Devilish Tasmania: Australia's Wilderness Wonderland

The Trip

Tasmania! The very name conjures images of the other side of the world. This wild island lies off the southern coast of the Australian mainland. Home to Indigenous Australians and former penal colonies, it now preserves a vast array of endemic wildlife and a near pristine World Heritage wilderness. We’ll explore sandy beaches (including Wineglass Bay, considered one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world), see the dramatic Cradle Mountain, take a cruise on the spectacular Macquarie Harbor, experience a canopy walkway, hike through eucalyptus forests and spend time on the small but spectacular Bruny Island to the southwest of Hobart.

Most days will present opportunities to spot some of the unique wild animals of Australia, some of the unique flora and fauna of Tasmania include wallabies, Huon pine, echidna, black cockatoos, Tasmanian blue gum, platypus, quoll, wedge tailed eagle, swift parrot, King Billy pine, waratah, many varieties of eucalyptus, and we will visit a Tasmanian devil sanctuary. Some excursions at night will afford opportunities for viewings of nocturnal fauna such as the pademelon and numerous species of possums.

At 26,376 square miles, Tasmania is about the same area as West Virginia and is both the 26th largest island in the world and the smallest state of Australia. Nearly half of its nearly 600,000 citizens live in the capital and largest city, Hobart. When the land bridge connecting it to the continent disappeared some 10,000 years ago, it was left isolated with the Indigenous Australians, their culture, and the flora and fauna present at that time. These have maintained their separate identity from the mainland ever since, with much less change than on the mainland.

Our adventure will start and end in Tasmania’s capital of Hobart, but we will venture out in all directions from there, making a circle around the island. Numerous National Parks are on our itinerary, including Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair which we will visit from both the north and south sides, South Bruny Island, Wineglass Bay and Mt. Field.

Note the following is the planned itinerary, but like any adventure trip, local conditions and unforeseen events may require us to adapt our plans as we travel.

Day 1: Arrival day in Hobart, we will gather for an orientation meeting at our hotel late afternoon, no other activities planned today, dinner on own. Accommodation provided tonight in central Hobart.

Day 2: We depart Hobart in the morning, going by ferry to the renowned Bruny Island to first visit Inala, an Native Australian word meaning ‘a peaceful place’, a private reserve of 1500 acres of rich diverse habitat home to 95 species of birds, including all of the 12 Tasmania endemic birds. Bruny island will be our home for two nights, and on an evening excursion tonight we will seek out wildlife such as possums, pademelons, and quolls.

Walking: 2 miles. Elevation: +/- 200ft. Travel time: 2-3 hours. Meals: All.

Day 3: This morning will we continue to explore Inala and gain further insights into the endemic wildlife and birdlife of this unique region. Besides the abundant bird life we will see an amazing diversity of plant species and many mammals, reptiles and amphibians. This afternoon a visit South Bruny National Park encompasses the wild and spectacular southern coast of the island with afternoon walks through coastal forest atop spectacular bluffs dropping to the sea before returning to Alonnah.

Walking: 1-2 miles. Elevation: + /- 100ft. Travel time: 1-2 hours. Meals: All.

Day 4: Ferrying back to the Tasmanian mainland this morning, we drive west to visit the Huon Valley and the Tahune Airway, a canopy walkway 30-50 meters above the forest floor that will enable greater insight to be gained into the myrtle and sassafras forest, while the productive heartland with its picturesque orchards provide a delightful contrast. We will return to our hotel in Hobart.

Walking: 1 mile. Elevation: + /- 100ft. Travel time: 2 hours. Meals: All

Day 5: A day trip to Mt Field National Park west of Hobart will feature alpine moorlands, spectacular mountain scenery, and an excellent diversity of alpines including several Richea, Ewartias, and Tasmanian Celmisias. We spend the day at varying altitudes in this national park, enjoying the walk to the Russell Falls, and wandering amidst the sub-alpine flora. There will be good opportunities for viewing both echidnas and wallabies today, and we will return to our hotel in Hobart and dinner tonight is on your own.

Walking: Between 1-3 miles. Elevation: +/- max. of 800 ft. Travel time: 1.5 hours each way. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: After breakfast we depart Hobart for Western Tasmania, stopping for a visit to Lake St Clair National Park in the central highlands and a walk through black peppermint forest on the shores of the lake, watching for echidnas and discovering montane banksia woodland, and lakeshore turf flora. Driving through the pass between the Cradle Mountain region and the Franklin-Gordon River National Park and onto King William Saddle we will look for giant irises, asteliads and trigger flowers. We continue to Strahan on the shores of the Macquarie Harbor where we will stay overnight.

Walking: 2 miles. Elevation: +/- 100ft. Travel time: 5 hours. Meals: All.

