Lace up your boots and discover the wild beauty of Tasmania’s East Coast on this curated walking adventure. Explore the dramatic landscapes of Launceston before venturing on the iconic Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, where white-sand beaches, granite headlands, and an exclusive eco-lodge await. Continue south through Freycinet National Park and the Tasman Peninsula, tackling spectacular coastal trails and encountering native wildlife along the way. Paired with boutique stays, local produce, and cool-climate wines, this journey offers an unforgettable connection to Tasmania’s natural wonders.
Welcome to Launceston! Tasmania’s second-largest city and a vibrant blend of heritage charm and natural wonder. Nestled at the meeting point of the North Esk and South Esk rivers, Launceston is renowned for its beautifully preserved colonial architecture, lively arts scene, and laid-back pace. Wander through the striking Cataract Gorge Reserve, just minutes from the city centre, or explore local galleries, boutiques, and eateries in the buzzing Seaport and Inveresk precincts. Every Saturday, don’t miss the award-winning Harvest Market, a local favourite brimming with fresh produce, artisan goods, and live music. Launceston is also your gateway to the famed Tamar Valley Wine Route, offering cool-climate wines and breathtaking countryside. With its fusion of history, culture, and adventure, Launceston is the perfect base to discover northern Tasmania.
Explore Cataract Gorge Reserve in Launceston, a beautiful natural spot just minutes from the city. Take a stroll along the walking trails that meander through bushland and along the river, offering lovely views of the gorge. For a different perspective, ride the chairlift over the cliffs and enjoy panoramic sights. You can also unwind at the historic swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing dip on a warm day. A great mix of walking, sightseeing, and relaxation for visitors of all ages.
Your accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston
Enjoy the contemporary style of Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston whilst relaxing in beautiful rooms and suites overlooking the city. Surrounded by notable attractions like City Park - Launceston’s picturesque public gardens, the Tasmanian Design Centre, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Princess Theatre, and Boag’s Brewery. This is the perfect choice for exploring the many splendours of Northern Tasmania.
From the Valley to Pipers River in the north, through to Launceston and Relbia to the south, there are more than 32 vineyards within driving distance of each other. Join your guide on a full-day tour and test your tastebuds and taste some of the best cold-climate wines Tasmania has to offer. Your guide will choose 3 to 4 vineyards throughout the day and invite you to a delicious grazing platter for lunch.
Your accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston
Enjoy the contemporary style of Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston whilst relaxing in beautiful rooms and suites overlooking the city. Surrounded by notable attractions like City Park - Launceston’s picturesque public gardens, the Tasmanian Design Centre, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Princess Theatre, and Boag’s Brewery. This is the perfect choice for exploring the many splendours of Northern Tasmania.
After our morning journey from Launceston, we arrive at the Bay of Fires, to be greeted by the azure blue waters, white sandy beaches and iconic orange lichen-covered granite boulders. Our lunch spot today is nestled in the dunes near Eddystone Point Lighthouse. We’ll have time to explore the lighthouse and its long-standing story before it's time to get our walking boots sandy as we trek far-stretching beaches that lead to the celebrated Bay of Fires Lodge. Afternoon tea, accompanied by a foot spa, will be waiting, along with additional spa treatments for those who want to indulge. Pre-bookings are best if you’re keen to sink into the outdoor tub or settle in for a luxurious few hours at the spa. Come evening, venture into the library or have your hosts deliver a cold drop to you on the back deck. Dinner is a Tasmanian long-table affair, featuring produce from the island matched with fine local beer and wine.
Your accommodation: The Bay of Fires Lodge
The Bay of Fires Lodge, nestled in 20km of coastal wilderness, offers an exclusive, eco-conscious retreat. This unique, solar-powered lodge provides comfort and connection to nature, with delicious local cuisine and fine Tasmanian wines. It’s ideal for guests seeking a truly immersive, low-impact experience in a stunning, culturally significant Aboriginal area.
