Tasmania - Discover all its charms!

10 nights - self drive beautiful Tasmania, warm hospitality is just one of the charms you'll discover ...

Wilderness Australia tailors every journey to suit you, the traveller.  Accordingly, our Tasmanian sel-drive experience can be tailored to your personal interests, modified to suit your time frame and your preferred level of activity.  If you prefer not to drive yourself we know a couple of wonderful guides who will host your stay.

Tasmania is perhaps Australia’s most pleasant self-drive destination, the distances are relatively short and along the road there is impressive mountain & coastal scenery.  There is time to discover some of Australia’s oldest history, vast tracts of untouched wilderness and the most welcoming hospitality.  There are excellent restaurants, specialist food producers and wineries to savour.  You can bush walk, snorkel, scuba dive, canoe, take scenic flights and boat trips.

On this 10 night / 11 day journey accommodation experiences are varied too – from Australia’s only true Art Hotel to an historic homestead, a mountain lodge, a grand country house you will end your stay with three nights in a beautiful private house overlooking the East Coast.  Here you may choose to be as independent as you wish – cooking and touring at your own pace, or spending your days with a guide and enjoying the specialities of a local chef in the evening.

Day 1 – Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart for 2 nights

• Private transfer to the Henry Jones Art Hotel
• 2 nights Henry Jones Art Hotel, breakfast included

The Henry Jones is Australia’s first and only dedicated Art Hotel. Standing on Hobart’s waterfront where Europeans first stepped ashore 200 years ago, a row of historic warehouses dating from the 1820’s and a former jam factory have been transformed into an enthralling first class hotel showcasing the work of Tasmania’s finest visual and performing artists.

All guest suites feature natural timber furnishings, special lighting and a lavish king-size bed with exotic silk covers and ottomans. In the Peking, Calcutta, and Oriental Suites, you will discover the rich legacy of trade between Van Diemen’s Land and the East.  All suites are equipped with European style stainless steel and translucent glass bathrooms, complemented by magnificent sandstone walls. Most suites have harbour views, while others overlook the stunning glass Atrium and reveal glimpses of the old jam factory interior. The Hotel’s suites, foyers, bars, restaurants and atrium are furnished with over 250 original artworks. The Henry Jones is a fascinating mix of antique and ultra modern combined with the intriguing influences of a rich colonial trading history with India and China. 

Day 2 - discovering Hobart

We would be delighted to suggest and arrange additional touring, for example -  

• Spending a day with Rodney might be your 'thing' - just outside of Hobart, in an historic town, Rodney (an ex Gourmet Traveller Food Editor) has a small cooking school.  He will take you on a round of local producers, gathering up goodies, then together you will prepare a delicous meal to be shared around the table.
• Visit Bruny Island to spend a day with Dr Tonia Cochran, our specialist wildlife guide and an expert in sustainable tourism and farming practices.
• On Saturday morning, the Salamanca Markets is the place to be.

Hobart is an intriguing blend of heritage and lifestyle, scenery and vibrant culture.  It is a city defined by the river and sea - take a harbour cruise, or drive to the summit of Mt Nelson or Mt Wellington, and you’ll understand the town’s maritime focus. Hobart is warm sandstone, bright spinnakers on the water, fish punts at the docks, the slap of halyards on masts, coffee under the striped sun umbrellas of Salamanca, an occasional frosting of snow on Mt Wellington, bush tracks and birdsong.

The 19th century waterfront warehouses for which the city is famous once bustled with whalers, soldiers, petty bureaucrats and opportunist businessmen. Now they house cafes, restaurants and studios. Square-riggers still put out on the river, tacking among the yachts and fishing boats.

Day 3 - Ormiston House, Strahan on the West Coast for 1 night

• Depart Hobart to drive to Strahan (approx. 6 hours)
• Spend anight at Ormiston House

Strahan is located on the West Coast of Tasmania and provides access to the South West Wilderness.  Ormiston House is the lovingly restored home of Frederick Ormiston Henry, Strahan’s founder.  Built in 1899 it is a beautiful example of the Federation architecture that was popular during that period.  