Day 7: Before driving northeast to Cradle Mt National Park this afternoon, we will take a cruise on the beautiful Macquarie Harbor, surrounded by rugged mountains and ancient forests and sail into the Gordon River World Heritage Area. There should be good opportunities to see Rough Faced Shag, Osprey, and Huon Pines on our cruise. This afternoon we head to our home for the next two night in Cradle Mountain Mountain National Park.

Walking: minimal miles. Elevation: +/- 0ft. Travel time: 3 hours. Meals: All.

Day 8: Today will be spent exploring the magnificent Cradle Mountain National Park. Our hiking today will include vistas of Crater Lake and Cradle Mountain, spectacular scenery which may include waterfalls, a rainforest, and/or areas of dense button grass and eucalyptus and we hope, some native animal sightings. We each carry a packed lunch from hotel. There will be an evening excursion within the park to seek Wombats, Pademelons, Bennett’s Wallabies, and possible Quolls.

Walking: < 7 miles. Elevation: +/- <1000 feet. Travel time: to trails in park only. Meals: All.

Day 9: Before saying goodbye to this national park we will enjoy a morning walk to view more of the spectacular vegetation and visit the Devils at Cradle Centre to see the infamous Tasmanian Devils. We then depart Cradle Mountain and travel north towards the coast. Lunch at the Tasmanian Arboretum. This afternoon we shall seek out platypus in the wild as they glide through the ponds at the Tasmanian Arboretum and spend the night in Tasmania’s second largest town, Launceston. Tonight's dinner you dine on your own.

Walking: 2 miles. Elevation: +/- 300ft. Travel time: 3 hours. Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Day 10: Leaving Launceston after breakfast we head southeast to Ben Lomond National Park, driving up through a eucalyptus forest and past the organ pipes to reach a high elevated plateau at 4500 feet. We will hike one of the trails here, to view the magnificent scenery and unique alpine flora. This afternoon travel south through the Midlands to Eastern Tasmania to Freycinet National Park, our home for the next two nights.

Walking: 1 mile. Elevation: +/- 500ft. Travel time: 4.5 hours. Meals: All

Day 11: Today we embark on a full day hike around the Hazards Mountain Ranges, taking in the world-famous Wineglass Bay. From the parking lot we climb the well-graded track to the Wineglass Bay lookout and, if it's a clear day, we will be rewarded with spectacular views out over the Freycinet Peninsula. We descend from the lookout down to the white sands of Wineglass Bay, often rated one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world; this involves a descent of approximately 1,000 steps. Upon reaching the beach, we take a break to enjoy this special beach before continuing on through beautiful Australian Eucalyptus vegetation, emerging onto Hazards Beach on the other side of the isthmus. A walk along the sands of Hazards Beach, where we will take a break for lunch, takes us back into the dry sclerophyll forest to begin climbing our way back up onto the pink granite sea cliffs. The trail then skirts around the edge of the Hazards Mountain Range, affording stunning views of Great Oyster Bay. We make our way back to our accommodations at Freycinet with time to relax by the coast.

Walking: 7 miles. Elevation: +800ft /- 800ft. Travel time: 0 hours. Meals: All

Day 12: This morning we drive south of Hobart for our final night. Mt Wellington provides a dramatic backdrop to the city of Hobart, here will we gain our final insight into the Tasmanian alpine environment followed by walks through montane dry sclerophyll forest mid-altitude.

We will spend the night in Hobart and enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Walking: 2 miles. Elevation: -600ft. Travel time: 4 hours. Meals: All.

Day 13: Our adventure has come to an end today, breakfast at our Hobart hotel is included.

Occasionally, changes may occur in the trip -- either in advance or during the trip. Please be aware that we will make every effort to follow this itinerary. However, if weather, equipment, construction, National Park Services, or any other condition, circumstance, or situation causes a change, please be flexible and respect the decision of the leader. The safety and enjoyment of the entire group is our number one concern.

OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION OFFERING AVAILABLE TO TRIP PARTICIPANTS ONLY:

Our concessionaire is offering an optional 4-day/3-night extension to registered participants, it starts Day 13 of the trip (February 13, 2025) after breakfast and ends the afternoon for February 16, 2025. The extension will include the airport transfer and flight from Hobart to Melbourne on Day 13 of our Tasmania trip with an overnight stay in Melbourne.

The next two days will be spent overnight in the Otway Ranges and included visits to a Koala Research Station in the You Yang Ranges, the famous Great Ocean Road, an early morning canoe trip in the rainforest of the Otway ranges, walks through rainforests seeking native wildlife and birdlife and as we head back to Melbourne Day 4 on February 16 a visit to the Serendip Sanctuary

The Sierra Club trip leader can provide more detailed information on this 4 day itinerary as well as the direct payment to the concessionaire.

