Tasmania walking holiday, tailor made
| country: | Australia |
| location: | Tasmania |
| departures: | Available between Australia's spring and autumn months. This suggested itinerary can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in each destination. |
| price: | From £1950 per person (12 days) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation for 8 nights, car-hire, extensive touring throughout Tasmania and the four-night Maria Island Walk. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
introduction to Tasmania walking holiday, tailor made
This itinerary has been designed to take in the best of Tasmania's wildlife and great outdoors, combining a truly unique 4-day guided walk on the pristine Maria Island with a self-drive itinerary travelling between Hobart, the Freycinet National Park and the second city of Launceston.
Your itinerary starts in the capital city of Hobart where you will enjoy your first morning taking in the colourful local markets of Salamanca before making your way to the airport for a scenic flight into one of the world's most pristine world heritage areas, the Southwest National Park. This area is only accessible by air, or a week's worth of hiking, and you will land on an isolated dirt airstrip in the middle of the park - taking time to enjoy your stunning surroundings and perhaps catch a glimpse of the endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. You will then embark on a short boat ride on Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania's newly listed marine reserve, before taking off again and exploring some of the rugged southern coastline on your return leg.
Your next day in Hobart is spent on a stunning day trip down to the rugged Bruny Island, home to a multitude of marine and bird life, unspoilt spectacular scenery and a landscape which varies from pasture to rain forest, sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. You will tour the island in a brand new 44 foot boat designed to maximise the close interaction between you and the stunning coast line, with its diverse wildlife, in speed, safety and comfort, returning to Hobart late in the afternoon.
Over the next four days of your itinerary you will experience great walking, stunning scenery, abundant wildlife unique to Australia and discover the colourful past of Maria Island - a beautiful island off the east coast of Tasmania. The walking is varied, from beaches to bush and whilst basic fitness is required the tour accommodates all abilities. Your accommodation on your walking tour will consist of two secluded, environmentally sensitive camp-sites, complete with composting toilets and controlled water usage, though still fitted for comfort with wooden floors and raised beds, and the historical house of Bernacchi House in Darlington, where you will spend your final night on tour. To support your walking you will be travelling with two knowledgeable guides who also act as your camp hosts, serving some of the best food in Tasmania and complemented by a range of excellent Tasmanian wines.
Your walking tour will return to Hobart where you will spend one final night before collecting your hire car and heading off by yourself towards the east coast and the sweeping coastlines of the Freycinet National Park. Here you will spend the next couple of nights staying in the luxurious Freycinet Lodge, which lies deep in the Freycinet National Park moments away from some of the park's finest walking opportunities. You will spend your time here taking advantage of these walking opportunities and joining up with a small group for a serene kayaking adventure on the mirror like waters of Great Oyster Bay - your knowledgable guide pointing out the stunning wildlife and points of interest as you paddle.
Following on from your time in the Freycinet National Park you will travel to Launceston, Tasmania's sleepy second city, where you will spend the next couple of nights with some time at leisure to explore the beautiful harbour frontage and the nearby Cataract Gorge, and one full day trip with Pepper Bush Adventures - Tasmania's undisputed premier wildlife guiding operator. If you haven't had a chance to witness enough wildlife on your tour following your time on Bruny and Maria Islands and the Freycinet National Park, then this tour should leave you well sated. Your day will be spent winding your way along hidden off-road tracks, walking amongst some of the world's oldest and tallest trees, indulging in course after course of gourmet bush-tucker and losing count of the wildlife which appear as soon as the sun goes down. You will return to your accommodation for one last evening.
Your itinerary starts in the capital city of Hobart where you will enjoy your first morning taking in the colourful local markets of Salamanca before making your way to the airport for a scenic flight into one of the world's most pristine world heritage areas, the Southwest National Park. This area is only accessible by air, or a week's worth of hiking, and you will land on an isolated dirt airstrip in the middle of the park - taking time to enjoy your stunning surroundings and perhaps catch a glimpse of the endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. You will then embark on a short boat ride on Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania's newly listed marine reserve, before taking off again and exploring some of the rugged southern coastline on your return leg.
Your next day in Hobart is spent on a stunning day trip down to the rugged Bruny Island, home to a multitude of marine and bird life, unspoilt spectacular scenery and a landscape which varies from pasture to rain forest, sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. You will tour the island in a brand new 44 foot boat designed to maximise the close interaction between you and the stunning coast line, with its diverse wildlife, in speed, safety and comfort, returning to Hobart late in the afternoon.
