For
those with a more general interest: Scenic Tasmania
For
those intested in nature: Parks and Wildlife
This
itinerary focuses on the Tasmania's wildlife and National Parks,
presenting several different parks and reserves, and a good selection
of wildife. As with all wildlife sightings can't be guaranteed,
if Tassie Devils in the wild is a must-see, we strongly advise adding
an extra night at King's Run; to keep the tour the same length Mt
Field can be dropped.
Day
1: Sydney or Melbourne / Burnie
Fly to Burnie, on Tasmania's northewest coast. Pick up your rental
car and drive west to Stanley, a little over an hour away. From
about sunset on Fairy Penguins come ashore at the base of The Nut,
a small peninsula jutting into Bass strait. In addition to the penguins,
Short-tailed Shearwaters also nest here in their thousands, and
should also be streaming in at this time. Overnight at Stanley.
Day
2: Stanley / Kings Run
After a look around Stanley, with it's lighthouse and historical
and interesting buildings, head west 50 miles to Kings Run, a former
cattle property turned into a wildlife refuge. The features of Kings
Run are the spectacular coastline & its nocturnal wildlife.
The western boundary is the Southern Ocean that pounds a rugged
foreshore studded with quartzite outcrops and an abundance of shorebirds.
Inland heath land and low eucalypt areas containing rare flora help
to support a rich variety of birdlife including many of Tasmania's
endemic species. The rare Orange Bellied Parrot migrates through
the property in autumn and spring. The former pasture areas are
now a marsupial lawn grazed by wallabies, Common Wombat and bandicoots.
These animals in turn support healthy populations of the world's
largest carnivorous marsupials, Tasmanian Devils and Spotted-tail
Quolls. With the co-operation of the Tasmanian Nature Conservation
Branch owner Geoff has developed a method of viewing the Tasmanian
Devil in the wild. There are no roads on the property only sandy
tracks; devils traverse these tracks during their nightly search
for food. A scent trail is dragged along these sandy tracks to a
rustic fisherman's shack to view the devils that generally arrive
within a few hours of sunset. The devils extraordinary sense of
smell & hearing do not detect the guests watching in candlelight
through a window as the animals feed on a road kill relocated from
a local road. A "Devil Restaurant" as such where it's
safe for them to eat! A soft outside light allows guests to see
a range of devil behavior and a simple sound system brings the sometimes
"raucous vocalizations" inside the 'hide'. After an evening
of amazing wildlife retire to your nearby accommodation. Prior to
the late afternoon and evening activities drive a little south a
few miles to Arthur River Township (more a small village) at the
mouth of the Arthur River. Here board your small cruise boat to
travel up the river through temperate rainforest and adjoining ecotone
in the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area. The guided cruise will stop
about 10 miles up river, where your guide will lead you on a walk
through the forest, and you enjoy a picnic lunch. Azure Kingfishers
and other birds are usually seen along the river, and on the return
White-bellied Sea-eagles swoop in to be feed with thrown fish. Return
to Kings Run bout 3.30pm.
Day
3: Kings Run / Cradle Mountain National Park
Depart Kings Run around lunchtime and head back first along the
coast and then south today to Cradle
Mountain National Park, about two hours away. Cradle Mountain
National Park is high country, from sheltered rainforest through
snow gums to alpine meadow, studded with beautiful blue lakes. A
variety of wildlife can usually be seen here, including wombats,
wallabies, pademelons, devils and quolls. Check into the Cradle
Mountain Lodge, and look over the available walks, then enjoy
an afternoon out in this stunning area. Suggested is the Dove Lake
Loop, an easy 2 hour walk along a track takes you under the shadow
of Cradle Mountain, through the tranquil Ballroom Forest and back
along the western shore of the lake to your starting point. More
active hikers may wish to arrange with the Ranger Station for a
full day walk to Cradle Summit. This evening after dinner discover
more wildlife on the Lodge’s evening nocturnal wildlife tour.
Overnight Cradle Mountain Lodge two nights.
