REST AUSTRALIA TOURS will meet you on arrival at the airport and if you have any questions will be happy to assist. Pick up the car from the rental desk and proceed to the scenic waterfront city of Hobart. Your travel documentation will be waiting for you at the hotel reception.

Nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Wellington, Hobart combines heritage charm with a modern lifestyle in a setting of exceptional beauty. Explore Salamanca Place, a short walk from the waterfront, with its galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in 1830s Georgian warehouses.

(Optional) Take a short ferry up the Derwent River to MONA, a truly out of this world experience.

Set off early travelling south through Huon towards Geeveston, a small township set in the lower reaches of the Huon Valley. This picturesque valley has arguably some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Tasmania.

Continue onto Hartz Mountain National Park and the Tahune Airwalk for spectacular walking opportunities. With its breathtaking views of the forest canopy, spinetingling swinging bridges across the Huon and Picton Rivers and countless hiking opportunities, there is a lot to offer. Enjoy a peaceful forest ramble or one of the more challenging hikes.

Returning via an alternate route back to Huon. Make sure you stop at Willie Smiths Apple Shed just outside Huon and discover the traditions behind making Australia’s best cider.

Today make the short journey back through Hobart and onto Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. See how this remarkable team are at the forefront of conservation and preservation of native Australian wildlife. You will have the rare opportunity to see the Tassie Devil up close.

Continue west to Mt Field National Park and Russell Falls, the star attraction. It’s a short walk from the visitor centre, through enormous fern forests and some of the world’s tallest trees. There’s even more to be discovered in Tasmania’s most diverse national park, including Lady Barron Falls, Horseshoe Falls and many more on the way to the summit of Mount Field itself.

The final destination for today is Lake St Clair. The area around Lake St Clair offers a wealth of walks, ranging from leisurely 45 minute strolls to longer hikes, as well as beautiful lakes and forests to explore. It is also the end point of one of Australia’s famed Overland Track.

Departing Lake St Clair travel west towards Queenstown. The West Coast Wilderness Railway is a beautifully restored scenic steam train that runs
amongst the old growth rainforest, over valleys and streams and up steep rack and pinion line. This is definitely a highlight and one not to miss.

Continue west to the harbour side village of Strahan.Set on the shores of Macquarie Harbour, Strahan has a dark and fascinating convict past and the gateway to the magnificent Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. A short one hour return hike to Hogarth Falls is recommended.

Option 1: Depart Strahan at early and travel north passing through the old mining town of Zeehan enroute to Corinna. On arrival join the Pieman River Cruise departing at 10am from Corinna. This scenic cruise takes you along the pristine Pieman River; an authentic personal experience, rich in history, nature and personal anecdotes.

Option 2: In Strahan join the most scenic and sought after eco-cruises in Tasmania along the Gordon River. The cruise lasts approx. 5.5 hours and includes a guided Sarah Island stop-over, a buffet lunch and much more. After disembarking drive north to Corinna. Corinna was once a remote mining town, now an ecotourism haven set in pristine rainforest surrounded by stunning wilderness and nature. Enjoy short hikes through the Myrtle Beech rainforest in the Tarkine Reserve.

Depart early and drive north from Corinna passing Savage River and Waratah onto Cradle Mountain National Park.

Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, with its prehistoric rainforests and alpine moors, is home to the world-famous Overland Track and iconic Cradle Mountain. A listed World Heritage Area, the park is one of the state’s most remarkable locations, where ancient pines fringe glacial lakes and icy streams cascade down rugged mountains.

The Dove Lake Circuit is a 6km track and one of Tasmania’s premier walks. It will take you right around Dove Lake and beneath the towering spires of Cradle Mountain. The track is board walked for much of the way and expected to take approx. 2 hours to complete. Either follow the board walk back to the visitor centre or catch the courtesy shuttle bus.

A leisurely drive takes you through the second largest city in Tasmania and one of Australia’s oldest, Launceston. It is one of the best-preserved early cityscapes in Australia with its elegant Colonial and Victorian architecture and century-old parks. Cataract Gorge is an essential stop for lunch.

Continue north along the banks of the picturesque Tamar River up the Tamar Valley, passing the scented lavender farms on the outskirts of Scottsdale. Once centre of the hops growing industry, now dairy farms, eucalypt and pine plantations envelop the landscape.

Today’s drive will have you visiting some of the most scenic coastal landscape Australia has to offer. The world famous Bay of Fires is a slice of coastal heaven and stretches over 50 kilometres from Eddystone Point in the north to Binalong Bay in the south. Walk for miles along sugar-white sandy beaches, discover orange lichen-covered granite boulders and swim in the crystal clear turquoise water.

Follow the coast south to Bicheno where penguin tours let you get up close to little fairy penguins at dusk. Enjoy scenic walks to Rocking Rock, the Blowhole and along the sandbar to Diamond Island Nature Reserve.

Start early with a beautiful sunrise over the ocean before taking the short drive deeper into Freycinet National Park; filled with an abundance of natural assets, including the pink granite peaks of the Hazards Range that dominate the Peninsula. Visit Friendlies Beach and take in the short hike to see the magnificent views of the iconic Wineglass Bay.

After a morning of exploration, it is time to continue south to the historic settlement of Port Arthur. Set on the tip of the Tasman Peninsula, the Port Arthur Historic Site is best known for the well-preserved penal colony buildings set in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A visit to the site is essential both during the day… and for those brave enough, at night on the evening Ghost Tour.

It is a short drive back to Hobart Airport for your onward travel plans.