Walk Bruny Island & the Tasmanian South Coast

Welcome to Tasmania! Be ready nice and early at 7. 45 am to meet up with your group and local leader. At 8 am, head on a half-hour drive to Kettering, where you’ll jump on a barge with your private vehicle and make the journey over to Bruny Island. Depending on how busy this crossing is, you should be on the island – ready for the first walk – mid morning. Once arrived, lace up your walking shoes because it’s time to go exploring! Begin your adventures on the Cape Queen Elizabeth Walk – hugging the coastline and peering across to scrubby headlands and white sand beaches. You’ll have time to snap some panorama shots along the way, so have your camera handy. After a leisurely 5 hours walking, take a short drive of less than an hour to your accommodation for the evening. Once you’ve freshened up, join your group for an included welcome dinner at the Hotel Bruny pub around 7 pm. Keep the introductions going over a drink – or two! (D)

After breakfast, take a 45-minute drive to the start of East Cloudy Head Track in the South Bruny National Park. The first few kilometres are along the white sands of Cloudy Bay Beach. Depending on the time of year, you may witness nesting shorebirds laying their eggs, or the eggs dotted along the soft sands, so stick to the wet sands so as not to disturb the nesting. Follow the beach south and turn inland along Imlays Creek, where you’ll follow an old 4WD track uphill and down dale for another few kilometres. On arrival at Cloudy Head, marvel at the views along Bruny Island’s south coast and out to The Friars rocks at sea. On a clear day, you might even be able to spot Kunanyi (Mt Wellington) and the southern ranges! Enjoy a pre-prepared lunch up here that you carried in your daypack, perhaps spotting some birdlife that call this area home. After lunch, head on a Cape Bruny Lighthouse tour – an 1830s heritage-listed lighthouse that sits over 100m high above the rugged cliff tops of the island. Local Bruny Island residents are passionate about showing travellers around the lighthouse, and they’ll guide you through the structure, as well as fill you in on the history. Head back to your accommodation at around 5.30 pm, then it’s off to the pub again! With not a whole lot around, it makes for an easy choice. (B/L)

Stock up on breakfast, then hit the trails again – this time to the Fluted Capes Loop Walk. Head to the surprisingly calm Adventure Bay and get trekking towards some vantage points with amazing coastal views. It may be a bit freaky for those a bit nervous about heights, but your guide will be on hand to keep you to the well-marked trails and away from any danger. The trade off with sheer cliffs and narrow track edges are the vistas you’ll see – simply incredible. It is quite an uphill gradient, and lunch will be out on the trail or at the end, depending on your pace. After lunch, head back to the mainland and take a 2. 5-hour drive to the town of Dover. This afternoon is a scenic route, so be sure to have your favourite playlist downloaded. Check in, freshen up, then join your guide for an included dinner at a local restaurant in town. They know all the good places to go. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it’s time to walk! Today, you and your small group will be heading along the South Cape Bay Beach track towards the wild southern coastline of Tasmania. Skirt along Cockle Creek, passing the renowned walker’s registration box, then work your way over Moulders Hill’s gentle rocky slopes for the next few kilometres. Pass through marshland, over some gentle hills, until you reach it – the rugged cliff tops surrounding South Cape Bay. Eerily scenic, this section of the trail is such a contrast to the forested trails you’ve been walking through this morning. Peer out towards South Cape, Lion Rock and the turbulent oceans below. This is the true south of Australia. Return back via the same route, head back to your accommodation, then once again join your travel crew out to dinner. Your local guide will have a couple of great options up their sleeve. (B/L)

Keep the action going today with a change of scenery and activity. Depart Dover and head towards the Picton River, where you will jump on the water in a raft or kayak and battle some of the rapids downstream. Work together to paddle, drift and splash down the river and pass by landmarks such as The Gorge, Top Bridge, and great stretches of Huon Pine and Eucalyptus Regnans forests. Stop for some snacks along the way, and for a breather too! Head back towards Tahune and join the acclaimed Tahune Airwalk for an elevated walking experience. These suspended walkways sit around 30 metres above the forest floor, and to access the Airwalk, you’ll climb around 100 steps. Continue to the final section overlooking the Huon Valley, sitting at a height of 50 metres. Some of the views towards the Huon River, Picton and beyond are simply stunning. Afterwards, drive back to Hobart, check in to your hotel and relax. Your leader will have worked out some options for an included dinner tonight to celebrate a wonderful adventure around Tasmania’s South Coast. Cheers to you! (D)

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the group at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! There is so much to explore in and around Hobart, including the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), the Salamanca district and the mighty Mt Wellington. (B)