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Small Group
Partially Escorted
Moderate Pace
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
✓ Small group of 10 or less while walking in Cradle Mountain
✓ Three nights 3-star cabin-style accommodation (twin share) in Cradle Mountain village at Discovery Holiday Park in two bedroom cottages
✓ 5 nights 4-star accommodation at Launceston, Freycinet National Park & Hobart
✓ 2 nights comfortable glamping accommodation in The South West National Park
✓ Incredible sightseeing including a 3 day land, sea & air exploration of The South West National Park, guided walks to Dove Lake, Hanson's Peak & Twisted Lakes in Cradle Mountain and free time to explore stunning Freycinet National Park
✓ 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners
✓ Escorted small group tour from days 2 to days 5 & from days 9 to days 11
✓ 5 days Hertz Group H car rental to take you from Launceston to Hobart
✓ Return scenic flights from Hobart to The Southwest National Park
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Launceston!
Make your way to your accommodation. You can arrive at any time as there are no organized activities. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
Launceston is one of Australia's oldest cities and has one of the best-preserved early cityscapes in Australia with its elegant Colonial and Victorian architecture and century-old parks. Contact us if you wish to arrive earlier and spend more time in Launceston as we can assist you arrange additional accommodation as well as the below optional activities.
Enjoy an intimate day in the heart of the Tamar Valley. With an impressive 234 vineyards across the state, Tasmania's reputation for fine wine is growing with grapes producing the highest value per tonne in Australia - visit up to six Tamar Valley vineyard cellar doors offering an outstanding range of Tasmanian cool climate wines and meet the people passionate about the wines they produce along with a wonderful lunch. This tour departs from 09.30am and returns to Launceston by 05.30pm. Hotel pick up and drop off are included.
A day of contrasts on this Tasmania day tour while visiting the magnificent craggy alpine peaks of Ben Lomond National Park before moving on to the Relbia wineries, visiting Sharmans and Josef Chromy Vineyards
Ben Lomond National Park
The spectacular Ben Lomond plateau is the largest alpine plateau in Tasmania, and is a mountain environment with extensive and dramatic dolerite cliffs and columns. Its scree slopes, swirling mists and frost-stunted forests are reminiscent of a Tolkien landscape. In departing Launceston or Scottsdale, we travel diverse landscapes before arriving at the Base of Ben Lomond. In making the climb we drive up Jacobs Ladder, a series of hairpin bends to marvel at the breathtaking view from the platform at the top. The Ben Lomond plateau has 8 of the 20 highest peaks in Tasmania and it has the highest drivable point in Tasmania where Bennett’s wallaby and wombats may be seen in daylight hours.
Sharmans Wines. Situated in Relbia, and produces a range of luxurious award-winning Tasmanian Wines. At Sharmans Wines, what’s in the soil is in the vine, what’s in the vine is in the grape, what’s in the grape is in the wine….and what’s in the wine is in your heart. Whites, reds & sparkling wine on offer.
Josef Chromy Wines & Lunch. A stunning location to experience superb Tasmanian wines and fine cuisine made with fresh local produce. The Josef Chromy Vineyard Restaurant provides a truly unique location for you to experience sensational views that overlook the picturesque lake and vineyard. Listed as one of the Top 10 Cellar Doors of Australia, Josef Chromy is the perfect venue for a memorable and relaxed Tasmanian food and wine experience.
This tour departs at 09.30am and returns to Launceston by 04.00pm. Hotel pick up and drop off are included.
The Pipers River region in north east Tasmania is the premier wine-producing country in Tasmania, but wine isn’t all that the region has to offer. The diverse landscapes compliment visits to the vineyard cellar doors, perfect for a day out.
The Region
The Pipers River and nearby Pipers Brook rural areas are renowned as one of the best and most famous wine-growing districts and remains an important viticulture region of Tasmania in terms of quality and output. It produces about 30% of Tasmania’s wine. With a climate close to that of Champagne in France, this region is known simply as ‘Sparkling Tasmania’. Many of Tasmania’s premium sparkling wines originate here. It is particularly suited to the aromatic white varieties.
This tour includes wine tasting at each of the following cellar doors: Clover Hill, Jansz Tasmania and Delamere Vineyard. It also includes wine tasting, tasting platter and pizza at Bay of Fires Vineyard. Starting time is at 09.30am and you can expect to return to Launceston by 03.00pm. Hotel pick up & drop offs are included.
The trip departs out of Launceston at 8am from the Hotel Grand Chancellor. Our initial drive takes us into the Mersey River valley, and along the base of the Great Western Tiers - before we stop after an hour or so for a morning tea break. From here it’s only another 1.5 hours before we arrive at Cradle Mountain village.
