Best of Tasmania Vacations: Highlights of Tasmania
Tasmania is one of Australia’s most underrated destinations. Explore the beautiful Freycinet National Park and Cradle Mountain, sample delicious local wines in the Tamar Valley, and enjoy a privately guided wildlife and wilderness tour!
One of our favorite Tasmania vacations, this Highlights of Tasmania package was designed for a couple from Chicago. They wanted to see something different in Australia while still seeing the unique wildlife and beautiful scenery, so we sent them to Tasmania, a fascinating island destination that offers an authentic taste of Australia.
They started their Highlights of Tasmania vacation in Hobart, Tasmania’s waterfront capital. Here, they enjoyed fabulous scenery, eclectic art, delicious seafood, and more. They also drove out to the Bonorong Widllife Sanctuary to meet Tasmanian Devils and other unique Australian creatures. The next day, they took an eco-adventure cruise out to Bruny Island, enjoying fabulous marine life sightings and exploring the historic town of Port Arthur, a former convict settlement.
Next on their Highlights of Tasmania vacation, they drove to Freycinet National Park, an area renowned for its stunning landscapes and beautiful ocean views. Along the way, they visited a few boutique Tassie wineries for a delicious taste of this unique part of Australia. They hiked to the Wineglass Bay lookout and took in Tasmania’s rugged coastline on a guided sea kayaking adventure. At their hotel, they got to see adorable penguins waddle up to the hotel property to nest for the evening.
Continuing their Highlights of Tasmania vacation, they met a private guide for an intimate, outdoor wildlife encounter through some of Tasmania’s most remote wilderness. Their naturalist guide shared his incredible knowledge of the local flora and fauna and prepared them a gourmet campfire dinner made with native Tasmanian ingredients.
They finished their Highlights of Tasmania vacation at Cradle Mountain Lodge, situated on a lakeshore with spectacular views of the famous Cradle Mountain. Here, they enjoyed guided walks through the pristine natural environment, rode horses, and enjoyed plenty of other outdoor adventures before returning in the evenings to their luxurious rooms.
At last, their Tasmania vacation came to an end. They dropped off their rental car at the Davenport airport and began their journey home.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Australia! Arrive into Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. Your hotel is located on Hobart’s waterfront and is Australia’s first dedicated art hotel, with over 300 pieces of artwork throughout the property. A former jam factory built in 1804, it has been transformed into an exceptional boutique hotel in the perfect location for exploration. Enjoy a stroll through Hobart’s legendary and colorful Salamanca Market, taking in the fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, preserves, wines, and arts and crafts on offer. For an up-close encounter with Tasmanian Devils, a stop at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a must. (Ask us about the nighttime encounter!)
The Henry Jones Art Hotel
Day 2
Today, enjoy an eco-adventure cruise of Bruny Island. Enter deep sea caves, pass through the narrow gap between the coast and “The Monument,” and feel the power of nature at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the might of the Southern Ocean. Join in the search for coastal wildlife such as seals, dolphins, migrating whales, and sea birds. Enjoy lunch at a beachside cafe before returning to Hobart.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel
Day 3
Pick up your rental car and drive north today to Freycinet. There are several wineries you may like to stop at along the way. This peninsula of granite mountains, dazzlingly white beaches, and turquoise sea forms part of Freycinet National Park. Enjoy a hike to the famous Wineglass Bay with a picnic backpack. Be sure not to miss the penguins at sunset, as they waddle up the beach and onto your hotel property to nest in the shrubs for the evening.
Freycinet Lodge
Day 4
Today, explore the natural beauty of your surroundings on a guided tour of the Freycinet coastline. Glide beneath pink granite mountains, past pristine sandy beaches, and across waters so crystal clear, you’ll feel like you can touch the marine life below. Experience Freycinet’s rich wildlife as you weave along the peninsula’s stunning coastline. Take time out on a secluded beach and discover Freycinet’s rich stories from your guides as you relax with freshly brewed coffee and tasty snacks.
Freycinet Lodge
Day 5
Make your way into Launceston today and explore the Tamar Valley wineries, well known for pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, and sparkling varieties. If you’re up for an adventure, ask us about driving the back way, which takes you to spectacular waterfalls and the historic Pub in the Paddock.
Peppers Seaport Hotel
Day 6
Today, our mate Craig with Pepper Bush Adventures will collect you from your hotel for an afternoon of 4WD touring through temperate forest and the ruggedly beautiful mountains of Ben Lomond National Park. This evening, you will experience a private, gourmet bushtucker dinner prepared with native Tasmanian ingredients over the campfire. As you sit by the fire and enjoy Australian wines, you will watch the valley come to life with creatures such as wallabies, wombats, possums, and platypus, just to name a few.
Peppers Seaport Hotel
Day 7 – 8
Head into high country today and make your way to your accommodations in Cradle Mountain/Lake St. Clair National Park, one of Tasmania’s most picturesque nature parks. Take advantage of this pristine environment to take guided walks; ride bikes and horses; go fishing, driving and canoeing; or just relax with wine, cheese, and spectacular views.
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Day 9
After breakfast, make your way to Devonport airport, where you will drop off your rental car and join your connecting flight for your onward journey.
About this vacation
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