Over the next four days of your itinerary you will experience great walking, stunning scenery, abundant wildlife unique to Australia and discover the colourful past of Maria Island - a beautiful island off the east coast of Tasmania. The walking is varied, from beaches to bush and whilst basic fitness is required the tour accommodates all abilities. Your accommodation on your walking tour will consist of two secluded, environmentally sensitive camp-sites, complete with composting toilets and controlled water usage, though still fitted for comfort with wooden floors and raised beds, and the historical house of Bernacchi House in Darlington, where you will spend your final night on tour. To support your walking you will be travelling with two knowledgeable guides who also act as your camp hosts, serving some of the best food in Tasmania and complemented by a range of excellent Tasmanian wines.
Your walking tour will return to Hobart where you will spend one final night before collecting your hire car and heading off by yourself towards the east coast and the sweeping coastlines of the Freycinet National Park. Here you will spend the next couple of nights staying in the luxurious Freycinet Lodge, which lies deep in the Freycinet National Park moments away from some of the park's finest walking opportunities. You will spend your time here taking advantage of these walking opportunities and joining up with a small group for a serene kayaking adventure on the mirror like waters of Great Oyster Bay - your knowledgable guide pointing out the stunning wildlife and points of interest as you paddle.
Following on from your time in the Freycinet National Park you will travel to Launceston, Tasmania's sleepy second city, where you will spend the next couple of nights with some time at leisure to explore the beautiful harbour frontage and the nearby Cataract Gorge, and one full day trip with Pepper Bush Adventures - Tasmania's undisputed premier wildlife guiding operator. If you haven't had a chance to witness enough wildlife on your tour following your time on Bruny and Maria Islands and the Freycinet National Park, then this tour should leave you well sated. Your day will be spent winding your way along hidden off-road tracks, walking amongst some of the world's oldest and tallest trees, indulging in course after course of gourmet bush-tucker and losing count of the wildlife which appear as soon as the sun goes down. You will return to your accommodation for one last evening.
best time to go
The best months to enjoy this walk is from Spring to Autumn (November to March) when the weather is at its best. The days are longer during this time of year, allowing you to make the most of the great outdoors, the wildlife and the beautiful Tasmanian landscapes. day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Friday - Arrive in Hobart and make your way to your accommodation. |
| Day 2: | Saturday - Salamanca Markets. Spend your morning exploring the colourful buzz of the Salamanca Markets, before making your way to the local airstrip for an afternoon scenic flight over the Soutwest National Park - one of the world's most pristine and untouched World-Heritage areas. |
| Day 3: | Sunday - Bruny Island. You will be collected and taken on a full-day trip to the rugged Bruny Island, which you will take in on a scenic boat journey. Aside from the stunning scenery of the island, this is predominantly a wildlife spotting tour, and you will take in the huge numbers of Australian Fur Seals, the playful antics of the Bottlenose Dolphins which patrol these waters, as well as the local population of Fairy Penguins, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Shy Albatrosses, Australasian Gannets, Black-faced and Great Cormorants. You may even observe the migrating Southern Right or Humpback Whales before returning to Hobart in the afternoon. |
| Day 4: | Monday - Travel to Maria Island. You will be collected from your hotel this morning for the start of your 4-day walking adventure of Maria Island, travelling east out of Hobart and across to the peaceful shores of the island, arriving in time for the first of your delicious meals on tour complete with Tasmanian local produce. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to properly stretch your legs, with the choice of a walk to a dramatic cliff lookout, or simply relaxing and starting your unwinding process on the pristine local beaches. |
| Day 5: | Tuesday - 5 beaches. Wake up to the sounds of the forest around you and to the smell of a freshly cooked breakfast. The second day of your trip takes you to five beaches, all of them different and aside from the beautiful walking that they present, you will also get an insight into the local convict history with a visit to the ruins of a convict settlement and plenty of opportunities for a refreshing swim. Arriving at your second camp, you will have time to relax before a three course meal of local fare will end your day. |
