8 Days • 7 Nights
Tasmanian Wildlife Encounters
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Tasmanian devils at leading wildlife sanctuaries
- Wild wombats at Cradle Mountain and Maria Island
- Little penguins coming ashore at dusk
- Wilderness wildlife cruise for seals and dolphins
- Maria Island's tame kangaroos and wombats
- Freycinet, Cradle Mountain and the eastern coast
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, you have the afternoon to settle in before a welcome dinner where your naturalist guide outlines the wildlife wonders ahead, from devils to penguins.
A thrilling boat cruise skirts the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere, past caves, blowholes and colonies of fur seals, with dolphins, albatross and sea eagles often in view. As dusk falls you watch little penguins return from the sea to their burrows.
You cross by ferry to Maria Island, a car-free wildlife haven where wombats, kangaroos and Cape Barren geese graze around historic convict ruins, and the painted cliffs glow at the water's edge. In the afternoon you continue north to Freycinet.
Freycinet's pink granite and white beaches are as rich in wildlife as they are beautiful. You walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout among grazing wallabies, watch for sea eagles overhead, and look out for dolphins and, in season, migrating whales offshore.
Travelling west to Cradle Mountain, you enter prime habitat for wombats, pademelons, echidnas and quolls. An afternoon and evening of wildlife walks and a spotlighting drive reveal the moorland's nocturnal residents under torchlight.
A full day in the highlands, including a visit to a devil sanctuary at the heart of the fight to save the species from disease, where you watch a feeding and learn about their recovery. Wild wombats are a near-certainty on the day's walks.
You descend to Launceston, calling at a second wildlife park that cares for orphaned and injured native animals, from Tasmanian devils and quolls to koalas and wombats, before an evening in the northern city.
After breakfast you are transferred to Launceston Airport for your onward flight, leaving with a camera full of Tasmania's rarest and most endearing creatures.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a wilderness cruise lunch
- Private airport transfers
- Touring by air-conditioned vehicle with naturalist driver-guide
- Two Tasmanian devil sanctuary visits
- Maria Island wildlife day tour
- Tasman Island or Bruny wilderness wildlife cruise
- Evening penguin viewing and spotlighting
- Cradle Mountain national park entry
- Tasmania Parks Pass and all entry fees
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Australia
- Australian ETA or visa fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa arranged online before travelling, with a passport valid for the duration of your stay. We can point you to the right one for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Australian Dollar. Tasmania is largely cashless, with cards and contactless payment accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small stalls and markets
- Cooler climate: Tasmania is Australia's coolest state, noticeably cooler than the mainland, so pack warm and waterproof layers even in summer, especially for Cradle Mountain and the highlands
- Seasons reversed: Tasmania is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to February) is the warmest and busiest season, autumn is golden, and winter is cold, crisp and atmospheric
- Driving: Tasmanians drive on the left, and the roads are scenic but winding, so a self-drive is popular and easy but allow plenty of time. Drive carefully at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is active near roads
- Wildlife: Tasmania is famous for wombats, pademelons, echidnas, little penguins and the endangered Tasmanian devil; respect wildlife, never feed animals, and enjoy sightings at sanctuaries and in the wild
- National parks: A Tasmania Parks Pass is required for the national parks such as Freycinet and Cradle Mountain, which is included in your tour
- Best time: Summer (December to March) is ideal for the outdoors and the beaches, autumn for colour, and any season for MONA, food, wine and the wilderness — Tasmania rewards year-round
- Sun protection: Despite the cool air, Tasmania's UV is strong, so bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses even on cool days
- Tipping & power: Tipping is not expected in Australia. Power is 230V with the Australian type I plug, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I definitely see a Tasmanian devil?
Yes — you visit two sanctuaries where sightings and feedings are guaranteed, and where you learn about the conservation effort to save this endangered icon. Seeing one in the wild is rarer, but our spotlighting drives give you a chance.
Is this tour suitable for families?
It is wonderful for wildlife-loving families with children old enough to enjoy walks and boat trips. The encounters delight all ages, and we can tailor the pace and walking distances to suit.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Bruny Island food tour or a Gordon River cruise lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Tasmania's superb food and wine.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your airport transfers, scenic touring and activities are arranged for you, with the option of guided touring or a self-drive itinerary to suit your style.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa, applied for online before you travel. We guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit Tasmania?
Summer (December-March) is best for the outdoors, walks and beaches, autumn for golden colour, and any season for MONA, food, wine and the wilderness. Tasmania is cooler than the mainland year-round.
Should we self-drive or take a guided tour?
Both work wonderfully — Tasmania is compact and easy to self-drive on scenic roads, while a guided tour takes care of everything. We can tailor either to you.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, regions, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add Bruny Island, the west coast, wildlife or luxury lodges. Just tell us what you have in mind.
Will we see a Tasmanian devil?
Yes — the endangered Tasmanian devil is guaranteed at the wildlife sanctuaries our tours visit, and around Cradle Mountain you are also very likely to see wombats, pademelons and echidnas in the wild.
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Tasmania Highlights: Hobart, Freycinet & Cradle Mountain
Tasmania Highlights: Hobart, Freycinet & Cradle Mountain
Tasmania, Australia