Tasmanian Wilderness Explorer 4WD Tours – 12 Day Tour

Explore Tasmania’s West Coast Wilderness Tracks when you  join this small private group Tasmanian Wilderness Explorer 4WD Tours seeing the best of Tasmanian wilderness including Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay, Huon Valley, Tarkine Forest, Styx River Valley walk, Cradle Mountain (walks), Port Arthur, Hobart, Macquarie Harbour, Gordon, Franklin & King Rivers, West Coast Wilderness Railway, Burnie, Stanley & “The Nut”

Tours from Launceston  (or Sydney / Melbourne other cities options)

Itinerary for 8 days tour shown below.

12 day Tasmanian Wilderness Explorer 4WD Tours includes the 8 days PLUS 4 extra nights for –

•     Tour through Central Plateau & Great Lake Conservation Areas, via Western Tiers
•     Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise exploring the rugged coastline of Bruny Island in southern Tasmania.
•     Strathgordon tour via Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon & Admansfield Conservation Area
•     Fly to the Southwest World Heritage Area via South East Cape, to Melaleuca for a boat trip to Bathurst Harbour, Port Davey.   See map
  
•     Optional time for Mona Art Gallery and more

8 & 12 Day Tour – DAY 1: Tamar Valley – Liffey Falls – Launceston Liffey Falls

Arrive in Launceston (airport links from major cities) by 12:30 pm for an afternoon exploring Launceston, and the scenic Cataract Gorge Reserve plus Liffey Falls in the shadow of the Western Tiers mountain range.  All meet at 6:00 pm in our Launceston hotel for Welcome Dinner this evening

DAY 2: Launceston – St Helens – Bicheno
 Depart Launceston and head towards the north east coast via Scottsdale, call into Pyengana and visit St Columba Falls and the Pyengana Cheese Factory
Visit the coastal town of St Helens, then Binalong Bay and World Heritage Listed Bay of Fires for beach walk and stunning red rock photography
    Explore the fishing village of Bicheno and the sea bird life at the fishing port of The Gulch
    Meet the Little Penguins on a penguin parade from the local penguin colony
    Overnight at Bicheno (B,L,D)

DAY 3: Bicheno- Swansea – Freycinet National Park – Hobart

• Explore the Freycinet National Park and the spectacular scenery and natural wonders of the World Heritage Listed area including Friendly Beaches, the Hazards and Wineglass Bay. Visit Cape Tourville Lighthouse and spot the Sea Lions on the nearby Nuggets Islands. Meet the cute little local Bennetts Wallaby, usually happy to greet visitors. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the beach at Honeymoon Bay with a wide view over Coles Bay and the Hazards
• On the scenic drive to Hobart call in for some tasty homemade ice-cream and fruit at Kate’s Berry Farm
• Visit Constitution Dock (Hobart waterfront) then check in to your 2 nights accommodation near the waterfront in Hobart (B,L,D)

DAY 4: Hobart – Port Arthur (or Mona, Bruny Island options) – Hobart

    Begin the morning visiting Mount Wellington, towering 1271 metres over Hobart
    Options available today include Mona Art Gallery (by boat up the Derwent River), Huon Valley & Southern tip drive, South West Cape with forests flight, Bruny Island cruise – please ask
     For Bruny Island cruise we depart Hobart 745am for 45 mins to Kettering ferry at 9 am ferry then 35 min on Bruny for 11am cruise
    OR we drive down the Tasman Peninsular, and see the Peninsula’s natural wonders – the Tessellated Pavement, Blow Hole, Devil’s Kitchen and Tasman Arch (all at Eaglehawk Neck) before arriving into Port Arthur. Here experience a guided tour, harbour cruise and access to the historic site and buildings
    Return to Hobart for 2nd night in Hobart hotel (B –  Lunch and dinner own costs)

DAY 5: Hobart – Styx Valley – Lake St Clair – Mt Field NP – Strahan

• If your tour has you in Hobart on a Saturday, enjoy a morning enjoy a stroll through Salamanca Markets area and experience some of Tasmania’s local produce, arts and crafts.
• Travel to New Norfolk and up the Derwent River Valley to head west to the Styx Valley Forest walk
• Marvel at these ancient and giant trees – some over 80 metres tall – the tallest in the world with the highest carbon density – recently threatened by logging
• Visit Mt Field National Park and the spectacular waterfall walks to famous and nearby Russell Falls then only 300 metres beyond the top of Russell Falls the beautiful Horseshoe Falls.
• Heading towards the west coast wilderness, we take a break and walk at scenic Lake St Clair. We visit the outstanding artistic creation and depiction of Tasmanian history in the wooden carved The Wall- in the Wilderness at Derwent Bridge

The Wall in the Wilderness - Artist Greg Duncan is creating a stunning sculpture at Derwent Bridge in the heart of Tasmania. The Wall in the Wilderness is a commemoration of those who helped shape the past and present of Tasmania’s central highlands. A work in progress, The Wall is being carved from three-metre high wooden panels. The carved panels will tell the history of the harsh Central Highlands region – beginning with the indigenous people, then to the pioneering timber harvesters, pastoralists, miners and Hydro workers.

