Tailor made walking holiday in Tasmania
| country: | Australia |
| location: | Tasmania |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination. |
| price: | From £840 (6 days) excluding flights. Price includes one night in Launceston before the trek and one night in Hobart afterwards, and accommodation during the walk. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
At the edge of Mount William National Park, the magnificent wilderness coastline known as the Bay of Fires invites you to experience its dramatic landscape, ecology and wildlife.
Led by well-informed, Tasmanian guides, small groups can explore both the fascinating beach environment and the rich diversity of the nearby woodlands. The first night of this three day walk is spent in a permanent bush camp set in the sand dunes just back from the beach. The following two nights are in the Bay of Fires Lodge, the only building in this near-unknown wilderness paradise, 40 metres above the sea and surrounded by National Park.
With views up and down the pristine white sand beaches, the area is one of great significance to the Aboriginal community as the site of the original land bridge across which their people originally crossed from the Australian mainland over 10,000 years ago. In the lodge’s magnificent living area, with a large timber deck and open fire, you’ll enjoy delicious meals prepared with the freshest local produce and accompanied by fine Tasmanian wines. Solar power provides the lighting and hot showers in a building whose intrinsic concept is based on ‘eco-sustainability’. You will spend the free day relaxing or kayaking up the Ansons River.
Mount William National Park’s diverse vegetation is a haven for wildlife and home to the largest population of eastern grey kangaroos in the state, as well echinadas, brush-tail possums, wombats, Bennets wallabies and Tasmanian devils. Birdlife is abundant too, with over 100 species occurring in the park, including many varieties of sea and shore birds.
Best time to travel: The best months to enjoy this walk is from Spring to Autumn (November to March) when the weather is at its best. The days are longer for you to enjoy the great outdoors, the wildlife and the beautiful National Park surroundings.
Led by well-informed, Tasmanian guides, small groups can explore both the fascinating beach environment and the rich diversity of the nearby woodlands. The first night of this three day walk is spent in a permanent bush camp set in the sand dunes just back from the beach. The following two nights are in the Bay of Fires Lodge, the only building in this near-unknown wilderness paradise, 40 metres above the sea and surrounded by National Park.
With views up and down the pristine white sand beaches, the area is one of great significance to the Aboriginal community as the site of the original land bridge across which their people originally crossed from the Australian mainland over 10,000 years ago. In the lodge’s magnificent living area, with a large timber deck and open fire, you’ll enjoy delicious meals prepared with the freshest local produce and accompanied by fine Tasmanian wines. Solar power provides the lighting and hot showers in a building whose intrinsic concept is based on ‘eco-sustainability’. You will spend the free day relaxing or kayaking up the Ansons River.
Mount William National Park’s diverse vegetation is a haven for wildlife and home to the largest population of eastern grey kangaroos in the state, as well echinadas, brush-tail possums, wombats, Bennets wallabies and Tasmanian devils. Birdlife is abundant too, with over 100 species occurring in the park, including many varieties of sea and shore birds.
Best time to travel: The best months to enjoy this walk is from Spring to Autumn (November to March) when the weather is at its best. The days are longer for you to enjoy the great outdoors, the wildlife and the beautiful National Park surroundings.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Launceston where you can explore the stunning Cataract Gorge and the charming town of Launceston. Your 1st night's accommodation is at Ashton Gate Victorian Accommodation in Launceston |
| Day 2: | The drive from Evandale (near Launceston) winds through the scenic and rich pastoral landscapes of Scottsdale and the tin mining town of Derby to the northern end of Mt William National Park. Here the walk begins at Boulder Point with iews north to the Bass Strait Islands, stepping stones remaining of the land bridge that once connected Tasmania to the mainland. Secluded beaches tucked between sand dunes and off-shore rocks are separated by rocky headlands – the perfect place for shells, birds’ nests and relaxed lunches. Today's walk is approximately 9km, 4 hours. The night is spent at Forester Beach Camp. |
| Day 3: | Travelling south you’ll be amazed at this magnificent coastline of colour and solitude. Elevated views of the park and out to sea are enjoyed from the ridgeline of sand dunes and prime heathlands. We take time to explore the arsupial lawns behind the dunes, a great site to identify prints and scats of the local wildlife. Lunch is at historic Eddystone Point Lighthouse and in the afternoon you’ll enjoy the seclusion of superb beaches and coves along the coastline before arriving at the sanctuary of the Bay of Fires Lodge. |
| Day 4: | Based at the lodge, the day is yours to relax or set off on yet another adventure paddling the tranquil waters of Ansons River. Discover the delicate ecology of this river system as it winds its way to the mouth of Ansons Bay; a haven for water birds and eagle rays. After lunch we leave the kayaks behind and stroll back to the lodge along the Abottsbury Peninsula. Your 4th night’s accommodation is again at the Bay of Fires Lodge. |
| Day 5: | After a leisurely breakfast you can explore the beaches and headlands, take a swim or simply curl up and read a book. Leaving the lodge on foot, you make your way through the fragrant inland heath and peppermint forests to a secluded spot for lunch. Your return trip takes you south to the fishing village of St Helens and through the scenic and historic Fingal Valley before returning to Evandale (near Launceston). Your 5th night's accommodation is at Ashton Gate Victorian Accommodation in Launceston |
| Day 6: | Depart Launceston |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Tasmania, as one of the world’s last wilderness areas is a land of National Parks, amazing wildlife and remarkable landscapes. Our itinerary seeks to take advantage of some of these natural highlights whilst ensuring that the impact on the environment remains as minimal as possible. The choice of accommodation, for example, has been carefully selected for the philosophy that underpins it.
The basic principles of sustainability - protecting the present for the future by maintaining bio-diversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting place - have been wholeheartedly embraced in the construction of the Bay of Fires Lodge and Forester Beach Camp. From the location of the buildings and the form of their design to the selection of building materials and the management of the construction process, the single focus has been on protecting the landscape and connecting to it. Using sustainable materials and employing non-polluting services such as roofwater collection, greywater treatment systems, composting toilets and energy-efficient solar power, the building was gently placed in the landscape to create minimal disturbance while maximising the visual connection with the surrounding vegetation and the ocean beyond. Without doubt, it's this connection with the unspoiled beauty of the environment, its flora and fauna that creates the magical experience guests will enjoy at the Bay of Fires. This itinerary also features a selection of wildlife experiences designed to educate clients on the ecology of coastal Tasmania. The experience and passion of the local guides will ensure that a relatively short visit will still provide a valuable and enjoyable introduction to the wildlife of the region. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |