Explore one of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes on earth on this 8-day cruise of Australia's south coast. Take advantage of the long daylight hours in Tasmania for bushwalks in national parks and World Heritage Areas. Join an optional hike in the famed South Coast Track at Cockle Bay, the rugged Fluted Cape of Bruny Island, and enjoy the early morning scenic Wineglass Bay lookout in Freycinet National Park. Explore the untouched Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area at Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, and taste local produce at a family run cheesery, and freshly-shucked Tasmanian oysters from a local farm.
Highlights
Explore the untouched Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
Kayak through Bathurst Harbour in remote Tasmania
Visit Maria Island and tour the UNESCO-listed Darlington township
Hike through Freycinet National Park to the Wineglass Bay lookout
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
In the afternoon, board Coral Expeditions I at Hobart's Macquarie Wharf. Explore the River Derwent and the mighty Tasman Bridge. Enjoy the Captain's Welcome Drinks and sample Tasmanian cheeses, Bruny Island oysters, and sparkling wines as you make your way through the scenic D'Entrecasteaux Channel towards your overnight anchorage near Bruny Island.
This morning enjoy a tour and tasting at Grandvewe Cheeses, set on 40 acres overlooking Bruny Island. Grandvewe farm produces fine sheep cheeses using milk from their herd of over 100 Awassi and Grandvewe dairy sheep. Meet the mother and daughter cheesemaking team, tour the milking shed, and learn how the cheeses are produced. Sample some of the farm's award-winning produce, including the unique Vanilla Whey Liqueur. Then visit the Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre, Huon Cruise, Franklin Township, and discover the Wooden Boat School. Sail to South East Cape, the southernmost point of Tasmania.
This afternoon explore Recherche Bay, a large protected bay which takes its name from a frigate used in the failed 1791 French expedition to locate the missing explorer La Pérouse. Cruise the bay aboard an Explorer, then join the Expedition Leader and Parks and Wildlife Ranger on a scenic hike at the start of the famed South Coast Track. Walk the picturesque beach to see Cockle Creek's bronze southern right whale statue commemorating the town's whaling past, and a signpost marking the most southerly point in Australia accessible by motor vehicle.
Enter the remote Port Davey this morning for a full day (posible two days) of exploration in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Accessible only by boat, aircraft, or a seven day hike, this region is surely one of the most magnificent and pristine landscapes on earth. Explore the 'Narrows' and Bathurst Harbour, where you can breathe the world's cleanest air and take the opportunity to kayak in waters so clear that the towering mountains surrounding the harbor are perfectly reflected in the waterways. Enjoy a guided hike on the Balmoral Hill Track, and visit the village of Melaleuca, where conservation efforts are helping to protect the endangered orange-bellied aarrot.
Gather on the outer decks for a scenic cruise along the southern coast of Bruny Island, past Cloudy Bay, the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse, and the Friars, home to a large population of Australian fur seals. Anchoring at Adventure Bay, relax on the long stretch of beach, enjoy a swim, paddle a kayak, tour the Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration, or join an optional guided Fluted Cape Walk. Explore the historic 19th-century whaling station ruins and enjoy a Tasmanian wine tasting.
Awaken this morning to the pristine surrounds of Freycinet National Park. Early risers and keen photographers may choose to join a guided hike through the national park to the Wineglass Bay lookout, with breathtaking views of the beach and beyond to Mt Freycinet, providing reward for the early start. Wineglass Bay has been named one of the world's top ten beaches, and following breakfast you have ample time to explore the beach at your own pace. Perhaps paddle a kayak in the clear waters, or just stroll along the soft white sands and take in the untouched scenery of this iconic location.
Spend the morning exploring Maria Island, a national park with something for everyone: historic ruins, sweeping bays, rugged cliffs and mountains, and remarkable wildlife. Since the late 1960s Maria Island has become a kind of Noah's Ark, as a number of threatened species have been introduced here in a bid to protect their kind. The very features that made the island a convict settlement now make it an ideal refuge for plant and animal species such as native pademelons, forester kangaroos, Bennetts wallabies and Tasmanian devils. Maria Island's historic town site of Darlington has been included in the Convict Trail of Australia and was World Heritage-listed in 2010. View the dramatic Painted and Fossil Cliffs and join a walking exploration from Encampment Cove to the ruins of Maria Island's second (probation-era) convict station at Point Lesueur on the island’s west coast (also known as Long Point).
In the afternoon cruise the coast of Tasman National Park, an area of dramatic beauty, natural diversity, and famous for its soaring 300-meter sea cliffs and monumental rock formations. Tasman Arch, The Candlestick, and Cathedral Rock are just three of the imposing natural features adorning the coastline. At Tasman Island observe rich wildlife such as seals, dolphins, sea eagles, and albatross.
This day, a unique experience awaits at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Australia's most intact and evocative convict site, between 1833 and 1877 the penal colony housed Britain and Australia's worst criminals, and was considered inescapable. Today, the Historic Site has over 30 buildings, ruins, and restored period homes set in 40 hectares of landscaped grounds. In the company of Port Arthur's resident archaeologist, join an exclusive 'behind the scenes tour' of the site, which includes access to private collections and historic buildings not accessible to the general public. Then, enjoy the Captain's farwell reception in the beautiful surrounds of Port Arthur's Asylum building.
Day 8: Hobart | Disembark
1 Breakfast
This morning cruise River Derwent towards Hobart for disembarkation.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,755
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Main Deck B
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Three cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin portholes, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Main Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Six cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin porthole windows, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
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Promenade Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Eighteen cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Bridge Deck
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Five cabins located on the Bridge Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
Notes
Solo Travelers:
Solo cabin occupancy is limited and based on availability in Promenade Deck B cabins only. Single supplement is an additional 50%.
Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian or New Zealand Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.