Wild Tasmania Tour

Tasmania Tour Highlights:

• Mount Field N.P. including Russell Falls and Lake St Clair
• Breathing the freshest air in the world on a Gordon River Cruise
• Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers N.P. a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Wake up at Cradle Mountain and explore Dove Lake and surrounds
• Launceston’s Cataract Gorge
• Sample local cheese at a family-owned dairy farm

Sample Tour Itinerary (subject to change):

Day 1: Welcome to Hobart, Australia

At the mouth of the River Derwent, Australia’s southernmost city embraces its history, but has one eye firmly planted on the future. Put your destination into perspective from the summit of Mt. Nelson. Visit Salamanca Place to see how forward-thinking purveyors and curators have transformed heritage spaces into restaurants, cafés and galleries. Gaze over boats at Constitution Dock – this is where yachts finish when competing in the annual Sydney to Hobart race, and take a stroll in the second oldest Botanical Gardens in Australia with its amazing collection of plants from around the world. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Hobart – Strahan

Not many people live in the West of Tasmania – even less visit. This is not for want of appeal. Mount Field National Park dials up the drama from the moment you arrive, delivering World Heritage-listed wilderness in the form of soaring eucalypts (some of the tallest on earth) and thundering waterfalls. Russell Falls and Lake St Clair will take your breath away.

Day 3: Strahan – Cradle Mountain

The inky waters of the Gordon River – given its colour by amber buttongrass tannins – are as eery as they are beautiful. The mirror-like surface is broken by your chariot out to Sarah Island. It is hard to believe the beauty of this part of the state with its grim history as a penal colony; a place where convicts would fell Huon pines for boat building. Early settlers did not mince their words when they called the treacherous entrance to the river’s harbour Hells Gates., you will understand why when you drift past. Cradle Mountain awaits to the north.

Day 4: Cradle Mountain – Burnie

Today your journey reaches new heights – quite literally with a visit to the 1,545m Cradle Mountain, your backdrop as you explore Dove Lake on your Cradle Mountain tour, the wild alpine moorlands here a natural magnet for lovers of the wilderness. The spectacular and pristine wilderness of Cradle Mountain is home to the mysterious and secretive Tasmanian Devil. Visit a sanctuary to learn about these animals and threatened species conservation. Leave the Central Highlands this afternoon and head towards the scenic north-west coast.

Day 5: Burnie – Launceston

Table Cape is Wynyard’s most remarkable natural wonder, at 180m high, ‘The Cape’ offers spectacular views of Tasmania’s coastline. As you drive to the top of the remains of a 12-million-year-old volcano you’ll reach the lookout where on a clear day you can see mountain ranges over 175km away. If there’s a town with a cuter name than Penguin, we’re yet to find it. There are penguin sculptures at every turn, including one measuring over 3m tall. Your journey along the northwest coast also passes through Ulverstone and Sheffield, the town of murals that has over 100 large paintings depicting the area’s rich history. Refuel at Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm, where happy cows contribute to award-winning cheeses from cheddar and red Leicester to creamy Tasmanian blue.

Day 6: Depart Launceston, Tasmania

There are few places in the world where you can leave the city behind and within minutes be surrounded by nature. In Launceston, bink and you are at Cataract Gorge, a chasm carved by ancient rivers. This rare natural phenomenon unites bushland with Victorian gardens. Get a different perspective of the green cavern on the optional scenic chairlift, zipping you over the water to a lofty lookout. Later, you may wish to board a cruise to experience the cliff faces by river on an optional tour (both own expense), or simply spend the afternoon exploring this historic port city. How you end your Tasmania tour is completely up to you.

Important flight booking information for your Tasmania tour:

Note: All flights referred to in the itinerary are not included in the tour price. Please be aware there are specific flights required to be booked to take this tour. Ask your Downunder Travel Destination Specialist to assist with adding flights to your tour (additional cost).