The BIG 3 Tasmania Tour: Hobart to Launceston | Australia

— What You Can Expect —

• Day 1: Port Arthur & Tasmanian Devils

1. Depart from: Hobart at 7:30 am
2. Return: Hobart at 6:00 pm
3. Overnight: Hobart (accommodation by own arrangement)

Make an early start from Hobart and drive directly to the stunning Tasman Peninsula. Enjoy the panoramic views of the area from Pirates Bay Lookout, which provides a great vantage of the surrounding area. Pass through Eaglehawk Neck and "The Dogline" and learn fascinating stories and history of the area. Then begin one of Tasmania’s “Great Short Walks”. This is a short but spectacular track along the Waterfall Bay Clifftop. The walk is around 45 minutes, undulating and categorised as an easy walk. The track concludes at the remarkable rock formations of Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.

Next stop is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. Watch the snarling, fighting, and bone crushing in a spectacle of devilish behaviour during the feeding. Hand feed the wallabies and walk among the local fauna and flora in the charming “Unzoo” setting.

Continuing your journey, arrive at Port Arthur Historic Site. Discover the grim and violent history of the early Australian Penal system and get a sense of the isolation experienced by the convicts in this “inescapable prison”. With around 2.5 hours here, take a walk among the main penitentiary, see the solitary confinement cells, and many more buildings in this World Heritage open-air museum.

Return to Hobart via the historic township of Richmond. Arriving late the in the afternoon, you will have time to meander the streets, stop for a coffee, visit the Lolly Shop, Chocolatier and walk across Australia’s oldest bridge still in use – a convict built sand-stone bridge, reported to be haunted!

Arrive at Hobart around 6:00 pm

• Day 2: Hobart to Launceston via Wineglass Bay and  Freycinet National Park

(Bring your luggage today!)

1. Depart from: Hobart at 7:30 am
2. Return: Launceston at 6:00 pm
3. Overnight: Launceston (accommodation by own arrangement)

Depart Hobart heading east to Freycinet National Park, travelling through the seaside towns of Orford and Swansea. Freycinet is one of Tasmania’s first National Parks, famous for its rich and stunning coastal landscapes. Pink Granite Mountains form the backdrop for secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife and amazing walking trails. Walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout where your guide will help you take those sought after photographs and offer you some walking options for the day. This walk takes around 1.5 hours and is graded as an easy but uphill walk.

For the keen walkers, you can continue the walk down to Wineglass beach (2.5-hour return walking time). Take time on this famous beach to take a swim, relax, eat your lunch, or meander along the white sands. If you prefer to select the shorter walking option, you can explore other areas of Freycinet with the tour guide. 

Re-group to return and make your final stop at stunning Devil’s Corner Winery, where you will have time to take in the magnificent view. On site, you can enjoy a wine tasting, wood fired pizza, fresh seafood, and ice cream from Freycinet Marine Farm at own expense on the day. 

Arrive in Launceston around 6:00 pm.

• Day 3: Cradle Mountain World Heritage Area

1. Depart from: Launceston at 7:30 am
2. Return: Launceston at 6:00 pm

Cradle Mountain National Park is an area of iconic scenery with a wide variety of walking trails to choose. Cradle Mountain is a stunning and World Heritage listed area. With around 5 hours to spend in the National Park, enjoy a flexible itinerary to suit your needs and the weather conditions on the day.

After departing Launceston, enjoy a short stop in Sheffield, the Town of Murals, before continuing onwards into the mountains.

Arriving into the Cradle Mountain National Park, prepare for the walking opportunities ahead of you. Make the most of the trails as you spend around 5 hours here. Begin with one of Tasmania's Great Short Walks, which gives you the perfect introduction to the area and the Enchanted Walk trail. It's an easy 20-minute circuit following Pencil Pine Creek.

Your main hike begins from Dove Lake with 2 walking options available. Here you can choose your preferred main walk. There is the iconic Dove Lake Circuit which is a 6-kilometer track, classified as easy and usually takes 2 to 3 hours. For the more active and avid hiker, take the chance to climb to the loftier heights of Marion’s Lookout. This is around 4 kilometers, but is classified as a medium grade hike, with some steep sections. Stop along the way for a lunch break, enjoy a rest by a quiet stream, watch the famous and friendly Cradle wombats in their natural habitat, or take the time to photograph the landscapes. Learn some of the local history as you visit Weindorfer’s Chalet and see the ancient King Billy Pines on Weindorfer’s Forest Walk.

On your return to Launceston, stop to refresh and refuel at the delicious Van Dieman's Land Ice Creamery and Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm.

Return to Launceston around 6:00 pm, concluding your BIG 3 Adventure!