This adventurous trip is a taste of Tasmania, designed to wet the tastebuds and entice you to consider something more epic in the future. This is the tour for when you are feeling adventurous, but also in need of some regenerative laughs with a good bunch of people and a good nights sleep each night, with no camping included.
The walks on this trip are iconic. Wineglass Bay in Freycinet, Maria Island and Cape Raoul are all distinctly different and feature scenery that will keep your camera hand busy.
Hosted by the usual AW calibre of Tour Leader, you can expect a really enjoyable week in great company!
● Observe every shade of blue at the aptly named, Wineglass Bay
● Discover Maria Island’s rich history and wildlife, with opportunities to see Echidna and Wombats
● Walk the iconic 3 Capes Track and take in the views at Cape Raoul
● Test out the climbing skills at the steep sections of Cape Hauy with rewarding views
● Enjoy a glass of crisp white at one of the oldest vineyards in Tasmania
● Experience all of this with a great bunch of like-minded women travellers
We convene at the hotel foyer at 5pm for a group briefing after which we will enjoy the first of many lovely meals together.
Note that you should aim to arrive no later than 3pm into Launceston to allow time for delays. It's important that we have the group together for the briefing. Airport pickups are not included in the tour, but taxis are readily available and the drive is 20 minutes or so. Should you wish to arrive into Launceston prior to the start day of the tour, you will find a plenty to see and do. You will be able to book the hotel on the booking sites or make contact directly.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Best Western Hotel, Launceston (or similar)
We start the journey by winding our way through the hills and along the coast from Launceston down to Swansea. We pass through the historic town of Scottsdale and through the tiny town of Derby that has become a mecca for mountain bikers from around Australia and the world. We continue over to the coast where we pass through the Scamander Conservation Area.
Around lunchtime, we arrive at one of the oldest wineries in Tasmania, Craigie Knowe, reknown for their Pinot Noir, Cab Sav and others. We will taste some of these wonderful wines and have lunch before we continue onto Swansea and check in to our accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We travel over to the Freycinet Peninsula and complete a scenic 11.5km loop walk, taking in the views of Coles Bay and the Hazard Range. The track leads you to the iconic Wineglass Bay and across to the more rugged Hazards Beach. A picnic/packed lunch will fuel us on the walk.
As we journey back to the motel in Swansea we will make a stop at a small Oyster shack that has been serving fresh oysters straight from the farm for many years in a rustic, authentic setting. We might have squirreled away a decent wine from yesterday to enjoy with our afternoon snack.
Another night in Swansea gives us the luxury of not having to pack and unpack today.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Maria Island is an incredible part of the story of Tasmania. Known as wukaluwikiwayna in local Aboriginal language, the island has hosted a convict settlement, has been the site of whaling and sealing and is the resting place of Rene Mauge, the zoologist on explorer Nicolas Baudin's 1802 expedition. This is just a small part of the island's history, but it is the stunning landscape, the eroded sandstone cliffs and the abundance of native wildlife that makes Maria Island a fascinating place to visit.
We take a drive, then a boat ride to the island. We spend plenty of time wandering and exploring and then we return to the mainland and travel south to the small town of Orford.
After a ferry ride, spend the day exploring Maria Island’s fascinating geology and history. Visit the Fossil Cliffs and Painted Cliffs, and enjoy encounters with local wildlife, before returning to the mainland and staying overnight in the sleepy town of Orford.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A drive way down south awaits us today. As we draw near our destination, we will take a wilderness cruise along the rugged coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck. The afternoon offers flexibility: explore Port Arthur or embark on a series of short walks. For those with a strong disposition, consider a Port Arthur Ghost tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Cape Raoul track offers an enjoyable and achievable walk out to the lookout with a distinctive rock columns. This cape sits at the southernmost point of the Tasman Peninsula and really does feel like the closest you are going to get to the South Pole. Returning to the vehicle and then to Port Arthur, it might be time to enjoy a slow afternoon as we have a challenging walk tomorrow to close out the trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cape Hauy is Raoul's slightly more dramatic, slightly meaner cousin. One of the other capes on the 3 Capes Track, Cape Hauy features some of the same rock columns with the dramatic crash of waves down below and views out over the coast in both directions. There is a very steep, but thankfully quite short section. We'll take it slowly and you will be well supported and can walk away with a sense of achievement as we wrap up our adventure of Tasmania.
The drive into Hobart should have us arriving late afternoon. Those wanting to depart this evening can book a flight departing from 7pm with confidence. If you haven't been to Hobart before, or even if you have, you should consider a night here. It is a vibrant little city with some excellent food and a famous modern art gallery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Adventurous Women Tour Leader and Guide
Well kept, well-driven, private group transport throughout
6 nights accommodation in motels and hotels of a 3 star standard
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Visit to winery en-route to Freycinet
6 Dinners
6 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
Travel insurance
Flights
Other expenses of a personal nature
- A spirit of adventure
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots
- Hiking poles if you normally walk with them
- Normal outdoor adventure attire for a changeable climate
- Comprehensive list to follow
This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience' (Once in a Lifetime)! You should be able to adopt a "Go With The Flow" attitude, after-all we are in a foreign country and things don't always go to plan...this will help you chill out and therefore get the best out of your holiday.
You will also need to be mobile without assistance - some of the sights require you to be on your feet, navigating steps and uneven surfaces at times. We also have a couple of walks as part of this tour - these walks can be achieved by anyone with a general level of fitness, but again mobility is the key, as with all of our tours.
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
- Cancellation more than 75 days prior to departure - Loss of Deposit
- Between74 and 61 days - Loss of 75% of tour cost
- 60 days or less - Loss of 100% of the tour cost
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
