Walk Tasmania’s Capes, Freycinet & Maria Island

Welcome to Launceston! With a charming mixture of heritage buildings, a vibrant foodie scene and beautiful scenery just minutes from the city centre, Launceston is the perfect spot to start your journey. If you arrive early, maybe head to the Cataract Gorge and enjoy a slice of nature just a short walk from the city or discover one of the many museums. If you get a chance to dine in Launceston – you won’t regret it, it wasn’t named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for nothing! After a day to explore on your own, you’ll meet your trip leader and group for a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Then, get to know each other over a group dinner and toast to your upcoming adventures.

This morning, you’re in for a treat. Drive to Freycinet National Park – one of Australia’s most renowned and picturesque regions. As you enter the park, the views over Coles Bay towards what’s known as The Hazards Range are a sight to behold. When you arrive, lace up your walking shoes for a scenic circuit walk that takes you to the iconic white sands of Wineglass Bay and the lesser known, but no less stunning, Hazards Beach on the opposite side of the Freycinet Peninsula isthmus. Best to have your camera at full charge today because you’ll want to remember these views! After your walk, perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim before driving toward the coastal town of Swansea to relax for the evening.

After breakfast, jump on a ferry bound for Maria Island. A natural wonder full of history, sweeping bays and rugged cliffs sitting off the coast of Tasmania, Maria Island is an ideal destination for hiking. Walk across coastal plains, past reminders of settler history and along tracks that often have forester kangaroos and wombats lurking about. Climb the short, steep track to Fossil Cliffs and marvel at the thousands of shellfish fossils embedded in the limestone formed millions of years ago. Visit the Painted Cliffs, formed from Triassic sandstone that showcase spectacular colouration from seeping groundwater and fantastic shapes sculpted by salt-laden winds. Enjoy some time to explore Darlington township – with a fascinating history, this town was first established as a penal colony in 1825. Today, the township is part of a wildlife sanctuary, while the island itself has been declared a National Park. You’ll be lucky to spot Forester kangaroos, Cape Barren geese and the adorable waddling wombats from Flinders Island today. After a short ferry ride back to the mainland, drive to Orford where you’ll spend the night.

Fuel up on breakfast today and get ready for an adventurous day. Drive south towards Port Arthur, soaking in the views along the way. Once on the Tasman Peninsula, embark on the Three Capes Track to Cape Huay. You’ll be treated to spectacular views as you walk through a heathland full of wildflowers on undulating tracks until you hit the coastline. The scenes of dolerite cliffs get increasingly pronounced as you near the narrow edge of the promontory. Stop by several vantage points to soak in the best of The Lanterns, Mitre Rock, The Candlestick and Totem Pole – then head to your accommodation for the next two nights in Port Arthur.

Explore Cape Raoul this morning, on another section of the Three Capes Track. You’ll start inland, walking through the lush heath country this area is known for, heading for the coastline. As you approach, you’ll catch glimpses of the spectacular dolerite cliffs that drop dramatically into the ocean below. As the trail heads east along the striking cliff tops, you’ll descend onto the Cape Raoul plateau. Here, you’ll be rewarded with views of the swirling seas, the northern coastline and the incredible Cape Pillar (with its 300-m-high cliffs) in the distance. After some time to take it all in, you’ll walk back to the bus before driving back to Port Arthur for your final night. Enjoy dinner with your group and leader and swap travel stories as you reminisce on all you have achieved over the past few days.

Today, you’ll take a wilderness cruise along the cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula. Cruise beneath high sea cliffs and monumental rock faces to see Cape Raoul from a different perspective, past deep-sea caves and arches, and along the coastline of the gorgeously diverse Tasman National Park. Along the way, look out for seals, dolphins, migrating whales and the many sea birds that call this place home – including albatross, gannets, peregrine falcons and sea eagles. With the wind in your hair and open-air seating for the best panoramic views, you’re sure to have an incredible morning. After, explore the historic site of Port Arthur. Then you’ll make your way to Hobart (or nipaluna in the language of the muwinina and palawa peoples, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Hobart is now located), where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.