endangered plants and animals, and enjoying a lovely lunch.

  (Breakfast, Lunch)

• Day 4:    Hobart – Port Arthur – Bicheno

  The small town of Bicheno lies on Tasmania’s East Coast, located north of the stunning Freycinet National Park. Famous for its fairy penguin population, you’ll also find breathtaking beaches, reefs and plenty of other wildlife here.

  On the Tasman Peninsula we’ll visit Port Arthur, one of Tasmania’s most visited tourist destinations. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict settlement tells the tale of Australia’s confronting colonial history, where you’ll see impressive ruins and learn about its checkered past, all while taking in the beautiful backdrop of dense forest and a surprisingly picturesque harbour. We’ll feel the isolation experienced by the convicts and discover the history of the early Australian Penal system on a walking tour and harbour cruise.

  Making our way to Bicheno, we’ll have the chance to take in more of the stunning scenery of the Tasman Peninsula, with photo stops at some impressive natural rock formations including the Devil’s Kitchen, Tasman Arch, Tessellated Pavement and the Remarkable Caves.

  Arriving in Bicheno, we’ll get to meet some of the local penguins that call the town home. Fairy penguins, or little penguins as they are also known, average just 33 centimetres tall and are the only species of penguin that breeds in Australia. The best time to see them is at dusk, but it’s important not to disturb or scare them by getting too close or using torches.

  (Breakfast,Dinner)

• Day 5:    Bicheno – Freycinet National Park – Bicheno

  Freycinet National Park is a stunning region on Tasmania’s east coast, home to white sandy beaches and secluded bays, dramatic granite peaks and abundant wildlife. The jewel of the park is the recognisable Wineglass Bay, with its lookout providing that iconic view of the perfectly curved beach.

  Boarding a boat, we’ll spend the next few hours cruising the sparkling coastline of the National Park. The opportunity to see this unique coastline from the water provides a different perspective to what we can see on land. We’ll take in remarkably white beaches, the towering pink granite peaks of the Hazards range, wildlife on the banks of the remote Schouten Island and many hidden caves, blowholes and waterfalls, all while learning more about the rich indigenous and colonial history of the area.

  Meeting up with the tour group at the hotel at 2.30pm, we’ll have a quick briefing to find out more about what we can expect over the next 14 days. Our first adventure then takes us to the top of Mt Wellington for incredible 360-degree views of Hobart and beyond. Be warned – the weather conditions can change quickly at the top so make sure you’re prepared for anything. Along the way we’ll also get to see some of the highlights in the surrounding areas.

  Back on land, we’ll have the opportunity to explore some of the highlights further on foot.

  (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

• Day 6:    Bicheno – St Helens – Launceston

  On the banks of the Tamar River you’ll find Launceston, the second largest city in Tasmania. A relatively small town, the main attraction of Cataract Gorge is just minutes away, there are also abundant vineyards in the nearby Tamar Valley, and the City Park in the middle of town is home to an enclosure of Japanese Macaque Monkeys.

  As we make our way to Launceston today we travel via St Helens, home to the Bay of Fires region. Stretching for over 50 kilometres from Binalong Bay to Eddystone point, the Bay of Fires is known for its white sand, sparkling blue water and large granite rocks that are splashed with vibrant orange lichen. Strolling along the magnificent beaches, it’s easy to see why it’s regarded as one of Australia’s most beautiful places, and one of Lonely Planet’s favourite travel destinations.

  Before arriving in Launceston, we head slightly further north and visit Bridestowe Lavender Estate, originally established in 1921 by London perfumer CK Denny. Having stayed in the family until 1989, its current owners have reinvigorated the visitor experience and it now sees as many as 50,000 visitors a year. The lavender is generally in bloom from December to February, but even if you don’t get to see the purple fields in all their glory, you will still be able to learn about the useful and healing properties of lavender.

  (Breakfast)

• Day 7:    Launceston

  A natural formation on the South Esk River, Cataract Gorge is a tourist hub with walking trails, a restaurant, a swimming pool, rolling lawns, a Victorian era garden, footbridge and a chairlift. Upstream you’ll find the historic Duck Reach Power Station which has been turned into an informative interpretation centre and is well worth the walk.

  Embarking on a cruise, we have a chance to explore more of the gorge, as well as the old and new facets of Launceston’s Seaport precinct. We’ll cruise to Kings Wharf where we can view historic vessels and heritage properties, but the highlight is of course cruising past the sheer cliffs and cascades in the gorge, while hearing from the skipper about the fascinating history of the area.

