Untamed Tasmania


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Detailed Trip Description

Experience Tasmania’s pristine wilderness from the mountains to the coast on this active exploration of Australia’s island state. Tasmania is a fascinating destination. Over one third of the landmass is protected in National Parks and Reserves and is listed as a World Heritage Area. There are mysterious rainforests with ancient trees and lush vegetation, as well as many amazing plants and animals that can be found nowhere else on earth. The island’s rich history includes European settlements and prisons, as well as a much older aboriginal history. Relax in the comfort of wonderful accommodations and savour the tastes of traditional bush foods and gourmet meals. With your guide, Craig Williams, Tasmania is more than an experience, it's a way of life. He is a Tassie wildife expert, and his very personalized and customizable tours provide unsurpassed wilderness and wildlife encounters with nature. Read what other travelers had to say: "Craig Williams in Tasmania was outstanding. His knowledge of the area and animals was awe-inspiring. My kids still talk about him and thank God for him in their nightly prayers. What a world he opened to all of us." - Laura Kofoid, Family of 4 "I loved Tasmania - it is one of the best places to visit. We saw so much and had so much fun. I was amazed by the variety and the beauty of the different types of forests, and everything seems to flower - trees, bushes, etc. And the wildlife is incredible - Craig's nighttime quoll patrols are unbeatable. Craig (who is a walking encyclopedia) and his wife Janine are wonderful and are very serious about making sure we enjoyed the trip." - Cathy Deonier This trip combines well with our Australia Great Wild South, Discovery Down Under or New Zealand Deluxe Wilderness Explorer trips.


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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Tasmania

 
Launceston - NW Tasmania.
Sightseeing

Upon arrival in Launceston, you will be welcomed to the third oldest city in Australia and start your journey to the far northwest corner of Tasmania, home to the purest air in the world. Travel the far NW tip of Tasmania to Smithton following the coast past Mt. Cameron West, a significant area for the Tasmanian aborigines. Then, continue on to your evening destination at Marrawah or Arthur River on the edge of the world.

Tasmania Sightseeing picture
Adventure

After a few hours of leisure, it’s off to view the amazing and famous Tasmanian Devil in its own environment on a nocturnal tour with specialist guide, Geoff King.

Tasmania Adventure picture
Hotel

Return late in the evening to stay overnight at Arthur River Holiday Units (or similar).
Meals: Dinner


Day 2 - Tasmania

 
Arthur River Cruise.
River or Barge Cruise

To start the day, you and your guide make your way to the dock for a river cruise on the MV Reflections, which includes lunch and a wilderness walk up the magnificent Arthur River.

Sightseeing

This is a small and very personal operation that slowly cruises along this spectacular area and provides you with opportunities to view platypus, azure kingfishers, and sea eagles. The Arthur is one of Tasmania’s seven major rivers, but it is the only one that is completely wild, having never been logged, dammed, or affected by fire through the rainforest for almost 650 years. Widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful sights in Tasmania, it's surrounded on either side by over 12 miles of lush, natural rainforest. A special feature of this tour is the feeding of the sea eagles as they swoop down to accept fresh fish offerings.

Food and Dining

Return back to the dock for a BBQ lunch NW Tasmanian style.

Sightseeing

After lunch you will take a walk through the enchanted Warra Creek Valley to the falls.

Hotel

Later, return to Arthur River hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 3 - Tasmania

 
Cradle Mountain.
Hiking

This morning you will make your way through Arthur Pieman Protected World Heritage area. Travel further south along the stunning remote and inhospitable coast, eventually crossing the Pieman River by barge and continue your journey through old mining towns of days gone by and then on to Cradle Mountain. Stop at the Visitor Center and then make your way up to Dove Lake, where you will have the opportunity for a hike around the stunning, craggy Cradle Mountain.

Sightseeing

Afterwards, pay a visit to Waldheim Chalet, built by Gustav Weindorfer, who wished to preserve Cradle Mountain for future generations. Here at his historic cabin you will gain insight into his mountain lifestyle.

Hotel

Stay overnight at the Cradle Mountain Chateau (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 4 - Tasmania

 
Wildlife Viewing & Indigenous Experience.
Safari

Departing Cradle Mountain, you journey next to Trowunna Wildlife Park, where you will have the opportunity to pat a koala, cuddle a wombat, and watch Tasmanian Devils being fed.

Food and Dining

Continue to your cozy cabin in Upper Esk. In the evening enjoy an introduction to Tasmania’s unique wildlife species with a “Gourmet Game Food dinner” that will consist of original mouth-watering bush recipes and native spices.This evening’s meal is a combination of exotic Tasmanian game meats, fish, and other dishes prepared, cooked, and served with nature.
You will have the opportunity to sample some of the “Bush Chef’s” own creations, chargrilled butterfly wallaby tenderloins, accompanied by world-renowned Tasmanian cool-climate wines, beers, and cheeses.

Safari

After dinner, embark on a nocturnal wildlife tour, or, as some call it, a quoll patrol. The focus and objective is to view the bandit of the bush, the eastern quoll, in its natural habitat. This acrobatic, elusive, and agile little creature takes great pleasure staying out of the spotlight. Other species you may also encounter are possums, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, and eastern barred bandicoot.

Hotel

Return back to the cabin around 8:30 pm.
Spend two nights at Beulah Heritage Accommodation (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 5 - Tasmania

 
Bay of Fires & Mt. William National Park.
National Parks

Your destination today is Mt. William National Park in the far northeast corner of Tasmania. Departing Millybrook, you will pass through Tombstone Creek Forest Reserve, the service town of Scottsdale, and Musselroe Bay before arriving in Mt. William. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the traditional Tasmanian aboriginal lifestyle, including topics, such as bush foods, crafts, and medicines.

