7 outdoor adventures to have in Tasmania

Tasmania’s wild and rugged scenery is its greatest attraction. To experience it, you need to get out into its great outdoors. Being close to nature is easy here. Delivering an exquisite mix of unspoilt beaches, dramatic geology and abundant wildlife, its landscapes will surprise and delight you in equal measure.

1. Tackle the Bay of Fires walk

The Bay of Fires is a catch-all term for the area bounded by larapuna/Eddystone Point in Mount William National Park in the north and Binalong Bay to the south. Secluded, sheltered and stunning, it‘s most famous for its orange lichen-shrouded rocks that enhance an already remarkable coastal colour palette of azure and ivory. Audley’s four-day itinerary covers the entire 43 mile (70 km) Bay of Fires Lodge route, incorporating activities such as fishing or kayaking. However, there’s no reason why you can’t dip in and out. Traversing rocky wave-cut platforms, sandy beaches, heathland and dry sclerophyll forest, you’ll appreciate encounters with wildlife such as possums and wallabies. Whales, seals and pods of dolphins are commonly sighted just offshore; it’s also the perfect spot for birdwatching.

2. Enjoy a cruise around Wineglass Bay

Travellers come to the East Coast’s Freycinet National Park to see Wineglass Bay, a glorious crescent of white sand backed by the granitic peaks of The Hazards. Though it’s possible to reach Wineglass Bay overland from Coles Bay, the hike involves steep gradients and stretches of gravel. Instead, opt for a relaxing boat trip. Cruising south, skirt Hazards Beach and Coles Beach. As the boat slips through the sheltered waters of Great Oyster Bay, you might see migratory Southern Right Whales. Watch out for the slate-blue plumage of little penguins as the vessel passes through the narrow Schouten Passage; to the east, Australian fur seals haul out onto the faulted rocks. Wineglass Bay, its limpid turquoise water enhanced by the ivory shore, is the show-stopping finale.

3. Walk the Dove Lake Circuit

Tasmania boasts a number of spectacular alpine walks, including Frenchmans Cap, the Walls of Jerusalem and perhaps best of all, the Dove Lake Circuit. Ancient glaciers that have long since melted carved out the bedrock beneath Dove Lake to leave a beautiful water-filled corrie. Hike in the ever-present shadow of Cradle Mountain traversing boardwalks, steps and rocks. The varied vegetation – King Billy Pine, fagus, myrtle, buttongrass and sassafras – adds interest, but it’s the widescreen views of Cradle Mountain that give the circuit its wow factor. Allow around three hours to complete the 6km route, which is easily traceable along boardwalks.

4. Go mountain biking

Tasmania is a mountain biker’s adventure playground. The former tin mining town of Derby is the epicentre for the Blue Derby Network. A highlight is the Dam Busters route, an exhilarating forest and riverbed combo. At the Hollybank Mountain Bike Park near Launceston, novice riders can cut their teeth on easy paths and berms, while the Juggernaut Track is a thrilling descent more suited to those with more experience. In the west of Tasmania, cycle paths repurpose redundant railways and former prospectors’ routes. You’ll enjoy the scenic Montezuma Falls trail, a shared path through cool temperate forest to the state’s highest waterfall. The steep hills of the more technical Climie Track coupled with its granite, sand and muddy creeks ensure this isn’t an option for the faint-hearted.

5. Head on a wildlife walk around Maria Island

Geography makes Maria Island the ideal place to nurture threatened species. Native pademelons coexist with Forester kangaroos, Bennett's wallabies and Flinders Island wombats that have been the focus of conservation efforts. In addition, a breeding programme initiative aims to reverse the population decline of the Tasmanian devil. An easy trail leads to the Painted Cliffs. At low tide this wave-sculpted shelf of ochre-hued sandstone is at its most striking. Here on Maria’s shores, waders such as hooded plovers and oystercatchers are a familiar sight. Inland, the island’s dense tracts of eucalypt forest attract an abundance of birds such as green rosellas and yellow wattlebirds. Climb through the cloud forest to reach the dolerite peaks of Mount Maria or Bishop and Clerk where birds of prey circle overhead.

6. Cruise the Gordon River

An enchanting landscape such as the UNESCO-protected Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park deserves a total immersion and there are few better ways to do so than hopping board a cruise along the Gordon River. The unique whisper-quiet boats allow you to take in even the smallest of nature's sounds as you glide through its untouched rainforest and rich history. The cruises are typically six hours long, meaning you can pack a lot in, including passing through Hells Gates (where Macquarie Harbour and the Southern Ocean meet), embarking on a guided walk through the lush temperate rainforest and exploring the remains of the penal colony that once stood on Sarah Island. But the true beauty of these cruises comes in the most simplest of forms: sitting back and allowing nature to envelop you with its delicate orchestra of sounds.

7. Go on a kayaking adventure

Opportunities for kayaking in Tasmania range from easy excursions in flat calm conditions to hairy white water adventures. In Hobart, kayak along the shoreline of historic Battery Point to The Docks and enjoy fish and chips directly from the city’s floating punts. In Tasman National Park, home to Australia’s highest sea cliffs, crane your neck to appreciate the Candlestick and Totem Pole, two impossibly tall and skinny pinnacles of rock. Coastal adventurers can paddle out of Coles Bay to get a different perspective on Freycinet National Park with its photogenic beaches with their pink granite backdrop.

About the experts

Audley’s Australia experts are ideally placed to help you start planning your outdoor adventure to Tasmania. We’ve walked the walk before we talk the talk: our specialists have travelled extensively throughout Tasmania, enabling you to delve deeper into the place and enjoy a real connection to your surroundings. Working closely with local providers means we only choose the best boutique stays, knowledgeable guides and an itinerary that’s just right for you. Get in touch today.

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