6 Days • 5 Nights
West Coast Wilderness: Cradle Mountain & Strahan
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Cradle Mountain and the Dove Lake circuit
- Gordon River wilderness cruise from Strahan
- West Coast Wilderness Railway through the ranges
- Queenstown's dramatic mining landscape
- Wild Ocean Beach and Macquarie Harbour
- Wombats, echidnas and ancient Huon pine rainforest
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
You are met at Launceston Airport and drive west into the highlands to Cradle Mountain, Tasmania's most iconic wilderness. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a first walk on the boardwalks as wombats emerge to graze, followed by a welcome dinner.
A full day to explore the national park, walking the celebrated Dove Lake circuit beneath the jagged peak, watching for wombats, echidnas and pademelons, and, for the energetic, climbing to Marions Lookout for a sweeping alpine view. A devil sanctuary visit rounds out the day.
The road drops through button-grass plains and the astonishing mining landscape of Queenstown, its bare, mineral-streaked hills unlike anywhere else, to reach Strahan on the vast Macquarie Harbour. The afternoon is free to walk to Hogarth Falls or stroll wild Ocean Beach.
A morning cruise glides across Macquarie Harbour and up the mirror-calm Gordon River, deep into World Heritage rainforest, stopping at the Huon pine forest and the convict ruins of Sarah Island. In the afternoon you ride the historic West Coast Wilderness Railway through the rugged ranges.
A spectacular drive east through Lake St Clair and the central highlands returns you to Hobart, with time to stop for photos, a highland lake or a distillery along the way. Evening at leisure in the capital.
After breakfast you are transferred to Hobart Airport for your onward flight, having journeyed through the wildest, most pristine corner of Tasmania.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Gordon River cruise lunch
- Private airport transfers
- Touring by air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide
- Cradle Mountain national park entry and Dove Lake
- Gordon River wilderness cruise
- West Coast Wilderness Railway journey
- Queenstown sightseeing
- 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
How remote is the west coast?
Genuinely remote — this is one of the world's last great temperate wilderness areas, with tiny towns and vast tracts of untouched rainforest and mountains. That wildness is exactly its appeal, and everything is comfortably arranged for you.
Is the Gordon River cruise suitable for everyone?
Yes — it is a comfortable, fully catered cruise on calm inland water, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, with a boardwalk stop in the rainforest and a guided visit to Sarah Island.
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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