Rise early to the native birds accompanying the dawn, waking to the aroma of a hot-cooked breakfast and freshly brewed coffee. If it's a sunny morning, breakfast on the deck can reward you with whale spotting and dolphins surfing the waves. Later in the morning, kayak down Ansons River and experience the riparian ecology of this winding waterway. Cross the bird-rich waters of Ansons Bay and conclude with a stroll over the dunes of Abbotsbury Peninsula back to the lodge. After dinner is when the native wildlife wander out – keep an eye out for wombats, wallabies, Forester kangaroos, possums or even a Tasmanian devil. Don’t forget to look up! The night sky from this pristine coastline is an awesome spectacle.
Approximately 6 hours kayaking/walking
Your accommodation: The Bay of Fires Lodge
The Bay of Fires Lodge, nestled in 20km of coastal wilderness, offers an exclusive, eco-conscious retreat. This unique, solar-powered lodge provides comfort and connection to nature, with delicious local cuisine and fine Tasmanian wines. It’s ideal for guests seeking a truly immersive, low-impact experience in a stunning, culturally significant Aboriginal area.
Following a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, there’s plenty of time for a morning swim or final spa treatment before we depart the lodge. Unlike our other walking, today we venture through eucalypt forests and coastal heathland, before taking a private bus to Easy Tiger for lunch and farewell drinks. We travel on to Launceston where you have the option of leaving us from Launceston Airport or Launceston CBD. We drop off at Launceston Airport at 5:30pm followed by Launceston CBD at 6pm, where we'll take you to your hotel's doorstep.
Approximately 1 hour walking
Your accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston
Enjoy the contemporary style of Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston whilst relaxing in beautiful rooms and suites overlooking the city. Surrounded by notable attractions like City Park - Launceston’s picturesque public gardens, the Tasmanian Design Centre, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Princess Theatre, and Boag’s Brewery. This is the perfect choice for exploring the many splendours of Northern Tasmania.
Choose a car to best suit your needs from our fantastic rental car range or ask our team for a suggestion. From compact economy to prestige SUVs. First time driving in Australia? Check out this helpful guide.
Travelling from Launceston to Little Beach Co. offers plenty of opportunities to explore Tasmania’s beautiful East Coast. Stop in Evandale to wander its historic streets or enjoy a coffee in St Marys beneath the dramatic backdrop of St Patricks Head. As you continue east, you'll pass the stunning beaches and lagoons of Chain of Lagoons, where white sand and crystal-clear waters provide the perfect photo stop before arriving at the tranquil beachfront setting of Little Beach Co. Retreat.
Your accommodation: Little Beach Co. Resort Villa Stay
Indulge in the Villas at Little Beach Co. Resort, where contemporary design meets coastal tranquility. Each villa features spacious living areas, private decks, and ocean or bush views. Perfect for families or couples, they offer a stylish, comfortable base to relax, explore Tasmania’s east coast, and unwind in serene luxury.Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 157 kms / 97 miles : 1.9 hours
Travelling from Little Beach Co Retreat to Piermont Retreat is a scenic journey along Tasmania’s stunning East Coast, passing beautiful beaches, coastal lookouts and charming seaside towns. Stop in Bicheno to visit the famous Blowhole and explore the picturesque coastline before continuing south towards Swansea, where sweeping views across Great Oyster Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula accompany you to Piermont Retreat.
Immerse yourself in the world of exceptional whisky with a full tour of Waubs Harbour Distillery. The journey begins in the Production Building, where you’ll sample ingredients and spirits at various stages of creation, offering an insider's view of our unique process. Next, explore the Bond Stores, home to the maturing barrels. The experience culminates in the ocean-view Tasting Room, where a guided session awaits. You will savour and appreciate recently released whiskies, discovering the distinct coastal influence that defines Waubs Harbour's signature flavour.
