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Tasmania, The Outback & The Barrier Reef

Tasmania is a spectacular island in the southeastern corner of Australia. Known for its rich colonial history, dramatic coastlines and the spectacular natural beauty of its rugged mountains, it has a relaxed feel and is home to some of the most diverse wildlife in Australia. It’s a land of contrasts, from the white powder beaches of Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay, listed as one both the world’s top 10 best beaches to thundering breakers from Antarctica crashing on remote, rocky shores. Up to 20% of the island is protected as a world heritage wilderness area and the mountainous interior offers spectacular scenery like nowhere else on Earth. On this tour Tasmania offers wonderful contrast to the arid desert of Australia’s outback and the lush, tropical setting of the Great Barrier Reef.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrive Hobart, Tasmania (2 nights)

Day 2 - Bonorong - Mt Field National Park

Day 3 - Tasmania Peninsula - Port Arthur - Freycinet (1 night)

Day 4 - Freycinet National Park - Launceston (2 nights)

Day 5 - Cradle Mountain

Day 6 - Fly to Uluru (3 nights)

Day 7 - Uluru

Day 8 - Kata Tjuta

Day 9 - Fly to Cairns (4 nights)

Day 10 - Daintree Rainforest Experience

Day 11 - Great Barrier Reef

Day 12 - At Leisure in Paradise

Day 13 - Depart For Home or Extend Your Trip

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Hobart, Tasmania

Upon arrival at Hobart’s airport you will be met by your driver and escorted by private vehicle to your centrally located hotel. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 2 - Bonorong - Mt Field National Park

A great introduction to Tasmanian fauna awaits you today at Bonorong Wildlife Park, where you will have the opportunity to see Tasmanian Devils, Wallabies, Quolls, Echidnas and a variety of other Australian animals up close. From here your tour will continue to Mt. Field, Tasmania’s oldest national park. Here you will have a guided rainforest walk under the canopy to Russell Falls and on to Horseshoe Falls, where you can see some of the world’s tallest trees along the way.

Day 3 - Tasmania Peninsula - Port Arthur - Freycinet

This morning you will have a beautifully scenic drive to the island’s east coast. You will stop at Port Arthur where you will learn of the history of this UNESCO World Heritage listed convict settlement and hear fascinating stories of how the convict settlers lived here. This part of eastern Tasmania offers some spectacular scenery as well as numerous geological points of interest including the Tasman Arch and the Devil’s Kitchen. Continue to the Freycinet Peninsula and its pristine white sand beaches and granite coastlines.

Day 4 - Freycinet National Park

You’ll have plenty of time this morning to explore the spectacular beauty of the Freycinet Peninsula. Walk along the famous Wineglass Bay and to the lookout for some amazing photo opportunities of this stunning bay, voted as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. This afternoon your tour will continue to the town of Launceston to visit the scenic Cataract Gorge, the point where the Tamar River tumbles through sheer cliffs.

Day 5 - Cradle Mountain

After a leisurely breakfast you will leave Launceston and drive to Cradle Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage listed monument. While you enjoy the beautiful views over the peaks of Cradle Mountain, your guide will give you a detailed introduction to the many species of flora and fauns, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Returning to Launceston you will have the remainder of the day to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 6 - Fly to Uluru

This morning you will be escorted by private vehicle to Launceston’s airport for your flight to Uluru, deep in Australia’s ‘Red Centre’. This evening you will enjoy the unforgettable spectacle of sunset over Uluru, a small taste of what you can expect on tomorrow’s tour.

Day 7 - Uluru

A short drive from your hotel lies the entrance to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Your first up-close sighting of this massive outcrop is unforgettable. As you approach, the true size of the rock will leave you in awe. Your drive around the base will incorporate several stops along the way where you guide will explain the Aboriginal creation stories associated with this sacred site. At the Mutitjulu Waterhole you will learn of the creation stories of the poisonous snake, Liru and Kiniya the python, and their battle for control of Uluru, in addition to many other fascinating Tjukurpa (Aboriginal Dreaming) stories. At one of the stops you will see ancient rock art and learn of why Uluru is suck a significant site for the local Aboriginal people.

Your tour ends with a stop to marvel at the spectacular view of Uluru, with Kata Tjuta in the background before returning to your hotel.

Day 8 - Kata Tjuta

Another treat awaits as you start with an early morning departure from your hotel. From the park entrance, it’s 30-minute drive through a remote desert landscape to where you can marvel at the amazing spectacle of the sun rising over the 36 domes that comprise the spiritual site of Kata Tjuta. Enjoy the silence and peace of this amazing place as the glow of the sun gradually brightens and wakes up the desert. This is followed by a gourmet picnic breakfast before driving to the rocks themselves.