Guests are accommodated in just five luxury rooms, each with an en suite bathroom. Living rooms include a comfortable bar, the ideal place for sampling excellent Tasmanian wines and a dining room. The house is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. Your hosts at Ormiston House are Mike and Carolyn and they will be happy to recommend and arrange scenic cruises or flights, fishing excursions and adventure activities. 

Day 4 - scenic flight and continue to Cradle Mountain Lodge for 2 nights

• Morning scenic flight over South West Wilderness & Macquarie Harbour
• Drive to Cradle Mountain (approx. 3 hours)
• Stay 2 nights at Cradle Mountain Lodge

Depart Strahan and fly to Macquarie Harbour, passing Sarah Island to the mouth of the Gordon River.  Cross the Elliot Range into the valley of the Franklin River and land 35 kms upstream.  There is time for a stroll along an elevated boardwalk through the ancient Huon Pine rainforest to Sir John Falls.  The return flight follows the Gordon River out to Lime Kiln Reach.

It is then time to depart Strahan and drive to Cradle Mountain.

Cradle Mountain Lodge is a superb escape that combines breathtaking scenery, cozy cabins, magnificent meals and days filled with nature’s pleasures. Guest accommodations are dotted amongst tree-lined ranges and overlook grassy folds.  All cabins have en suite bathrooms, log fires (as well as electric heaters), tea/coffee facilities and Tasmanian wood furnishings.  The Highland Restaurant (open for breakfast, morning tea and dinner) offers a super dining experience that will feature the very best of Tasmanian foods and wines.  There is also a more casual tavern & bar.  The Waldheim Alpine Spa at Cradle Mountain Lodge reflects the natural purity and pristine beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness in its healing and relaxation therapies. 

Day 5 - walking and exploring Cradle Mountain & Lake St. Clair

Cradle Mountain and Lake St. Clair make up part of the Western Tasmania World Heritage site.  The mountain, the most recognised feature in the park, is surrounded by stands of native deciduous beech (wonderfully colourful in autumn), rainforest, alpine heathlands and buttongrass. The park is characterised by a rugged landscape of massive peaks, tarns, waterfalls and valleys. Icy streams cascade down the mountainsides, and ancient pines are reflected in the still glacial lakes.

Explore this World Heritage landscape on an easy amble or a day-long hike. The track to the top of the mountain is an eight-hour return walk, but there are over 20 walking tracks ranging from 20 minutes to 9 hours.  Besides bushwalking, there are mountain bikes and horses to ride, canoes to paddle in the summer and toboggans to ride in the winter.  Wombats, pademelons and Bennett's wallabies are frequently seen and at night the nocturnal prowlers include Tasmanian devils and possums.

Day 6 - to Deloraine for 2 nights Calstock Country House Hotel

• Self-drive to Deloraine (approx. 1.5 hours)
• 2 nights Calstock Country House Hotel
• Dinner is included on one evening, dining at Calstock is always a highlight

Calstock is located 45 minutes drive from Launceston in the lush green valleys surrounding Deloraine and provides easy access to some of Tasmania’s most beautiful natural scenery, spectacular bush walking, trout fishing, colonial architecture and vineyards.  It is a stunning example of Tasmania's grand pioneering homes and retains many original features, including marble fireplaces, high ceilings with decorative architraves and cedar floors.  The house has been carefully restored to its former glory. 

Guest accommodation is offered in just 9 magnificent guest rooms – all beautifully appointed, with a décor inspired by provincial France.  Naturally all rooms have luxury en suite bathrooms as well as views to the surrounding countryside and the town of Deloraine.  Calstock places great emphasis on each meal and the chef’s selection of Tasmania’s finest produce and his skills in the kitchen, from freshly baked breads in the morning to the award winning cheeses after dinner, are sure to please you.

