Intrepid Travel: Tasmania Adventure

From your base in Bicheno, drive south to the beautiful Freycinet National Park, home to a wild domain of sublime beaches, whose powder-white sands are lapped by translucent waters. Join your leader for the walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout, or continue to the beach itself for a swim. It was voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches. Then after lunch follow the path up to Cape Tourville Lighthouse. Pose for a picture (or two) in front of the panoramic views, and then head back to Bicheno. This evening, there’s the option for you to join a guided tour for a closer look at the life of the area’s Little Penguins as they return nightly to their rookeries to feed their young.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. The walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout is a 3 km/1.5 hour return walk on a Grade 3 trail. It is a gradual uphill walk the whole way (and then back down) with some steep sections, but with many places to stop for a rest. You also have the option to continue from the lookout down to Wineglass Bay beach itself, which will add an additional 3 km/1.5 hours on a trail with many steps and some rough sections. To get to Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Lookout is a Grade 1, 600 m/20 min walk mostly on a raised boardwalk. If you are interested in doing the guided penguin tour tonight, please book directly through the operator's website: bichenopenguintours.com.au. This activity can sell out far in advance, so we recommend 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 beach walk along 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 Bay of Fires walk will depend on weather conditions, but is usually approximately 1 km return along the beach.

Activities:

• Bay of Fires - Beach Walk

Staying in:

• Motel in Sheffield (1 night)

This morning, drive over to the magnificent wilderness of Cradle Mountain National Park. The mountain, at 1545 m 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. You’ll have the chance to explore the park along a number of different walking tracks, including Dove Lake Circuit. 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. The Dove Lake Circuit is a Grade 3, 6 km circuit typically taking around 2-3 hours. Your leader can suggest other suitable walks for the time spent at Cradle Mountain. 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 - Option of Dove Lake Circuit, Crater Creek or Ronny Creek walks
• Cradle Mountain - Shuttle Bus to Walking Routes

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. The 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 6 pm. 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