Day 1: Port Arthur & Tasmanian Devils
We take an early start from Hobart and head to the stunning Tasman Peninsula, home to Australia’s highest sea cliffs. Enjoy the panoramic views of the area from Pirates Bay Lookout and along the short but spectacular Waterfall Bay Clifftop Track. This is one of Tasmania’s “Great Short Walks”, around 45 minutes, concluding at the remarkable rock formations of Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen. The next stop is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. We arrive here for the action of a Tasmanian Devil Feeding. Watch the snarling, fighting and bone crushing in a spectacle of devilish behaviour during the feeding. Hand feed the wallabies and walk amongst the local fauna and flora in the charming “Unzoo” setting. Just a short drive down the road, we enter the Port Arthur Historic Site. Here you have around 2.5 hours to explore the site. Your entry includes a complimentary Harbour Cruise around the Isle of the Dead and a guided walking tour with Port Arthur’s expert guides. Discover the grim and violent history of the early Australian Penal system and get a sense of the isolation experienced by the convicts in this “inescapable prison”. On our return to Hobart, we make a stop in the late afternoon at the historic Richmond Village. Meander the streets, stop for a coffee and walk across Australia’s oldest bridge still in use – a convict-built sandstone bridge reported to be haunted! Last but not least, before we re-enter Hobart we stop for a fabulous view across Hobart from a local lookout. A picturesque way to return to the city. We drop you back at your Hobart CBD accommodation around 6.00 pm.
Meals: None
Day 2: Wineglass Bay & Freycinet National Park
Wineglass Bay has been voted many times among the top beaches in the world. Pink granite mountains form the backdrop for secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife and walking trails. Travel through the seaside towns of Orford and Swansea as you make your way along the East Coast of Tasmania heading towards Freycinet National Park. On arrival at Freycinet, walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout where your guide will help you take those sought-after photographs. From the Lookout, you have the option to return to the start of the walk with our tour guide, or for the keen walkers you can choose to spend the rest of your time completing the walk down to Wineglass Beach (2.5-hours return). If you choose to travel with our guide, we will explore more of the National Park and visit Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay and Cape Tourville lookout and Great Short Walk. After 4 to 5 hours at Freycinet National Park, you will then continue your journey onto Launceston.
Meals: None
Day 3: Cradle Mountain World Heritage Area
Cradle Mountain National Park is an area of iconic scenery with a huge variety of walking trails to choose from in this stunning world heritage-listed area. With around 5 hours to spend in the National Park, we leave our walking itinerary flexible to suit our guests and the weather conditions on the day. After departing Launceston we enjoy a short stop in Sheffield – The Town of Murals. Sheffield is a small and quirky village where the history of the Cradle Mountain region is depicted in artworks across the buildings throughout the town, this includes the opportunity to see the famous Eason’s Mural. We continue our journey into the mountains and arrive at Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake with around 5 hours of possible walking time before us. We begin with a series of short walks to Rainforest City and Pencil Pine Falls. From here we can choose from the gentle and iconic Dove Lake Circuit an easy 2-hour walk with amazing mountain views. For the more active, we offer the chance to climb to the loftier heights of Marion’s Lookout. This walk is well rewarded with amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding World Heritage wilderness area. Enjoy lunch by a quiet stream, watch the famous and friendly Cradle wombats in their natural habitat, or enjoy the many photographic opportunities that abound. Learn some of the local histories as we visit Weindorfer’s Chalet and see the ancient King Billy Pines on Weindorfer’s Forest Walk. Cradle Mountain is the backdrop for a truly memorable and not to be missed Tasmanian experience. On our return to Launceston, we stop to refuel and refresh at the delicious Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and Van Diemans Land Ice Creamery, before arriving back at around 6.00 pm.
Meals: None