Your accommodation: Piermont Retreat
Piermont Retreat on Tasmania’s East Coast is a secluded luxury escape overlooking Great Oyster Bay. Set on 230 acres of pristine wilderness, it offers elegant stone cottages, a private beach, and gourmet dining at the Homestead Restaurant. Perfect for couples seeking serenity, romance, and an authentic Tasmanian experience.Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 81 kms / 51 miles : 1.1 hours
Wineglass Bay Cruises takes you along the stunning Freycinet coastline from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay. Admire the pink granite peaks of the Hazards, secluded beaches, sea caves, blowholes, and waterfalls, and spot wildlife on Schouten Island, including little penguins. Enjoy a rare water’s-eye view of Wineglass Bay’s white sands and turquoise waters while learning about Aboriginal heritage and early explorers. The adults-only Sky Lounge on Schouten Passage II offers a private deck, banquette seating, and access to the Captain’s bridge. Morning tea, lunch, and beverages, including local oysters, cheeses, and East Coast wines, are included.
Freycinet National Park is home to some of Tasmania's most spectacular walking trails, from short coastal strolls to rewarding full-day hikes. Explore iconic destinations such as Wineglass Bay, Hazards Beach, and Cape Tourville, where pink granite peaks, pristine beaches, and sweeping ocean views create unforgettable scenery. Keep an eye out for native wildlife, including wallabies, wombats, and seabirds along the way.
Your accommodation: Piermont Retreat
Piermont Retreat on Tasmania’s East Coast is a secluded luxury escape overlooking Great Oyster Bay. Set on 230 acres of pristine wilderness, it offers elegant stone cottages, a private beach, and gourmet dining at the Homestead Restaurant. Perfect for couples seeking serenity, romance, and an authentic Tasmanian experience.
The drive from Piermont Retreat to Port Arthur offers stunning East Coast scenery, with a stop at the historic Spiky Bridge before passing through the coastal towns of Triabunna and Orford. Along the way, enjoy beautiful beaches, ocean views, and rolling countryside before continuing to the dramatic landscapes of the Tasman Peninsula and the iconic Port Arthur Historic Site.
The Tasman Peninsula is renowned for its dramatic coastal formations, shaped by millions of years of wind and wave action. Discover natural wonders such as the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and the Blowhole, where towering sea cliffs and rugged coastlines showcase the raw power of Tasmania’s southern ocean.
The Port Arthur Historic Site is Australia's most intact and evocative convict site and one of Australia's great tourist attractions. Located on the Tasman Peninsula, the site has more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored period homes dating from the prison's establishment in 1830 until its closure in 1877. During this time around 12,500 convicts served sentences and for many, it was a living hell.
Your accommodation: Stewarts Bay Lodge
Stewarts Bay Lodge is nestled in Australia’s infamous Port Arthur Historic Site, 90 minutes from Hobart in the Tasman Peninsula, and offers a variety of self-contained cabin and chalet accommodation with a restaurant, function rooms and recreation facilities all surrounded by white-sand beaches and beautiful woodlands.Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 137 kms / 85 miles : 2.0 hours
Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Cape Hauy with Tours Tasmania, exploring one of Tasmania’s most spectacular coastal hikes in the Tasman National Park. Departing from Hobart or joining the tour from Port Arthur, travel through the rugged Tasman Peninsula before beginning the 9.4 km return Cape Hauy Track from Fortescue Bay. The trail winds through coastal heath, forest, and dramatic cliff-top scenery, offering breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean. At Cape Hauy, marvel at the towering dolerite sea stacks of the Candlestick and Totem Pole rising from the ocean below. After enjoying the spectacular views, return along the track before travelling back to Port Arthur.
