Tasmanian West Wilderness Explorer 4WD 5 Day Tour

Explore Tasmania’s Western Wilderness Tracks when you  join this small private tour seeing the best of Tasmanian western wilderness including Cradle Mountain (walks), Port Arthur (or other options), Hobart, Macquarie Harbour, Gordon, Franklin & King Rivers, West Coast Wilderness Railway option, west coast beaches, Arthur River and Edge of the World Burnie, Stanley & “The Nut”

5 Day Escape – Tours depart from Hobart or Launceston   (or Sydney / Melbourne other cities options) 

DAY 1: 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 cruiseOR 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: Cradle MountainThis 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 ...

• Dove Lake Circuit Walk – A fairly easy grade makes this walk suitable for all ages and fitness levels, focusing on Cradle Mountain, temperate rainforests and sub alpine plant communities. See Cradle Mountain in all its glory and learn about the action of past glaciers on the landscape. Duration – 3 Hours Grade – Easy

• 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 5: 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 to mainland / home approx 1900 hrs• Optionally extend your stay in Tasmania for flights or ferry next day. (B, L) 

 Inclusions for Tasmanian Western Wilderness Explorer 4WD Tour :

•     4 nights accommodation including breakfast daily
•     All Dinners
•     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/driver

Consider extra time and cost 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

Exclusions –

• Alcohol
• Fares to & from Hobart / Launceston, Tasmania.