Road Trip - Bushwalker

DAY 1 - DEVONPORT TO LAUNCESTON

Start your exploration of Tassie on foot, with a short walk around the rocky headland to the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse, stopping at the Blowhole and Aboriginal rock carvings along the way. Keep exploring the coastal bush and bike trails toward Coles Beach, or take a pitstop at Drift Cafe overlooking the Bluff Beach, a beautiful swimming beach in summer (or all year round, if you’re brave!).

Time a visit to Narawntapu National Park stay for twilight and be rewarded with Forester kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and pademelons grazing in the dwindling light. Continue your journey to Launceston and enjoy cheerful fare at Eat Street (a food truck park at St George’s Square) or quality local produce at Black Cow Bistro.

Overnight Launceston

Coles Beach, Devonport (Photo: Tourism Tasmania & Heath Holden)

DAY 2 - LAUNCESTON TO ST HELENS

Get up at at ‘em early this morning via a coffee at local faves Inside Cafe or Sweetbrew. Make your way to Launceston’s Cataract Gorge, about 15 minutes’ walk from the city centre. Hike to First Basin (where you can swim in summer) via one of two tracks - the easy Cataract Walk and the steep Zig Zag track. Find the Alexandra Suspension Bridge (it’s hard to miss!) then it’s a further 45 minute one way walk to Duck Reach to see an early hydroelectric station - Launceston was the first southern hemisphere city to be lit by electricity generated by hydropower.

It’s time to explore the beach walks of the nearby East Coast now - head to Binalong Bay at the southern end of the Bay of Fires, a 50 kilometre stretch. The sugar-white silica beaches and clear waters are often named among the best beaches in the world.

Overnight St Helens or Binalong Bay

Alexandra Suspension bridge, Cataract Gorge (Photo:Tourism Tasmania and Jason Charles Hill)

DAY 3 - ST HELENS TO COLES BAY

This morning call in to Douglas-Apsley National Park, home to an incredible diversity of plants and animals, including endemic, rare and endangered species. There are two walks starting from Apsley Waterhole; the easy loop track, or the more challenging (medium grade) three to four hour Apsley Gorge Circuit. There are longer day and multi-day walks leaving from Thompsons Marshes too.

Be sure to hit town by dusk to join Bicheno Penguin Tours to see up to 600 penguins by torchlight. Rest your weary legs in Bicheno or nearby Coles Bay - book ahead if you’re camping, or try a bed and breakfast or hotel.

Bicheno Penguin Tours (Photo: Tourism Tasmania & Alastair Bett)

DAY 4 - COLES BAY

Today you’re embarking on one of Australia’s iconic walks, Wineglass Bay. Head to Freycinet National Park, near Coles Bay and start the hike to the Lookout, about two and a half kilometres, for ‘that’ view over Wineglass Bay - it’s one of the most photographed in Tasmania. For a half day adventure, you can extend the walk down on to the beach, then back to the park entrance via the Hazards Range for amazing views of Great Oyster Bay.

 Put your feet up at the stunning, nearby Freycinet Lodge, with a celebratory glass of Tasmanian sparkling or a Whisky tasting - their lounge bar captures a beautiful sunset. Or if your tank isn’t empty just yet, join Freycinet Adventures for their Twilight Kayak Tour.

Overnight Coles Bay

Sunrise at Wineglass Bay (Photo: Daniel Tran)

DAY 5 - COLES BAY TO MARIA ISLAND

Call in to the local supermarket in Coles Bay this morning to pick up supplies for today’s Maria Island adventure. On the way, pop in to one of the wineries, like Devil’s Corner and Spring Vale, for more supplies of course! Historic sites are everywhere here - drive over the Spiky Bridge, built by convicts or take a detour to the Saltworks site at Little Swanport.

At Triabunna, catch the ferry to Maria Island (and some fish and chips from the awesome fish van before you leave). There are loads of day walks - the time poor will love the Painted Cliffs (1.5hrs) or Fossil Cliffs (1.5hrs), or Bishop and Clerk (3-5hrs) if you have more time. Pre-book your accommodation at Darlington Probation Station, an old penitentiary, or a campsite from easy access to remote,  if you’d like to stay overnight.

Overnight Buckland, at Twamley Farm if you’re back from Maria Island.

Bishop and Clerk, Maria Island (Photo: Pierre Destribats)

DAY 6 - MARIA ISLAND OR BUCKLAND TO HOBART

Good morning! If you’re waking up on Maria Island, ferry back to Triabunna, if you’re waking up in Buckland, take an early morning stroll to the Tasmanian Bushland Garden to see native plants, including rare and endangered species.

On foot, take in the history of Richmond Gaol, Australia’s oldest, and the historic sites like the Richmond Bridge, around this pretty colonial town. Then detour back to Hobart via the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a number of animals that are extinct everywhere except Tasmania like the Tasmanian devil, Eastern quoll and Tasmanian bettong. The working sanctuary operates a 24 hour rescue service for injured wildlife, as well as animal encounters throughout the day and a range of tours.

Overnight Hobart

Richmond Bridge (Photo: Wai Nang Poon)

DAY 7 - HOBART

Rise and shine, it’s time to take on Mount Wellington. Head up the mountain via a caffeine stop at Lost Freight, a shipping container-cum-cafe half way up. Bushwalking tracks criss-cross Mount Wellington, but none quite like the Organ Pipes Track - a three hour return walk taking you underneath the distinctive flutes of the organ pipe across the face of the mountain and past historic huts along the way. Be sure to take in the view at the Summit - it’s worth getting up early to witness the 360 degree lookout at sunrise.

Overnight Hobart

Hobart from Mt Wellington (Photo: Tourism Tasmania & Garry Moore)

DAY 8 - HOBART – TASMAN PENINSULA

Travel the road toward Port Arthur this morning to witness the soaring sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula. This is home to the incredible Three Capes Track, a three day walk that you need book ahead, but you can get a taste for the terrain on the Waterfall Bay Walk - a two hour walk  along the cliff tops, where you can look down to the swirling ocean, 300 metres below.

For a longer hike, try the three hour Bivouac Bay Walk, where you’ll see the famous Totem Pole and the Candlestick, where adventure climbers test their skills on the tall,  skinny dolerite columns.

Head back to Hobart and celebrate the end of a hearty week of walking with a local craft beer or wine at the Hobart Brewing Company, down near Sullivan’s Cove on the historic waterfront. Cheers!

Depart for Devonport to board Spirit of Tasmania home.

Three Capes Track - Cape Pillar and the Blade (Photo:Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service)