Coastal Wilds of Tasmania Cruise

No two Tasmania voyages are the same. Throughout the expedition, allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Below is a selection of the key destinations visited.

Port Davey: Mount Beattie or Mount Milner

Here on the edge of the world in southwest Tasmania, the landscape is about as wild as it gets. Raw, craggy-peaked mountains and drowned river valleys. Wild rivers and rivulets carved by an eternity. Where tannin-rich freshwater sits atop saltwater, tinting the ocean the color of tea. With no road access, the logical way to explore this wilderness is by small expedition ship.

Trek Options:

Mount Beattie (3 Hours Return, moderate)
The Mt Beattie track starts from a jetty at Claytons Corner where the historic Claytons Hut is located. It travels steady uphill through native forest then opens out to button grass in open, windy areas which are often muddy en route to the summit. It offers stunning views of the whole Port Davey area in particular Bathurst Harbor.

Mount Milner (2 Hours Return, moderate)
This hike begins with getting your feet wet in the shallow bay, then slowly gainins height before reaching a short but very steep section before leveling off at an easy up and down section to the lookout over the Break Sea Islands.

Bruny Island & Fluted Cape Walkway

At Adventure Bay on the east coast of Bruny Island, walk along the dramatic coastal cliffs of Fluted Cape and hope to see Bennett’s Wallabies which are endemic to Bruny Island. Learn about the rich maritime history of Adventure Bay and explore the history of old whaling stations on the way to Grassy Point.

Trek:

Fluted Cape Walkway (3 Hours Return, moderate)
This is a moderately challenging track which has a very well-maintained loop track with several short steep sections over a gradual incline. It begins at the beach and is a flat easy walk to grassy point (1~ mile) where the steep uphill section begins, it levels off at the lookout sections (~1 mile) and then traverses down through the forest area which can be slippery and muddy if rainfall has occurred.

Port Arthur Historic Site

One of Australia’s most significant historic places, Port Arthur, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ruins stand sentinel on the Tasman Peninsula south of the narrow isthmus of Eaglehawk Neck. For more than 40 years the Port Arthur penal colony housed British and Australian convicts sentenced to hard labor before its heavy iron doors clanked shut for the last time in 1877. Today, the Historic Site has over 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes set in 100 acres of landscaped grounds. In the company of Port Arthur’s knowledgeable guides, join an exclusive behind the scenes tour, which includes access to private collections and historic buildings not otherwise accessible to the public.

Fortescue Bay: Cape Hauy or Canoe Bay to Bivouac Bay

Trek Options:

Cape Hauy (part of the Three Capes Walk) (4 Hours Returned, moderate)
This trek features many steps along the way (over 1,000 on the way down and 800 to the junction lookout)–good fitness and balance is required. It starts from the boat ramp and undulates through woodlands and heath; it then drops down a steep set of steps before ascending to the Cape.

Canoe Bay to Bivouac Bay
Stroll along the shoreline looking for local wildlife while beachcombing from Canoe to Bivouac Bay.

Freycinet National Park: Hazards Loop, Isthmus Trail or Wineglass Lookout

The Freycinet Peninsula is a dramatic headland dominated by a pink-hued granite mountain range called the Hazards. Blessed with picturesque sweeping bays with white-sand beaches like famed Wineglass Bay, much of the peninsula is designated as Freycinet National Park.

Trek Options:

Hazards Loop (3.5-4 Hours Return, 7.5-mile loop, moderate)
From Wineglass Bay across the Isthmus track and walk down Hazards Beach before joining onto the Hazards track, looping onto the start of the Wineglass Bay lookout walk from Coles Bay.

Isthmus Trail (30 Minutes Return, 1.2 miles, easy-moderate)
An easy, flattish walk that undulates between Hazards Beach and Wineglass Bay on a well-formed trail can be walked either way. It features both sand and dirt tracks as well as a selection of boardwalks.

Wineglass Bay Lookout (2 Hours Return, ~2 miles, moderate)
One of Tasmania’s celebrated walks, it is a very well-constructed walkway passing through the coastal woodland and striking granite boulders to the lookout. It is a steep uphill climb featuring many individual steps (more than 500) before reaching the lookout summit. Without a permiot to land on the Coles Bay side, this is a return from Wineglass Bay.

Maria Island: Bishop & Clerk, Fossil Cliffs Loop or Painted Cliffs

Maria Island can be referred to as a Noah’s Ark for native Tasmanian species. The Maria Island National Park provides an ideal sanctuary and is one of the best places in Australia to observe endemic birdlife as well as wombats, Cape Barren geese, forester kangaroos, Bennett’s Wallabies and pademelons.

Trek Options:

Bishop & Clerk (4-5 Hours Return, difficult)
This hike climbs through grasslands, open forests and tall woodland, to rocky slopes with towering dolomite columns of the summit. It involves steep up and down sections, and an extensive field of boulders with a short climb to the summit.