| Day 6: | Wednesday - forests and mountains. Walking through the forests of Tasmanian Blue Gums at the start of day three keep an eye out for the endangered forty-spotted pardalote as this is prime habitat for these rare birds. This afternoon you have a choice of mountains to take on, Mount Maria or Bishop and Clerk. Both offer excellent 360 degree views of the island and its coastline. Enjoy Tasmanian wine and cheese on the veranda of your accommodation, the historical colonial home once occupied by Italian entrepreneur, Diego Bernacchi, while once again a sumptuous dinner will end your day. |
| Day 7: | Thursday - Darlington. This morning you have some free time to explore the deserted town of Darlington and the history of Bernacchi's empire. The Coffee Palace has been turned into a simple museum to illustrate the different eras of the town's settlement. You may also choose to take the circuit walk to the fascinating Fossil Cliffs or Painted Cliffs which have been beautifully carved by the sea. After a delicious lunch the tour departs from Darlington on the ferry to Triabunna and then returns to Hobart via the historical village of Richmond. You will spend one final night in Hobart at your bed and breakfast. . |
| Day 8: | Friday - east coast. You will collect your hire car this morning and make your way to the beautiful east coast of Tasmania and the stunning Freycinet National Park. The next couple of nights will be spend at the Freycinet Lodge, which is nestled deep in the national park, and you are moments away from one of the undisputed highlights of Tasmania, the beautiful chalky white sands of Wineglass Bay. Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring your surroundings and some of the fantastic walking opportunities that are on your doorstep. |
| Day 9: | Saturday - kayaking. This morning you will make your way down to the foreshore for a scenic kayaking excursion, your knowledgable guide pointing out some of the stunning highlights of the park from the shimmering waters of Great Oyster Bay. Following your kayaking adventure you will have the afternoon at leisure to once again explore some of the hiking trails which spider throughout the Freycinet National Park. |
| Day 10: | Sunday - Launceston. You will depart the Freycinet National Park this morning and make your way to the sleepy city of Launceston located in the north of Tasmania. After checking into your bed and breakfast spend your afternoon taking in the beautiful waterfront and perhaps the nearby Cataract Gorge, which is moments away from the city centre. |
| Day 11: | Monday - explore the north. Your morning will be at leisure this morning, before you are collected by Pepperbush Adventures for your private day of touring throughout the north of the state. Your day will be spent zig-zagging throughout old growth forest, stopping for explanations of the local flora and fauna and will culminate with a multi-course 'bush-tucker' meal, accompanied with fine Tasmanian wine, and a wildlife-spotting extravaganza as the sun goes down. You will return to your accommodation for one final night. |
| Day 12: | Tuesday - depart. Your touring arrangements conclude. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
Tasmania, as one of the world's last wilderness areas, is a land of National Parks, amazing wildlife and remarkable landscapes. The environment of this state is to be both respected and protected and this is a philisophy that is thoroughly embraced throughout this itinerary, which has been carefully designed to take advantage of Tasmania's natural highlights, whilst ensuring that the impact on the environment remains as minimal as possible. The four-day Maria Island Walk which features on this itinerary has been carefully selected for the philosophy that underpins it. The basic principles of sustainability - protecting the present for the future by maintaining bio-diversity, reducing environmental degradation and protecting place - have been wholeheartedly embraced in the construction of the semi-permanent tents that feature on the walk and the ethos carried by the enthusiastic local guides that accompany on the walk. The passion of the local guides on this walk is infectious, whom tie in their expert knowledge of the local flora and fauna which are one of the main features of the four-days, with a generous serving of some of Tasmania's finest local produce throughout. At the end of days one and two you will stay in the purpose built semi-permanent tents, which have been carefully designed to blend in with the local bushland. They utilise composting toilets, and all efforts have been ensured to minimise environmental impact such as the careful use of water usage (no hot showers are on site) and the removal of all waste from the campsite. A respect for the local environment and wildlife is a core focus of each of the tours, from the Bruny Island day trip, which also takes advantage of specially designed low emission engines on their boats, to the Freycinet Kayaking adventure, the flight over the untouched Southwest National Park and the spectacular day spent wildlife spotting and immersing into the Tasmanian wilderness with Pepperbush Adventures. community: The touring that features on this itinerary has also been chosen for their environmental philosophy and the passionate nature of the local guides - all local Tasmanians with a proud interest in the pristine nature of their local environment and the education of the areas that they represent. |
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