We cross the Franklin River and check the wilderness lookout before driving through the bare hills of Queenstown and arriving into Strahan late afternoon on the scenic shores of Macquarie Harbour

• Buffet Dinner with delicious local seafood
Overnight Strahan Village, Strahan (B,L,D)

DAY 6: Strahan – Gordon River – Tarkine – Cradle Mountain

• Today you have the choice between a Gordon River Cruise or the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Both take you deep into Tasmania’s most stunning wilderness telling stories of the areas colourful history.

• OR from Strahan, take an optional extra cost helicopter flight and fly over the King and Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers, World Heritage Area, landing on the Gordon for a short walk amongst the Huon Pines near the river junctions where the Gordon River dam was going to be, but was stopped by environmental protests. On return explore and relax on the waterfront in Strahan.

• OR from Strahan there’s time to ride the steam train of the West Coast Wilderness Railway, (SEE VIDEO BELOW) a beautifully scenic and history filled journey through the forests, as we cross high bridges and climb steep grades through a narrow gorge and follow the route built by pioneers more than a century ago.

• We explore Strahan and surrounds including Henty Dunes and Ocean Beach to experience the Great Southern Ocean with no land mass west of here until Argentina. We depart the area via the historic mining town of a Zeehan. We take the ferry over the Pieman River then the dirt road from Corinna through the unique Tarkine Forest region to Savage River. We stop at the Heritage Mining town of Waratah to admire the waterfall in the middle of town and the old miner’s Stamper Mill, before arriving into Cradle Mountain.
• Tonight will include an optional tour ‘Devils@Cradle’, where you can watch Tasmanian Devils feed at night
• Dinner at Cradle Mountain

Overnight Cradle Mountain (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Cradle Mountain

This ancient glacial area is one of Tasmania’s highlights. Enjoy the unique climate and spectacular scenery with numerous walks, or just relax with our 2 nights in the Cradle Mountain Lodge.

Optional walks include ...

• Crater Lake Walk – An excellent walk which takes you to the Crater Falls and a magical forest with pandini and sassafras trees. Discover the hidden glacial lake surrounded by 200 meter cliffs covered with fagus. Great views of Marion’s Lookout and Crater Lakes. Duration – 3 Hours Grade – Medium
• Marions Lookout Walk – This is a moderate grade walk with some steep sections, so a reasonable degree of fitness is desirable. On a clear day, this walk offers spectacular views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. Duration – 3 Hours Grade – Medium to Hard

 Overnight Cradle Mountain Chateau, Cradle Mountain (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Cradle Mountain – Arthur River – Stanley – The Nut – Burnie – Launceston

• After a tasty breakfast, we drive back into the Tarkine Forest region for quiet walks time in this amazing forest. Then travel via the west coast road to Arthur River with time at Couta Rocks and The Edge of the World at Gardiners Point. The ocean west of Tasmania is the longest uninterrupted expanse of ocean on the globe. From Argentina the currents sweep unimpeded more than halfway around the planet until they hit this point. Enjoy the quaint Tasmanian village of Arthur River Ocean then north to Stanley and the famous Nut, visiting Rocky Cape National Park & lighthouse. Returning along the northern coast road via Burnie and Penguin to Launceston.
• Return to Launceston for flights home approx 1900 hrs
• Optionally extend your stay in Tasmania for flights or ferry next day. (B, L)   
  

Inclusions for Tasmanian Wilderness Explorer 4WD Tours – 12 Days Tour :

•     11 nights 3 ½ – 5 star accommodation including breakfast daily
•     All Dinners except 1 (including Welcome Dinner in Launceston)
•     8 lunches – 2 are own purchase in local markets, villages
•     Entry to Port Arthur Historic site
  
•     Gordon River Cruise included or West Coast Wilderness Railway (add $249)
•     Airport, ferry or hotel pickup & return in Launceston or Devonport return to Hobart airport
  
•     Small group travel in luxury 4WD
•     National Park entry fees
•     Professional guide/drivers

EXTRA in the 12 day tour

•     Tour through Central Plateau & Great Lake Conservation Areas, via Western Tiers
•     Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise exploring the rugged coastline of Bruny Island in southern Tasmania.
•     Strathgordon tour via Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon & Admansfield Conservation Area
•     Fly to the Southwest World Heritage Area via South East Cape, to Melaleuca for a boat trip to Bathurst Harbour, Port Davey.    See map
•     Optional time for Mona Art Gallery and more

Exclusions –

• 2 lunches (Port Arthur/Hobart, Strahan), alcohol,
  
• Fares to & from Launceston, Tasmania.
• Travel from Melbourne or Sydney available – Please ask.

Itinerary for 8 days tour shown 12 day tour includes the 8 days PLUS 4 extra nights and activities as above