  In the afternoon we’ll travel to the nearby Tamar Valley. Here we’ll get to visit one of the many wineries and enjoy a tasting of their products.

  (Breakfast)

• Day 8:    Launceston – Smithton

  The town of Smithton is set on Tasmania’s far north-west coast. There are plenty of sights to see in the surrounding region, including The Nut, a volcanic plug soaring 200 metres out of the ocean, which we will get to explore in the coming days.

  Our journey to Smithton takes us along the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail, which showcases some of the finest produce of Tasmania’s North West region. We’ll stop at The Cherry Shed and Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm to sample some of the products.

  We’ll also pass through Sheffield, affectionately known as the ‘Town of Murals’, thanks to the more than 100 paintings that coat the walls of the buildings. These paintings have been created by local artists and depict scenes and characters from the local history.

  We continue to the town of Smithton where we’ll check into the Tall Timbers Hotel, our accommodation for the next two nights and seen as the gateway to the many attractions of the North West Coast.

  (Breakfast,Dinner)

• Day 9:    Smithton – Tarkine – Stanley - Smithton

  The Tarkine is the largest temperate rainforest in Australia and the second largest in the world. Our tour will take us through the forest, all the way to the ‘Edge of the World’! Gardiner’s Point, which sits just south of the Arthur River has been given this title as it lies at the edge of the longest uninterrupted expanse of ocean on the globe. From Argentina, the currents sweep more than halfway around the planet until they hit this point, which can make for some wild weather! Here we’ll visit the lookout before heading to the township of Stanley to take a closer look at The Nut, a sheer sided bluff.

  From the base of The Nut, we will ride a chairlift up to the top, which offers breathtaking views of the historical and picturesque coastal village of Stanley.

  (Breakfast,Dinner)

• Day 10:    Smithton – Cradle Mountain

  At 1,545-metres-above-sea-level, Cradle Mountain isn’t Tasmania’s highest mountain, but it’s arguably it’s most iconic. Named after its resemblance to a gold-mining cradle, there is much more to the area than just this recognisable peak. There are seven of Tasmania’s highest 10 mountains and Lake St Clair, which at 200-metres-deep is the deepest lake in the country. There’s also plentiful wildlife including wombats, Bennett’s wallabies, pademelons and platypuses.

  The surrounding setting is just as beautiful as the flowers, with 180-metre-high cliffs that plunge into the Bass Strait and a picturesque lighthouse making it a photographer’s paradise.

  Arriving in Cradle Mountain, the rest of the day is at leisure to unwind in this truly breathtaking location.

  (Breakfast)

• Day 11:    Cradle Mountain – Strahan

  Strahan is a small town on Tasmania’s west coast. You’ll find it nestled between the huge Macquarie Harbour and an expansive rainforest, making it a truly picturesque, secluded setting.

  Before departing the National Park, we visit remarkable Dove Lake at the bottom of Cradle Mountain. Surrounded by a 6 kilometre board walk, we’ll have some time to stroll along and stop for fabulous photo opportunities on the way.

  Making our way to Strahan, we’ll pass by spectacular lakes, mountains and towns.

  (Breakfast)

• Day 12:    Strahan

  Departing in the morning, we’ll get to experience climbing one of the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest rail tracks, using the unique power of the rack and pinion system. Along the way, we’ll stop at historic stations and our guide will tell us stories of the pioneers who lived and worked in these remote landscapes. We’ll learn how they were able to create this railway, as well as the richest copper mining company in the world.

  (Breakfast,Lunch)

• Day 13:   Strahan – Gordon River – Hobart

  Enjoy a relaxing day as we cruise along the famous Gordon River. We travel to Hells Gate, the notoriously shallow and dangerous channel between the Macquarie Harbour and the Great Southern Ocean. We’ll also see Sarah Island, which was established as a penal settlement in the Macquarie Harbour in 1821. Here convicts laboured under some of the harshest conditions, felling Huon pines to build boats. Today, the ruins offer a moving reminder about the bleak reality of convict life, particularly when you compare it to the incredible beauty of the surrounding area.

  We return to Hobart in the evening and enjoy a group farewell dinner – the perfect way to reminisce and reflect on our time in Tasmania.

  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

• Day 14:    Depart Hobart

  Today marks the end of our adventure exploring beautiful Tasmania. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!

  If you have some spare time before your flight home, you may wish to at your own expense head to Mona, Tasmania’s renowned Museum of Old and New Art. Get lost amongst the weird and wonderful exhibitions, as you listen to an audio tour discussing the hidden meanings behind the art.