Getting There

The trip begins and ends in Hobart, the capital and largest city of Tasmania. Hobart airport is well serviced with flights to and from Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a few Pacific Islands and New Zealand. Coming from the U.S., you are most likely to fly through Sydney or Melbourne. Airfare is not included in the trip price.

When booking your flights, remember that you must cross the International Date Line. This means if you leave the U.S. on the 1st, you will arrive in Australia on the 3rd, skipping a full day in flight. On the other hand, when returning you may land in California before you take off from Sydney or Melbourne!

Airport transfers are not included, the leader will send out instructions on getting to/from Hobart airport which is an easy communicate and has a public transportation option.

The leader will send out additional travel information and ideas of things to do in the area before and after the trip. You are encouraged to arrive at least a day or two early to help overcome jet lag before we begin our trip. Arriving early will also help should your luggage be delayed in arriving -- unfortunately, not an rare occurrence.

Note: If you are doing the optional trip extension, the one way flight Hobart-Melbourne is included in the trip extension price as is the transfer to Hobart airport.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at a range of accommodations. Some nights will be in two- or three-star hotels, and others will be in chalets with varying amenities. All will be double or twin rooms; if you are traveling alone, and not requesting single room accommodation, you will be paired with someone of the same gender.

Vegetarians can easily be accommodated. Bottled drinks are not included in the trip price. There is no need to buy bottled water; the tap water is of excellent quality. Most meals from breakfast on day 2 through breakfast on day 13 are included in the trip price. Lunches will usually be picnic style.

Trip Difficulty

This is primarily a conservation, nature and hiking trip with some hikes of up to 7 miles. Please note we are covering a lot of Tasmania during this trip, there are no freeways and lesser speed limits than in the U.S., so many days will require a few hours of travel in our bus.

The hiking distances and elevation gains are listed in the itinerary above, but may have to be changed depending on group abilities, weather, trail closures, etc. There are approximately 1,000 stairs to descend to Wineglass Bay, if the weather in unfavorable and we could not do the loop hike that day, we would need to also ascend these same stairs.

Our walking will generally be on good paths, with occasional steep sections that will be more challenging. You should expect some of the paths to be muddy. You will be carrying a daypack only, with foul weather clothing, water, and lunch. You should be able to walk steadily on level trails with your pack at two or more miles per hour, and slower than that uphill for extended times without becoming overly tired.

Tasmania lies in the “Roaring Forties,” where weather systems move through frequently. Expect at least part of our trip to have windy and wet weather, especially when we visit the west coast. Normal temperatures will vary between the low 50s and low 70s during the day, however with climate change those temperatures could also soar to near 100. Nighttime lows could get down to 40 degrees. In exceptionally bad weather, we may have to change routes -- your safety is always our highest priority.

Equipment and Clothing

No special equipment is required. You will need the gear you normally use on day hikes. Lightweight, broken-in waterproof boots are the most important item. Good rainwear is also critical. In your day pack you will carry your hiking essentials, including water, your rain gear, and something to keep you warm should the weather turn unexpectedly. The leader will provide a more detailed list later. Be sure you have enough extra room for your share of the picnic lunches.

References

Maps:

• Tasmania State Map (available from Hema Maps)

• Tasmania Atlas and Guide, Edition 2 (available from Hema Maps)

Books:

• Crane, Ralph and Danielle Wood, Deep South: Stories from Tasmania.

• Atkinson, Brett, Lonely Planet Tasmania (Regional Travel Guide).

• Shakespeare, Nicholas, In Tasmania.

• Reynolds, Amanda Jane, Keeping Culture: Aboriginal Tasmania. 2006.

• Flanagan, Richard, Wanting: A Novel. 2008.

• Flanagan, Richard, Gould's Book of Fish. 2002.

• Boyce, James, Van Diemen's Land.

• Lonely Planet Tasmania 9 (Travel Guide) 2022

Visitor websites:

• http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/

• http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/tasmania

Conservation organizations:

• Tasmanian Conservation Trust: http://www.tasconservation.org.au
• Environment Tasmania: http://www.et.org.au/

Conservation

Tasmania has large areas of pristine wilderness with diverse vegetation, which includes some of Earth’s oldest plant species and tallest flowering trees. However, some very intrusive activities, such as open pit mining and logging, are happening in close proximity to these wild and unique places. Our knowledgeable local guides will be able to discuss the conservation issues facing Tasmania and how they are being dealt with. Climate change will naturally be part of this discussion as Tasmania has seen rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, rising sea levels, and devastating bushfires in 2019. 

Naturally, viewing and learning about local flora and fauna will be one of the highlights of our trip. Tasmania boasts a number of endemic species found nowhere else, including mainland Australia, such as the Tasmania devil, eastern quoll, and red-bellied pademelon.

The Sierra Club is an environmental organization focused on conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.