Day 7 - bush tucker & quoll patrol  with expert local guide

• Collection at 9.30am
• Lunch and dinner included on this very full day of touring
• Return to Calstock at about 10pm

This is a “multi-sensual” nature and wildlife experience - see, feel and smell, taste and hear Tasmania!  The day begins with a visit to Trowunna Wildlife Park in the beautiful Mersey Valley.  Trowunna is home to a wide range of native animals and is dedicated to caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here the breeding and rehabilitation programs are explained by informative guides who will also host your very close encounters with the famous Tasmanian devil, wombats and kangaroos.  If you prefer to be more active you can hike on Mt Ben Lomond instead of visiting Trowunna, or if food and wine are your fancy, Craig would be happy to spend some time sampling the produce of the Tamar Valley.  The full day tour can be tailor made to suit your interest.

Your dinner destination is on private land and will be a totally Tasmanian bush tucker experience, cooked by a true “Bush Chef”.  It will be served in a remote location with nature and a glass of Tasmanian cool climate wine.  After dinner, the objective is to view the bandit of the bush, the Eastern Quoll in its natural habitat. Other speices frequently seen include possums, wombats, kangaroos, wallaby, bettong, bandicoot and Tasmanian devils.

Day 8 - East Coast Tasmania at Avalon Coastal Retreat, 3 nights

• Self-drive to Avalon (approx. 2.5 hours)
• 3 nights in a private luxury house with stunning views along the East Coast
• We we can arrange specialist guides, local touring and expert chefs if you wish

Avalon Coastal Retreat is a holiday home to be occupied exclusively by your party.  The home cleverly combines practical requirements and comforts with the natural beauty of the location. Perched on a headland overlooking the sea, Avalon's vista includes Great Oyster Bay bounded by Freycinet Peninsula and Maria Island.

The living areas include a stunning lounge & dining area, two decks, a BBQ and a fully equipped kitchen – all with magnificent views.  Each of the three guest bedrooms features a queen-size Tasmanian oak bed, a private bathroom and again, views from the floor to ceiling glass windows.   The owners have furnished Avalon with exceptional style and the very best fittings, including an Espresso coffee machine, DVDs, books and stereo system, snuggly robes and slippers, exclusive toiletries and luxurious linens.

To assist you in exploring the surrounds there are wetsuits, boogie boards and beach towels, backpacks, walking and touring maps.  Avalon has direct access to a secluded beach, expansive views, beautiful modern art and a wonderful hostess, Alison, who will meet you on arrival.   She will also provide breakfast provisions and can arrange guided touring, recommend restaurants etc.

Avalon is built to surround you in the natural beauty of this place and in luxurious comfort.

Day 9 & 10 - Explore the East Coast & Freycinet area

Dutch navigator Able Tasman mapped this area on his first voyage to Tasmania in 1642; the area was again well explored by Frenchman Nicholas Baudin's scientific expedition in 1802.  The settlement at Swansee was originally established as a garrison to facilitate settlement of the surrounding wilderness. In 1860 it became the first rural municipality in Tasmania, the isolated farm produced fruit, hops, grain and wool. Today the future of Great Oyster Bay still lies with its natural beauty and tourist explorers are welcome to discover Tasmania's gentlest coastal refuge.

The Freycinet Peninsula contains an enormous range of experiences both active and reflective.  Take an evening wildlife observation tour at Freycinet National Park and meet quolls, wallabies, possums and Tasmanian devils. At Bicheno fairy penguins can be viewed in their rookery on an evening tour.  Charter boats can be arranged for fishing, diving or dolphin, whale and seal spotting. 
Close to home enjoy Kate's Berry Farm - famous for jams, ice-cream and coffee or dine at a diverse selection of Swansea restaurants - The Ugly Duck Out, Makepeace, Kabuki Japanese.  

Day 11 - Depart Hobart

• Return your rental car to Hobart Airport (approx. 1.5 hours)
• Depart Hobart