Best of Tasmania's Tarkine & Cradle Mountain

Best of Tasmania's Tarkine & Cradle Mountain

Trip Type: Explorer

Australia | 6 D | 1 - 12 People

Starts From:

NZD 2,682.00 /Person

Best of Tasmania's Tarkine & Cradle Mountain

On this six-day exploration of rugged Tasmania, you’ll head to takayna/Tarkine – the greatest expanse of cool temperate rainforest in the country (and the second largest expanse in the world), and Cradle Mountain National Park – home to the impressive Cradle Mountain and numerous hiking, walking and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Travel along the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail, sampling fresh raspberries, cheese, ice cream and brews along the way, and explore Rocky Cape National Park, Narawntapu National Park, Mersey Bluff, The Nut, Corinna, Philosopher Falls and the Pieman River. Drive, walk and eat your way through gorgeous scenery, Indigenous culture and local delights – what a way to spend a week!

Itinerary

Welcome to Tasmania or Lutruwita in the language of the Palawa peoples – the Traditional Owners of this land. Your adventure begins in Launceston with an 8 am welcome meeting. Your first stop this morning will be the Tiagarra Museum on Mersey Bluff in Devonport. You’ll watch a Welcome to Country ceremony and then head out on a guided tour of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place. See Aboriginal petroglyphs and learn about the importance of this landscape. Travel along part of the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. Along the way, there will be plenty of scenic stops, like Narawntapu National Park, with coastal plains home to kangaroos, wallabies and birds. Learn about the rich Aboriginal heritage of this area and if there’s time, sample some local ciders, chocolates and truffles along the trail. After stopping for lunch in the town of Penguin, continue along the rocky coastline to Stanley. Climb the famous landmark The Nut – an ancient volcanic plug that juts out into the Bass Strait and offers outstanding views from the top – then wander down to the working wharf where some of the freshest seafood in Tasmania comes in each day. Continue to your comfortable accommodation, set in the rural area near Smithton, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Today, you’ll explore the Tarkine Wilderness area (Takayna in the language of the local Palawa peoples) – home to the largest temperate rainforest in Australia and the second largest in the world. Rich with geological wonders, Aboriginal history and unique creatures with habitats not found anywhere else on earth, you can explore sites like the hidden Trowutta Arch and the Lake Chisholm sinkhole – both examples of fascinating geological change. Along the Tarkine Coast, you’ll also see Marrawah – famous for its big wave surfing – and the desolate Edge of the World which marks the longest stretch of ocean on the planet. From here, there’s no land until Argentina! You’ll head out on a few short walks to explore the sites. Later, return to your rural accommodation near Smithton for the night and look up after sunset (this is a gorgeous spot for stargazing). 

Today, you’ll travel to Corinna via Rocky Cape National Park – home to windswept heathlands, sea caves, rock pools and twisted rocks formed over millions of years. Continue to the historic lighthouse at Table Cape and Boat Harbour Beach. Stop by Hellyer Gorge, then walk to see Philosopher Falls near Waratah. Tonight, settle into your accommodation for the night in Corinna’s remote, rural town in a restored miners’ cottage, where you can soak up some phone-free time, as there’s no service out here! Enjoy a group dinner with your fellow travellers and watch the sunset. 

You have a free morning this morning to get active. Maybe head out for some optional kayaking or hiking around the Corinna area, exploring the Pieman River and Tarkine Rainforest. After lunch, head to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, where your accommodation for the night sits among the trees. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure, then as the sun begins to set, maybe head out to meet Tasmania’s most emblematic animal – the Tasmanian devil. This optional activity visits a wildlife conservation facility aimed at protecting these endangered creatures. Watch how they feed, learn their story, visit the nursery and meet some of the facility’s youngest residents. Finish your day with a sunset over Cradle Mountain and listen out for the unmistakable sound of the devils. 

After breakfast, hike the scenic Dove Lake Circuit in the Cradle Mountain area. This trail will take you around the lake and beneath the impressive spires of the mountain, passing gorgeous scenery along the way. As the circuit is board-walked most of the way, it’s a fairly easy walk and gives you plenty of time and energy to focus on the surroundings. After, head to a local restaurant in the park for a group lunch – maybe grab a drink and relax by the fire as you wait. Then, drive to Launceston, where you'll spend the night, stopping for optional tastings and shopping opportunities along the way (pick up some delicious, locally grown raspberries or cheese and ice cream). Tonight, you’re free to relax at your accommodation or head out for dinner with your group.

After breakfast this morning, your trip will come to an end (if you’re staying in Launceston). For those leaving the trip in Hobart, you’ll have breakfast and then hit the road. Arrive at around 10:30 am. There are no further activities planned, so if you’d like to stay in Hobart longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Inclusions

Meals
5 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s), 2 Dinner(s)

Transport
Private Vehicle

Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Cottage (1 night)

Included Activities

Cradle Coast - Visit to Penguin Village
Cradle Coast - Narawntapu National Park
Stanley - The Nut
Cradle Coast - Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail
Cradle Coast - Mersey Bluff Petroglyphs
Cradle Coast - Welcome to Country Ceremony
Cradle Coast - Tiagarra Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place
takayna / Tarkine - Trowutta Arch
takayna / Tarkine - Lake Chisholm Sinkhole
takayna / Tarkine - Edge of the World
Waratah - Philosopher Falls
Cradle Coast - Rocky Cape National Park
Cradle Coast - Boat Harbour Beach
Waratah - Hellyer Gorge
Cradle Mountain - Dove Lake Circuit walk

Trip Highlights

Explore Australia’s oldest temperate rainforest with a visit to takayna/Tarkine– home to unique species that have evolved over hundreds of millions of years and are a living connection to the Gondwana supercontinent.
Enjoy some excellent stargazing opportunities as you stay in remote, rural Tasmanian locations with little to no phone signal (the perfect time for a digital detox).
Indulge in delicacies like locally made ice cream and cider as you sample a variety of treats along Tasmania’s famed Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail.
Hike the Dove Lake Circuit in Cradle Mountain National Park – passing the immense lake, high peaks of the mountain and lush vegetation while looking out for wombats.
Learn about the rich Indigenous heritage, culture and spiritual connections with Tasmania’s northern landmarks and national parklands.

Trip Notes

This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with good fitness and mobility. Several leader-led walks are included on a daily basis, allowing you to get among nature. This is the best way to experience Tasmania, so please make sure you bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. Most walks are relatively short and easy although there are some more challenging options. However, joining a walk is always up to you. Temperatures can fluctuate in Tasmania. It's important to prepare – pack suitable clothing for hot, cold, dry and wet weather, just in case. This trip forms part of a longer combination tour. If you would like to explore more of Tasmania with us, consider booking our Best of Tasmania (trip code PZKVC) trip. See our website for details. For operational reasons some departures throughout the year may operate in the opposite direction, with all experiences and destinations continuing to be included.

Dates & Availability

Departing

Finishing

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details

Australia | 6 D | 1 - 12 People

Trip Location

Trip Starts:
Australia

Trip Finishes:
Australia

Countries Visited:
Australia

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