Day
4: Cradle Mountain
Today explore the Park, perhaps on a full day hike on the Summit
Trail, 2 to 3 hours on the Wombat Pool walk, or enjoy a gentler
paced day on the shorter Park trails and private activities offered
by the Lodge, including perhaps taking advantage of some of the
spa facilities (additional cost.) There are many shorter walks,
including one named The Enchanted Forest that winds its way through
both eucalyptus and rainforest. Near the Lodge is Devils@cradle,
part of the conservation effort for Tasmanian Devils, where you
can get to know Devils personally.
Day
5: Cradle Mountain / Bicheno / Freycinet National
Park
Depart Cradle Mountain this morning for the east coast and the small
town of Bicheno, about a five hour drive through the very pleasant
Tasmanian countryside, a mixture of farmland, sheep country, and
even (legal) opium poppy fields. Once again the long days during
the summer months – twilight runs through until after 9pm
– will give you plenty of time for a relaxing drive. At Bicheno
and Freycinet you have several options, including Bicheno
Hideaway - self-contained cabins set in bushland, motels such
as the Best Western Beachfront Bicheno Resort (3 star), or the 5
star Freycinet
Lodge, set in the Park itself. Whichever you choose for the
next two nights, if you arrive early afternoon you may wish to immediately
drive into
Freycinet National Park, to begin yourr stay here. The rest
of the day is free to begin your discovery of the Freycinet Peninsula,
with its spectacular views and many walking trails.
About
50 miles from Cradle Mountain is Trowunna Sanctuary, where owner
Androo Kelly has been working with orphaned Tasmanian Devils and
other wildlife for many years, and you may wish to stop here.
Day
6: Freycinet National Park
Spend the day exploring the trails and walks of this pristine and
beautiful area, including one of Australia’s most scenic hikes
to the lookout over Wineglass Bay.
Day
7: Freycinet / Port Arthur
Head south this morning to Port
Arthur (about 2 ½ hours away), one of convict Australia’s
most notorious sites. Prisoners, both incarcerated and those working
for settlers, who committed crimes were sent here. While in appearances
a very pleasant place now, its history belies this near pastoral
setting. There is much here to learn of one of the darker periods
of England’s past. Leave the Port Arthur area late afternoon,
heading north again to Hobart, about 65 miles away, and overnight.
Or, if you prefer a beach stay, we recommend a cabin at Stewart's
Bay Lodge. Large cabins with views of bay or bush, and a ten
minute private beach walk to Port Arthur.
Day 8: Hobart & Mt Field
Take the opportunity this morning to see historic Hobart’s
waterfront - on Saturday the Salamanca
Market occupies the streets, presenting Tasmanian food, goods
and much else besides. Continue west another 50 miles to Mt
Field National Park. The two-hour circuit walk to Russell Falls,
Horseshoe Falls, Tall Trees Circuit and Lady Barron Falls through
pristine temperate rainforest, complete with giant tree ferns, is
not to be missed. Most people walk to Russell Falls first; if you
start off the other way, towards Lady Barron, you walk down the
steep climb to Russell Falls, rather than up. Overnight again in
Hobart.
Day
9: Hobart / ?
Today continue to your next destination in Australia. If you have
an extra day a guided tour out to Maria
Island for wildlife and 290 million year old fossils is recommended.
Inala
Option
Inala is a birding and wildlife personal resort on Bruny Island,
south of Hobart. All of Tasmania's endemic birds are found here,
as well as wallabies, possums, quolls and other wildlife. The owner
is a former wildlife researcher, and the accommodation, food and
tours are top notch. We recommend 3 days and two nights at Inala;
the Spa unit is particularly appealing. For those with a greater
wildlife interest and still just nine days or so Inala can be subsituted
for Freycinet National Park.
Itinerary
2: Scenic Tasmania
This itinerary is designed for active, outdoor-oriented
travelers who like to enjoy mild to medium hiking and walking, enjoy
scenery and wildlife and even adds some of Tasmania's unique arts
and crafts.
