Intrepid Travel: Tasmania Adventure

From your base in Bicheno, drive south to Freycinet National Park, home to white sand beaches, clear water coasts and over 49 species of wildlife, including wombats, wallabies and echidnas. Join your leader for a steep, moderate to difficult walk to Wineglass Bay, voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches, then, after lunch, follow the path up to Cape Tourville Lighthouse. Soak up the views at the top, then return to Bicheno. Tonight, you have the option to join a guided tour of a penguin rookery where the area’s little penguins return nightly to feed their young.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Your walking time today will be approximately 1.5 hours or 2.6 km. The walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout is a Grade 3 walk. It's a steep uphill walk, with many places to stop for a rest.  If you'd like to walk to Cape Tourville Lighthouse and Lookout it will be on a Grade 1 trail, taking approximately 20 minutes on raised boardwalks. Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. If you are interested in doing the guided penguin tour tonight, please book directly through the operator's website: bichenopenguintours.com.au. Please note that this activity can sell out far in advance, so it is recommended you make a booking well ahead of time.

Activities:

• Freycinet National Park - Wineglass Bay Lookout walk
• Freycinet National Park - Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Lookout

Staying in:

• Hotel or Motel in Bicheno (1 night)

This morning, you’ll depart Bicheno and follow the Great Eastern Drive until you arrive in the northeast corner of Tasmania, home to the Bay of Fires. This popular conservation area features Tasmania’s signature white sand beaches, coastal heaths and woodlands filled with protected wildlife, as well as its unique orange-coloured granite rocks. Set off on a leader-led nature hike to one of the many bays before continuing today’s journey towards your accommodation in Sheffield. The former hydroelectric hub has reinvented itself as an arts community with more than 140 murals on its streets that depict local stories and characters. You’ll have a free evening tonight to explore the town and spot some of its street art.

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. Your walk at the Bay of Fires today will depend on weather conditions, but is usually approximately 1km return along the beach.

Activities:

• Bay of Fires - Nature Hike

Staying in:

• Motel in Sheffield (1 night)

This morning, say goodbye to the east coast and head west towards Cradle Mountain National Park. Cradle Mountain, at 1,545 m high, stands tall among the native vegetation of the area and is a popular attraction for day trippers and overnight hikers. Today, you’ll have the chance to explore the national park on one of the many walking tracks of the area, including the popular Dove Lake Circuit, a grade 3 walk taking you through the low-lying rainforest, Fagus trees, buttongrass and past the Boat Shed. Your leader will be at hand to explain the options depending on your or the group's ability. End the day by driving to your accommodation in Strahan.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. Your walking time today will be approximately 2-3 hours or 6km, with an elevation gain of 175m. To best enjoy your time at Cradle Mountain, please keep in mind that sudden changes in weather may occur at any time in Tasmania. Always carry additional warm clothing, including a waterproof outer layer.

Activities:

• Cradle Mountain - Dove Lake Circuit walk

Staying in:

• Motel in Strahan (1 night)

From Strahan, enjoy a full day exploring Tasmania’s West Coast, including the Tarkine, which is not only Australia’s largest temperate rainforest, but the second largest in the world. This cool-temperate rainforest has largely been left untouched and still homes wildlife not found anywhere else on earth, including the endangered Tasmanian Devils. It even retains a biological history from when this area was still connected to Patagonia and New Zealand, known collectively as Gondwanaland. Return to Strahan in the late afternoon.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Activities:

• Tarkine Wilderness - Full Day Trip

Staying in:

• Motel in Strahan (1 night)

Start the final day on the Apple Isle by passing through Queenstown’s eroded landscape of treeless hills, then stretch your legs on some great and moderately easy short walks along the Franklin River trail and along to the Nelson Falls boardwalk. Your next stop is Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, then continue over the Central Plateau and through the Derwent Valley. Finish your trip traversing Tasmania as you head back to Hobart, where your adventure will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your time in Tasmania, please speak to your booking agent.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Your walking time will be approximately 1 hour. The Nelson Falls walk is a Grade 2, 1.4 km walk along a boardwalk. Franklin River Nature Trail is a Grade 1, 1 km walk, partly on a boardwalk with no steep sections or steps. Your trip comes to an end this evening upon arrival in Hobart at around 6pm. Please take this into consideration when booking your onward travel. We recommend you stay an additional night in Hobart.

Activities:

• Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park - Nelson Falls Walk
• Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park - Franklin River Nature Trail
• Lake St Clair - Lakeside Visit