Tasmania: Wilderness and Wildlife Guided 6-Day Tour

Tasmania rewards travelers who keep moving. This six-day circuit packs the island’s finest wilderness into one well-planned route, from Russell Falls and Cradle Mountain to the Bay of Fires and Freycinet National Park. I especially like the daily choice of walks, which lets you match the hike to your energy, and the chance to see Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, and kangaroos at Bonorong. The main tradeoff is the pace: you cover a lot of ground, and the older bus may feel less comfortable on long travel days.

The tour also solves Tasmania’s biggest practical problem: seeing the island without renting a car. Guides such as Phil, Keygan, Brendan, Hayden, and Garreth have brought local stories, food tips, and strong knowledge of the walking tracks. You should be ready for short walks every day, changing weather, and simple accommodation rather than a polished resort stay.

Six details that shape the experience

• A full-island route: Travel from Hobart through the western rainforests, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, the Bay of Fires, Freycinet, and back to Hobart.
• Flexible walking each day: Choose easier paths such as Russell Falls or tougher options such as Marion’s Lookout and Mount Amos.
• Wildlife with real variety: Look for wombats at Ronny Creek, wallabies at Cataract Gorge, penguins at Bicheno, and Tasmanian devils at Bonorong.
• Five nights on the road: Stay in Strahan, Launceston, Bicheno, and Hobart, with hostel and motel choices.
• National Park access included: Entrance fees and guided walks are covered, which helps keep the $831 price in perspective.
• One optional extra: The Gordon River cruise is not included, so budget separately if you want to add it.

Hobart to Strahan, Tasmania’s wild western start

The first day gives you a strong taste of western Tasmania. Leaving Hobart, you head toward Mount Field National Park, where a short walk leads to Russell Falls. The trail is 1.4 kilometers return and takes about 25 minutes, with a flat, even surface and no steep sections. It is a good opening walk, especially if you are still settling into the group.

Mount Field also gives you a chance to walk among some of the world’s tallest trees. The forest feels very different from Tasmania’s beaches later in the week, and this early contrast helps explain why the island appeals to people who want several kinds of scenery in one trip.

Next comes Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. The stop is less about a single attraction and more about the scale of the setting, with water, mountains, and open space providing a change from the enclosed forest tracks.

The route continues through Franklin-Gordon National Park. Expect rainforest, rivers, and mountain views from the bus, with selected walks along the way. You then pass through Queenstown, an old mining town with a stark appearance shaped by its industrial past, before reaching Strahan on the harbor.

This is a long day with several stops, so do not expect extended time at every place. The reward is range: waterfalls in the morning, a major lake after that, rainforest later, and a historic mining town before dinner.

Strahan’s sand dunes, rainforest, and Ocean Beach

The second day stays on Tasmania’s remote western side. The Henty Sand Dunes are the big visual surprise. Their immense slopes feel out of place beside the rainforest and coast, which makes the walk especially memorable.

You also take a guided nature walk in ancient rainforest. This is where a good guide adds real value. The best guides on this tour do more than point at scenery. Phil, for example, was praised for local stories and practical suggestions about cafés and ice cream stops, while other guides were valued for explaining plants, animals, rock formations, and the island’s past.

You have a choice between continuing the land-based program or paying extra for a Gordon River cruise. The cruise is optional and at your own expense. If you choose it, confirm the added cost before departure. If you skip it, the included walks still give you a solid day in the region.

At Ocean Beach, the point is the sheer openness of the coast and the quality of the air. Bring a jacket, even if Hobart felt mild. Western Tasmania can feel cool and exposed, and weather can change quickly.

Two nights in Strahan make sense. This is not a place you can understand with a quick roadside photo, and the overnight stay keeps the schedule from becoming a single exhausting push through the west.

Cradle Mountain and the walk that fits your legs

Day three brings you to Cradle Mountain National Park, one of the tour’s major highlights. The park is part of a World Heritage-listed area, with glacially shaped mountains and alpine lakes providing a clear change from the rainforest around Strahan.

