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  4. Taste of Tasmania

Discover an untamed land with untold beauty.

Capture the ethereal splendour and remote wonders of an island that prospers in its isolation on this nature-filled adventure through Tasmania. Discover uninterrupted UNESCO national parks, from the coastal heath and sand dunes that meet the rainforest in Tarkine to the glacier-sculpted terrain that envelops Cradle Mountain. Stroll along the stunning Hazards Beach in the shadow of Freycinet’s pink peaks and be mesmerised by the contrasting powder-white sands, turquoise waters and orange-hued granite in the world-famous Bay of Fires. Surround yourself with endemic wildlife, from Tasmanian devils to fairy penguins, and spend your free evenings indulging in world-class seafood in quaint coastal towns.

Start
Hobart, Australia
Finish
Hobart, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
PNTW6-B
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 6, Max 24

Why you'll love this trip

  • Gain an insight into the unique flora, fauna and landscapes of Tasmania on this pioneering trip that takes you to parts of the island that are more off the beaten track.

  • Discover the breathtaking Bay of Fires – an incredible stretch of coastal heaven, famous for the fiery orange lichen that clings to its boulder-clad beaches.

  • Watch translucent waters lap powder-white sands in one of Freycinet National Park’s secluded bays – perhaps climbing to the summit of Mt Amos for a panoramic vista of this iconic landscape.

  • Trek along multiple walking trails in the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park – keeping an eye out for furry critters, including wombats and wallabies.

  • Explore the uninterrupted wilderness of Tarkine on a guided walk through its pristine rainforest – alive with unique creatures and habitats not found anywhere else on earth.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is an Intrepid Basix trip. Accommodation is multi-share, so you'll be sharing your sleeping quarters with other travellers of the same or opposite gender. For a similar itinerary with twin-share accommodation, enter code PNTW6-O on our website.

  • The majority of meals are not included. This allows you the freedom to style your own foodie tour of Tasmania, sampling the local produce in the different regions of the island (with plenty of suggestions from your leader of course).

  • Temperatures can fluctuate in Tasmania. It's important to prepare – pack suitable clothing for hot, cold, dry and wet weather, just in case.

Map of Taste of Tasmania including Australia
australia_Tasmania_cradle-mountain_travellers_hiking_lake
australia_tasmania_freycinet_rocks_water_sunset
Australia Tasmania Bay of Fire
Australia Tasmania Cradle Mountain
australia_tasmania_tarkine_rainforest_traveller_waterfall

Itinerary
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Welcome to Tasmania! You’ll be picked up from Hobart Central YHA at 8.00 am this morning, marking the start of your adventure. Traverse the island from east to west, leaving Hobart behind and venturing through the Derwent Valley. Your first stop is Mt Field National Park – home to an abundance of wildlife, diverse fauna and stunning lush vistas. Walk in the land of the giants as you explore beautiful surrounds on a guided walk through tremendous fern forests to Russell Falls. Continue to Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake before entering the temperate time capsule that is the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Along the way, stretch your legs on some great short walks including Donaghy’s Lookout and Franklin River. Pass through Queenstown with its intriguing eroded landscape of treeless hills then finish the day in Strahan at the very edge of the west coast.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lake St Clair
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The driving distance today is approximately 324 kilometres and will take around 5 hours.

There will be three hikes today, one will take approximately 1 hour and the other two will take around 45 minutes.

Enjoy a full day of exploration in Tasmania’s north-west, beginning with a visit to the shifting sands of Henty Dunes. Reaching heights of up to 30 metres, these vast dunes are a desert amid Tasmania’s dense rainforests. Continue to Ocean Beach and inhale some of the freshest air in the world before venturing into the Tarkine region. Nestled in the untouched wilderness of Tasmania’s north-west coast, Tarkine is alive with unique creatures and habitats not found anywhere else on earth, and home to vast forests of myrtle, leatherwood and pine trees – living links to Gondwanaland that it shared with Patagonia and New Zealand millennia ago. Take a guided walk among its pristine rainforest and discover a beautiful waterfall encased in a lush fern forest and rocky cliffs. Afterwards, return to Strahan for the night.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The driving distance today is approximately 150 kilometres and will take around 2.5 hours.

The hike today will take approximately 3 hours.

Depart from Strahan this morning and head to the magnificent wilderness of Cradle Mountain National Park. The mountain at 1545m high, is one of the park’s iconic features and is surrounded by stands of native deciduous beech, rainforest, alpine heath lands and button grass. Icy streams cascade down the mountainsides and ancient pines are reflected in the still glacial lakes.
Explore the park along a number of different guided or self-guided walking tracks. For those who prefer to travel at a leisurely pace, consider taking a trip to Waldheim Chalet or wandering along the Dove Lake circuit. For those with a little more grit, or people who simply love views of gorgeous lakes with rugged mountain backdrops, the hike to Marion’s Lookout is perfect. Later today, travel to Launceston via Sheffield, the town of murals.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cradle Mountain Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The driving distance today is approximately 279 kilometres and will take around 3 hours.

The hiking today will depend on which walking path you have chosen, please ask your guide for estimates.

Departing Launceston we head for the peaceful north east corner of Tasmania. The Bay of Fires is remarkable for its beauty, wildlife and cultural history with long stretches of dazzling white beaches, shimmering turquoise waters, coastal heath and woodlands that abound with wildlife. We continue late in the day to Bicheno where tonight you can take a guided tour for a closer look at the life of the Little Penguins as they return nightly to their rookeries to feed their young.

Today's driving time approx. 315 km / 4.5 hrs.
Approx hike 1.5 hrs
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Bicheno Penguin Tour - AUD40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The driving distance today is approximately 315 kilometres and will take around 4.5 hours.

The hike today will take approximately 1.5 hours.

This morning, drive east to the beautiful Freycinet National Park, home to a wild domain of sublime beaches, whose powder-white sands are lapped by translucent waters. For those seeking a challenge, try the climb to the summit of Mt Amos or join the walk to Wineglass Bay, voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches. There are other free walking choices available, including the path up to Cape Tourville Lighthouse, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas across the coast. Afterwards, head back to Bicheno for the night and perhaps indulge in a delicious seafood dinner in this fishing town, from crayfish to abalone.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bay of Fires
  • Wineglass Bay
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The driving distance today is approximately 80 kilometres and will take around 1.5 hours.

The hike today will take approximately 3 hours.

Head to a wildlife sanctuary for a chance to see some of Tasmania’s native wildlife up close including the famous Tasmanian Devils (they’re not as fiendish as they sound!). Travel further south along the scenic Great Eastern Drive, passing through the coastal towns of Swansea and Orford, before stopping in the historic village of Richmond in time for lunch. Visit Mount Wellington Park to savour some magnificent views of the city and its surrounding mountains, forests and waterways. We'll hit one of the many walking tracks for a relatively short and moderate walk within this stunning park (weather permitting) before returning to Hobart and bidding farewell to your travel companions and your incredible adventure.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The driving distance today is approximately 182 kilometres and will take around 3 hours.

The hiking today will take around 2-4 hours.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts

Transport

Minibus

Accommodation

Hostel (5 nights)

Included activities

  • Lake St Clair
  • Cradle Mountain Walk
  • Bay of Fires
  • Wineglass Bay

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Taste of Tasmania trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip departs from Hobart at approximately 8am and finishes Hobart approx 6pm on day 6. Onward travel should be booked after 8pm.
2. This trip is also available in Original style staying in twin share properties. Please see trip code PNTW6-O

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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