Walk Tasmania's East Coast

Welcome to Tasmania, or Lutruwita in the language of the Palawa peoples – the Traditional Custodians of the land. Your adventure begins in Launceston with a 6 pm welcome meeting tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head to Cataract Gorge or wander through one of the many museums. If you get a chance to dine in Launceston, you won’t regret it – it wasn’t named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for nothing! After your meeting, get to know your fellow travellers over a group dinner and toast to your upcoming adventures.

This morning, drive to Freycinet National Park – one of Australia’s most renowned and picturesque regions. As you enter the park, the views over Coles Bay towards the Hazards Range are a sight to behold. When you arrive, lace up your walking shoes for a scenic circuit walk that takes you to the iconic white sands of Wineglass Bay and the lesser-known Hazards Beach on the opposite side of the Freycinet Peninsula isthmus. Make sure your camera’s fully charged today because you’ll want to remember these views! After your walk, maybe take a refreshing swim before driving toward the coastal town of Swansea for a relaxing evening.

After breakfast, jump on a ferry bound for Maria Island. Full of history, sweeping bays and rugged cliffs off the coast of Tasmania, Maria Island is an ideal destination for hiking. Walk across coastal plains and along tracks where forester kangaroos and wombats often lurk about. Climb the short, steep track to Fossil Cliffs and see thousands of shellfish fossils embedded in the limestone formed millions of years ago. Then visit the Painted Cliffs, formed from Triassic sandstone, and spend some time exploring Darlington township. Today, the town is part of a wildlife sanctuary, while the island itself has been declared a national park. Keep an eye out for forester kangaroos, Cape Barren geese and the cute, waddling wombats from Flinders Island. After a short ferry ride back to the mainland, you’ll drive to Orford where you’ll spend the night.

Fuel up on breakfast today and get ready for an adventurous day. Drive south towards Port Arthur, soaking in the views along the way. When you arrive, set off on a wilderness cruise along the cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula. Cruise beneath towering sea cliffs and rock faces to Cape Raoul, past deep-sea caves and arches, and along the coastline of Tasman National Park. With the wind in your hair and open-air seating offering the best panoramic views, be sure to look out for seals, dolphins, migrating whales and the many seabirds that call this place home – including albatrosses and sea eagles. After, you’re free to explore the area at your own pace – maybe visit the historic Port Arthur sites or take a couple of short walks around the peninsula.

Explore Cape Raoul this morning on a section of the Three Capes Track. You’ll start inland, walking through the lush heath country this area is known for before heading toward the coastline. As you approach, you’ll catch glimpses of the dolerite cliffs that drop into the ocean below. As the trail heads east along the striking clifftops, you’ll descend onto the Cape Raoul plateau. Here, you’ll be rewarded with views of the swirling seas, the northern coastline and the incredible Cape Pillar in the distance. After some time to take it all in, you’ll walk back to the bus before driving to Port Arthur for your final night. Tonight, head out to dinner with your group and leader and swap travel stories as you reminisce about all you have seen over the past few days.

Your final walk on the Tasman Peninsula, along the Three Capes Track, is the Cape Hauy walk. The scenes of dolerite cliffs become increasingly dramatic as you near the narrow edge of the promontory. Stop at several vantage points to soak in views of The Lanterns, Mitre Rock, the Candlestick and Totem Pole – the perfect trail to finish your adventure. After, you’ll make your way to Hobart (or Nipaluna in the language of the Muwinina and Palawa peoples), where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.