Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain World Heritage National Park, Tasmania

Tasmania is a hiker’s paradise and we hike the island’s best national parks. Our journey also includes wine-tasting, a yacht cruise, and wonderful accommodations, from beach cabins to mountain lodges.

Photo by SIME s.a.s / eStock Photo

display information about this photo

Wild Tasmania

Coast Hikes and Bushwalking in a Magnificent Wilderness Down Under

Wild Tasmania offers lavish swaths of protected wilderness that preserve most of the earth’s last temperate rainforests. The western side of this Australian island is wooded and mountainous, while the eastern side holds beautiful old-fashioned farms and tranquil villages bathed in vivid “down under” light. With veteran Trip Leader James Fuss, an Aussie native, we explore this hiker’s paradise on coastal and rainforest hikes that immerse us in a variety of other-worldly landscapes, from the World Heritage Site of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park to the azure bays of the Freycinet Peninsula. Along the way, we soak up charming Tassie hospitality, the island’s colorful history, and enjoy fantastic food and wine. Overnights include wilderness lodges warmed by roaring fires and luxurious cabins overlooking the sea.

Highlights

  • Spectacular Cradle Mountain, a World Heritage Site, and Freycinet, Tasmania’s premier coastal park
  • Yacht cruise in Macquarie Harbour
  • Lively Salamanca Market in Hobart, with its musicians and artisans

Details

  • 10-day trip begins and ends in Launceston
  • 9 nights in luxury lodges and fine inns
  • All meals included except 1 dinner
  • Easy to moderate hikes, 1-5 hours a day, van support

Tour Costs

$4295 (9-10 guests)
$4595 (7-8 guests)
$4695 (6 guests)

Single supplement: $875

Prices are for Fall 2009 / Winter 2010

Departures & Leaders

Nov 22-Dec 1, 2009  James Fuss
Mar 7-16, 2010  James Fuss
Nov 21-30, 2010  James Fuss
Mar 6-15, 2011  James Fuss

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
Wild Tasmania route-map

Days 1-2
Launceston / Coastal Hikes

From Launceston, we head through the celebrated wine country of the Tamar Valley for wine tasting and lunch in a vineyard. We explore Narawntapu National Park with a walk along Bakers Beach and a barbecue dinner with a chance to view some of the local wildlife, such as Forester kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and pademelons (a smaller cousin of the kangaroo).

Days 3-4
Cradle Mountain

The wilderness of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair World Heritage National Park is ideal for bushwalking. With a choice of gentle or more challenging hikes, we explore this age-old temperate rainforest, a wild landscape of teatree thickets, buttongrass, and ancient King Billy pines. At night we look for Tassie’s nocturnal scavenger, the famed Tasmanian devil. Overnights are at award-winning Cradle Mountain Lodge.

Days 5-7
West Coast / Mt. Field National Park / Hobart

We board a ketch for a delightful cruise across Macquarie Harbour, with lunch on board of fresh local lobster and salmon and a chance to learn the fascinating history of the area. Our hikes take us through the stunning ancient forests of Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and the towering tree ferns in Mt. Field National Park. In Hobart, Tasmania’s small and charming capital, we visit the vibrant Saturday Salamanca Market, with its artisans and musicians, then hike up Mt. Wellington for unsurpassed views.

Days 8-10
Freycinet Peninsula / Launceston

In gorgeous Freycinet National Park, Tasmania’s premier coastal park, our grand hiking finale brings us past secluded bays to Mt. Amos for stunning views over Wineglass Bay. Along the way we may spot wildlife including the sea eagle and black cockatoo. Overnights are in beautiful cabins on Coles Bay. Depart on Day 10.