Itinerary

Day 1      Launceston/NW Tasmania

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. 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. Return late in the evening to stay overnight at Arthur River Holiday Units (or similar).
    
Meals: Dinner    
Day 2      Arthur River 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. 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. Return back to the dock for a BBQ lunch NW Tasmanian style. After lunch you will take a walk through the enchanted Warra Creek Valley to the falls. Later, return to Arthur River hotel.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    
Day 3      Cradle Mountain

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. 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. Stay overnight at the Cradle Mountain Chateau (or similar).
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    
Day 4      Wildlife Viewing & Indigenous Experience

Departing Cradle Mountain, you journey next to Trowunna Wildlife Park for a private tour, where you will have the opportunity to pat a koala, cuddle a wombat, and watch Tasmanian Devils being fed.   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. 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. Return back to the cabin around 8:30 pm. Spend two nights at Beulah Heritage Accommodation (or similar).
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    
Day 5      Bay of Fires & Mt. William National Park

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. 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. 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, before returning to your lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy a camp-oven dinner.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    
Day 6      Evercreech Forest & Fairy Penguins

Shortly after departing Scottsdale 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. 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. Spend two nights in Bicheno at the Beachfront Family Resort (or similar).
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    
Day 7      Freycinet National Park

Today you will explore Freycinet, Tasmania’s oldest coastal national park. 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. Explore the granite cliffs and sea caves and perhaps try your luck at fishing or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. 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.  Return to your lodge in Bicheno for the night.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    
Day 8      Port Arthur/Hobart

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. 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. Enjoy lunch on the grounds of the historic site before you depart from Port Arthur. 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. Spend two nights at the Lenna of Hobart (or similar).
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner    
Day 9      Bruny Island 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. A highlight of the trip is a visit to Friar Rocks, home to Australian fur seals. Return to your hotel in Hobart around 5:30 pm, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    
Day 10      Mt. Field National Park/Central Highland

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. Later, depart Mt. Field National Park and take an enchanting trip back in time through the heritage highway region. Explore Tasmania’s European heritage by visiting the Georgian towns of Oatlands, Ross, and Campbell Town.  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. Stay overnight in Launceston at Peppers Seaport Hotel (or similar).
    
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch    
Day 11      Launceston/Onward

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

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