We will stop at the main visitor centre to pick up our passes, then have lunch on the edge of the park before heading out on our main walk for the day – the Cradle Valley Boardwalk. This easy walk takes us along the course of the Dove River and features a vast assortment of native flora. In early summer the endemic Tasmanian Waratah flowers are particularly magnificent.
Once at Ronny Creek, we go searching for wombats across the buttongrass plains before looping around to the historic Waldheim Chalet – originally built by the parks founding pioneer Gustav Weindorfer, and the site of Cradle Mountains first tourism venture. Here we enjoy a short walk through an ancient forest of myrtle beech and king billy pine, before meeting back up with the bus for afternoon tea. Here your guides will be able to point out some of the parks notable landmarks, and discuss our route options for the next few days.
In the afternoon, if energy and time permits – we will head back to near the entrance of the park and take part in a series of short walks that showcase old-growth rainforest, waterfalls, and more mature stands of king billy pine.
Then it’s off to our accommodation to get ourselves checked in and comfortable before pre-dinner antipasto.
Tonight’s dinner is a lovely 2 course meal prepared by your guides.
Walking Distance: 9kms, 4 hours approx
Track grading: 2
Today’s walk takes in some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery in all of Australia. It involves a circuit hike to the base of Cradle Mountain – taking in Marions Lookout, Kitchen Hut and returning via the Horse Track.
After breakfast and lunch making, we jump aboard the bus and venture back to Waldheim. From here we follow the world-famous Overland Track across buttongrass plains and forest, steadily climbing to the glacially formed Crater Lake. This lake features an old boat shed, and during autumn is one of the best locations in the state to see the changing foliage colour of the deciduous beech (or fagus) – Australia’s only seasonally deciduous native.
Our ascent becomes steeper, and the views become grander – as Dove Lake comes into view far below. Along the way there is a short section of track where a chain is used to assist walkers progress. In fine weather, the views from Marions Lookout are magnificent and far reaching – with Cradle Mountain itself dominating the panorama.
The tracks gradient eases as we continue across the alpine landscape to Kitchen Hut – our intended lunch and turn around point. This hut provides a welcome relief for walkers caught out in adverse weather – which in Tassie seems to be possible at any given time! Good quality warm, wet weather gear for the alpine zone is a must.
After lunch - we wave goodbye to the towering dolerite cliff lines of Cradle Mountain, and return via the Horse Track. This unique aspect affords us views deep into some of the even more remote areas of the park, and is often less frequented than other tracks. There is an excellent rocky outcrop which gives an elevated view straight down to Crater Lake far below. From here we descend back to Ronny Creek.
This is a long and challenging day - with world class natural scenery, however easier options are available. Please feel free to discuss these options with your guides.
Once back at the bus - it’s back to our accommodation for pre-dinner antipasto.
Tonight’s dinner is a fabulous 2 course meal prepared by your guides.
Walking Distance: 10kms, 6 to 7 hours approx
Track grading: 4
After breakfast and lunch making, we depart for another scenic walk – this time taking in the parks eastern highlights.
Starting from Dove Lake we will take the Lake Rodway track up and over Hansons Peak – which provides us with a completely different view of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding lakes. The climb to the top of the peak is at times steep and uneven underfoot, and a chain is provided on nearing the summit to assist walkers.
Once over the other side, we pick up our return route via the Twisted Lakes and Lake Hanson – remnants of glacial scouring from previous ice ages. These pools are very tranquil and are encompassed by endemic pencil pines and fagus. This section is normally very peaceful, a bit of a hidden gem, and we will find ourselves a nice rocky outcrop for lunch whilst we soak up the views.
If energy and time permits – an hour and a half extension can be made to visit the eastern face of Cradle Mountain, and the reflective waters of Artists Pool.
We loop back to the Lake Rodway Track completing the circuit, and reverse our inward journey – returning to Dove Lake to meet the bus.
Again, this is a challenging day with lots of variation in elevation, and at times can be quite rough and wet underfoot. Easier options are available – so please feel free to discuss these options with your guides.
Tonight, we enjoy a delicious dinner.
Walking Distance: 10kms, 5 to 6 hours approx
Track grading: 4
This morning is our last at Cradle Mountain. After breakfast and lunch making, we pack-up the trailer head out for our final walk - the Dove Lake Circuit. This is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks and a must-do for anyone visiting the park.
This 6km loop is a lovely way to wind down from your adventure – as it is mostly flat and even underfoot with only a couple of short hills. It allows you to fully focus on the looming backdrop of Cradle Mountain high above and the numerous waterfalls which cascade down towards the lake from the surrounding slopes.
