Tasmanian Wilderness Explorer

Your friendly and professional Tour Directors will meet you this morning. The journey begins as we depart for Port Arthur and visit the Port Arthur Historical Reserve. Here we enjoy a fascinating tour and boat cruise before heading to Port Arthur Motor Inn for our overnight stay. Enjoy a welcome dinner to mark the beginning of your Tasmanian Wilderness Adventure.

Depart Port Arthur this morning and journey north along the Tasman Highway. Enjoy a brief detour to explore the charming village of Richmond, home to Australia’s oldest bridge (1823). We then continue north and pass through Orford and Swansea before heading down the Freycinet Peninsula.

This afternoon we enjoy a walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout (good level of fitness required). Take in the stunning views of the pristine bay and beach below, rated as one of the top ten beaches in the world. We then make our way to Freycinet Lodge, one of Tasmania’s premier environmentally friendly resorts located on Great Oyster Bay. Tonight we dine in the Dove Restaurant.

This morning we visit the Cape Tourville lighthouse, which boasts spectacular views of the Tasman sea and beaches. We then enjoy an exclusive 20-minute scenic flight to take in the wonders of Freycinet National Park from the air, a real highlight of the adventure! Fly over Wineglass Bay for a bird’s eye view of the stunning beach and bay before marvelling at the park’s towering pink granite cliffs that plunge into the Tasman Sea. The helicopter, a Bell Jet Ranger, is chartered exclusively by Outback Spirit from Rotor-Lift in Hobart.

After our scenic flights we depart for Launceston. We visit Woolmer’s Estate at Longford before heading into the city and checking in to the new Peppers Silo Hotel. Tonight we enjoy dinner together at Grain of the Silos Restaurant.

After breakfast this morning we depart Launceston along the Bass Highway, heading for the majestic north-west. Travel through Ulverstone, Penguin and Burnie before arriving at Stanley, home to ‘The Nut’. If weather permits, we’ll take the chairlift to the top of the Nut for stunning views over Bass Strait.

Stanley was once the administrative centre for the Van Diemen’s Land Company, a royal charter company formed in 1824 during the reign of King George IV. This afternoon we’ll visit Highfield House, the company’s original headquarters. We then continue on to Smithton where we spend the night at Tall Timbers Hotel.

Smithton is home to Tasmania’s most fertile dairy and vegetable growing area. It’s also home to the historic Woolnorth Station, which is still owned by the Van Diemen’s Land Company. This morning we enjoy a fully guided tour of Woolnorth, including the Roaring 40’s Wind Farm and rugged Cape Grim.

We then journey south to the World Heritage Listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, where we spend the next two nights at the Peppers Cradle Mountain.

This morning we board the ‘Spirit of the Wild’ for a cruise up the Gordon River and into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. We are seated on the upper deck and enjoy two guided shore excursions, including Heritage Landing (home to ancient Huon pines over 2,000 years old) and Sarah Island, once a dreaded penal colony. We also head out to Hells Gates where the harbour meets the ocean.

After returning to Strahan mid-afternoon, the rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. Wander through the village and perhaps call in to the Huon Pine Sawmill for a demonstration.

Departing Strahan early this morning we head through the scenic Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park to Lake St Clair, carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Then, discover the ‘Wall in the Wilderness’ at Derwent Bridge, an exquisite work in progress by artist Greg Duncan. The carved panels stretch down two rows and tell the history of the Central Highlands region, beginning with the Indigenous people, then to the pioneering timber harvesters, pastoralists, miners and Hydro workers. It is truly one of Tasmania’s best attractions!

After lunch we continue heading south east towards Hobart, stopping off at the beautiful Russell Falls along the way. We arrive in Hobart late this afternoon and spend the next three nights at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, located on the waterfront overlooking Constitution Dock. Enjoy premium harbour view rooms.

For today’s touring, we delve into the natural world with a combined visit to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton is Tasmania’s largest wildlife rescue service. Come face to face with the native animals that the passionate Bonorong team are devoted to returning to the wild, including wombats, devils, quolls, birds, reptiles and more.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are the second oldest Botanic Gardens in Australia. Spend some time exploring the collection of cool climate species, historic plants, and significant trees, many of which date back to when the gardens were first planted.

Later this afternoon we return to Hobart and embark on an historical walking tour. Your guide will take you to various places including the Hobart Docks, Salamanca Place and the CBD with fascinating commentary and local insights. This evening we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Today we head to Bruny Island for a sensational three hour adventure cruise with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, rated as one of the Top 100 trips in the world! Board your custom-built adventure craft and travel along Bruny Island’s rugged southern coastline to spot the island’s abundant marine and coastal wildlife. Spot Albatross and other seabirds that sit at the bottom of Bruny Island’s towering sea cliffs, surrounded by hundreds of seals. Keep an eye out for dolphins surfing on the bow wave of the boat!
This afternoon we make our way back to Hobart. Enjoy dinner at the Old Wharf Restaurant located on the waterfront and celebrate an unforgettable journey around Tasmania.

This morning we enjoy a visit to Mount Wellington, which rises to 4,170 feet above the city below. Admire the mesmerising views of Hobart and the Derwent River from several vantage points along the boardwalk, a perfect ending to your adventure around Tasmania.
You will then be transferred to the airport or accommodation if staying on.