Dear Andrea
Thank you so much for leading the South Island trip we have just finished. Thanks to your excellent leadership and detailed organisation everything was so good. As the oldest in the group and the least able walker I did appreciate how you took care of me and made sure I still had a good time.
Please will you pass on my thanks to Steve also. He was very kind to me and took extra care with things like lifting my bag and walking with me at the end of the pack.
Active Tasmania
PRICE: Fully inclusive package @ $9770 per person
*Flights ex-Auckland * Great accommodation * Lux transport * Fully guided * 24 meals included * All the underrated gems of Tasmania * Over 16 different hikes and walks * Visit 11 different National and Regional Parks * 1 ocean and 3 river cruises + 2 ferry transfers * a farm tour *18 activity-packed days!
DURATION: 18 Days / 17 nights
DEPART: 02 – 19 April 2025
Please contact us to register your interest for 2025
Highlights
Dates
2025: 02 – 19 April, Autumn Tour
AVAILABILITY: 6 Spaces still available
Our inclusive 18 day tour is the perfect amount of time to adventure into Tasmania’s nature, history, wildlife, and fabulous cuisine at all our favourite local destinations. Our personalised small group tour covers the underrated south west, the extensive and engulfing west coast rainforests, stunning and expansive white beaches on the east plus Maria island, Bruny Island and Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula. Throughout the tour you’ll gain an understanding of Tasmania’s gripping history, diverse culture and undeniably exquisite food and beverages. This is balanced nicely with a good number of famous short walks, unique wildlife and outdoor encounters, along with some time to enjoy the vibrancy of Hobart city and waterfront.
Day 1 Wednesday 2 April
Arrive Hobart from Auckland and transfer to your hotel in the city. Relax before evening welcome drink and meal.
Day 2 Thursday 3 April
Today a 2.5 hour guided Story-walk of Hobart city and waterfront, lunch from one of the floating restaurants along the wharf. An afternoon river walk and optional tour of the famous Cascade Brewery.
Day 3 Friday 4 April
The first of our adventures this morning is Mt Wellington’s panorama view of the city and surrounds – citing 9 different mt peaks from the top! Our 1.5 hr walk down through the reserve helps us gauge the enormity of this wonderful recreational area on the doorstep of the city. Lunch will be in the quaint and historic town of Richmond with its alluring number of boutique and specialty stores. The last stop of the day is a wildlife Sanctuary outside of Hobart where we get to see all the Tasmanian stars: wombats, devils, wallaby, bandicoots, snakes, birds
Day 4 Saturday 5 April
Saturday is Market Day and nowhere compares with the atmosphere and standards made famous at the Salamanca market with over 500 stalls of handmade gifts, craft, food and batch brewed alcohol. The afternoon is on the Derwent River for a trip to the infamous MONA Museum of Old & New Art. The day isn’t complete without a fabulous seafood dinner enjoyed harbourside amidst evening lights and twinkly water..
Day 5 Sunday 6 April
Packed and heading south we begin our discoveries in the south west of the Island. Taking in a pre-ordered bakery lunch en route to the Hastings Cave system for a guided walk underground. Lunch and a swim at a picturesque forest dell before a sit down sheep cheese tasting before settling into our river cottages for 4 nights.
Day 6 Monday 7 April
A packed day on the water begins with a coffee and scone cruise to learn about how important the river system is to this glorious and quiet part of Tasmania. Wooden Boats are essential to todays learnings and we get to meet some exceptional craftsman today who not only repair, renovate and recycle traditional wooden fleets, but creating beautiful new craft using age old skills and tools.
Day 7 Tuesday 8 April
Taking the ferry across the D’Entrecastreaux Channel today to enjoy Bruny Island. At the isthmus between North and South Bruny, we’ll climb the 279 steps to the top of Truganini Lookout. We get to enjoy a fabulous winery lunch before a great little 2 hr walk from Adventure Bay. To finish our Bruny experience we visit a few Bruny shops to try locally sourced and crafted products like oysters, cheese and beers.