The walking choice is important. The Dove Lake Circuit takes around two to three hours and covers six kilometers. It includes short climbs, rough surfaces, and many steps, so good mobility and sturdy hiking shoes matter. It is still considered moderate rather than extreme, but wet or uneven ground can make it feel harder.

Marion’s Lookout is the more demanding option. Choose it if you want a higher viewpoint and are comfortable with a steeper walk. If your legs are tired from the previous two days, the easier route is not a failure. The tour works best when you use the flexibility instead of trying to prove something.

Ronny Creek is a good place to look for wombats. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the stop adds a pleasant sense of possibility to the walking day. Pack water, sunscreen, warm clothing, and a rain jacket. The weather in an alpine park may not match the conditions at your hotel that morning.

After leaving the park, you stop in Sheffield, known as the Town of Murals, before continuing to Launceston. This gives the day a lighter cultural stop after the mountain walking. You arrive in Launceston after a full day, so plan on a simple evening rather than a late night out.

Launceston to Bicheno, with wallabies and fire-colored beaches

Cataract Gorge is Launceston’s key morning stop. The gorge offers walking and a chance to look for local wallabies. It is an easy way to see a natural site without committing to another major hike after Cradle Mountain.

From there, the route heads east. St Helens provides a lunch stop before the group reaches the Bay of Fires. The beaches here are known for white sand and clear coastal views, while the rocks add color and texture along the shore. Pack swimwear and a towel if you want the option of getting into the water, though the itinerary does not promise a swimming stop.

The Bay of Fires is one of the tour’s strongest coastal sections because you get time to walk rather than simply photograph the view from a bus window. Comfortable shoes are essential, and a sun hat and sunscreen are useful even on a cool day.

The night is spent in Bicheno, a fishing village where penguins may be seen coming out of the sea. The wording matters: sightings are possible, not guaranteed. Keep expectations sensible and enjoy the coastal setting even if wildlife stays hidden.

This is another active day, but the walking is broken into manageable sections. You will still spend time on the road, a tradeoff built into any tour that connects western and eastern Tasmania in less than a week.

Freycinet, Wineglass Bay, and the return to Hobart

Freycinet National Park receives much of its fame from Wineglass Bay, and the tour gives you several ways to experience it. The park includes beaches, coves, forest, granite mountains, and lookouts, so the day has more depth than a single scenic viewpoint.

Honeymoon Bay offers views toward the pink granite Hazards mountain range. The water and rock colors can make this one of the prettiest short stops on the route, especially for anyone who prefers a quiet cove to a crowded lookout.

You can choose the challenging climb to Mount Amos, or walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout and continue down toward the beach. The Mount Amos option requires stronger fitness and confidence on a steeper track. The lookout and beach walk is still rewarding, and it gives you the classic curved white-sand view without forcing you into the hardest choice.

Cape Tourville adds another viewpoint before the group begins the drive back to Hobart along the Great Eastern Drive. This final road section gives you more ocean and mountain scenery, but it also makes day five long. If you want to appreciate the coast rather than sleep through it, keep the previous evening quiet.

You overnight in Hobart, which gives you a more comfortable base before the final day. Accommodation is simple but flexible: motel rooms have private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, while hostel choices include same-gender dorms or private rooms with shared same-gender bathrooms. Twin and double options require at least two people.

Bonorong and kunanyi, a fitting final day

The last day combines wildlife, colonial architecture, and a final mountain outing. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is the most structured wildlife experience on the tour. You may see quolls, birds, wombats, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils, and the entry fee is included.

The sanctuary is valuable because wildlife sightings in the national parks can be brief or uncertain. At Bonorong, you have a much better chance to see several native species in one visit, with a sanctuary staff member providing a special tour according to the experience details.

Richmond provides a change of pace. Its colonial village setting works well after the sanctuary, and the Coal River Valley route back toward Hobart adds rural scenery without requiring another long hike.

The final stop is Wellington Park, known locally as The Mountain and by its palawa name, kunanyi. Your guide introduces features such as fern glades, eucalyptus forests, rock columns, and boulder fields. Walking tracks lead to lookouts, so the finish is active but not simply a farewell from the bus.

