The Tarkine And Cradle Mountain – 5 Days

This holiday commences in Launceston at 8.00am. From here we will travel through Burnie on our way to the Tarkine. Half of this region is rainforest, with the remainder being eucalypt forest, heathland, button grass and rivers. The Tarkine, reputed to produce some of the world’s freshest air, is so vastly inaccessible it takes a solid walk before you find the pure Sassafras rainforest, tree ferns and Myrtle trees, some which are over half-a-millennia old. We’ll enjoy lunch amidst some of Tasmania’s oldest forest environments before undertaking the last of the Tarkine walks for day one. This time we’re walking at the beautiful Philosophers Falls amidst the stunning towering Myrtle and Sassafras.

Walking: Easy / 4 km / 2 hrs

Meals: Lunch and two course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: Corinna Wilderness Lodge in a private room but shared cabin and bathroom

Today we will get truly in tune with our surroundings as we set off following the narrow Whyte River forest track as it meanders beside the Pieman and Whyte Rivers. If we’re lucky we may even encounter a platypus out feeding in the river. Next, it’s on to the Mt Donaldson walk. The ascent should take us right up to lunch which will be enjoyed at the summit whilst taking in a spectacular view into the heart of the Tarkine. We will make our way back down to explore another of the Tarkine walks, a section of giant Myrtle trees along the banks of the Savage River. You will feel as though you’re wandering around on the set of ‘Lord of the Rings’ on these Tarkine wilderness walks.

Walking: Moderate / 16 km / 6-7 hrs / easier 10 km option available

Meals: Provisions for a cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and two course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: Corinna Wilderness Lodge in a private room but shared cabin and bathroom

This morning we will take the historic Huon Pine Launch, Arcadia II, from Corinna down the Pieman River to the Pieman Heads, the last of our tarkine wilderness walks. The skipper will give very interesting commentary covering the history of Huon Pine harvesting, mining and thylacine before we disembark at the heads. The walking today is along the coast on beach and dunes. We will be treated to coastal flora and much evidence of indigenous middens.

Walking: Easy to Moderate / 10-12 km / 4-5 hrs

Meals: Provisions for a cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and two course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: Corinna Wilderness Lodge in a private room but shared cabin and bathroom

This morning, we will board the Fatman Barge to cross the mighty Pieman River as we make our way to Cradle Mountain National Park. Arriving mid-morning, we will head straight to our first walk, a combination of our favourite tracks, including the Dove Lake circuit. We also conquer Hanson’s Peak and Marion’s Lookout. This park also provides a rich habitat for wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, pademelons, wombats and several bird species – so be on the lookout

Walking: Moderate / 8 km / 3-5 hrs / shorter option available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and two course a la carte dinner at the resort restaurant

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel in an ensuite room

We start our final day in the Cradle Valley on a simply stunning three-hour walk into Dove Canyon. This encapsulates the variety of landscapes you would expect to find in the Tasmanian sub-alpine environment. Rest assured, there will be shorter and less strenuous walk options available today. We will leave Cradle Mountain around midday to make our way back to Launceston, stopping en route for lunch. Expect to get back to Launceston at approximately 4.30pm.

Walking: Moderate to Hard / 6 km / 3 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast and a walkers lunch