Travel from Port Arthur to Hobart first passing through Eaglehawk Neck, where you can marvel at the dramatic coastal formations, and enjoy short coastal walks with panoramic views. Continue through Dunalley, a quaint village perched on the canal, perfect for a scenic pause to admire the forests and waterways. For a more scenic route, detour via Primrose Sands, where tranquil beaches and coastal landscapes provide a relaxing stop, or take the direct route via Copping to save time while still enjoying the countryside views. Sorell is an ideal stopping point for refreshments, a stretch, or a walk through the town’s streets before reaching your destination. Finally, arrive in Hobart, Tasmania’s vibrant capital, where you can explore the historic waterfront, browse Salamanca Place markets on Saturdays, or visit the city’s galleries, cafés, and cultural attractions.
Your accommodation: MACq 01 Hotel
Hobart’s waterfront breeze whispers tales of the Mouheneenner people, early European settlers, and bustling industries born on Hunter Island. MACq 01 Hotel now stands here, blending informal luxury with storytelling. Each corner shares the rich history of the remarkable characters who shaped Van Diemen's Land, making this a truly unique storytelling hotel.Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 91 kms / 57 miles : 1.3 hours
Framed by the River Derwent and the towering kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Hobart is where colonial history meets modern culture and natural beauty. Stroll along the waterfront, alive with fresh seafood, scenic cruises, and a vibrant atmosphere. Explore Salamanca Place, with its heritage buildings, art galleries, and the iconic Salamanca Market every Saturday. Art lovers will be drawn to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, famous for its provocative and diverse exhibits. Step back in time in Battery Point, wandering quiet lanes lined with historic cottages, or enjoy panoramic city views from the summit of Mount Wellington, just a 40-minute drive away. Nature enthusiasts can visit the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, home to themed gardens, tranquil ponds, and curated plant collections. Around Hobart, stargazing is spectacular, and with a little luck, you might even glimpse the elusive Southern Aurora dancing across the night sky.
MACq 01 offers a unique way to connect with Tasmania’s rich history through immersive storytelling experiences. From guided tours led by captivating storytellers to interactive encounters inspired by the island’s colourful characters, these experiences bring Tasmania’s past to life in an engaging and memorable way.
Experience Tasmania’s incredible wildlife like never before on the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Night Tour. This exclusive after-dark experience offers a unique opportunity to encounter native animals in their natural habitat as they come to life at night. Led by an expert guide, the tour takes you behind the scenes at the sanctuary, where you’ll get up-close with iconic Tasmanian wildlife. Hand-feed friendly kangaroos, observe playful wombats, and learn about the sanctuary’s rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Enjoy meeting the elusive Tasmanian devil and discovering the fascinating behaviours of other nocturnal creatures. The intimate group setting ensures a personalised and immersive experience, allowing you to connect with these remarkable animals while learning about their importance to Tasmania’s ecosystem.
Your accommodation: MACq 01 Hotel
Hobart’s waterfront breeze whispers tales of the Mouheneenner people, early European settlers, and bustling industries born on Hunter Island. MACq 01 Hotel now stands here, blending informal luxury with storytelling. Each corner shares the rich history of the remarkable characters who shaped Van Diemen's Land, making this a truly unique storytelling hotel.
Immerse yourself in a day of art, wine, and relaxation at MONA! Begin with a scenic ferry ride from Hobart before exploring the museum and its striking grounds at your own pace. Savour a guided tasting of Moorilla and Domaine A wines, followed by a leisurely three-course lunch paired with your favourite selections. Enjoy live music on the lawns and take in the unique atmosphere of MONA before returning to Hobart.
Your accommodation: MACq 01 Hotel
Hobart’s waterfront breeze whispers tales of the Mouheneenner people, early European settlers, and bustling industries born on Hunter Island. MACq 01 Hotel now stands here, blending informal luxury with storytelling. Each corner shares the rich history of the remarkable characters who shaped Van Diemen's Land, making this a truly unique storytelling hotel.
Explore more of Hobart before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.
Your tour comes to an end today, but if you are itching to explore more amazing sights throughout Australia, we can customize your holiday to include more days or additional destinations. Our trusted travel specialists can book transfers to your onward flight, and even assist in booking these flights for you. Our team can't wait to help you design your ultimate getaway!