Tasmanian Wilderness Explorer 4WD Tours

February 26 - March 4 & March 18-25, 2012  - from Launceston (or Sydney or Melbourne options)
 
Join a small private group 4WD Wilderness Tour seeing the best of Tasmanian wilderness including Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay, Huon Valley, Tarkine Forests (overnight & wild walk), Styx River & Valley walk, Cradle Mountain (walk), Port Arthur, Hobart, Macquarie Harbour, Gordon, Franklin & King Rivers, West Coast Wilderness Railway, Burnie, Stanley & "The Nut"

DAY 1: - Devonport – Tamar Valley - Launceston
• Arrive in Launceston (airport links from major cities) by 1pm for an afternoon exploring Launceston, and the scenic Cataract Gorge Reserve

• Welcome Dinner at Grand Chancellor Hotel Launceston
• Overnight at Grand Chancellor, Launceston

DAY 2: - Launceston – St Helens – Bicheno – Swansea
• Depart Launceston (830am airport pickup possible if not in night prior) and head towards the north east coast via Scottsdale, call into Pyengana and visit St Columba Falls and the Pyengana Cheese Factory
• Visit the coastal town of St Helens, then Binalong Bay and World Heritage Listed Bay of Fires for beach walk
• Explore the fishing village of Bicheno and close by Douglas Apsley National Park
• Overnight Swansea Cottages, Swansea

DAY 4:  - Hobart – Port Arthur - Hobart
• Begin the morning visiting Mt Wellington, towering over Hobart.
• Driving down the Tasman Peninsular, see the Peninsula’s natural wonders – the Tessellated Pavement, Blow Hole, Devil’s Kitchen and Tasman Arch (all at Eaglehawk Neck) before arriving into Port Arthur.
• Make the most of the Bronze Entry Pass to Port Arthur, including introductory tour, visitor guide, harbour cruise and access to the historic site and buildings
• Late afternoon drive up to Hobart and overnight at Hotel Collins.

DAY 5:  - Hobart – Huon Valley
• Driving down via Kingston & Snug, in the lee of Bruny Island via the tip at Verona Sands to Cygnet and a relax by the Huon River at Huonville.
• Travel to New Norfolk and up the Derwent River Valley to head west to the Styx Valley Forest walk. Here we marvel at these ancient and  giant trees - some over 80 metres tall - the tallest in the world with the highest carbon density - threatended by logging.

• Heading back north towards Strahan, calling into Lake St Clair Lookout and driving through the bare hills of Queenstown before arriving into Strahan late afternoon
• Seafood Buffet Dinner
• Overnight Strahan Village, Strahan 

DAY 6:  - Strahan
• Cruise through some of Tasmania’s most stunning wilderness on the Gordon River Cruise and learn about the convict life on Sarah Island. On return road transport to Queenstown to meet the railway.

• For cruisers, on return explore Strahan and surrounds including Ocean Beach and Henty Dunes

OR from Strahan, take a 40 minute seaplane flight at 8am and fly over the King and Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers, World Heritage Area, landing on the Gordon for a short walk amongst the Huon Pines near the river junctions where the dam was going to be. On return there's time to ride the steam train of the West Coast Wilderness Railway, (SEE VIDEO BELOW) a beautifully scenic and history filled journey through the forests, as we cross high bridges and climb steep grades through a narrow gorge and follow the route built by pioneers more than a century ago

• At 230 the train arrives in Queenstown and we depart via the mining and hydro-electric towns of Rosebury and Tullah before heading for Tarkine Trails Tiger Ridge retreat, deep in the Tarkine Forest.  We depart the main road and drive along a remote gravel track before gathering our packs for the forty minutes up a steep ridge into the lush green rain forest and towering canopy of giant Eucalyptus and Myrtle that surround the camp. On arrival at camp, your guides show you to your accommodation (large twin share canvas tents) and then busy themselves preparing the evening meal in the Tarkine Longhouse, a new custom designed shelter perched on the edge of Tiger Ridge, affording stunning views into the rainforest canopy. Each meal has been carefully selected and designed by a Tasmanian chef to add to your experience. After dinner around our 12 seater Tasmanian Oak dinner table, relax on the lounge by our fire before a peaceful sleep nestled in the rainforest.
• Overnight Tarkine Trails lodge

