Tasmanian Explorer

After this morning's meeting you head from Launceston, one of Australia’s oldest cities, to the seaside town of Stanley, with plenty of scenic stops along the way. Visit Narawntapu National Park, whose coastal plains are home to stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies and a variety of bird species. Learn about the rich Aboriginal heritage of this area, where artefacts can still be found along the walking trails. Together, we’ll enjoy a platter lunch at an amazing cidery that is part of Tasmania’s Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. You may opt to sample their local brews – perhaps a vintage pear cider, and if you have a sweet tooth, Anvers Chocolate may be calling you to taste its famous truffles! Next drop into the Tasmanian Arboretum, where there are reasonable chances for you to spot a platypus. After a brief stop in the picturesque town of Penguin continue along the rocky coastline to Stanley. Climb the famous landmark The Nut, an ancient volcanic plug that juts out into the Bass Strait and offers outstanding views from the top. Wander down to the working wharf where some of the freshest seafood in Tasmania comes in each day. Continue to our accommodation in the rural countryside of Tasmania's remote north-west corner, and perhaps enjoy the onsite heated pool.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

North Coast - Visit to Penguin Village

North Coast - Narawntapu National Park

North Coast - Lunch at Spreyton Cider Company

Stanley - The Nut

North Coast - Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail



Meals Included

Lunch

The Tarkine is home to the largest temperate rainforest in Australia and the second largest in the world. It is rich with geological wonders, Aboriginal history and unique creatures and habitats not found anywhere else on earth. Explore sites like the hidden Trowutta Arch and the Lake Chisholm sinkhole, both examples of fascinating geological change. Other highlights along the Tarkine Coast include Marrawah, famous for its big wave surfing, Mount Cameron West, one of the most important Aboriginal art sites in Tasmania, and the desolate Edge of the World, marking the longest stretch of ocean on the planet – from here, there’s no land until Argentina. You’ll enjoy numerous short walks to explore the sites, with a picnic lunch along the way. Later return to our accommodation for the night.



Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

The Tarkine - Trowutta Arch

The Tarkine - Lake Chisholm Sinkhole

The Takine - Edge of the World



Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Today you travel to Corinna via Rocky Cape National Park, home to windswept heathlands, sea caves, rock pools and twisted rocks that have formed over millions of years. Discover the cultural and spiritual connection to this area among the Aboriginal community. Continue to the historic lighthouse at Table Cape and on to the stunning Boat Harbour Beach before stopping for lunch at either the spectacular Hellyer Gorge or in the historic town of Waratah. Take a short walk (approximately 1.5 hours roundtrip) to see the pretty Philosopher Falls. In the remote, rural town of Corinna, settle into your accommodation in restored miners’ cottages and put away your phone – there’s no service out here anyway. Here you will enjoy a lovely dinner with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

Corinna - Philosopher Falls

North Coast - Rocky Cape National Park

North Coast - Boat Harbour Beach

Corinna - Hellyer Gorge

North Coast - Table Cape Lighthouse Visit



Meals Included

Breakfast

Dinner

Get active today with opportunities for kayaking and hiking around the Corinna area, exploring the Pieman River and Tarkine rainforest. After lunch in Corinna, begin your return towards to the North West coast, with plenty of stops along the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. Enjoy a whisky tasting tour at Hellyers Road Distillery, and further along the Tasting Trail you will have the option sample local beers at Buttons Brewing. Continue to Devonport where you'll spend the night.



Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

Corinna - Hiking in Corinna

North Coast - Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail



Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Head back to Launceston, via the one of Tasmania's outdoor art galleries, the Sheffield Murals. After this you will spending time in the stunning Cradle Mountain National Park. With many options to enjoy the breathtaking peaks, you can take a walk around the lovely Dove Lake in Cradle Valley or hike up to Marion’s Lookout for breathtaking views across the area - the options are open for you. Keep your eyes peeled for wombats at Ronny Creek. Along the way to Launceston, there will be more optional stops for tastings and shopping, including for locally grown raspberries, cheese and ice cream.



Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

Cradle Mountain National Park - Park Visit & Hikes

Sheffield - Murals Trail

North Coast - Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail



Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

After an early breakfast, make the drive to Hobart where a meeting will take place to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next part of your journey. Then make a trip to the summit of kunyanyi (Mount Wellington) for spectacular, sprawling views of the city and southern Tasmania. Grab lunch at one of the many restaurant options along the Hobart waterfront, where local fishermen, sailors and travellers have gathered for more than 200 years. In the afternoon, catch the ferry to the quirky Museum of Old and New Art, home to an eclectic collection of pieces – such as a man named Tim, whose tattooed back has been on display since 2011 as living art. You’ll take the ferry back to check into your hotel, where you are free to relax for the evening or head out and explore local Hobart nightlife.



Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

Hobart - Ferry Ride & Visit to Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

Hobart - Excursion to the Summit of Mt Wellington



Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will likely change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary. We suggest you attend, as this is also a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers. It’s important that you attend the welcome meeting as your new group leader will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Today, the Salamanca Markets await, ready to tempt you with local delights – everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. We’ll spend 2 hours exploring the market, then head to the historic town of Richmond. With over 40 heritage buildings, Richmond gives you the impression that you’ve landed back in the colonial 1800s. From there, head down the peninsula to the southern tip at Port Arthur. Driving down the beautiful Forestier and Tasman peninsulas, you’ll pass through the narrow sliver of land that is Eaglehawk Neck and stop at Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen, where the surging sea meets stunning rock formations. Once you reach Port Arthur, you can opt to hike from the aptly named Remarkable Cave, a picturesque sea cave shaped by ancient earthquakes, out to the breathtaking Crescent Bay, surrounded by steep sand dunes and offering awesome views along the coastline and sea cliffs. Or, you may want to explore the Port Arthur Historic Site, a former convict settlement with a horrific past (extra cost). We’ll return to Hobart for the night.



Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

Tasman Peninsula - Tasman Arch

Hobart - Salamanca Markets

Tasman Peninsula - Devils Kitchen

Tasman Peninsula - Eaglehawk Neck

Richmond - Colonial Village Visit

Tasman Peninsula - Crescent Bay



Meals Included

Breakfast

Feast on local delights at the Hobart farmers’ market, where you can meet local producers and browse for seasonal Tassie produce like gooseberries, pine mushrooms or fresh oysters, depending on the time of year. Depart for the Huon Valley and the riverside town of Franklin where we’ll visit the Wooden Boat Centre, to learn the fine art of hand-crafted timber boats. From here we’ll go to Geeveston, a small township known for its forestry heritage and gateway to the Hartz Mountains wilderness, where you'll explore this remote and rugged place shaped by ancient glaciers. Our last stop in the Huon Valley is to learn about the history of local apple farming, maybe with a few cider samples, at a fourth-generation orchard and cidery. Return to Hobart for the evening to enjoy dinner at an iconic Battery Point pub.



Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)



Included Activities

Hobart - Farmers' Market

Huon Valley - Willie Smith’s Cider Apple Museum

Huon Valley - Wooden Boat Centre Tour

Huon Valley - Geeveston & Hartz Mountains National Park



Meals Included

Breakfast

Dinner

Hop on the ferry over to Bruny Island. Climb 279 steps to reach Truganini Lookout at The Neck for sweeping views and wildlife-spotting. Explore South Bruny National Park, where the Cape Bruny Lighthouse perches high above the wild waves of the Southern Ocean. Visit Cloudy Bay, at the southernmost tip of the island, where whaling stations operated in the mid-1800s. See the beautiful coastline of Adventure bay, and stop in at a few local Bruny Island shops for tastings of locally sourced products such as cheese, oysters, honey, beer and/or wine. Your tour concludes upon return to Hobart at 5.30pm, and you are free to depart at your leisure.



Included Activities

Bruny Island - Truganini Lookout

Bruny Island - South Bruny National Park

Bruny Island - Cloudy Bay

Bruny Island - Day Trip by Ferry

Bruny Island - Adventure Bay



Meals Included

Breakfast