Tassie's Wilderness Icons

At the mouth of the River Derwent, Australia's southernmost city embraces its history, but has one eye firmly planted on the future. Put your destination into perspective from the summit of Mt. Nelson, offering a dreamy outlook over the Tassie capital on a tour of the city.

You only need to visit Salamanca Place, the backdrop of epic Saturday markets, to see how forward-thinking purveyors and curators have transformed heritage spaces into restaurants, cafes and galleries. Gaze over boats at Constitution Dock – this is where yachts finish when competing in the annual Sydney to Hobart race, and take a stroll in the second oldest Botanical Gardens in Australia with its amazing collection of plants from around the world.

Tonight, join your Travel Director for dinner. (D) Stay: Best Western Hobart

Not many people live in the West of Tasmania – even less visit. This is not for want of appeal. Mount Field National Park dials up the drama from the moment you arrive, delivering World Heritage-listed wilderness in the form of soaring eucalypts (some of the tallest on Earth) and thundering waterfalls. Russell Falls will take your breath away in more ways than one.

And just when you think nature couldn't get any more humbling, you arrive at Lake St. Clair, the deepest freshwater lake in Australia. It's one of numerous waterways breaking your path to Strahan, gateway to World Heritage-listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. (B/D) Stay: Strahan Village

The inky waters of the Gordon River – given its colour by amber buttongrass tannins – are as eery as they are beautiful, the mirror-like surface only broken by your chariot out to Sarah Island. It's hard to reconcile the beauty of this part of the state with its grim history as a penal colony; a place where convicts would fell Huon pines for boat building. Thankfully, they didn't get to the 2,000-year-old pine that still stands proud at Heritage Landing.

Early settlers didn't mince their words when they called the treacherous entrance to the river's harbour Hells Gates. You'll understand why when you drift past. Cradle Mountain awaits to the north. We're sure you'll be content by the fire perhaps with a glass of wine. (B/L/D) Stay: Cradle Mountain Hotel

Today your journey reaches new heights – quite literally with a visit to the 1,545-metre Cradle Mountain, your backdrop as you explore Dove Lake on your Cradle Mountain tour, the wild alpine moorlands here a natural magnet for lovers of the wilderness. The spectacular and pristine wilderness of Cradle Mountain is home to the mysterious and secretive Tasmanian Devil.

You'll love the next adventure today with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. A Day Keeper tour at Devils @ Cradle will lead you through the sanctuary and provide you with a thorough insight into its operation. When joining this tour you will be directly supporting these animals and threatened species conservation.

Leave the Central Highlands this afternoon, and head towards the scenic north-west coast for your overnight stay. (B/L) Stay: Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn

Table Cape is by far Wynyard's most remarkable natural wonder, at 180 metres high, 'The Cape' - as locals refer to it - offers spectacular views of Tasmania's coastline.

As you drive to the top of the remains of a 12-million-year-old volcano you'll reach Table Cape lookout where, on a clear day, you can see mountain ranges over 175 kilometres away. If there's a town with a cuter name than Penguin, we're yet to find it. Locals embrace its appeal – there are penguin sculptures at every turn, including one measuring over 3 metres tall.

Your journey along the northwest coast also passes through Ulverstone and Sheffield, The Town of Murals, boasting over 100 large paintings depicting the area's rich history and local characters. All this exploring builds an appetite.

Refuel at Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm, where happy cows contribute to award-winning cheeses – everything from cheddar and red Leicester to creamy Tasmanian blue. For lovers of sweeter delights, why not treat yourself to a delicious locally made ice cream (own expense). (B) Stay: Best Western Plus Launceston

There are few places in the world where you can leave the city behind and within minutes be surrounded by nature. Launceston is one. Blink and you're at Cataract Gorge, a yawning chasm carved by ancient rivers. This rare natural phenomenon unites bushland with neat Victorian gardens, replete with ferns and exotic plants. Get a different perspective of the green cavern on the optional scenic chairlift, zipping you over the water to a lofty lookout.

Later, you may wish to board a cruise to experience the cliff faces by river on an optional tour (both own expense), or simply spend the afternoon exploring this historic port city. How you end your Tasmania tour is completely up to you. (B)