Tasmanian Wonders

Hobart might be small but it packs a punch. This afternoon, get your bearings on a city tour, starting with big views from the summit of Mt. Nelson. Then it’s on to Battery Point for pretty Georgian cottages, plus Salamanca Place where convict-built warehouses set the scene for those famous Saturday markets. Watch the boats bob at Constitution Dock, the finishing line for the Sydney to Hobart race, then stretch your legs in Australia’s second oldest Botanical Gardens with plants from all over the world. Tonight, meet up with your Travel Director for dinner.

Today is Tasmania turned up loud. Head into Mount Field National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, where the trees are seriously tall and the air feels extra fresh. Wander through towering eucalypts to Russell Falls and take that first proper deep breath of the wild. Next, roll on to Lake St. Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake and a spot that loves breaking records. By late day, you’ll reach Strahan, your gateway to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park where the wilderness really calls the shots.

All aboard for one of Tasmania’s moodiest, most beautiful waterways. The Gordon River runs dark with amber tannins from buttongrass, creating mirror-still reflections as you cruise out to Sarah Island. It’s a jaw-drop setting with a tough past, once a penal colony where convicts cut Huon pine for boats. At Heritage Landing, see a Huon pine that has stood proud for around 2,000 years. Then there’s Hells Gates, the famously tricky harbour entrance. After a big day, head north to Cradle Mountain, ready for a cosy fire and maybe a glass of wine.

Wake up to fresh air and a proper wilderness backdrop. Cradle Mountain rises to 1,545 m (5,069 ft) and you’ll have it in view as you explore around Dove Lake, with alpine moorlands that feel wonderfully untouched. Keep your eyes open, this is Tasmanian Devil territory. Next comes a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Devils @ Cradle. On a Day Keeper tour, you’ll learn how the sanctuary operates and how it protects this threatened species. Then it’s farewell to the Central Highlands as you head for the north-west coast and your overnight stay.

Camera ready. Table Cape is Wynyard’s showstopper, a 180 m (590 ft) high clifftop and the remains of a 12-million-year-old volcano. Drive to the lookout for coastal views that stretch for miles on a clear day. Then cruise through a town called Penguin, yes really, where penguin statues pop up everywhere, including one over 3 m (10 ft) tall. Continue via Ulverstone and Sheffield, the Town of Murals, with more than 100 large paintings celebrating local stories. Feeling peckish? Refuel at Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm with award-winning cheeses or perhaps treat yourself to locally made ice cream.

Launceston does nature on fast forward. One minute you’re in town, the next you’re staring into Cataract Gorge, a dramatic chasm carved by ancient rivers. It’s a rare mix of rugged bushland and tidy Victorian gardens, packed with ferns and exotic plants. Consider a Choice Experience, hop on the chairlift and glide across the water to a lofty lookout. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger. Or visit Beaconsfield Mine or Seahorse World. Your day, your way.

You’ll smell Bridestowe before you see it. This huge lavender farm perfumes the countryside when it blooms from late spring to early summer. The lavender isn’t just for pretty photos either, it turns up in ice cream, teas and jams, so you can taste the region too. Next, stop at the Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, a moving tribute where trees have been sculpted into WWI soldiers. By evening, you’ll be in Bicheno. Want a cute local moment? Join a Choice Experience for an after-dark penguin spotting and watch little penguins waddle in from the sea.

Freycinet Peninsula is postcard-perfect and then some. In Freycinet National Park, the colours look dialled up, with ocean blues washing into Coles Bay and pink granite cliffs framing the scene. Take it all in and enjoy travelling in a way that supports the protection of local wildlife. Later, step back in time in Richmond, where 1820s Georgian buildings now host boutiques, galleries and cafes. To round out the day, visit the Derwent River for a warm welcome to Country from local palawa people. You’ll learn about bush tucker and connect with Tasmania’s living culture in a meaningful way.

Today is big on history and stories. Port Arthur Historic Site is the best-preserved convict site in Australia and one of the world’s most significant convict-era destinations. Nearby names like the Isle of the Dead, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole hint at the harsh realities of the past. Walk through the ruins, picture the lives lived here and let the place do the talking. It’s powerful, confronting and unforgettable. This evening, settle in for dinner at a historic waterfront pub, a relaxed end to a thought-provoking day.

It took early explorers months to circumnavigate Tasmania. You’ve completed your Tasmania tour in just 10 days. What a wild ride.