DAY 7: - Strahan – Cradle Mountain
•  After a tasty breakfast, we take a guided walk through the Tarkine Forests through the tall trees, with stunning views of mountains and rainforest and possibly the occassional Tasmanian Devil - Tigers beware !
• Afternoon we leave the Trakine and drive to Cradle Mountain. Here an optional tour is the Devils@Cradle, where you can watch Tasmanian Devils feed at night
• Buffet Dinner at Cradle Mountain Chateau
• Overnight Cradle Mountain Chateau, Cradle Mountain National Park

	View Larger Map

DAY 8:  - Cradle Mountain - Burnie - Launceston
• Take the 2-3 hour walk around Dove Lake and explore the wilderness in Cradle Mountain National Park
• Drive north to Burnie in the afternoon with  visit to Stanley and the famous Nut
• Drive back to Launceston for flights home approx 1900 hrs.

Or optional overnight for extra time

Inclusions:

• 7 nights 3 ½ - 4 star accommodation including breakfast daily
• 4 Exclusive Dinners (including Welcome Dinner Dinner at Grand Chancellor Launceston, Seafood Buffet Strahan, Buffet Dinner Cradle Mountain Chateau)

• 4 lunches except 3
• Bronze Entry Port Arthur Historic Site
• West Coast Wilderness Railway with Wilderness Area Seaplane flight (add $230) OR Gordon River Cruise

• Airport, ferry or hotel pickup & return in Launceson or Devonport
• Small group travel in luxury 4WD

• National Park entry fees

• Luxury Landcruiser vehicle

• Professional guide/driver

Exclusions - 3 evening meals (dining in local restaurants), 3 lunches (Port Arthur, Binalong Bay, Strahan), alcohol, fares to & from Launceston, Tasmania.

Travel from Melbourne or Sydney available - Please ask.

Cost of tour as above, subject to availability is $4,685 per person twin share. (This tour is not subject to any discount offers, except past passengers 3% discount available)

Please Book Early as departure fast approaches Book Here or Ask Now: 1300 763 188

Hobart is 198 km, approximately a 2.5 hour drive from Launceston

For reference - Ferry - http://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/bookings/timetable.html

Article re Tasmanian Tiger sighting ?

www.smh.com.au/news/National/Tiger-or-not-theyre-photos-to-thrill/2005/03/01/1109546871418.html

When the ABT Railway (now the West Coast Wilderness Railway) was built in Tasmania, it was considered one of the engineering marvels of Australia.

The West Coast pioneers who built the original railway in 1896 accomplished a great feat of labour. For many miles along the King River the railway line was hewn with pick and shovel out of the steep side of the gorge. Forty two bridges were built over the 22-mile long stretch of wilderness; for the 'quarter mile' bridge below the gorge, pylons had to be driven 60 feet into the silt with men constantly up to their waists in the cold water.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway forms a gateway for visitors to explore Tasmania's unique rail heritage, discovering the inspiring story of the pioneers who built the railway more than 100 years ago.

Take a trip back in time to where men laboured through mud, rain and treacherous landscapes to forge a railway link between the mining town of Queenstown and the port of Strahan. Authentically recreated with its many timber trestle bridges and the unique Abt rack and pinion system for the steep grades, the West Coast Wilderness Railway crosses the wild King River and climbs through sheer sided rainforested gorges.

Along the 35km journey you will stop at stations of the past - Lower Landing, Dubbil Barril, Rinadeena - where your trained guides will bring to life the stories of these historic points on the railway.