The final day may feel less dramatic than Cradle Mountain or Freycinet, but it is useful. You finish with wildlife, local history, and a mountain setting close to Hobart, rather than ending after a rushed transfer.

What the $831 price really covers

At $831 per person, the tour is not a budget bus ride, but it covers five nights of accommodation, National Park entry fees, Bonorong admission, transport from selected central Hobart locations, commentary, and guided walks.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan for meals, snacks, and water each day. You can bring up to 20 kilograms of luggage, stored in a trailer while traveling, but a smaller soft bag is easier to manage in shared accommodation.

The value is strongest if you do not have a car. Renting one in Tasmania brings extra work: driving long distances, planning routes, paying for fuel, arranging accommodation, and deciding which walks fit each day. This tour handles the broad route and gives you a guide who can adjust walking options.

The value is weaker if you want long stays in one place, fine dining, or complete control over your schedule. You will cover substantial distances and follow a fixed six-day plan. The bus has been described as serviceable but somewhat old, so do not book this expecting luxury transport.

Walking standards, accommodation, and what to pack

This is an active tour, though every walk is optional. Most walks are easy to moderate, and people with moderate fitness and good mobility should be able to get the most from the program.

Bring hiking shoes, comfortable everyday shoes, warm layers, long pants, a waterproof jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, a reusable water bottle, and a towel. Swimwear is worth packing because the route includes several beaches, even though swimming is not promised.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments. Rough tracks, stairs, hills, and repeated days of walking are part of the experience.

Guide quality is one of the tour’s biggest strengths. Phil brought local food suggestions and stories. Keygan helped connect wildlife, scenery, and Tasmanian history. Brendan was praised for his walking knowledge and enthusiasm, while Hayden was noted for patience, organization, and competence. Guide changes can happen, as one group experienced when Garreth replaced Brendan for the final day, but both guides were regarded positively.

Free cancellation is available up to 14 days before departure for a full refund. Pickup is available from selected central Hobart hotels and hostels, not private residences or Airbnbs. If you stay outside the pickup area, the operator can provide a nearby meeting point.

Who should book this Tasmania tour?

You should book it if you want to see Tasmania’s major natural areas without driving, enjoy regular walking, and like having a guide explain what you are seeing. It suits solo travelers and people who enjoy meeting an international group, while private group arrangements are also available.

You should think twice if you need accessible paths, dislike changing hotels, want guaranteed wildlife sightings, or prefer slow mornings and long free afternoons. This is a road-and-walking tour, not a relaxing resort holiday.

For most visitors with six days and no rental car, the plan is strong. You get western wilderness, alpine mountains, two major coastal parks, wildlife, and Hobart-area history for one fixed price. Pack for changing weather, choose your walks honestly, and accept the older bus and simple lodging as the price of seeing so much island in one week.

FAQ

How long is the Tasmania Wilderness and Wildlife Guided Tour?

The tour lasts six days and includes five nights of accommodation.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins in Hobart and returns to Hobart at the end of the sixth day.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from selected centrally located hotels and hostels in Hobart. It is not available from Airbnbs or private residences.

What accommodation choices are available?

You can choose hostel or motel accommodation. Motels offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Hostel choices include same-gender dorms or private single, twin, and double rooms with shared same-gender bathrooms.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to budget for meals, snacks, and beverages.

Is the Gordon River cruise included?

No. The Gordon River cruise is optional and must be paid for separately.

Are National Park entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees to the National Parks are included, as is entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

How difficult are the walks?

The tour includes short easy walks and moderate options. Russell Falls is a 25-minute, 1.4-kilometer return walk on a flat surface. The Dove Lake Circuit takes about two to three hours, covers six kilometers, and includes rough surfaces, short hills, and many steps.

Can I choose not to join a walk?

Yes. All walks are optional, and you can choose an option that matches your fitness and energy.

How much luggage can I bring?

You can bring up to 20 kilograms of luggage, which is stored in a trailer during travel days.