- Group Size 12 People Maximum
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Travel Style
Outdoor Expedition
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The Australian island-state of Tasmania is home to some of the planet’s most extraordinary natural wonders, from towering pink cliffs to world-renowned grapes—and charismatic marsupials found nowhere else on Earth. Join a curious cohort of Atlas Obscura and Tastemade travelers for an immersive, five-day exploration of Tasmania’s most vibrant national parks. Sip Tassie wine while searching for seals, sample locally sourced seafood under the stars, and stroll through the bush, keeping your eyes peeled for pear-shaped red bellied pademelon and famously fierce Tasmanian devils, among other endemic species that call this island home. Atlas Obscura acknowledges that this tour takes place on the unceded sovereign lands and waters of the palawa nations of lutruwita/Tasmania. We recognize that the connection these Traditional Custodians have to Country goes back thousands of generations and will continue long after us. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
- Wineglass Bay, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches
- Locally sourced meals prepared by your guides
- Distillery tour
- Premium local wines
- Wildlife encounters on Maria Island
Itinerary
Day 1: Island Wildlife & Ruins of Darlington
We’ll meet bright and early this morning for the short drive to Triabunna, a scenic port-side fishing town considered the gateway to many of the natural wonders of Maria Island. After picking up coffee and some snacks in town, we’ll board the ferry to Maria Island National Park. One of Tasmania’s oft-overlooked national parks, it offers an opportunity to spot undisturbed local wildlife, including wombats, pademelons, kangaroos, wallabies, and, if we’re lucky, Tasmanian devils. Explore one of the park’s many hiking trails or head to the ruins of Darlington, a ghost town with a dark history. From the Marine Nature Reserve, we’ll enjoy a picnic of fresh local cheeses accompanied by an afternoon glass of wine before continuing up the coastline to the Freycinet Peninsula. We’ll settle in at our cozy, eco-friendly resort—taking a moment to kick back on the private porches of our individual cottages overlooking the ocean—then gather for a freshly cooked meal of local seafood, cheeses, fruits, and meats prepared by our guides.
Freycinet Resort
Coffee/Tea, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Ocean Cliffs & Wineglass Bay
After a leisurely morning at the resort, we’ll regroup and catch an aqua-taxi to Cooks Beach, where we’ll enjoy a gentle walk along the coast to Wineglass Bay. We’ll pause to admire what’s considered one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, taking in the pink granite mountains rising out of the ocean. From here, we’ll make our way over the saddle, enjoying some of Tasmania’s most celebrated views on a leisurely four-hour (7.5 mile) walk. We’ll pause for a picnic, where we’ll have the chance to spot some of the region’s endemic bird species. After a full day of walking, we’ll enjoy a sampling of local wines back at our resort before another locally-sourced meal prepared by our guides.
Freycinet Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Whiskey, Wine, and Ocean Brine
Enjoy a relaxed morning stroll through the bush surrounding our resort before heading to the Freycinet Marine Farm where we’ll slip on some waders and enter the crisp waters of Coles Bay to learn about local oyster farming. Learn how to shuck an oyster and enjoy the fruits of your labor, along with cooked mussels paired with a glass of Freycinet Vineyard wine before heading back to Hobart. Along the way, we’ll stop for a picnic and stroll through one of the many sprawling vineyards that can be found in the surrounding hills. Then it’s off to Sullivan’s Cove Distillery, which lays claim to the world’s best single malt whiskey, for a tour and tasting. Back in Hobart, we’ll head to a local eatery for a final farewell meal, where we’ll celebrate our time in Tasmania together.
Recommended Hotel: The Henry Jones Art Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trip Leaders
The total cost of this trip is $1,730, based on double occupancy.
You’re in good company. Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. Have your own room, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $230. When booking, please select the single room package option.
We’ll be staying at the Freycinet Resort for both nights of the trip. Tucked away in thick forest on the side of Mount Paul and surrounded by protected national park land, Freycinet Resort offers a private, peaceful experience. It’s the only resort on the mountain, and it offers unparalleled 360-degree views that encompass The Hazards, Friendly Beaches, Great Oyster Bay, and the Tasman Sea. Each private eco-certified lodge has a king bed and a private outdoor deck.
Our trip begins in Hobart in the morning on Day 1. We recommend you arrive in Hobart in the evening the day before our trip begins so that you can meet our guide and group first thing the following morning. Our trip concludes in the evening on Day 3. If leaving Tasmania directly after our trip, we recommend staying the night in Hobart and departing the following morning. If you’d like to extend your trip, we’re happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in Tasmania on your own.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to four miles over the course of each day, spending time in nature, remaining on their feet for long periods of time, and sometimes walking on uneven terrain. Travelers should also be comfortable on and around water.
- Two nights of accommodation at the Freycinet Resort.
- All meals described in the itinerary.
- Transportation throughout the trip. Travel will be foot and in a comfortable 12-seat van.
- Experienced local guides to accompany you for the duration of the trip, as well as special guests throughout.
- Admission to all proposed activities, locations, and events.
- A great group of fellow Atlas Obscura travelers, excited to explore all that Tasmania has to offer!
- 24/7 emergency assistance through Global Rescue.
- Special access to unique places and extraordinary experiences.
- Transportation to and from starting point/ending point.
- Pre- and post-trip accommodations, including accommodations in Hobart.
- Airport transfers (recommendations for travel between the airport and your accommodations will be provided).
- Travel insurance (recommended).
- Additional meals and drinks outside of Atlas Obscura offerings, including most alcoholic beverages.
- Applying for a Australian visa, if applicable.
Trip FAQ
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated, though in most cases ingredients can’t be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. If you have a severe allergy, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
What positive impact will I have by taking this trip?
We’ll be supporting local farmers and businesses with sustainable practices at each step of the way, from the restaurants to the accommodations we’ve selected for this trip.
Upcoming Departures
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Sep 28–Sep 30, 2021from $1,730Book
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