Tasmania Nature Island

A magical first day in Tasmania will show you some of the islands most dramatic scenery in the last real wilderness area of the island. A light aircraft will take you to the South West National Park an area of 4600sqkm. At Melaleuca you will cruise pristine waterways and have a chance to find the rare orange-bellied parrot. Towards the end of the day you fly onward to Bruny Island and a private wildlife reserve where in the evening you can visit the penguin and sheerwater rookery with your guide.

Your guide for the next couple of days is Dr. Tonia Cochran or one of her colleagues. Tonia is a specialist in south-eastern Australian terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. She is an authority on the conservation of threatened species and eco-tourism and is a consultant to a number of projects. You will have a full day touring the island with her looking for Tasmania's endemic and endangered birds such as the forty-spotted pardalote and marsupials such as echidna. In the evening a search for nocturnal wildlife should give Tasmanian pademelons, eastern quolls, Bennett's wallabies and brush-tailed possums.

The following day is a morning eco-cruise showing some of the island's rugged eastern coast. There are fur seal haul-out points and the possibility of seeing dolphins, whales and albatross.

Leaving Hobart again your Tasmanian adventure continues with a guided and fully supported walk across Maria Island, a national park. Nights will be spent in simple but comfortable wilderness camps with delicious meals provided, the last night is in a historic home where a final night gourmet meal will be served. Daily distances are short and the emphasis is on the environment and the resident wildlife such as potoroos, wombats, kangaroos, possums and penguins with sea eagles soaring above. There are some pristine white sandy beaches to enjoy too making this a lovely walking experience.

Your next destination on Tasmania is the northeast. Based around Launceston you will again be in the hands of an expert guide who will show you some of the diverse national parks in the region and their flora and fauna. Of particular note are encounters with wombats, spotted quolls and with luck, platypus. An evening bush tucker dinner complimented by Tasmanian wines & beers will round out the day. 

Narawntapu has been described as a mini Serengeti, albeit on the beach. The wildlife here is diverse among the bush and dunes and evening or early morning walks are worthwhile. Heading inland you move high into to the hills along winding roads through forests to eventually climb to Cradle Mountain Lodge where you base yourself for nature walks or adventures in the area. Cradle Lake and the surrounding area is good for wombats and there is a Tasmanian Devil conservation project nearby too.

Finally you return to Launceston to depart for a night in Melbourne before the homeward journey.

October - April

Highlight species

	Bennett's wallabies
	Wombat
	Brush-tailed possum
	Pademelon
	Tasmanian Devil
	Forester kangaroo
	Good bird life

Cost from £

Please contact us for a cost for when you wish to travel.

Departure Dates

Any dates to your requirements

Difficulty

Generally easy wildlife holiday with some walks on uneven or steep ground. Steps may be encountered. 

Flights

No direct flights from the UK. Melbourne is the launch point for Hobart and Launceston

Time

GMT +10 hours

All other areas of Australia. This trip combines nicely with time in Tasmania and perhaps driving the Great Ocean Road.

More locally to Adelaide the hills and wine valleys are worthy of a visit. So to the Fleurieu Peninsula for more birds and nature.