9 Days Western Wilderness and Wildlife Encounter (Small Group Tour max 8 guests)

DAY 1/ Sunday                   

HOBART ARRIVAL – BONORONG NGHT TOUR

Upon arrival at Hobart airport no later than 3.00 pm, be transferred to your accommodation in the CBD, where you have time for a quick refreshment stop. At 04.30 pm, we will take you to the first highlight of this tour. Arrive at Bonorong sanctuary, where we invite you to a 2.5-hour behind-the-scenes night tour where you have the opportunity to get close to many of Tasmania’s endemic animals and get a lot of information first-hand.

Accommodation:  Old Woolstore Hotel Hobart, Studio apartment (or similar)
Meals:                  – 

DAY 2/ Monday                   

HOBART – MARIA ISLAND – BICHENO

This morning, travel to the seaside village of Triabunna and board a ferry to cross the Mercury Passage to Maria Island. This unique island national park sits just off Tasmania’s east coast. Enjoy a day of peaceful walking amongst historical ruins across sweeping bays, rugged fossil cliffs and imposing mountains. This island sanctuary provides an opportunity to view its resident wildlife, including Wombats, Cape Barren Geese, Tasmanian Pademelons, Forester Kangaroos and even the Tasmanian Devil in their natural environment. Later this afternoon, continue your journey along Tasmania’s sunny east coast to Bicheno in the Freycinet area.

Accommodation:  Beachfront at Bicheno Hotel, Pool view room (or similar)
Meals:                  Breakfast and picnic lunch 

DAY 3/ Tuesday                   

FREYCINET PENINSULA – PENGUINS

After breakfast, travel to Coles Bay and embark on the award-winning 4-hour Wineglass Bay cruise. Cruise the spectacular coastline of Freycinet National Park from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay. Be enthralled by the stunning granite coastline, including the dramatic pink peaks of the Hazards range. Discover a coast dotted with sparkling white sand beaches, including Cooks and Bryans beaches, only accessible by water or a full day bushwalk. Explore the inner passage of remote Schouten Island, home to little penguins and short-tailed shearwaters, before heading into the Tasman Sea towards Wineglass Bay. Look out for hidden sea caves, blowholes and waterfalls amongst the sheer granite cliffs. Disembark the vessel in the early afternoon and visit the Friendly Beaches before your guide takes you to your accommodation. The rest of this afternoon is at leisure. At dusk, we invite you to an information tour on private property to get close to the local colony of fairy penguins nesting and breeding in the dunes.

Accommodation:  Beachfront at Bicheno Hotel, Pool view room (or similar)
Meals:                  Breakfast and lunch (ploughman-style)

DAY 4/ Wednesday                  

BICHENO – BAY OF FIRES – LAUNCESTON

Today, continue your journey along the East Coast and visit the stunning orange-lichen-covered granite rocks of the Bay of Fires conservation area. Take the opportunity to wander around and explore the whitest sandy beaches and turquoise waters. We travel on to St. Columba Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Tasmania and through lush and green valleys before we arrive in Launceston, the second-largest city in Tasmania.

Accommodation:  The Verge Hotel, Launceston, King or Twin room (or similar)
Meals:                  Breakfast 

DAY 5/ Thursday                  

LAUNCESTON – CRADLE MOUNTAIN

This morning, enjoy a city introduction to Launceston and visit the stunning Cataract Gorge, where the South Esk river forces its way through sheer granite rocks before your journey to UNESCO Word Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park continues. En route, stop in Sheffield to see the famous murals. Travel through lush rolling farm pasture before reaching the alpine bush of the Cradle Valley. In the later afternoon be taken to a local Tasmanian Devil sanctuary where you have the opportunity to get close to some of our local animals on a joy encounter tour and even hold a joey (baby wombat or baby devil)

Accommodation:  Cradle Mountain Hotel, Deluxe room (or similar)
Meals:                  Breakfast 

DAY 6/ Friday            

DOVE LAKE – STRAHAN

This morning, you will be mesmerised by the beautiful alpine landscapes of Cradle Mountain, where in many places, dolerite cracked into vertical columns has, resulted in spectacular sculpted mountains and cliffs. On a clear day, the rugged grandeur of Cradle Mountain is reflected in the tranquil waters of Dove Lake, or you may experience the drama of its craggy peaks through swirling mist. Your will be guide you on some of the many walks available and showcase the beauty of this little island paradise. In the afternoon, travel towards the rugged west coast and the quaint fishermen’s town of Strahan (occasionally, we may arrange overnight in Queenstown, mainly during the winter months).

Accommodation:  Strahan Village Strahan (or similar)
Meals:                  Breakfast 

DAY 7/ Saturday                

WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY – STRAHAN

Today, be transferred to Queenstown.Board the nostalgic West-Coast Wilderness railway and head out to Lynchford, once a centre for pioneers, adventurers and those with gold fever. (West Coast Wilderness Railway may be substituted with the Gordon River Cruise if availability is not given.) In the afternoon, explore the area further by visiting the Henty Dunes, Ocean Beach or Hogarth Falls. You may also want to join the historical play ‘The Ship That Never Was’ (at your own expense) in the early evening hours.

Accommodation:  Strahan Village Strahan (or similar)
Meals:                  Breakfast 

DAY 8/ Sunday                

STRAHAN – LAKE ST CLAIR

After a leisurely morning, continue the scenic journey on the road and visit a mining pit outlook and stunning waterfalls before you arrive at Derwent Bridge, not far from the picturesque Lake St Clair.

Accommodation:  Derwent Bridge Chalets or Mt Field Retreat (or similar)
Meals:                  Breakfast 

DAY 9/ Monday                

MOUNT FIELD NP – HOBART

After breakfast, your guide takes you into Mount Field National Park, the oldest in the state. Be mesmerised by the lush forest landscapes, from eucalyptus temperate rainforest to alpine moorland. Explore the green forest canopy, where you can crane your neck to see some of the tallest flowering trees in the world. This cool temperate rainforest allows you to search for some of Tasmania’s 12 endemic bird species, including Scrubtit, Black Currawong and Tasmanian Thornbill. After lunch (own expense), return to Hobart in the late afternoon, where the tour concludes at around 4 pm.

Meals:                  Breakfast 

2024 Departures 

2025 Departures