On your short, easy hike through the towering rocks, some of which are up to 1500 feet above the desert, your guide will explain the significance of this site to the Aboriginal people, as well as giving a fascinating explanation of the geological forces that carved these rocks from the time of their formation over 500 million years ago.

Returning to your hotel you will have some free time to relax before tonight’s Sounds of Silence dinner, where you will dine under the stars with an uninterrupted 360-degree view over the desert landscape. As you enjoy your gourmet dinner, a guide will give a stargazing lecture tour of the spectacular southern night sky.

Day 9 - Fly to Cairns

Welcome to Australia’s tropical north! Arguably the most beautiful part of the country, and home to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, you will find this region to be very warm, welcoming and laid-back. You will be met at the airport by your driver and escorted to your nearby hotel.

Day 10 - Daintree Rainforest Experience

The Daintree is the oldest living rainforest in the world and is a fascinating place to visit. This morning you will drive along a beautiful coastal road via Mossman to Cape Tribulation. Arriving at the Daintree River and the entrance to this lush region, you will begin with an informative river cruise where you will learn about the local estuarine crocodiles and other wildlife found here. You’ll experience an intimate view of the rainforest from an elevated boardwalk with a guide to explain the many varieties of flora and fauna surrounding you.

Following lunch, you’ll have a unique experience of hand feeding a kangaroo before enjoying a refreshing win in the pristine Emmagen Creek. At Cape Tribulation Beach you can experience where the rainforest meets the reef before returning to your hotel.

Day 11 - Fly/Cruise to the Barrier Reef

After a leisurely breakfast you will depart late morning for the heliport in the center of town from where you will be whisked away on a spectacular scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. Landing on a floating platform on the outer reef you will have a couple of unforgettable hours to snorkel in the otherworldly beauty of the reef, surrounded by huge schools of brightly colored fish and pristine coral. After refreshments you will return to Cairns by boat.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing at your hotel’s pool or sampling some of the fine cuisine in the many nearby restaurants.

Day 12 - At Leisure in Paradise

Today is your day off in paradise to enjoy as you please.

Day 13 - Depart for Home / Optional Extension

This morning you will be met by your driver and escorted to Cairns’ airport for your flight home, or to continue to another exciting part of Australia.

Hotels listed below are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used.

Hobart - Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart - 4 Star - Luxury

Overlooking one of the world’s most picturesque and historic harbors and capturing panoramic views over the Derwent River, Mount Wellington and the city, the Grand Chancellor offers a great location, close to shopping, restaurants and Hobart's many tourist attractions. Enjoy fresh, contemporary Tasmanian inspired dining at Restaurant Tasman while enjoying the magnificent views over the waterfront. All 244 rooms are well appointed and spacious and feature contemporary furnishings.

 

Hobart - Villa Howden - 5 star - Deluxe

This stunning French chateau, boasting 5-star elegance, is located an easy drive from the center of town, overlooking North West Bay. Set on five acres of manicured gardens this fine estate offers 10 luxury suites. Each room is unique, with a timeless décorblending with modern touches, and equipped with every comfort. The hotel also features the award-winning Bruni’s Restaurant and bar, as well as an indoor swimming pool, a library and pianolounge.

 

Freycinet - Freycinet Lodge - 4 Star - Luxury

With its spectacular location on the water and at the foot of the Hazards, just inside Freycinet National Park, the Freycinet Lodge is a superb base for exploring the Freycinet peninsula. A world of hidden comfort, the lodge is a place to relax, rejuvenate and experience nature's wild harmony without sacrificing any creature comforts. Stylish yet simple, all cabins are designed to impart welcoming familiarity and warmth. The Lodge’s two restaurants - Richardson’s Bistro and The Bay Restaurant, both feature locally inspired fresh cuisine.

 

Freycinet - Saffire Freycinet - 5 star - Deluxe

Recently named the No.1 Luxury Hotel in Australia, the No.1 Best Service Hotel in Australia and the No.1 Best Small Hotel in Australia, Saffire Freycinet does not disappoint.

Located on the east coast of Tasmania, near the internationally acclaimed Wineglass Bay, Saffire overlooks the spectacular panorama of Great Oyster Bay, where migrating whales and dolphins can often be spotted in some of the world’s cleanest waters. Suites have all been designed to maximize privacy and you are guaranteed to feel cut off from the rest of the world as you relax in your private seating area with its spectacular view over the surrounding landscape, or indulge in your 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

 

Launceston - Peppers Seaport Hotel - 4.5 Star - Luxury

This luxury waterfront hotel is situated in the heart of Launceston's Old Seaport Dock area, surrounded by dining choices. Stylish and contemporary, the hotel offers luxury, boutique style accommodation with superb views over the Tamar River towards Cataract Gorge. Enjoy a massage or beauty treatment in the hotel’s spa, take a run or strollalong the riverside fitness trail or enjoy fresh local cuisine and wines at the Mud Bar and Restaurant.

