Itinerary
Pre departure administration, meet ‘n greet and tour briefings in Launceston and Hobart as guest arrivals determine.
Day 1
You’ll travel Launceston to Cradle Mountain National Park via the Great Western Tiers then visit the unique Wilderness Gallery of celebrated nature photographers and the national park visitors centre. Join an afternoon walk around the picturesque Dove Lake circuit or stroll around your lodge precincts.
Accommodation: 3 nights at Cradle Mountain Lodge
Days 2-3
Enjoy 2 inspirational days of guided walking set to prevailing alpine conditions and personal preferences, including a day walk/climb to the base of Cradle Mountain via Crater Lake and Marions Lookout, another along the Face Track traverse, via Hanson’s Peak, Twisted Lakes and cushion plant moorlands, or various shorter strolls along the Cradle Valley board walk and enchanted forest trails. Join an evening visit to a nearby Tasmanian Devil sanctuary.
Day 4
You’ll travel from Cradle Mountain to the remote western fishing port of Strahan through lush forests and historic mining villages. Chance to take a sea plane flight over the Frenchman’s Cap dominated world heritage wilderness, down the wild water ravines of the Franklin River to land on the Gordon River, where memorable conservation encounters of 1982-83 brought international focus to “Saving the Franklin”. Join a cruise across Macquarie Harbour, to the Gordon River, with visits to the notorious Hells Gate and Sarah Island of extreme penal settlement times.
An early evening visit to a local rookery will follow, to learn of one of the world’s most incredible bird migration events.
Overnight village cottage accommodation
Day 5
You’ll enjoy a relaxed travel day to Maydena /Mt Field National Park region via Lake St Clair National Park, interspersed with short walks throughout the day taking in delightful waterfalls in cool temperate rainforest, an Eagles view of the Frenchman’s Cap wilderness and upper reaches of the Franklin River. You’ll lunch beside Australia’s deepest glacial freshwater lake at 220m and visit the extraordinary gallery of one man's craftsmanship and vision, his unfolding works in Huon Pine and bronze.
Accommodation: Maydena cottages 3 nights
Days 6-7
2 wonderful days of alpine walking await you through picturesque glacial lakes and tarns, an immersion in the Styx River Valley old growth forests, the last stronghold of the world’s tallest flowering trees and the feared extinct Tasmanian Tiger. You’ll take in the panoramic vista of Lake Pedder and assimilate the events which stirred and polarised the environmental conscience of the nation. Enjoy your visit to one of Australia’s most picturesque waterfalls, a unique wildlife sanctuary and partake of some patient viewing of our living fossil, the Platypus.
Day 8
We set off early for Hobart a delightful city of character and charm, set around its historic docks and Battery Point, all nestled under the towering bluffs of Mt Wellington. Enjoy some free time to browse Salamanca Place, noted for its vibrant markets while we say farewell or welcome to part tour guests departing or arriving.
We reconvene early evening for our second meet ‘n greet and briefing of the tour.
Accommodation: Hobart Motor Inn 3 nights.
Day 9-10
Our program for the next two days is set to prevailing alpine conditions, including the option of a short drive and walks on Mt Wellington beside its Organ Pipes, a day walk in Hartz Mountains National Park for a summit viewing of the great South-West Wilderness, Precipitous Bluff, Federation Peak, the jagged Arthur Ranges, or alternatively you can enjoy a sedate boardwalk stroll to Lake Esperence and the Ladies Tarn with their King Billy Pines, cushion plants and heath land. Take a memorable visit to the Antarctic Centre to learn more of the historic exploration programs of the deep south.
Day 11
You’ll travel Hobart to Port Arthur visiting the historic village of Richmond which claims a number of Australia’s oldest buildings. Travel breaks are filled with the study of ancient sea deposits and tidal paving, blow holes, remarkable arches and caves, historic sites representing a dark page in our indigenous and convict history, a Tasmanian Devil sanctuary and spectacular seascapes with brilliant blue waters.
Accommodation: Port Arthur Motel / Hotel 3 nights
Day 12-13
2 spectacular days exploring the wild sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula await you, commencing with a day walk to the dizzy precipice of 200m high dolerite cliffs and stacks at Cape Hauy or Cape Raoul. Share the world of Sea Eagles and Pacific Gulls. You’ll follow this with an extraordinary sea life boating experience beneath towering 300m high dolerite cliffs, floating into colourful sea caves adorned with pink and purple lichen, close encounters with colonies of seals, seabird rookeries, the feeding grounds of giant Albatross, Little Penguins and endangered Kelp forests. There will also be time to visit the historic ruins of Australia’s largest penal settlement of Port Arthur and a failed experiment in reforming petty scoundrels from the English homeland.
Day 14
You’ll travel Port Arthur to Freycinet National Park, along the way taking in a ferry transfer and full day of relaxed walking on historic Maria Island, a sanctuary with extraordinary compacted fossil and painted cliffs, home to free roaming Cape Barren Geese, Native Hens, Kangaroos and bird life.
Accommodation; Coles Bay village 3 nights
Day 15-16
2 days of delightful walks are planned discovering the picturesque Freycinet National Park, dominated by the colourful granite domes of The Hazards and the most photographed feature of Wineglass Bay. Choose an energetic ascent of Mt Amos if you wish, a full day circuit walk onto the pristine beach of Wineglass Bay, Hazards Beach and Fleurieu Point or a visit to Cape Tourville. There are sleepy bays filled with colourful lichen covered granite boulders, the delightful coves, rocks, bird life and sea creatures of Friendly Beaches and by night a Little Penguin rookery (in season) and some nocturnal wildlife spotting.
Day 17
You’ll travel north along the east coast from Freycinet National Park for a mid morning visit to the serene and colourful Bay of Fires, where locals have managed to escape the fast life, preferring the simple values of beauty and harvest by the sea. Continuing on to Launceston and journey’s end you’ll lunch break at an historic bush pub “loaded with Aussie character” and deviate into the scenic winegrowing regions of the island, arriving in Launceston late afternoon for next day connecting flights (of your choice) to the Australian mainland.