We visit the much-photographed boatshed on the shores of the lake, and encounter more local species of rainforest plant that only grow in the wettest of conditions – including native plum, sassafras and the aptly named “horizontal.” One section through the “Ballroom Forest” is particularly magical. Part way around, the Honeymoon Islands provide a focal point for visiting kayakers – and for those of us game, a couple of white sandy beaches make top spots for an icy alpine swim! For the saner amongst us, they also provide a nice place for a snack and a rest.
We finish our loop atop the impressive formation of Glacier Rock, which provides us with a final vista across the landscapes we have explored for the past four days.
After lunch, we jump back on the bus and start our return journey back to Launceston. En-route we will stop by in the lovely little town of Sheffield – where we should have ample time for a break and a wander around the muralled streets.
Once settled in your accommodation, please make your way to Hertz depot (approximately 600m from your accommodation) to collect your rental car.
Walking Distance: 4-6kms, 3 hours approx
Track grading: 2
Today begin driving down the East coast of Tasmania to the iconic Freycinet National Park, home of the world renowned Wineglass Bay. Freyicient comprises a peninsula defined by a Schouten Island and a granite mountain range known as the Hazards.
Suggested Activity: While a much longer route, be sure to drive the much more scenic road via St Mary's and Bicheno and take in the coastal beauty of Tasmania's East coast.
Today is a full day to explore the glory and natural beauty of Freycinet National Park.
Suggested Activity: Pack a picnic (or just grab a locally woodfired pizza and a bottle of pinot from the Devil’s Corner Cellar Door) and stick around on the sand to see the pink granite of the Hazards glow pink at sunset.
Leaving Freycinet National Park today, continue south back towards the capital, Hobart.
Suggested Activity: It is hard to be driving through the south of Tasmania and not visit Port Arthur. Sitting on the Tasman Peninsula, it was a 19th-century penal settlement and is now an open-air museum. Ruins include the huge penitentiary and the remaining shell of the Convict Church, which was built by inmates.
Return your rental vehicle at Hobart airport and make your way to Cambridge (approximately 4km away) for the beginning of your next adventure.
This leg of the trip begins with a spectacular scenic flight to the Southwest National Park. Following the coast, past Bruny Island to Cockle Creek, we’ll fly along the tough South Coast Track with its wild beaches, thick rainforests and mountain ranges. During the flight, we take in Precipitous Bluff, Mt La Perouse, Ironbound Range and remote Maatsuyker Island. We’ll also fly over the ancestral home of the Needwonnee people, who occupied Louisa Bay for thousands of years.
Landing at the abandoned tin mining settlement of Melaleuca, we’ll visit the bird observatory to see rare and endangered Orange-Bellied Parrots, which can be seen in the area typically between October and March. Then we’ve got time to explore the old tin mine and take a stroll along the Needwonee walk. We’ll then head off on the boat to our private Southwest Wilderness Camp, where we’ll spend some time settling in and have lunch.
We’ll head out to Bathurst Harbour after lunch, and visit the untouched Celery Top Islands for a forest walk (depending on the tidal conditions). Cut off and preserved since the end of the last ice age, these islands are a unique time capsule of the area. We’ll then stop at Forest Lag for a walk up TV Hill and a look at Claytons’ Corner.
After a busy day exploring the area, we’ll enjoy a fully-prepared gourmet dinner with Tasmanian wines, and spend the evening winding down.
After a hearty cooked breakfast, we’ll travel by boat through the Bathurst Narrows with its 800-metre mountains rising from the sea towards the picturesque Bramble Cove. Here we have the option of walking up Mt Milner with its beautiful views of Port Davey and the Bathurst Narrows. We’ll enjoy lunch at one of the hidden coves along the way.
Next we head out to Breaksea Island, cruising along the protected side, witnessing the array of native bird life at the mouth of Port Davey and the Caroline and Shanks Islands. We then visit an ancient aboriginal ochre cave at Schooner Cove, visit the grave site of Critchley Parker Jr. – a walker who perished exploring the “New Jerusalem” – and take a stroll along beautiful Balmoral Beach before heading back to camp for dinner and relaxation.
We’ll enjoy a cooked breakfast and consider the option of taking a walk up Mt Beattie. This 2.5-hour return walk is graded easy to moderate and offers impressive views of the whole area. If the tide and weather permits, our other option is a visit to an ancient Huon Pine forest found on the shores of the Old River. Afterwards, we’ll head back to the camp for some lunch and pack up.
We’ll return to Hobart by aircraft via Port Davey, the Bathurst Narrows and then overland to the rugged Western Arthur Range, to spectacular Federation Peak, Mt Picton, the Hartz Mountain National Park and the Huon Valley.
