TASMANIA 12 days

This itinerary highlights the lively capital of Hobart, Freycinet National Park, Bay of Fires Conservation Area, Narawntapu National Park, Cradle Mountain Park and stunning Tasman National Park.

The island of Tasmania contains some of the most spectacular mountain, lake and coastal scenery in the southern hemisphere and much of its land is protected in national parks and reserves. Hobart is full of festivals, eclectic markets and world-class food and drink experiences. Tasmania is about the same size as Switzerland.

• Tasmania is refreshingly undeveloped and visitors often state that arriving in Tasmania is like stepping back in time. It packs a punch when it comes to the ultimate vacation destination.

Tips:

Visa required - register online

Austalian customs and biosecurity FAQS

Travel Guide: Lonely Planet Tasmania.

A valid park entry permit is required for all Tasmania's National Parks.

Discovertasmania.com - a excellent site for planning your Tasmanian journey.

Tasmania’s Great walks - site offers Tasmania’s best walking opportunities.

Install the All-Trails app on your smartphone. Essential for any trek in Tasmania.

DAY  1   

• Arrive at Hobart airport. Transfer to your hotel. 

• Hobart is full of excitement. From award winning restaurants, exceptional wine, unusual cultural experiences to incredible scenery. Hobart and all of Tasmania is truly a great experience.

• If time permits, venture to Salamanca district for dinner. Historic Salamanca is famous for its artist studios, restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. Located at the waterfront, a 5-minute walk from the city center.

• Overnight: Hobart

DAYS 2-3

• Depart to Freycinet National Park.

• Freycinet Park is part of the rugged Tasmanian coastline and includes the secluded Wineglass Bay, voted by several travel authors as one of the world's ten best beaches.

• The Park is famous for its red and pink granite formations and a series of jagged granite peaks surrounded by azure bays and white sand beaches.

• Scenic Walks:

  • Sleepy Beach - from the car park, it is a easy 15-minute walk down to Sleepy Bay. The beach is known for the colorful rock formation and its rough seas!

  • Wineglass Bay Track - starting at the car parking lot to “The Lookout” is a 45-minute walk. The well-made path is a steady uphill climb. To go further to the beach, add another 2.5 hrs. down and back. <Map>

  • Wineglass Bay connects with Hazards Beach Circuit. It is a mostly flat 12.8 km (8 mi.) circuit hike. Duration: 4 to 5 hrs.

  • Cape Tourville - a Lighthouse and Lookout offers some beautiful views (especially at sunrise).

    • The 600-meter walk takes only 20-minutes to complete. <Learn more>

  • Friendly beaches - spectacular views and miles of unspoiled white sand beaches. The beaches can be reached via a sign-posted turnoff on the Coles Bay Road, 25 km. north of Coles Bay. <GPS coordinate: 42°03'00.4"S 148°17'26.1"E>

• Throughout the year, the water temperature in Tasmania does not rise above 68°F/20°C and therefore makes it difficult for comfortable swimming.

• Overnight: Freycinet Park (2 nights) <Where to stay>

• Distance: Hobart ---> Freycinet Park 2.5 hrs.

DAY 4.

• Next stop is Bay of Fires Conservation Area.

  • Located on the northeastern coast of Tasmania. 

• The Bay of Fires is a region of white beaches, blue water and orange-hued granite. The color of which is actually produced by a lichen. This is the trademark that makes the Bay of Fires a unique place.

• Explore the Bay of Fires from your base in St Helens or Binalong Bay. <Learn more>

• Bay of Fires Eco Tours - provides several well-run boat tours to view the beautiful coastline.

• Drive to THE GARDENS:

• The Gardens are located in a conservation area at the end of a scenic road from Binalong Bay to the Bay of Fires.

  • It is a 15-minute drive and a favorite location frequented by locals and photographers.

• As you drive along the road (about 20 km), you pass the following outstanding beaches:

  • Jeanneret Beach, Swimcart Beach, Sloop Reef, Seaton Cove, Cosy Corner and Taylor’s Beach. <Read more>

  • These beaches are either sweeping long white sandy beaches or secluded coves. The water is a aqua leading into dark blues. The colors deepen, especially on a sunny day.