Fossil Cliffs Loop (2-2.5 Hours Loop Return, ~3 miles, easy-moderate)
This is a loop walk starting at the jetty and finishing at the Darlington Settlement. It follows gentle but uneven grassy areas and well-maintained tracks. It is mostly gentle ups and downs but does feature one steep hill climb. It visits the old buildings and the fossil cliffs where fossils were deposited some 300 million years ago.

Painted Cliffs (2-2.5 Hours Loop Return, 2.5 miles, easy-moderate)
A relaxing loop return coastal walk that features the stunning painted cliffs at Hopground beach, best done on a low tide to allow safe access to the rock platform beneath the cliffs.

Disembark in Hobart at 8:00am. A post-cruise transfer to the central business district or the airport is included.

No two Tasmania voyages are the same. Throughout the expedition, allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Below is a selection of the key destinations visited.

Maria Island

The historic ruins and rugged cliffs of Maria Island National Park are home to diverse wildlife that includes forester kangaroos, bennetts wallabies, and wombats. Walk to historic Darlington Settlement, explore the ancient sea beds of the Fossil Cliffs and marvel at the sandstone formations of the Painted Cliffs.

Freycinet Peninsula & Wineglass Bay

At Freycinet Peninsula, see the pink granite formations of the Hazard Mountains and the sweeping bays fringed by Eucalypts. Join a guided hike to the Wineglass Bay beach–one of the best beaches in the world. Witness fur seals lounging on the rocks at the Ile des Phoques.

Flinders Island & The Furneaux Group

Visit wild and rugged Flinders Island and marvel at the pink and gray granite mountain ranges of Strzelecki National Park. Land at beautiful Trousers Point beach, with the possibility of enjoying two of Tasmania’s Great Short Walks at Trousers Point and Castle Rock. Visit seaside townships, discover the sad history of Wybalenna Settlement and see relics of Flinders maritime past at the Furneaux Museum.

Kent Island Group

Weather permitting, visit the Kent Group of islands, Tasmania’s northernmost National Park and a marine protected area. These islands are the remains of a land bridge that once connected Tasmania with main land Australia over 10,000 years ago. The waters of Kent Island are crystal clear, with the highest diversity of fish species in Australia. At Deal Island, visit the caretaker’s cottage, enjoy several walk options and swim and kayak off the beach.

Tamar River & Launceston

Spend up to 2 days on the scenic Tamar River, which despite its name is actually a tidal estuary over its entire length. Formed by the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers at Launceston, the river’s banks are peppered with scenic reserves, historical properties and notable vineyards. Explore the historic pilot station at Low Head, discover the charming city of Launceston and enjoy a signature food & wine event at Josef Chromy Vineyard.

Stanley & Three Hummock Island

On the visit to Stanley, walk to see The Nut—an old volcanic plug that measures close to three miles with a steep section which flattens to form the top. Consider the chairlift to skip the incline. Either way, be rewarded with coastal views before heading to explore Highfield Historic Site.

West Coast Cruising

Home to striking mountain ranges, ancient pines and untamed rivers, the wild west coast is the heart of Tasmania’s wilderness and a true frontier. Take in the dramatic scenery of this coastline.

Fortescue Bay & Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula is known for its fascinating geological formations like Devil’s Kitchen, the Blowhole and Tasman Arch. The soaring 1,000-foot-high dolerite sea cliffs of Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy are the tallest in the southern hemisphere. The coastal waters here are a magnet for marine life. Watch fur seals hauling out on the rocks, as well as playful dolphins feeding and magnificent albatross which soar amongst the updrafts created by sea cliffs. Visit Fortescue Bay, hike sections of the coastal Tasman Trail or Three Capes Track and kayak in Canoe Bay.

Port Davey

A marine reserve and part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Port Davey is truly spectacular.  Enjoy the unforgettable experience of kayaking in Bramble Cove, and explore Melaleuca, along with hiking and bird-watching. Spend 2-3 days (weather permitting) here, and upon departure, cruise past the remote south coast islands of Maatsuyker, home to Australia’s most southerly lighthouse.

D’Entrecasteaux Channel & Huon River

Cruise the Huon River and visit the township of Franklin and its fascinating Wooden Boat Center. Learn about the process of sheep cheese-making at the family-run Grandvewe Cheeses, and at the cellar door enjoy a taste of their ‘ewenique’ sheep’s whey vodka. Visit Art Farm at Birches Bay for a walk enjoying their fine collection of sculptures.

Adventure Bay & Bruny Island

Experience the rugged beauty of Fluted Cape as you walk along the sheer coastal cliffs. Learn about the rich maritime history of Adventure Bay and explore the history of old whaling stations on the way to Grassy Point.

Tasman Peninsula & Port Arthur Historic Site

One of Australia’s most significant historic places, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur ruins stand sentinel on the Tasman Peninsula. For more than 40 years, the Port Arthur penal colony housed convicts before it closed in 1877. Join an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour with knowledgeable guides.

Disembark in Hobart at 8:00am. A post-cruise transfer to the central business district or the airport is included.