Exploring Tasmania for AFCA
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Discover the highlights of Tasmania in this 7-day nature-based tour. Departing Hobart, the tour takes you deep into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in the West Coast. Tall trees, rainforests, and waterfalls are just some of the highlights of this remote region of Tasmania. The alpine mountain scenery of Cradle Mountain is world-class, and you’ll be amazed by the pristine coastlines at the Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay. We are partnering with local guides to provide insights on local flora, fauna, and history. This adventure is suitable for all levels of walking/hiking with options outlined below.
Highlights:
Russell Falls, Mount Field National Park, Lake St Clair
Franklin River, Nelson Falls, Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Iron Blow Lookout, Horsetail Falls, Queenstown
Gordon River Cruise, Strahan, Tullah
Cradle Mountain, Sheffield, Launceston
Bay of Fires, Cataract Gorge, St Helens, Bicheno
Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Cape Tourville
Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmanian Devils, Port Arthur Historic Site,
Tasman National Park, Richmond
Advanced Eco-Certified Tour
Trip Dates: Friday, February 7 - Thursday, February 13, 2025 (not including travel to/from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia)
Cost: $1575 (based on double occupancy)*
Steep grade: 3/5 (options for choosing your level of activity)
*Need 10 participants registered by August 31, 2024 for these reserved spots to be held
Friday, February 7 - Arrive in Hobart, Tasmania.
- Hotel in Hobart
Saturday, February 8 - Hobart to Queenstown
Our first wilderness experience begins in Mount Field National Park where we’ll walk amongst some of the world’s tallest trees and the cascading Russell Falls. Continuing west we will visit Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake St Clair, before traversing the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Here we’ll enjoy some short walks along the tannin-coloured waters of the Franklin River and Nelson Falls. Further west, past the vast buttongrass plains, vistas of Mt Lyell, the Iron Blow and Horsetail falls complete our day of stunning scenery. We overnight in Queenstown, once a historic mining town, now a thriving West Coast destination. Dinner included
Overnight: Queenstown
Walking options:
Mount Field – 20 minutes to 90 minutes (Tall Trees to Russell Falls).
Lake St Clair – 30 minutes (unguided)
Nelson Falls – 30 minutes
Franklin River – 5 to 30 minutes
Iron Blow Lookout and Horsetail Falls – 5 minutes
Sunday, February 9- Gordon River Cruise to Tullah
Cruise along the magnificent Gordon River. This outstanding river cruise explores Macquarie Harbour as far as the imposing Hells Gates. You’ll explore the convict site of Sarah Island before venturing upriver and deeper into the World Heritage rainforests. Stroll amid the ancient huon pines on the boardwalk and enjoy lunch aboard the ship featuring Tasmanian produce. This afternoon, journey to the tiny town of Tullah. On a clear day, magnificent views across Lake Rosebery are possible of the rugged peaks of Mount Murchison. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a group dinner and relax in the lakeside chalet. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Overnight: Tullah
Walking options:
Guests that prefer not to do the cruise- We could potentially take guests to Montezuma Falls – 3 hour walk and Henty Dunes (30-45 minutes)
Monday, February 10 - Tullah to Launceston via Cradle Mountain
Experience the iconic Cradle Mountain National Park. Your guide will explain several options to suit your preferences today. At Ronny Creek we’ll meander along the boardwalk to look for wombats. At Dove Lake, spend 2-3 hours circling the glacial carved lake beneath towering mountains and diverse alpine vegetation. Or take in the valley views from the Boat Shed or Glacial Rock. This afternoon, enjoy the “Town of Murals” at Sheffield, before arriving in Launceston in northern Tasmania. Breakfast included
Overnight: Launceston
Walking options:
Depending on guests choice, up to 4 hours of walking today. Dove Lake Circuit is 6km, plus Ronny Creek etc. Marion’s Lookout is steep and challenging.
Tuesday, February 11 - Bay of Fires to Bicheno
Visit Cataract Gorge, a scenic nature reserve just minutes from downtown Launceston. Travel to the East Coast via St Columba Falls. We’ll enjoy lunch in St Helens before exploring the Bay of Fires/larapuna. At Cosy Corner North, stroll along the white sands of the pristine beaches. Turquoise waters and rust-coloured boulders make this scenery remarkable. This evening we will stay in Bicheno, the East Coast’s loveliest coastal town and home to the little penguin. Breakfast included
Overnight: Bicheno
Walking options:
Cataract Gorge – usually 1 hour
St Columba Falls – 1 hour
Bay of Fires – around 45 minutes to 1 hour (beach)
Wednesday, February 12 - Freycinet National Park to Eaglehawk Neck
Freycinet National Park is a coastal nature playground with secluded bays, pristine beaches, diverse forests, and pink granite mountains. At Honeymoon Bay, discover the stunning pink peaks of the Hazards Mountains. A walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout provides postcard views of the curved white beach, while at Cape Tourville you can take in panoramic views of the Tasman Sea and Freycinet coastlines. We will continue south and see the scenery changes as we reach the gateway to the stunning Tasman Peninsula at Eaglehawk Neck. Dinner included
Overnight: Eaglehawk Neck
Walking options:
Wineglass Bay – 45 minutes to 90 minutes (to the lookout or beach return)
Hazards Circuit (option which includes Wineglass) around 3.5 hours
Mt Amos (very challenging) – 3 hours
Cape Tourville – 30 minutes
Thursday, February 13 - Back to Hobart
EAGLEHAWK NECK > HOBART (B)
Wander down to the geological wonder of the Tessellated Pavement and explore other parts of the magnificent Tasman Peninsula such as Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen which form part of the Tasman National Park. See Tasmanian devils and other wildlife at a nature sanctuary, before visiting the open-air museum of Port Arthur Historic Site. Explore the vast gardens and convict buildings in what is known as the best convict historic settlement in Australia and a World Heritage Site. We’ll return to Hobart via the colonial village of Richmond, where our journey comes to an end. Breakfast included
Walking Options:
3 hours walking around Port Arthur
1 hour at wildlife sanctuary
1 hour at geological sites
Tour ends at 5:30pm
Included:
6 nights lodging (double occupancy)
Meals – 5 x Breakfast and 3 x Dinner
National Park Entry Fees, Guided Walks and free walking options
Pick-ups and drop offs at selected Hobart CBD locations. Airport dropoff upon request
Ground transportation
Local guide for some hikes
Steep Adventures host
Not included:
International airfare to Hobart
Visa
Meals where indicated (estimated to cost $175 - $250USD depending on choices)
Tips & Gratuities
Personal expenses
Some additional excursion options
Fundraising to Support AFCA
This trip to Tasmania will not only take you to an incredible part of the world but will also support the work of AFCA (www.AFCAids.org) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Each person is asked to raise a minimum of $1500, all of which will be used to support AFCA’s bee and garden projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Zimbabwe (https://www.afcaids.org/livelihoods-program/). This fundraising is above and beyond the cost of the trip (payable to Steep Adventures), flight, visa and any other ancillary costs.
