7 Day Island Experience

Australia’s “Apple Isle” is jam packed with quality experiences from pristine wilderness regions to convict settlements and fabulous food and wine! With some meals included, multi share accommodation already sorted, expert local guides and plenty of outdoor adventure and nature based activities – this is the perfect travel option that will help you explore the very unique land, people and spirit of Tasmania.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Launceston to Bicheno

Our Tasmanian experience begins as we check out Tasmania’s second city and Australia’s third oldest, Launceston, with its beautifully maintained architecture, and small city welcoming atmosphere. The Cataract Gorge and First Basin is a great natural attraction to explore. Head out of Launceston via Scottsdale and the Blue Tier region towards the east coast town of St Helens. This afternoon we will take a walk on the pristine white beaches and orange lichen covered rocks of the Bay of Fires. Tonight let’s try some of the local seafood for dinner.

Overnight : Bicheno Cabin Park (Cabins)
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Bicheno & Freycinet National Park

This morning we depart Bicheno and head for Freycinet National Park where we will spend the rest of the day exploring. For those seeking a challenge, try the climb to the summit of Mt Amos or join a guided walk to Wineglass Bay, voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches. There are some other free walking choices or perhaps a visit to Cape Tourville or Honeymoon Bay. Later this afternoon you have the opportunity to try some sea kayaking or quad biking from Coles Bay*. At dusk you may like to take a guided tour for a closer look at the life of the Little Penguins as they return nightly to their rookeries to feed their young* (Seasonal).

Overnight: Bicheno Cabin Park (Cabins)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 - Bicheno to Hobart via Port Arthur

This morning we travel south via the coastal towns of Swansea and Orford before crossing Eaglehawk Neck and reaching the photogenic Tasman Peninsula. We will check out some of the best bits of the Tasman National Park before our visit to Port Arthur and its amazing Historic Site. We take a guided walk and a short harbour cruise to give us an insight into the life of a convict, in a place once considered “hell on earth”. Some free time to explore the old buildings and chilling prison ruins before returning to Hobart via the historic village of Richmond.

Overnight: Hobart Macquarie (Motel) or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Hobart to Tarraleah

We begin this morning with some of the sights around Tasmania’s capital city of Hobart including Salamanca Place, Battery Point and the waterfront docks. We then head through the Derwent Valley to discover Mt Field National Park – Tasmania’s first. Take a walk to Russell Falls and spend some time this afternoon exploring this unique area, including the Giant Swamp Gums and the controversial Styx Valley. We travel further into the highlands to finish the day at Tarraleah, its aboriginal meaning is “Forrester Kangaroo”, but aside from the enormous range of Tasmanian flora and fauna in the area, this town is best known as the birth place of the hydro-electric scheme in Tasmania.

Overnight: Tarraleah Highland Village (Lodges)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Tarraleah to Strahan

Delve further into the wilderness with a visit to Lake St Clair, which at a depth of 200m, is Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. Take an interesting walk beside the lake and learn of the Aboriginal involvement in this unique highland lake region. This World Heritage Area hosts some amazing wildlife including the elusive platypus. Continue to Tasmania’s west coast making several stops along the way to stretch the legs on some great short walks including Donaghy’s Lookout, Franklin River and Nelson Falls. Pass through Queenstown with its intriguing eroded landscape of treeless hills. Finish the day in Strahan at the very edge of the west coast. Strahan once a quiet fishing village plays an
important role in the history of the evolution of the worlds’ first Greens Party.

Overnight: Discovery Holiday Parks Strahan (Cabins)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Strahan to Cradle Mountain

One of the most powerful and meaningful experiences on the west coast is surely the Gordon River Cruise (optional). Enjoy an amazing mixture of scenery, history and even a gourmet lunch. If you’re not interested in taking a cruise, choose one of many equally stunning activities such as the Wild Rivers Jet Boat, Henty Sand Dunes quad biking or hire a kayak and explore the edges of Macquarie Harbour (optional). Travel this afternoon to Cradle Mountain via the towns of Rosebery and Tullah. We will visit a Wildlife Sanctuary to view the Tasmanian Devil and learn more about this threatened creature.

Overnight: Discovery Holiday Parks Strahan (Cabins)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Cradle Mountain to Launceston

Join a guided walk or free walk on one of the many trails around Cradle Mountain, Dove and Crater Lakes. The mountain at 1545m high, is one of the favourite features in the park and is surrounded by stands of native deciduous beech, rainforest, alpine heath lands and button grass. Icy streams cascade down the mountainsides, and ancient pines are reflected in the still glacial lakes. Later today, transfer to Launceston with plenty of distractions to stop at along the way, including an award winning cheese factory.

Meals: Breakfast

Further Information

Comments

This is an Open Aged Tour for passengers over the age of 12, Travellers over the age of 55 must provide a medical certificate from their physician. This is to ensure that senior travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their tour as the itinerary takes you to remote regions and days can be long through rugged regions.