Tasmania – Wildlife and Conservation with Wilderness Flight Safari

Travel with Australian Geographic for extraordinary experiences from a different perspective.

THIS COMPREHENSIVE, NINE-DAY wildlife and conservation tour beautifully illustrates just what a special place Tasmania is – its pristine natural environment is one of the best places to observe animals in their natural habitat. 

During the tour you’ll be treated to a goldmine of unique opportunities to learn about conservation efforts to save marine life, rare species of birds and other native Tasmanian animals. Combine this with spectacular wilderness, great food and the well-known and friendly hospitality of the locals, and you’re sure to collect golden memories that will last a lifetime

Day 1 - Arrival Hobart / Walking Tour
(domestic airfare not included) 

Recommended arrival is before noon, to make your own way to your accommodation in Hobart, before beginning your Tasmanian journey with a two-hour walking introduction along Hobart’s waterfront, the Salamanca area and Battery Point. Your guide will point out and explain the history of Hobart and why this city is what it is today. Later this afternoon return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. 

 Accommodation: Grand Chancellor Hotel 

Day 2 - Southwest National Park & orange-bellied parrots flight safari 

Breakfast at hotel. 

Today, we dive deep into Tasmania’s remote Southwest National Park, which makes up a third of the Tasmanian landmass. You’ll be transferred to Cambridge Aerodrome where you’ll board a small wing plane for an approximately 45-minute flight down to Melaleuca. Once landed on the coral sand-paved landing strip you’ll meet Mark Holdsworth, an ornithologist who specialises in the endangered orange-bellied parrot. Only about 80 breading pairs of this native Tasmanian bird are left. You’ll be taken on a boat ride towards Bathurst Harbour, walk in the bush and aim to spot these shy and rare birds as well as other animals in their natural habitat. Later in the afternoon you’ll enjoy a scenic flight back to Hobart followed by a transfer to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Grand Chancellor Hotel
Breakfast and picnic lunch provided

Day 3 Tasman Peninsula & seals in the wild

Breakfast at hotel

The Tasman Peninsula is one of Tasmania’s most visited destination. View the famous geological features of the peninsula as you explore the rugged coastline. In the afternoon, meet Damian and Susanne Buetow who operate Wild Ocean Tasmania, a family-run business focused on creating a deeper understanding and awareness for the marine life and its natural habitat. Join Damien and Susanne on their boat for a journey along the Tasman Peninsula replete with its sea caves, cliffs and abundance of marine life. You may even get into the water and meet the friendly New Zealand fur seals.
Return to Hobart later this afternoon.

Accommodation: Grand Chancellor Hotel
Breakfast and lunch 

Day 4 - Wine & Conservation 

Breakfast at the hotel

Travel to the historic village of Richmond where you can soak up the nostalgia of colonial times. After lunch at a local winery, taste some of the best wines Tasmania has to oer and learn all about the winemaking process. Later in the aernoon visit the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where passionate animal expert, Greg Irons, will explain its native animal conservation program, it's newly built animal hospital and its renowned sanctuary. Enjoy a barbecue dinner within the sanctuary and explore the many non-fenced animal enclosures on a guided tour. Return to Hobart around 9pm.

Accommodation: Grand Chancellor Hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided

Day 5 Hobart – Freycinet Peninsula
Breakfast at the hotel

Enjoy a scenic drive along Tasmania’s East Coast to the Freycinet Peninsula, with its exceptional beauty, pristine white sandy beaches and granite coastline. Walk the track up to world-famous Wineglass Bay Lookout for some stunning photo opportunities across Freycinet National Park. A shorter climbwalk around the lighthouse at Cape Tourville is also on offer.

Accommodation: Freycinet Lodge
Breakfast and lunch provided

Day 6 - Freycinet National Park – Cradle Mountain
Breakfast at the hotel
This morning, depart the beautiful east coast and continue your journey to the UNESCO heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park. We’ll stop in Latrobe to look for platypuses in their natural environment. This unique, semi-aquatic monotreme is a shy creature and some patience and luck are required to see it. Travel through lush, rolling, farming fields before reaching the alpine bush of the Cradle Valley. Enjoy an introduction to this captivating alpine environment before settling in at your accommodation for the night.

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Breakfast and lunch provided

Day 7 - Cradle Mountain National Park & Dove Lake
Breakfast at the hotel

Today you’ll be mesmerised by the beautiful alpine landscapes of Cradle Mountain, where in many places, dolerite cracked into vertical columns has resulted in spectacular sculpted mountains and cliffs. On a clear day the rugged grandeur of Cradle Mountain is reflected in the tranquil waters of Dove Lake, or you may experience the drama of its craggy peaks through swirling mist. Your guide will introduce you to the many endemic fauna and ora species of the region while enjoying spectacular views on your walk beneath the craggy peaks. Magical forests of pandani (the tallest heath plant in the world), sassafras, King Billy pines and the deciduous beech can be seen adjacent to wondrous glacial lakes. Birds such as forest ravens, black currawongs and wedge-tailed eagles are present in this area, while echidnas, platypus, spotted-tailed quoll and the eastern quoll may also be seen. At dusk, you have the option to join your guide on a night spotlighting tour or simply relax at your accommodation.

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Breakfast and lunch provided

Day 8 - Cradle Mountain – Launceston
Breakfast at the hotel

Depart the Cradle Valley and travel to Launceston, Tasmania’s second-largest city. Explore the scenic Cataract Gorge where the South Esk River snakes its way through sheer rocky cliffs. Evoke memories of the genteel Victorian era as you stroll in the landscaped gardens. In the afternoon you’ll be dropped at your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Peppers Seaport
Breakfast and lunch provided

Day 9 - Launceston – End of tour
Breakfast at the hotel

Tour finishes after breakfast. 

Extend your stay or make your own way to the airport.

Costs include the following services as per itinerary 

8 nights accommodation as per itinerary 

Local experienced Driver/Guide throughout days 1–8 

Southwest Wilderness flight excursion 

Boat tour Bathurst Harbour 

Tasman Island Coastal Cruise 

Entry to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary 

All National Park fees 

Sightseeing as per itinerary by private, air-conditioned charter vehicle

Meals as per itinerary, 8 x breakfast, 7 x lunch, 1 x dinner
Goods & Service Tax (GST)

Costs do not include
Domestic or international airfares
Pre-registration, late check-out or day use at hotels other than specified above
Guide services other than specified
Meals/beverages other than specified
Tips and gratuities
Optional tours/services
Travel insurance

COVID-19

Until further notice: from 1st October 2021 we will require that all participants on our tours must be fully vaccinated with a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved vaccine against Covid-19 with the final dose administered no later than two weeks prior to departure. See terms and conditions for more details.

We work on the highest standards and our first priority is the safety and health of our valued guests from all over the world. To ensure every employee of the operator follows the protocols in place, we conduct training on a regular basis and have procedures in place that follow the guidance of public health advice in Tasmania.