 

Launceston - Quamby Estate - 5 Star - Deluxe

Built in the 1830s and set on 64 acres of land, this magnificent homestead is now a beautiful boutique guesthouse. Rooms have been impeccably restored in keeping with the home’s original design features, but without compromising any modern-day luxuries, including modern, stylish bathrooms, luxury bedding and flat screen televisions. All rooms feature a collection of original art and restored furniture blending the old and new, and every room is unique.

 

Uluru - Desert Gardens Hotel - 4 Star - Luxury

The Desert Gardens Hotel features comfortable, welcoming rooms and locally inspired dining options. There is a variety of accommodation options including desert view, deluxe rock view rooms and shady poolside rooms under a canopy of towering gum trees and garden beds dotted with native flowers. The hotel offers guests all comforts and conveniences of a 4-star hotel, and rooms can be configured with either one king or 2 double beds.

 

Uluru - Sails in the Desert Hotel - 5 Star - Deluxe

Named for the soaring white sails that crown its roof, this is one of Uluru’spremium hotels. The hotel's interior is decorated in local Aboriginal art, with a gallery in the lobby and artwork by renowned artists throughout the public areas and private rooms. The property also features a beautiful gumtree lined swimming pool and a range of dining options. Rooms are cool, comfortable and modern having been recently refurbished. This is an excellent luxury hotel for a memorable stay at Uluru.

 

Cairns/Great Barrier Reef - QT Port Douglas - 4.5 Star - Luxury

This vibrant resort boasts quirky design and two hip new food and bar experiences – an interactive marketplace kitchen and a cool cocktail bar. Set in lush tropical gardens just minutes from the town of Port Douglas and Four Mile Beach, the hotel offers a range of stylish hotel rooms. Guests can enjoy the beautiful lagoon-style pool, designer spa and enjoy watching movies in the exclusive outdoor cinema during the cooler the winter months.

 

Cairns/Great Barrier Reef - Thala Beach Nature Reserve - 5 Star - Deluxe

Thala is a beautiful, luxuryhotel set in a spectacular beach and rainforest setting close to the natural attractions of Cairns, Port Douglas and offering easy access by boat or aircraft to the Great Barrier Reef. Located an easy 45-minute drive north of Cairns airport and just south of the town of Port Douglas, the hotel offers eco-friendly accommodation options throughout a 145-acre property. All rooms are luxuriously furnished and offer either lush jungle or tropical ocean views. The hotel’s restaurant offers modern Australian cuisine and spectacular uninterrupted Coral Sea views.

 

Optional Extensions

Sydney (3 nights)

Australia’s premier city, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, spending a few days in Sydney is a must. Full of culture and natural beauty, there’s plenty to do here. Enjoy a cruise on Sydney Harbour, stroll through the lush Royal Botanic Gardens, catch a show at the Sydney Opera House, or take one of our fascinating alternative guided tours of the city by foot, bicycle or kayak. The beautiful Blue Mountains are a short drive from the city and make a great day trip, and great restaurants, bars and nightlife are always close by.

Kangaroo Island (2-3 nights)

This beautiful island in South Australia has a huge variety of different landscapes and environments. It’s also Australia’s leading wildlife destination and a fantastic place to experience some soft adventure while you walk amongst fur seals on the beach at Seal Bay, see koalas up close and marvel at the large numbers of kangaroos. This is a wonderful destination for any nature lover.

3, 4 or 7-night Cruise on the Great Barrier Reef

This unforgettable small vessel (44 passengers) cruise to the outer Barrier Reef will allow you to see parts of this pristine ecosystem rarely visited by day trippers from the coast. Every day you will visit a different reef, where you can snorkel, swim or SCUBA dive among coral and fish in clear, tropical waters. A resident marine biologist is on board to give briefings and explanations to further help you learn more about this amazing place. Your spacious and stylish en-suite private accommodation on board features large picture windows and fresh, creative local food is served in the dining room. Attentive service is always on hand from your friendly, well trained Australian and New Zealand crew.

Fully guided, private tours are priced from:

Luxury - US$4995 per person (4 star hotels)

Deluxe - US$6550 per person (5 star hotels)

Ultra-Luxe - US$9995 per person

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double room in low season.

Hotels listed on the Hotels Tab are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used.

Price Includes:

All hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of our representatives while in Australia
All transportation and tours as described in the itinerary in air-conditioned vehicles
Sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary

Price Excludes:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Sightseeing other than described in the itinerary
Additional room charges of a personal nature in hotels (eg: room service, laundry, phone calls, etc.)