8 Day Ultimate Tasmania Wildlife Family Itinerary

Welcome to Launceston.

One of Australia's oldest cities: charm-filled Launceston is a boutique riverside town with Colonial and Victorian heritage buildings in abundance.

Located at the head of the picturesque Tamar Valley, Launceston's beautiful attractions include the spectacular Cataract Gorge Reserve and beautiful parks & gardens.

Settle in with a stroll along the waterfront, perhaps head out to the Tamar Valley region for a taste of Tasmania’s fine wines or take a short walk to the wild and beautiful Cataract Gorge, just 15 minutes from town.

Accommodation: Launceston - 2 Nights

Nestled on the water in the beautiful Tamar Valley, Platypus House offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch live Tasmanian Platypuses and Echidnas in daylight conditions and undercover! Wet and cold days are not a problem!

Tasmanian Platypuses and Echidnas are unique and simply amazing. Both are must-see animals that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Join us on an unforgettable fun and educational tour suitable for all ages and watch them actively feeding and playing as you wander through the platypus ponds and echidna garden. Platypus House was established to advance public awareness and understanding about the magic of monotremes. It is an ideal educational visit for school, family and community group visits.

Enjoy a great coffee from the takeaway café overlooking the Tamar River 

Pick up your rental car and head for Bicheno, one of the East Coast’s best-loved holiday destinations. Even the locals choose to holiday here!

Bicheno

Blessed with the mildest climate in Tasmania, seaside Bicheno is the perfect place for relaxing foreshore walks, beachcombing and fishing. With great cafes, shops and luscious local produce, this friendly little town is the ideal base from which to explore the East Coast.

Bicheno Penguin Tour

At night begins to fall, see Little Blue Penguins return to their burrows on a twilight guided penguin tour. This is a rare and thrilling chance to get very close to the world's smallest penguins in a private rookery. Watch as they emerge from the ocean after a hard day of fishing and head home for the night.

Accommodation: Bicheno - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 164 km | 102 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 9 mins

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park, with its stunning pink granite peaks, is located on Tasmania's east coast. At Wineglass Bay the pink granite mountains form the backdrop for secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife, and walking trails.

Freycinet Sea Kayak Tour 

On this relaxed guided tour of the Freycinet coastline, you’ll glide beneath pink mountains, past pristine beaches and across waters so clear you feel you can touch the marine life below. Discover Freycinet’s abundant wildlife as you weave along the coastline. While you paddle, your local guides will share little-known stories of the area. Refreshments are provided halfway through the tour - you'll pause at a secluded sandy beach for a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a tasty snack.

• All equipment supplied
• Perfect for a family with children

Follow the East Coast Drive's gentle curves through wine country, beach towns and forests as you journey from Bicheno to Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula. Be sure to visit Kate's Berry Farm en route for delicious freshly picked berries, jams and ice cream!

See the Devils at the UnZoo..

Instead of exhibiting animals in traditional enclosures for the benefit of humans, an Unzoo invites us into natural habitats in which cages or barriers are removed or concealed and wild, as well as resident animals, are encouraged to interact with the environment. Wildlife without cages, that's the aim so this is a unique opportunity for you to discover the wild animals and plants of Tasmania when you head into the forest with an expert guide. Come face to face with our famous Tasmanian devils, hand feed wild rosellas and friendly kangaroos, join our birds of the bush and look for wild sea eagles at our waterfront lookout.

Accommodation: Port Arthur - 1 Night

Approximate Distance: 204 km | 127 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 1 min

The Tasman Peninsula boasts some of Tasmania’s most remote and dramatic coastal scenery. Take to the waves on a Wilderness Cruise this morning and see the spectacular peninsula at its best.

Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise

Cruise between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck with unrivalled views over the rugged shoreline. With Australia’s highest sea cliffs as looming over you, you'll discover waterfalls, rock formations, archways and sea caves along the shore. At any time of year, you're likely to see the feeding frenzy of diving gannets, albatross and sea eagles, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons, or a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow wave of the boat.

On to Hobart

Travel onwards to Hobart via historic Richmond Village where you can walk across Australia’s oldest bridge still in use — a convict built, sand-stone bridge, reported to be haunted!

Tasmania's capital city, Hobart is a harbour town with heritage charm and a modern lifestyle. Nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Wellington, this lovely city is known for its dynamic art and gourmet food scenes.

Accommodation: Hobart - 2 Nights

Approximate Distance: 100 km | 62 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 29 mins

Spend the day exploring beautiful Hobart at your leisure.

Explore Hobart

From the bustling waterfront of Salamanca Place to the historic houses of quaint Battery Point, Hobart is a gorgeous place to wander and get lost in.

For those with energy to burn, take a bus to the summit of Mount Wellington for panoramic views over the city of Hobart, Bruny Island, and the Tasman Peninsula. Then hike back into town via the historic Cascade Brewery, rewarding your efforts with a few tastings!

Board a ferry at Brooke Street Pier and sail upstream to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). No ordinary museum, MONA's main building has been cut deep into the sandstone cliffs, and has its own vineyards and brewery on-site! Even if museums aren't your thing, this one is absolutely unmissable.

Hobart has fast become one of Australia's top gourmet hotspots, thanks to its amazing local produce. For a real foodie treat, take a day trip to pretty Bruny Island where artisan cheeses, freshly shucked oysters, juicy berries, and smoked local meats can be enjoyed with coastal views to die for.

Say farewell to Hobart today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your 8 Day Ultimate Tasmania Wildlife Family Itinerary. 

We hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.