16 Day Tasmania Discovery By Land & Sea

Welcome to Hobart! Make your way to Hobart’s Princes Wharf at 4pm and settle into your stateroom before a 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard the Coral Discoverer as we cruise northwards towards Cape Leveque. As dusk falls meet your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.

Coral Expedition's important itinerary note: No two Tasmania cruises will be the same as each expedition is crafted by our experienced Masters and Expedition Leaders, allowing us to quickly respond to favourable weather conditions to offer you the very best of Tasmania’s flora, fauna and wild coastline. Below are the key destinations we visit in the expected itinerary - however day to day itinerary may vary. There will be a daily briefing on board to advise guests on the upcoming day’s activities. Time of departure and return are pre-determined – the rest is an adventure! The expedition will visit Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour conditions permitting. We always aim to visit these beautiful destinations, but if we are not able to enter, an alternative destination more appropriate to the inclement weather conditions will be chosen by the Captain.

Please contact us if you need assistance arranging pre tour accommodation in Hobart.

Here on the edge of the world in southwest Tasmania, the landscape is about as wild as it gets. This region has no road access, surrounded by raw, craggy-peaked mountains and drowned river valleys, where tannin-rich freshwater sits atop saltwater, tinting the ocean the colour of tea. Spend two whole days (weather permitting) enjoying the rare opportunity to hike, kayak and take in the pristine natural environment of Port Davey, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Explore the nooks and crannies of Bathurst Harbour and learn about intrepid explorers and Indigenous Australians who once walked this land. Enjoy the unforgettable experience of kayaking in Bramble Cove, hiking the button-grass hills, and looking for the rare Orange-bellied parrot at Melaleuca

Continue your exploration of Port Davey & Bathurst Harbour.

At Adventure Bay on the east coast of Bruny Island, we walk along the dramatic coastal cliffs of Fluted Cape and hope to see Bennett’s Wallabies which are endemic to Bruny Island. Cruising the base of these near-vertical dolerite cliffs in our Xplorer tender vessels, we take a close look at Penguin Island, which is connected to Fluted Cape at low tide.

Learn about how southern right whales were almost hunted to extinction and Adventure Bay housed four whaling stations before the industry’s decline in the mid-1840s. The ruins can be seen on a walk to Grassy Point.

Maria Island can be referred to as a Noah’s Ark for native Tasmanian species. The Maria Island National Park provides an ideal sanctuary, and is one of the best places in Australia to observe endemic birdlife as well as wombats, Cape Barren geese, Forester Kangaroos, Bennett’s Wallabies, and pademelons. 

Stroll amongst the ruins and restored buildings of the Darlington convict settlement and take a walk to the ruins of the former Probation Station or the striking formations of the Painted Cliffs, where rich iron deposits have stained the sandstone cliffs with coloured streaks of red, purple and orange.

The Freycinet Peninsula is a dramatic headland dominated by a pink-hued granite mountain range called The Hazards. Blessed with picturesque sweeping bays with white sand beaches like famed Wineglass Bay, much of the peninsula is designated as Freycinet National Park.

Take a guided hike along the Isthmus Track and be rewarded with magnificent views from the lookout or swim in the azure waters of Wineglass Bay. Cruising close to Ile des Phoques and Schouten Island, keep an eye out for large colonies of fur seals sunning themselves on the rocks.

The Tasman Peninsula is known for its fascinating geological formations like the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, and the soaring 300 metre high dolerite sea cliffs of Cape Raoul, Cape

Pillar and Cape Hauy - the tallest in the southern hemisphere.

Watch fur seals hauling out on the rocks, as well as playful dolphins feeding and magnificent albatross soaring amongst the updrafts created by the sea cliffs. We will visit Fortescue Bay, hike sections of the coastal Tasman Trail and kayak in Canoe Bay.

Continue your exploration of Tasman National Park & Fortescue Bay

One of Australia’s most significant historic places, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur ruins stand sentinel on the Tasman Peninsula south of the narrow isthmus of Eaglehawk Neck. For more than 40 years the Port Arthur penal colony housed British and Australian convicts sentenced to hard labour before its heavy iron doors clanked shut for the last time in 1877.

Today, the Historic Site has over 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes set in 100 acres of landscaped grounds. In the company of Port Arthur’s knowledgeable guides, we join an exclusive ‘behind the scenes tour’ which includes access to private collections and historic buildings not otherwise accessible to the public.

Where the mouth of the Huon River meets D’Entrecasteaux Channel lays Port Huon, a small community at the heart of the fertile Huon Valley with its Hartz Mountains backdrop. The sheltered waters of the Huon River allow us to visit the Wooden Boat Centre at Franklin where Tasmania’s maritime heritage is kept alive through the production of hand-crafted timber boats.

Grandvewe Cheeses is an organic sheep dairy farm where there will be time to learn about the cheesemaking process as well as taste their ‘ewenique’ sheep’s whey vodka at the Cellar Door overlooking D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

Disembark in Hobart at 8:00am. A post-cruise transfer from the ship to a central point in Hobart city. From here, please make your way to your accommodation.

Your hotel’s check in time is typically from 2pm. Should your room not be available when you arrive, you will be welcome to leave your luggage at reception and explore the surrounding area.

Today you can collect your rental vehicle at your most convenient time. Complete information, including Hertz pick up depots and times will be provided with your final documentation.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Hobart.

Drive northwest bound for the fishing village of Strahan. Overlooking the second biggest harbour in Australia, Strahan is the launching point for (Ship)s on the magnificent Gordon River. This little town still retains its heritage flavour with many new developments retaining Strahan’s historical and cultural charm.

Today is free for you to explore Strahan. Perhaps join a half day Gordon River (Ship).

Depart Strahan and travel northeast to Cradle Mountain. Covering some of Tasmania’s highest country, the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park, with its many lakes and mountain peaks, is famous for its magnificent alpine scenery. The Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park is listed by the World Heritage Commission as one of the most precious places on the planet. En route, we recommend you stop at Montezuma Falls. This is Tasmania's highest waterfall and the purpose built swing bridge affords perfect views of the magnificent waterfall.

Today is at leisure for you to explore Cradle Mountain and its spectacular surroundings.

Suggested activity: With a range of fantastic walks ranging from easy to difficult, there's plenty of opportunities to experience the beauty of Tasmania's wilderness first hand, and with all the comforts of home awaiting you at the end of your day. We recommend the Dove Lake Circuit Walk. The Trail circles Dove Lake while taking you beneath the craggy spires of the indomitable Cradle Mountain. This two-hour circuit is boardwalk for much of the way and is suitable for most which makes it a family-friendly adventure.

Depart Cradle Mountain and drive to Launceston to continue on your journey. You can drop off your rental vehicle at a Hertz city or airport depot.

Alternatively, you may consider spending an extra day or two in Launceston.  Launceston is the ideal base from which to discover and experience the ‘essential Tasmania’ - historic villages, National Trust properties, wilderness, arts, crafts, country markets, national parks, spectacular coastline, breathtaking scenery and the internationally acclaimed food and wine, grown locally in the clean and unspoilt environment of the Valley. We can assist you with arranging additional accommodation as well as the below optional activities.