Day 8 Wednesday 9 April
Today we travel a short distance to Cockle Creek National Park – as far south as you can possibly drive in Australia! And we take a day guided walk on the South Cape track through to Lion Rock (16km return). We’ll have snacks & sustenance for morning tea plus a gourmet packed lunch to help us enjoy and appreciate this stunning South West World Heritage area.
Day 9 Thursday 10 April
Today we head north to Hobart and beyond to walk among the magnificent Tall Trees and several impressive water falls in the rainforests of Mt Field National Park in yet more of Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage areas. We lunch in the rainforest then head off to do a Farm visit and experience an exceptional farm to plate dinner and overnight in the Derwent Valley.
Day 10 Friday 11 April
Today is a visit to Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake St Clair, Franklin River and take a walk into the lovely Nelson Falls. As we near the historic mining town of Queenstown, take in the impressive views of the Iron Blow Lookout, Horsetail Falls and Mt Lyell.
We spend two nights in the gorgeous town of Strahan
Day 11 Saturday 12 April
Departing from the harbourside village of Strahan, today we’ll cruise the Gordon River. This fantastic river cruise includes a guided boardwalk through the UNESCO World Heritage rainforest as well as a guided tour of the harshest penal settlement in Australia at Sarah Island.
See the workings of a Huon pine sawmill to further appreciate the history of this picturesque town.
Pre-dinner we enjoy the last piece of the days puzzle by attending The Ship That Never Was – a light-hearted re-enactment from one of today’s famous convict stories.
Day 12 Sunday 13 April
Today we head for Tasmania’s highest waterfall. At 104 metres, Montezuma Falls is a spectacular sight., our 3 hour walk (8km) almost entirely through rainforest and following the course of a former mining tramway beside the Ring River.
A mid afternoon arrival at our Lakeside Lodge accommodation we can adventure the trails around the picturesque wilderness of Lake Rosebery.
Day 13 Monday 14 April
A full day is scheduled to discover the alpine and glacial landscapes of Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park. We will make the most of the diverse walk options to experience around the park, such as looking for wombats at Ronny Creek and visiting Waldheim Chalet to learn about the Park’s history, plus a circumnavigation around Dove Lake Circuit (6km) Before arriving in Launceston, we’ll admire the colourful murals in the town of Sheffield.
Day 14 Tuesday 15 April
Launceston’s stunning Cataract Gorge and recreational area which is a terrific place to spot wallabies. Todays drive is south east on the Heritage Highway to enjoy a fascinating stop at Campbell Town History lovers will enjoy the colonial buildings and the informative Convict Brick Trail and great for “antique-ing“ Our destination is the charming coastal town of Bicheno, home of the little penguin. A walk to the blowholes and whalers lookout for views over the Tasman Sea.
Day 15 Wednesday 16 April
Collecting a packed lunch from the bakery we head for a day in the magnificent Freycinet National Park – Tassie’s East Coast jewel and make sure to maximise our time here. See the stunning Hazards pink granite mountains from Honeymoon Bay. Walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout for views of Tasmania’s most famous beach with its curved white shores and turquoise-coloured waters.
Day 16 Thursday 17 April
Board our boat to Maria Island for todays exploration. Combine viewing fur seals, dolphins, wombats, kangaroos, Cape Barren geese, eagles, wallabies, albatross and whales (during migration) with World famous landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage history all packed into one day.
Day 17 Friday 18 April
Our last stop on tour is Port Arthur Historic Site, learn about the harsh life of convicts from the 1800’s at Australia’s best preserved convict settlement. Wander around the preserved ruins and colonial gardens and take a short harbour cruise to appreciate this open-air museum and UNESCO World Heritage Listed Area.
Tonight we have our private 3 course farewell dinner for Wildside clients.
Day 18 Saturday 19 April
Transfer to the airport for flights back to Auckland.