Day
1: Sydney or Melbourne/ Launceston / Devonport
This morning fly to Launceston, Tasmania. Pick up your rental car
and begin your exploration of the Island State. Before you leave
you may wish to visit the Tasmania
Wood Design Collection, displaying some of the best wood-based
crafts and furniture Tasmania has to offer. Drive north along the
east side of the Tammar River, Tasmania's wine-producing area. Tasmania
produces some excellent cold-area wines, which match perfectly with
its award-winning cheeses and world-class seafood. In George Town
a look around this historical area. Trace your route back a few
miles, cross the river and head towards Narawntapu
National Park, about 40 miles away. This is probably the best
place in Tasmania to see some its larger wildlife, including kangaroos,
wallabies, and wombats. Late afternoon to dusk is when most are
active, and can usually be easily seen. There’s a Ranger Station
that can help direct you to the best viewing areas. After your wildlife
experience continue on to Devonport for your overnight stay.
Day
2: Devonport / Cradle Mountain
Drive south today to Cradle
Mountain National Park, about an hour and a half away. Cradle
Mountain National Park is high country, from sheltered rainforest
through snow gums to alpine meadow, studded with beautiful blue
lakes. A variety of wildlife can usually be seen here, including
wombats, wallabies, pademelons, devils and quolls. Check into the
Cradle
Mountain Lodge, and look over the available walks, then enjoy
an afternoon out in this stunning area. Suggested is the Dove Lake
Loop, an easy 2 hour walk along a track takes you under the shadow
of Cradle Mountain, through the tranquil Ballroom Forest and back
along the western shore of the lake to your starting point. More
active hikers may wish to arrange with the Ranger Station for a
full day walk to . This evening after dinner discover more wildlife
on the Lodge’s evening nocturnal wildlife tour. Overnight
Cradle Mountain Lodge two nights.
Day
3: Cradle Mountain National Park
Today explore the Park, perhaps on a full day hike on the Summit
Trail, 2 to 3 hours on the Wombat Pool walk, or enjoy a gentler
paced day on the shorter Park trails and private activities offered
by the Lodge, including perhaps taking advantage of some of the
spa facilities (additional cost.) There are many shorter walks,
including one named The Enchanted Forest that winds its way through
both eucalyptus and rainforest. Near the Lodge is Devils@cradle,
part of the conservation effort for Tasmanian Devils, where you
can get to know Devils personally.
Day
4: Cradle Mountain / Freycinet
Option 1: Depart Cradle Mountain this morning for the east
coast and the small town of Bicheno, about a five hour drive through
the very pleasant Tasmanian countryside, a mixture of farmland,
sheep country, and even (legal) opium poppy fields. Once again the
long days during the summer months – twilight runs through
until after 9pm – will give you plenty of time for a relaxing
drive. At Bicheno and Freycinet you have several options including
Bicheno
Hideaway, self-contained cabins set in bushland, motels such
as the Best Western Beachfront Bicheno Resort (3 star), or the 5
star Freycinet
Lodge, set in the Park itself. Whichever you choose for the
next two nights, if you arrive early afternoon you may wish to immediately
drive into
Freycinet National Park, to begin yourr stay here. The rest
of the day is free to begin your discovery of the Freycinet Peninsula,
with its spectacular views and many walking trails.
Day
5: Freycinet Peninsula
Spend the day exploring the trails and walks of this pristine and
beautiful area, including one of Australia’s most scenic hikes
to the lookout over Wineglass Bay.
Day
6: Bicheno / Hobart
Head south this morning to Port
Arthur, one of Convict Australia most notorious sites. Prisoners,
both incarcerated and working for settlers, who committed crimes
were sent here. While in appearances a very pleasant place now,
its history belies this near pastoral setting. There is much here
to learn of one of the darker periods of England’s past. Return
a little way up the road to Potter’s
Croft for your overnight. As well as accommodation, Potter’s
Croft has a gallery
with a selection of Tasmanian artists and craftspeople – your
host is an accomplished potter with a workshop on site. Or, if you
prefer a beach stay, we recommend a cabin at Stewart's
Bay Lodge. Large cabins with views of bay or bush, and a ten
minute private beach walk to Port Arthur.
Day
7: Dunalley/ Hobart
Head into Hobart about lunchtime for a short wander around this
historical city, with its convict era buildings. On Saturday the
Salamanca
Market occupies the streets, presenting Tasmanian food, goods
and much else besides. Drop your car off at the airport this evening
and take your flight to your next destination in Australia.