  • The coves are separated by stunning lichen-covered granite rocks in sunset hues, from red to orange and yellow. This is one of the things that make the Bay of Fires a unique place.

Looking for more adventure?

• Tasmania offers some of the most incredible walks in the world.

  • You can add a luxury eco-lodge experience by extending your trip.

• The award-winning Bay of Fires Walk, or the Wukalina Walk offer a excellent experience.

  • <FAQ’s about the Bay of Fires walk> <FAQ’s about the Wukalina walk>

• Overnight: St. Helens or Binalong Bay

• Distance:

  Freycinet Park. ---> Bay of Fires. 2.5 hrs.

DAY 5

• Depart to Narawntapu National Park.

• The park boasts a rich array of easily observed animals. Some of the animals include the Forester kangaroo, Bennett’s wallaby and wombat.

  • The park offers raw unoccupied beaches.

• Beauty Point region - located just east of Narawntapu Park, consist of more than 15 award-winning wineries to explore and many hidden gems in the quaint towns dotted throughout the picturesque countryside.

• Overnight: Beauty Point region.

• Distance:

  Bay of Fires —> Narawntapu Park, 3.5 hrs.

  Narawntapu —> Beauty Point region, 40 min.

DAYS 6-7

• Journey to Cradle Mountain National Park. <Learn more>

• Located in the Central Highlands region. The Cradle Mountain is composed of dolerite columns, similar to many of the other mountains in the area. A great place for a family hike with spectacular views.

• Cradle Mountain Park has many day walks, as well as guided treks on the Overland Track. (a extended stay option)

  • The Overland Track is Australia's premier alpine walk – a 65 km, six-day trek through the heart of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Recommended only for fit people and experienced hikers.

• Two great Day Walks for all ages in Cradle Mountain Park are:

  —Dove Lake Circuit
  Distance: 5.7 km
  Time: 3 Hours
  Start/Finish: Dove Lake car park

  —Marions Lookout walk

  Distance: 9 km

  Time: 5 hours

  Start/Finish: Ronny Creek car park.

• Overnight: Cradle Mountain (2 nights), <where to stay>

• Distance: Beauty Point ---> Cradle Mountain, 2 hrs.

Days 8-9

• Depart Cradle Mountain to Hobart.

• En route visit Trovunna Wildlife Sanctuary to see and learn about the Tasmanian Devil.

• Hobart - discover its fashionable Salamanca Place, with rows of old sandstone warehouses, galleries and restaurants. Nearby is Battery Point, a historic district with narrow lanes and colonial-era cottages.

• Visit MONA, Australia's largest privately owned museum which is cut into sandstone cliffs in the northern suburbs, with an art collection as eclectic as it is provocative.

• Overnight: Hobart (4 nights)

• Distance: Cradle Mountain---> Hobart 4.5 hrs.

DAYS 10-11

• Explore Tasman National Park.

•  It is a wild park of tall forests and a truly spectacular coastline. Waters from the Southern Ocean collide with the towering sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, creating spectacular rock formations, including caves and arches.

• Stop at Tessellated pavement beach-at Eaglehawk Neck, where a rock surface has been divided by fractures, producing a set of rectangular blocks.

  Best Day Walk:

• Cape Raoul - (14 km. RT / 5 hrs.)

  • With some of the tallest sea cliffs in Australia, Cape Raoul is a daunting promontory jutting the Tasman Peninsula. There are stunning cliff-top views along the trail leading to postcard views of the 200-meter-tall cliffs of dolerite columns.

  • If you have time for just one hike, this should be the one.

  • The hike is suitable for most peopled with average fitness levels.

  • Cape Raoul is a 2-hour drive from Hobart.

• Add a few extra days - Tasmania boosts one of the top world trek - Three Capes Track

• Overnight: Hobart.

  —You can elect to stay in Port Arthur. The advantage is your much closer to Tasman National Park but accommodation and restaurant choices are limited.

• Distance: Hobart —-> Port Arthur, 90 min.

DAY 12

• Depart to another Australian / New Zealand destination or return home.

• Historical Weather Data-click here.

• During the months of December through March you will experience pleasant average temperatures.

• The warmest months are January and February.

• The coolest months are July and August.

• The driest months are January and February.

• Sunrise/Sunset time.