This tour ends upon arrival at Cambridge airport at approximately 04.00pm. Cambridge airport is approximately 4kms from Hobart’s main airport.
Contact us if you wish to extend your stay in Hobart as we can assist you arrange additional accommodation and the below optional activities at the time of booking
Discover Hobart by foot and hear the fascinating stories of how Tasmania’s capital city was established and how it became the vibrant waterfront city it now is. Choose your preferred walking tour and explore Hobart with your local guide on the Hobart Historic Walk, the Old Hobart Pub Tour or the Grand Hobart Walk.
Combining the Hobart Historic Walk with a tour of Salamanca and Battery Point, this 3 hour experience with your local guide will give you in depth insights into Hobart’s past and present.
This tour departs at 2pm from Hobart Travel Centre (cnr Davey & Elisabeth St). You can expect to finish by 5pm approximately.
A spectacular tour with nature, wilderness, coast and heritage on Bruny Island, joining the car ferry in Kettering and crossing the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. A perfect opportunity to see Australian Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins that forage for food in the clear waters of the channel, keep your cameras handy or let our guides take your photo for you.
This tour includes morning tea, lunch & Cape Bruny Lighthouse tour.
Skirt through the Mount Mangana rainforests searching for the wild White Wallaby, try the Tasmanian Pepper Bush and stand alongside some of the tallest Tree Ferns on Bruny Island. Explore the narrow sandy isthmus known as The Neck Lookout and Wildlife Reserve and climb the steps to the Truganini Lookout, Bruny Islands’ most photographed geological formation. Then onwards to the Cape Bruny Lighthouse Station and join Australia’s southernmost Lighthouse Tour which is included in the price of your day tour to Bruny Island. With any number of photographic possibilities at every point of the compass.
For morning tea, enjoy Bruny Island Cheese & Bruny Island Oysters picnic-style, with fresh wood-oven bread on one of the pristine white beaches. You will also have the option to visit the Bruny Island Cheese Company and Get Shucked Oysters on the return journey later in the day. If you buy any items we can keep them cool in our iceboxes that are on all of our touring vehicles.
Along the way, we stop at many of the Bruny Island food producers, lookouts and sweeping beaches with ample time for short walks or a paddle in the cool ocean waters of the Tasman Sea for those that are brave. For lunch, choose from an extensive menu of locally caught fresh fish, succulent local lamb, salmon, seafood chowder or the popular seafood platter for two (Gluten-free and vegetarian options available). A collaboration of fine food with Hotel Bruny & The Bruny Island Producers, overlooking Suns
Departure time is 7.30am and you can expect to be back in Hobart at approximately 5.30pm - depending on traffic and ferry schedules.
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We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Flexible Date Change Option
Book now, change later with our Flexible Date Change option. You may select this $99pp option at time of purchase, giving travellers the flexibility to change your date without penalty (subject to availability, less third party costs incurred, plus any applicable surcharges for the new date selected).
Date change must be requested prior to 65 days before your original selected departure date*. Once inside 65 days of departure, date changes are not permitted.
*some packages may have a varied period in which you can request a date change due to limitations with the third-party provider.
Please refer to our 'Book with Confidence' section for terms and conditions.
The Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period.
Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply. Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability. We appreciate your understanding.
Most healthy adult can participate in this tour. If you can walk upwards of 15 kilometres or more in a day, carrying a lightweight day pack, you will find our tours totally achievable.
While we typically walk on well forged walking tracks, the quality and degree of difficulty can vary greatly. You may find some tracks rocky and lumpy underfoot, soft and sandy, or muddy and slippery.
Sometimes there is the need to negotiate obstacles such as fallen trees, sections of scree or steep steps.
Ensure you come along with, not only the right footwear, rain gear and clothing, but also the right frame of mind!
What to bring
Please bring your gear in a soft bag rather than hard suitcase to help guides pack the trailer.
Day pack. Here is a list of what you normally wear and need carry in your day pack during walking days. A 20 litre capacity bag is generally sufficient to carry these items:
Main bag. Your main bag stays at Discovery Park for the duration of the trip. You only carry your light day pack while walking.
Each walking day within the itinerary has been graded from 1 to 5. This grading system is intended as a guided only and to help you assess your siutability for that walking day.
Track grading 1: No bush walking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. Walks no greater than 5km.
Track grading 2: No bush walking experience required. The track is a hardened or compacted surface and may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps. Walks no greater than 10km.
Track grading 3: Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bush walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections a rough surface and many steps. Walks up to 20km.
Track grading 4: Bush walking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
Track grading 5: Very experienced bush walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20km.