Tasmania Self-Drive & Hiking Holiday

Begin your trip in style with included VIP airport lounge access before boarding your flight to Hobart, arriving on day three.

On arrival, pick up your rental car and head to the scenic waterfront city of Hobart, shadowed in the foothills of the spectacular Mount Wellington. Here, heritage charm is paired effortlessly alongside ultra-modern delights – take it all in with a stroll along the waterfront, being sure to stop at the sandstone buildings at Salamanca Place. There's also myriad galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants, delightfully hosted in 1830s Georgian warehouses, or a boat trip on the Derwent River provides a lovely few hours to take in the city's charms. 

After breakfast, your road trip begins as you travel towards Geeveston in the spectacular Huon Valley, where roaring waterfalls dot wide green plains and dense forest. Take in the vistas and continue on to Hartz Mountain National Park’s spectacular mountains and lakes, enjoying a gentle forest stroll or long mountain hike – whichever you choose, be sure to stop at the Tahune Airwalk for wonderful views above the forest canopy. On your way to Huon, we recommend a stop at Willie Smiths Apple Shed to discover the traditions behind Australia’s best cider. 

Stay: The Little Seed  

Today your first stop is the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary where you can enjoy an experience with endangered animals and learn about the sanctuary's conservation efforts of native Australian wildlife – and there's even the chance to see that iconic Tasmanian Devil up close. Continue through fern-lined trails to reach Mount Field National Park and the tiered cascade of Russell Falls, with other highlights today including Lady Barron Falls, Horseshoe Falls and – if you're up for a challenge – the summit of Mount Field itself. Finish among Lake St Clair’s virgin rainforests and the dramatic views of Cradle Mountain before coming back to the stunning Lake St Clair Lodge, nestled in the national park, where you'll enjoy the delights of your own cosy cabin.

Stay: Lake St Clair Lodge 

After breakfast, head towards Queenstown along the West Coast Wilderness Railway, an immaculately restored steam train that runs through boreal rainforest and over soaring valleys before reaching the harbour-side village of Strahan, surrounded by UNESCO-listed national parks and pristine lakes. Set on the shores of the picturesque Macquarie Harbour, discover the convict past of Strahan and walk the spectacular Gordon Wild Rivers National Park before finishing at the awe-inspiring Hogarth Falls.

Stay: Franklin Manor

Enjoy a full day exploring Strahan and its pretty surroundings. To help you make the most of your visit, we've included a half-day cruise on the Gordon River in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, part of the World Heritage Area, home to one of the last remaining pristine wild river systems on Earth. After departing in the morning, you'll cross Macquarie Harbour before entering the Gordon River bordered by seemingly endless tracts of untouched rainforest reflected in the tannin-coloured waters. At Heritage Landing, disembark for a walk in the rainforest, then travel to historic Sarah Island, and the ruins of the infamously brutal penal colony.

You have two options today – perhaps travel north and pass through the old mining town of Zeehan for a sail along the pristine Pieman River, or join the scenic eco-cruise along the Gordon, where you’ll received a guided tour of remote Sarah Island – the barren peninsula that was once used as a prison settlement. After disembarking, drive north to Corinna that, while once a remote mining town, is a haven for ecotourism in a pristine rainforest setting. It's all best explored with hikes through the moss-covered myrtle beeches of Tarkine Reserve's temperate rainforest, studded along the way with sand dunes and rugged grassy plains.

Stay: Corinna Wilderness Resort 

Drive north from Corinna, passing the pristine Savage River before reaching the Cradle Mountain National Park, all prehistoric rainforests and alpine moors – and home to the world-famous Overland Track. Explore the glacial lakes and pine forests of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Area with rugged hikes before driving to your hotel and your base for the next two nights.

Stay: Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat

This morning, head to Australia’s oldest city, Launceston, with its colonial and Victorian architecture and century-old parks – and don’t miss a stop at the magnificent Cataract Gorge for lunch with a view. 

Stay: Barnbougle 

Travelling to the town of Bicheno, whose coast is home to groups of adorable fairy penguins that gather at dusk. Head on a scenic walk to Rocking Rock, the Blowhole and the sandbar to Diamond Island Nature Reserve before making your way Freycinet Resort. The next day, an included walking tour will introduce you to the region's spectacular beaches and sheltered bays, framed by rainforests and towering granite mountains. Then, with free time to explore, marvel at Wineglass Bay's idyllic curve, be enthralled by the stunning granite coastline, including the dramatic pink peaks of the Hazards range, marvel at sparkling white sand beaches and explore the inner passage of remote Schouten Island, home to little penguins and short tailed shearwaters.

Stay: Freycinet Resort 

Drive to Port Arthur today. Located on the island's southern tip, this is a region of spectacular coastal landscapes, dizzying cliffs and outback prime for bush walking. It's also one of Tasmania's most historically significant regions, and your stay includes entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site, a 100-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site host to 30 buildings, museums and memorials spread across 100 acres. Take the chance to explore independently, or join a guided tour to hear stories of what was one of the most brutal convict sites in the Australian colonial system. 

Stay: Stewarts Bay Lodge (Superior)

After breakfast at your hotel, depart Port Arthur, returning back to Hobart in time for your overnight flight home.