Tasmania in Depth

Day 1: Arrive Hobart - Mt. Field National Park (Russell Falls) - 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 12.00pm, we will have a briefing to find out more about what we can expect over the next 14 days. We’ll then venture out to Tasmania’s first national park, Mt Field National Park. 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. This evening we’ll get to know each other better with a welcome dinner, bonding over a delicious meal of fresh Tasmanian produce.

Day 2: Hobart – Port Arthur – 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 Port Arthur. On our way we’ll have the chance to take in the stunning scenery of the Tasman Peninsula, with photo stops at some impressive natural rock formations including Tasman Arch and the Tessellated Pavement. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur is one of Tasmania’s most visited tourist destinations. The 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.

Day 3: Hobart – Huon Valley – Hobart

The picturesque Huon Valley is our destination today. We’ll begin at the Tahune AirWalk, an elevated walkway perched 30-metres-above the forest floor, to savour amazing aerial views of the surrounding forest canopy and Huon River below. We continue to the small township of Franklin, located on the banks of the Huon River. Here, we’ll visit a wooden boat workshop, learning about the handcrafted vessels they produce here to this day and the fascinating maritime history of the area. On our way back to Hobart, weather permitting, we’ll venture to the top of Mt Wellington, Hobart’s highest point for exhilarating views of the beautiful city and harbour below. Often covered in snow, Mt Wellington stands guard over Hobart at over 1,200 metres above sea level. Upon our return to Hobart, enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 4: Hobart – Mona – Bicheno

This morning we’ll visit Tasmania’s renowned Museum of Old and New Art. Mona, established by David Walsh, is Australia’s largest private museum. Here, everchanging exhibits are on display inside a quirky, visually-stunning architectural masterpiece. We make our way to Bicheno via the quaint, historical village of Richmond in the Coal River Valley region. Famous for its bridge built by convicts in the 1820’s, Richmond is the quintessential Australian colonial village and a stroll down its beautifully restored main street offers visitors a glimpse into it’s intriguing past. For an eerie insight into the hardships and brutality of convict life in early Tasmania, step inside the cells at Australia’s oldest gaol, Richmond Gaol. Located on Tasmania’s east coast, Bicheno is a much loved holiday destination for Tasmanians and visitors alike. Known for its beaches, coastal scenery, fishing and local wildlife, there is plenty to do in this resort town.

Day 5: Bicheno – Freycinet National Park – Bicheno

Special Experience Spend the day taking in the beautiful sights of Freycinet National Park and the surrounding area on a cruise. 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 beach’s flawless formation. Boarding a boat, we’ll spend the next few hours cruising the sparkling coastline of the National Park, through the peaceful bays of the harbour and the mighty Southern Ocean before a photo stop at picturesque Wineglass Bay. 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. We head back into calmer waters for a delicious lunch onboard before we disembark. Back on land, for those that are keen, we’ll have the opportunity to walk the upper Wineglass Bay Lookout Trail, passing coastal woodlands and striking granite boulders along the way. At the peak of the trail, be rewarded with stunning elevated views of Wineglass Bay’s perfectly curved beach. Those looking for a less strenuous walk can venture to the Cape Torvar Lighthouse lookout, with its breathtaking views of the bay.

Day 6: Bicheno – St Helens – Launceston

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. We’ll also visit the Pyengana Dairy Farm, sampling delicious handcrafted cheese, including their signature Pyengana Cheddar. Cheese-making has long been a part of Pyengana’s heritage, with local dairy farmers in the region applying both techniques from their European heritage and modern methods, including automated milking machines, where the cows simply come in to be milked when they feel like it. Our last stop is the country town of Legerwood. Here, we’ll see the Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, commemorating fallen World War One soldiers. The enormous tree stumps were intricately sculpted by Tasmanian chainsaw carver Eddie Freeman, depicting various scenes from the war. Upon arrival in Launceston later this afternoon, we’ll have time to explore the city at our own leisure.

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, footbridge and a Victorian era garden. 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 port 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. Later, we have the opportunity to see Cataract Gorge from the comfort of a chairlift, giving us a delightful birds eye view of the scenery below. 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.

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. Bring your appetite with you this morning as we enjoy an exciting day of local produce! First, we pay a visit to a local salmon and ginseng farm, taking a tour to see the sustainable practices of the farm, and, of course, sampling some of it’s delicious produce. Next, we make a stop at a local honey farm. Here, we have a chance to try a huge variety of honey and nougat (the home-made honey ice cream also comes highly recommended…). Our journey to Smithton also takes us 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 our accommodation for the next two nights, seen as the gateway to the many attractions of the North West Coast.

Day 9: Smithton – Tarkine – Stanley - Smithton

Special Experience See the highlights of Tasmania’s northeast coast, travelling through the Tarkine region and enjoy views of The Nut in Stanley. The Tarkine is the largest temperate rainforest in Australia and the second largest in the world. Our tour will take us through the forest, stopping at Sumac Lookout for a spectacular view of the gorge below, then we travel 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. Either via a chairlift, or a wander up the mountain path, we have the chance to explore the top of The Nut and take in the impressive views of the sea, the harbour and the surrounding peninsula.

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. Our travels today will take us through the forest, stopping at Dip Falls for a photo opportunity of the dramatic falls. In the afternoon, we’ll stop to meet the resident Tasmanian devils and quolls at the world class Devils @ Cradle wildlife sanctuary facility. We’ll learn about these threatened and endangered species from the expert Tasmanian Devil Keepers, along with gaining an understanding of their important conservation work. Arriving in Cradle Mountain, the rest of the day is at leisure to unwind in this truly breathtaking location.

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’ll do a tour by mini bus, visiting 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. We also see Waldheim Chalet, touring the historic homestead and magical forest beyond. Making our way to Strahan, we’ll pass by spectacular lakes, mountains and towns, stopping in the small mining community of Rosebery. In the afternoon, we visit the West Coast Heritage Centre for a fascinating look at the history, heritage and culture of the Tasmanian West Coast.

Day 12: Strahan - Gordon River - Strahan

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 natural beauty of the surrounding area. We savour a delicious buffet lunch onboard and have the opportunity to experience two walking tours – one on Heritage Landing and one on Sarah Island with local guides further deepening our understanding of these pristine areas. Optional Excursion Evening Play ‘The Ship That Never Was’ – Witness Australia’s longest running play, providing insight into the dramatic life of Sarah Island, the play tells a hilarious rendition of the last Great Escape from the Island, based on a true story from 1834. The Bunnik Tours Representative will ask whether you wish to complete this optional in the early days of your tour to finalise numbers with the organiser. Payment is to be made directly to the theatre upon arrival. There is no minimum number requirement to operate and attend this optional excursion. (1 hour & 15 minutes - $25pp)

Day 13: Strahan – Queenstown - Hobart

Special Experience Experience the Rack and Gorge railway, a famous steam train journey through the rainforest of Tasmania’s west coast, through to the incredible King River Gorge. Venturing deep into western Tasmania’s cool temperate rainforest, we can pan for gold at Lynchford Station, traverse over the magnificent King River Gorge and take a short walk into the rainforest at Dubbil Barril before the unique experience of watching the train engine being turned on the turntable. Along the way we enjoy a spot of morning tea, lunch and even dessert before we disembark. 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.

Day 14: Depart Hobart

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