Have you always dreamed of doing a multi-day walk through Tasmania’s coastal wilderness, but have never been quite ready to surrender all your creature comforts? Well, don’t worry, you don’t need to give them up.
The pure white beaches, vivid orange boulders, emerald seas and rich forests of the Bay of Fires on the barely touched north-east coast of Tasmania, for example, can be reached without lugging big bags for the entirety of the trek.
Walking specialist Life’s An Adventure offer a variety of three-day guided tours on which they will carry your overnight bag, set up your tent (or provide quality accommodation).
In fact, all you have to carry each day is your water, lunch, snacks, camera and raincoat.
And the best part? At the end of the day, scrumptious meals made from 100 per cent Tasmanian food (sourced from local producers where possible) will be waiting for you, coupled with wonderful Apple Isle wine.
There are even hot showers and foot baths to help you relax after an adventurous day.
Changed your mind about wilderness walks?
Here are five stunning, three-day walk options:
Bruny Island: Stay at 43 Degrees eco accommodation (as opposed to camping like some operators), while you take advantage of Bruny’s rich foodie heritage.
Three Capes: After a day of cliff-hugging wilderness walking (on the Tasman Peninsula), rest your weary head at Stewarts Bay Lodge and dine at the in-house restaurant.
Freycinet National Park: You won’t forget your first time hiking around the sparklingly beautiful Wineglass Bay and you can relive it over and over from the comfort of Freycinet Lodge in the evening.
Bay of Fires: A wonderfully remote coastal walk during the day, come the evening you can indulge in Ninth Island wines and cheeses at the waterfront beach shack on beautiful Ansons Bay.
Maria Island: Spend one of the nights at the World Heritage-listed Darlington Probation Station, a former convict penitentiary built in the 1830s, and dine under the stars. Here you’ll ready yourself for the unparalleled views from the 620-metre high Bishop & Clerk.
Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.
Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.
Cosy up at Cradle Mountain
Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.
As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.
Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.
Finding the flavours of Freycinet
Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.
As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.
By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.
Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.
Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point
Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.
Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.
Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.
Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.
Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.
Slow down in Strahan Village
Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.
As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.
Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway . Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.
Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.
Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.
Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.
The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.
