5 Day Tasmania West Coast Camping Safari

Tour Highlights (IN bRIEF)

Day 1	6.30 am pick-ups in Launceston Marakoopa Caves Cradle Mountain (Hike 3 hrs +)
Day 2	The Tarkine Rain Forest (Hike 4 hrs +) Corinna Pieman River
Day 3	Zeehan Pioneer Museum, The Spray Tunnel Montezuma Falls (Hike 3 hrs +) Strahan Macquarie Heads (fishing)
Day 4	Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park Nelson Falls, Franklin River, many lookouts Lake St Clair (Hike 3 hrs +)
Day 5	Mount Field National Park Lady Barron Falls, Russell Falls Horse Shoe Falls (Hike 3 hrs +) The Styx Valley Arrive Hobart 6 pm

overview

The bush of Tasmania's rugged West Coast is among the densest in the country due to some of Australia's highest rainfall. From the 1890's a network of railways and smaller mining tramways were being built to connect the mines and the ports. It was not until the construction of the Murchison Highway in the 1960's that the railways finally gave way to road transport

Itinerary

Day 1: Launceston - Caving - Cradle Mountain

Depart Launceston at 6.30am - pick-ups from your accommodation. Highlights today include a tour Marakoopa Caves which is included in price of your tour. For the more adventurous, there is the option to explore the Honeycomb Caves on an amazing caving expedition - price of the Honeycomb Caves tour is dependent on the number of participants.

Later in the day head towards Cradle Mountain for a hike up to Marion's Lookout (4+ hour walk)

Camp: Bush camp in a historic mining village
Walking: 4+ hrs
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 2: Cradle Mountain - The Tarkin - Corinna

Bush walk in The Tarkine (4+ hour walk). A relic from the ancient supercontinent, Gondwanaland, the Tarkine rainforest is one of the most significant temperate rainforests on earth. It is home to 56 threatened and endangered species, such as the Giant Freshwater Crayfish - the world's largest freshwater invertebrate and the Tasmanian Wedge Tailed Eagle - the largest Eagle in Australia. The extensive rainforests, beautiful river gorges, button grass mountain tops, flowering heathlands and long wild beaches combine to make the Tarkine one of the world's great treasures

• Cross the Pieman River, on the West Coast of Tasmania, at Corinna, a remote Tasmanian settlement
• Off-road driving to our coastal bush camp, next to the Southern Ocean

Camp: Bush camp
Walking: 4+ hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 3: Zeehan, - Montezuna Falls - Strahan - Fishing

• Off-road driving to Zeehan, an old mining town
• Bush walk at Montezuma Falls, Tasmania’s tallest waterfall (+3hr walk)
• Drive to Strahan to pick up some supplies before we head to camp. If you are interested, you can try a spot of fishing and catch your dinner!

Camping: Bush camp at MacQuarie Heads
Walking: 3+ hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 4: Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers – Lake St Clair

Drive through Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park lies in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is a region of dramatic mountain peaks, beautiful rainforest, deep river valleys and spectacular gorges. The park is famous for the wild and pristine rivers that twist their way through the wilderness. The Lyell Highway winds for 56 kilometres through the heart of the Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

• Stop off at Nelson Falls, Franklin River and many lookouts
• Walk at Lake St Clair.

Camp: Bush camp at Highland Lakes
Walking: 3+ hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 5: Mount Field National Park – Styx Valley - Hobart

Visit Mount Field National Park. The park has a wide variety of scenic features and wildlife and offers a great range of facilities for day visitors. Few other national parks in Australia offer such a diversity in vegetation, ranging from tall swamp gum forests and massive tree ferns at the base of the mountain, through rainforest along the Lake Dobson Road, to alpine vegetation at the higher elevations.

At Mt Field, enjoy a hike to Lady Barron Falls, Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls (+3hr walk).

Head to The Styx Valley, home to some of Australia’s tallest trees.

Arrive in Hobart at around 6.30pm. We’ll drop you off at your accommodation.

Camp: Bush camp
Walking: 3+ hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

"I found the tour to be very therapeutic - being amongst nature and the wildlife. The tour guide was very informative....this trip was just was I needed in my life, something I will never forget"
Natalie, Australia

"I had a fab time and will definitely recommend it to friends..."
Serena, Italy

"Great food!! Loved the veggies. Loved the hiking... it was just great!" Larissa, Canada
"Always wonderful campsites, 5 star meals, a caring and enthusiastic guide and overwhelming landscapes and walks - what else do you want?"
Nina, Germany

"The Tassie experience was one of those once in a lifetime experiences that has made me appreciate the world and all the amazing scenery in it... "
Claire, USA

"Fantastic experience! Best way to see the real Tasmania with someone who truly loves and understands the place "
Sarah, UK

"It's a great experience for anyone. Some of the stuff you see is so beautiful, almost surreal"
Andrew, USA

"Camping, long walks and away from the crowds..."
Steve, UK

"It was great, I loved the small group atmosphere... "
Ry, USA

Further Information

Vehicles

4WD troop carriers that carry a maximum of 9 passengers. We access remote areas requiring a considerable amount of off-road driving. The seats are side-facing so you can talk to everyone in your group! We use 4WD vehicles rather than large buses because we believe that this is the best way for you to experience wilderness Tasmania.

Camping equipment

We use heavy duty canvas tents and supply cosy swags, so all you need is your sleeping bag. All camping and cooking equipment is provided. Small two person tents are also available for those persons who just ant some privacy and / or protection from insects
Tasmanian weather can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for all types of weather. Warm and waterproof clothing is essential. Please advise us when you book if you need to hire sleeping bags or waterproof trousers/jackets.

Sleeping Bags: Hire charge for sleeping bags is $15 which includes an inner sheet.

Get involved

Our tours are designed to give you the experience of bush camping. Assisting with some camp duties such as, preparing meals, washing up, erecting tents etc. is often necessary. If the whole group gets involved, then this can really help to make the trip an enjoyable one.

Flora and fauna

The flora and fauna of Tasmania is unique due to its large array of endemic (found only in one region) species which are scattered throughout the island.

Protected by its isolation and rugged mountainous ranges, the flora and fauna has stayed intact to a large degree, whereas the southern parts of mainland Australia have been more affected.
The Tasmanian Devil, was once widespread throughout mainland Australia, but now it can only be found in Tasmania. Also, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, which is thought of as common in many parts of Tasmania, is restricted to small colonies in Victoria.

The Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) was found on mainland Australia and survived in Tasmania until recently. There have been no sightings of the Tassie Tiger in 50 years, but there are many people who still believe that it exists.

Nearly 2,000 species of flowering plants are known to the state, with over 200 of these being endemic. Tasmania boasts over 220 species of birds of which 12 are endemic to Tasmania.

Come and experience a trip through our state that will let you view some wonderful flora and fauna, that you will only see in Tasmania. Learn about the behaviour and the beauty of our animals, birds and vegetation with one of our 4WD Camping Adventures.