Sightseeing

You will possibly have the chance to see remnants of past occupation of the land, such as middens and hut depressions. Via 4WD vehicle on bush tracks, you will travel along the edge of the Bay of Fires beach, voted the “best beach in the world,” and head to Eddystone Point. It is an invigorating journey with a few stops for gentle strolls and plenty of spectacular scenery.

Sightseeing

Enjoy the astounding views of the Bay of Fires, sprayed with reddish granite boulders along the shorelines, stunningly landscaped by Mother Nature and time. Encounter the secluded beaches, coves, and the telltale signs that wildlife left embedded in the sands. This area is an important sanctuary for the forester (or eastern grey) kangaroo, wombats, Bennett’s wallabies, and Tasmanian pademelons. The echidna can also be found foraging for ants, particularly during the summer months. Bird life is rich and varied, with nearly 100 species to be found. Stop at Blue Lake, where the pure white sands reflect the intense color of the sky.

Food and Dining

Return to your lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy a camp-oven dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 6 - Tasmania

 
Evercreech Forest & Fairy Penguins.
Sightseeing

Shortly after departing Millybrook, you reach Evercreech White Gum Reserve, which contains magnificent white gum trees, the tallest of this particular species in the world. From Evercreech, you travel to the warm sand and turquoise ocean, mellow afternoons, and long, seaside twilights of Bicheno on the east coast.

Adventure

Tonight you will be guided through a private fairy penguin rookery. You will view these remarkable birds up close and undisturbed in their own environment.

All-Inclusive Resort

Spend two nights in Bicheno at the Beachfront Family Resort (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 7 - Tasmania

 
Freycinet National Park.
National Parks

Today you will explore Freycinet, Tasmania’s oldest coastal national park.

Ocean Cruise

You will be transferred to a designated point, where you will meet your guides and embark on a scenic cruise through the Schouten Passage that will deliver you to the heart of Freycinet National Park.

Snorkeling

Explore the granite cliffs and sea caves and perhaps try your luck at fishing or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.

Beach

You will also visit Wingless Bay, voted one of the top ten beaches in the world, where you can swim, walk on the beach, or relax aboard the catamaran.

Kayaking

Finish off the day with a twilight kayaking tour of Great Oyster Bay at the base of the magnificent Hazards (approximately 3 hours in duration).

Hotel

Return to your lodge in Bicheno for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.


Day 8 - Hobart

 
Port Arthur - Hobart.
Sightseeing

Travel around Great Oyster Bay, with its crystal clear water and astounding views of the Hazards’ majestic pink granite, down the southeast coast of Tasmania to the Tasman Peninsula. This scenic drive takes you through the beautiful Wyelangta State Forest. Along the way, stop at an aboriginal rock shelter and a lookout at the Three Thumbs, which provides stunning views of Maria Island.

Sightseeing

Later, arrive at Port Arthur Historic Site, the remains of Tasmania's famous convict settlement. The site features many attractions and the experience brings its history alive. The tour focuses on the life of the residents of the convict colony and the hardships they endured in a harsh and unforgiving time.

Food and Dining

Enjoy lunch on the grounds of the historic site before you depart from Port Arthur.

Sightseeing

If time permits, you will visit natural geological wonders at the Blowhole, Devil’s Kitchen, and the Tasman Arch at Eaglehawk Neck on your way to Hobart.

Hotel

Spend two nights at the Lenna of Hobart (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 9 - Hobart

 
Bruny Island Cruise.
Ocean Cruise

Rise early this morning for a scenic drive from Hobart to embark on today’s cruise around Bruny Island. Enjoy a relaxing, 3-hour eco-cruise through untouched wilderness, with plenty of opportunities to view the amazing bird and marine life of southeastern Tasmania. On this spectacular cruise, you will view massive caves and find yourself within reach of some of Australia’s highest and most unique cliffs.

Sightseeing

A highlight of the trip is a visit to Friar Rocks, home to Australian fur seals.

Hotel

Return to your hotel in Hobart around 5:30 pm.

Relaxation

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


Day 10 - Launceston

 
Mt. Field National Park - Central Highland.
National Parks

Early this morning, journey to the first destination of the day, Mt. Field National Park, which is Tasmania’s oldest National Park. You will walk through the ferns and rainforest and travel through some of the world’s tallest eucalypt forest to the magnificent Russell Falls, Lady Barron Falls, the Tall Trees, and more. Mt. Field is home to the giant hardwood trees, eucalyptus regnan, also known as stringy gum or mountain ash. This particular species is the tallest flowering plant in the world. The largest specimen ever recorded reached skyward in excess of 446 feet and is actually listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Sightseeing

Later, depart Mt. Field National Park and take an enchanting trip back in time through the heritage highway region.

Sightseeing

Explore Tasmania’s European heritage by visiting the Georgian towns of Oatlands, Ross, and Campbell Town.

Sightseeing

From here you make your way up and across the Derwent River and climb to the central highlands of Tasmania, the land of one thousand lakes, passing impressive stands of mixed native forest. You are also rewarded with stunning views as you descend the escarpment on the northern end of the central plateau and gaze across the flat lands of the Midlands. Head down the mountain and continue on through the rural lands of Tasmania to your accommodations in Launceston, where you will spend your last evening in Tasmania.

Hotel

Stay overnight in Launceston at Peppers Seaport Hotel (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


Day 11 - Launceston

 
Launceston - Onward.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Launceston airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast


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