Best of Tasmania

Day 2 : The Tarn Shelf, Mt Field (5 hours walking)

A bit of a climb to the small mountain lakes of the Rodway Range to walk along the shelf with its small rock gardens and pools. The walk then changes to a more forested path for a shady afternoon. Return to the Giants Table Cottages in Maydena.

Day 3 : Lake St Clair, Cynthia Bay to Echo Point (11km walk)

It’s a couple of hours drive to Lake St Clair for an easy walk alongside the lake to Echo Point through an enchanting temperate rainforest. Sassafras, myrtle, celery- top pine and leatherwood provide a thick canopy for the mosses, lichens and fungi below. We’ll take the ferry back to our start point at the main settlement. Stay for the next two nights in cabins at Lake St Clair.

Day 4 : Mt Rufus Circuit or Shadow Lake Circuit (18km walk)

A challenging but amazing day walking the Mt Rufus circuit through a wide variety of vegetation and landscapes as we make our way up to the summit of Mt Rufus where the views over the surrounding mountain ranges are sensational.

Day 5 : Travel to Cradle Mountain

Today is a mainly driving day. See The Wall, a work in progress by sculptor Greg Duncan, depicting the history of Tasmania’s central highlands in a series of carved wood panels. Stretch your legs with a walk to Donaghys Lookout before heading to Queenstown and on to Cradle Mountain.

Day 6 : Cradle Mountain (5 hours walking)

Depending on the weather there are several options today. Enjoy imposing mountain vistas, pristine glacial lakes, vast buttongrass plains, freezing cascades and an all round fantastic day of walking.

Day 7 : Travel to the East Coast

Say goodbye to the wild mountain country and head to beautiful east coast of Tasmania stopping at some lovely small towns along the way. Some of Tasmania’s best wineries are near the east coast and, time permitting, we’ll drop into one or two.

Day 8 : Cape Freycinet, Wineglass Bay Circuit (11km)

Enjoy a gorgeous 11.5km circuit walk which takes in the white sand beach of Wineglass Bay and the equally beautiful Hazards Beach on the other side of the Cape Freycinet isthmus.

Day 9 : Maria Island (12km walk)

There are a few options today but the most scenic is a challenging but rewarding climb up Mt Bishop and Clerk. The walk is steep, but the views are sensational. The forested section of path offers delightful walking, with glimpses of ocean beyond the sheer cliffs. After the ferry trip back to the mainland, head south Port Arthur for our final night.

Day 10 : Tasman Peninsular, Cape Hauy (8km walk)

Our last walk is spectacular. As we walk along Cape Huay the promontory narrows and the views get better and better, massive cliffs descending vertically into the ocean on either side. After lunch we’ll head back into Hobart, arriving late afternoon.

This tour has an early start; we would be pleased to book a night or two before and after in Hobart. Please ask for details. This itinerary covers mountainous areas as well as coastal walks and with that comes a variety of climates. Tasmanian weather is typically hard to predict; despite the fact it will be summer, you need to be equipped for everything from snow to 30 degrees.