The Big 3 Tasmania - Hobart To Launceston

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. 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, ‘The Port Arthur Experience' a podcast that provides a fascinating introduction to the site, and complimentary site talks throughout the day led by 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 travel via the historic township of Richmond. Arriving late the in the afternoon, you will have time to meander the streets, stop for a coffee, visit the Lolly Shop and walk across Australia’s oldest bridge still in use – a convict built sand-stone 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 to your Hobart central city hotel/hostel around 6.00pm. (Accommodation is not included.)

We depart Hobart heading east then following the coastline north.  We travel through the seaside towns of Orford and Swansea as we make our way to Freycinet National Park.  Freycinet is one of Tasmania’s first National Parks, famous for its rich and stunning coastal landscapes.  Pink Granite Mountains form the backdrop for secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife and amazing walking trails. As we enter the Freycinet area we have a brief stop at the Freycinet Marine Farm for anyone interested in the local oysters fresh from the surrounding pristine waters. We walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout where your guide will help you take those sought after photographs and offer you some walking options for the day.  This walk takes around 1.5 hours, is graded as an easy but uphill walk. For the keen walkers you can continue the walk down to Wineglass beach (2.5 hr return walking time).  You have time on this famous beach to take a swim, relax, eat your lunch or meander along the white sands. If you prefer to select the shorter walking option, then you can explore other areas of Freycinet with our tour guide.  Visit Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay, Cape Tourville Lighthouse & great short walk. We re-group ready for the return journey to Launceston. We re-group ready for the return journey to Launceston. Still on the East Coast we will make a short stop along the way, for  those looking for a sweet treat there will be tasty local ice-cream and desserts available, a well-deserved reward after a full day out! We arrive in Launceston around 6.00pm. We anticipate you will travel with 1 suitcase/travel pack per person, and your day pack for this day. If you have excess luggage, please discuss this with our reservations team prior to travelling.  Please ensure you can lift and load your own luggage into vehicles/trailers.    (Accommodation is not included)

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 history 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 Van Diemans Land Ice Creamery & Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, arriving back in around 6.00pm.. (Accommodation is not included)