Cradle to Coast Luxury Adventure (Walk, Cycle, Kayak) 8D7N, Self-Drive

Arrive into Launceston Airport, your gateway to beautiful Tasmania. Pick up your hire car and make your way to your accommodation for the evening, Peppers Silo Hotel. Dating back to the 1960’s, this heritage grain silo cum hotel is an iconic landmark and unique place from which to explore the city.

One of Australia’s oldest cities, Launceston is a charm-filled place with Colonial and Victorian heritage buildings in abundance. Take the short walk into the city centre and immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural heritage and enjoy a flourishing food and wine scene. Amid a backdrop of Georgian streetscapes, feast on Tasmanian specialties including freshly shucked oysters, Tasmanian-grown Atlantic Salmon, wild abalone, black truffles and more. The CBD is packed with restaurants to impress even the most seasoned gastronome!

Driving Information: Peppers Silo Launceston to Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge 143km/89mi | 2hrs

Walking information: 6km/4mi | 2-3 hours | Grade 2: Easy

Hit the road and head west into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area towards Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Taking approximately 2 hours, the drive will take you deep into a timeless realm of pines, glacial lakes and rugged mountains.

In the afternoon, set out on one of Tasmania’s 60 best walks, the Dove Lake Circuit Walk. A local guide will accompany you on this easy 2-3-hour circuit, which follows the circumference of the lake and takes you beneath the craggy spires of the indomitable Cradle Mountain. The circuit is boardwalk for much of the way, making it the ideal first hike of your holiday.

You’ll stay the next two nights at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. Situated right on the edge of the national park overlooking ancient forest, the lodge has everything you need for a cosy stay: two high-quality restaurants, an award-winning spa and a roaring lodge fireplace.

Walking information: 11km/7mi | 6hrs | Grade 4: Moderate - Hard

Lace up your boots for a full day of hiking the Crater Peak Circuit.

Starting from Ronnie Creek, follow your local guide up the stone steps of the Horse Track to the historic Kitchen Hut. Built from shingles and stone and situated beneath the majestic backdrop of Cradle Mountain, Kitchen Hut is the first hut encountered by walkers on the Overland Track heading north to south.

Continue onwards and upwards to Marion’s Lookout. Perched on the edge of a high glacier carved plateau, Marion’s Lookout rewards keen hikers with spectacular views over snow-capped mountain peaks and lakes. Treat yourself to a picnic lunch as you look out over the national park below.

Leaving Marion’s Lookout, you have a short but steep climb down. Once the trail evens out, enjoy a scenic walk to the last stop of the day, Crater Lake. The deep blue colour of the lake reflects the clouds and peaks, making for an incredible photo op.

In the evening, treat yourself to a well-deserved 3-course meal at the lodge’s Highland Restaurant.

Driving information: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge to Pumphouse Point 202km/126mi | 3hrs

Walking information: 8km/5mi | 3-3.5hrs | Grade 3: Moderate

Start your day with a half-day hike: the beautiful Crater Lake Circuit.

Starting once again from Ronnie Creek, follow your local guide along the boardwalk and over the bridge into dense, wet rainforest. From here, the track climbs up the side of Crater Creek to the moss-covered rockpools and waterfalls of Crater Falls.

After admiring the falls, continue the rest of the way to Crater Lake, with its dark waters and steep walls carved by glacial ice. There is an old boathouse at the north end of the lake that makes for a great photo op.

Continue on the path alongside the lake and climb the saddle between Marion’s Lookout and Wombat Peak. From here, turn down onto Wombat Track, which will take you past Wombat Pool and Lake Lilla back to where you started.

With the best of Cradle Mountain’s hikes complete, it is time to venture on to Lake St Clair and your accommodation for the next two nights, Pumphouse Point. After checking in, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the glacial lake and century-old myrtle forests at your leisure by boat or e-bike.

In the evening, enjoy an included shared-table dinner featuring 3-course set menu – nourishing soups, roasted and braised meats, fresh vegetables, and decadent desserts.

Walking information: Echo Point Walk: 10km/6mi | 3hrs (one way) | Grade 3: Moderate
Shadow Lake Circuit: 11km/7mi | 4-5hrs | Grade: 3: Moderate
Little Hugel Walk: 18km/11mi | 6hrs | Grade 3: Moderate
Mt Rufus Walk: 18km/11mi | 7hrs | Grade 4: Moderate – Difficult

Pumphouse Point is surrounded by over 100-kilometres (62mi) of impressive walks ranging from leisurely strolls to all day adventures, so pick up a map from reception, pack a picnic and prepare to go further into the wilderness.

Those looking for an enjoyable walk of intermediate difficulty are spoilt for choice with the 10-kilometre (6mi) Echo Point Walk and the 11-kilometre (7mi) Shadow Lake Circuit. Recommended as a one-way walk, with a leisurely 20-minute ferry ride for the return/drop off journey, the Echo Point Walk traverses cool temperate rainforest, rich in many species of plant that are unique to Tasmania. The Shadow Lake Circuit, meanwhile, takes you through rainforest, sub-alpine moorland and highland Eucalyptus forest on the journey to Shadow Lake. Clear weather allows for breathtaking views of Mt Hugel.

Those looking for a more challenging hike should consider the 18-kilometre (11mi) Little Hugel Walk or the 18-kilometre (11mi) Mt Rufus Walk. The first section of the Little Hugel Walk follows the Shadow Lake Circuit, but then splits towards Little Hugel once it reaches the lake. Some challenging boulder hopping will reward you with exceptional views across the lake back to Pumphouse Point. The Mt Rufus Walk, meanwhile, will enchant intrepid hikers with unforgettable views over the western wilderness, including nearby Frenchman’s Cap.

In the evening, treat yourself to another well-deserved share-table dinner.

Driving information: Pumphouse Point to Freycinet Lodge 288km/179mi | 3hrs 40mins

Swap misty mountain views for the unspoiled coastline of eastern Tasmania and Freycinet National Park.

If you thought Tasmania couldn’t get any more beautiful, Freycinet will prove you wrong. Against a backdrop of pink granite mountains, you’ll find white sand beaches, secluded bays and some of the best coastal walking trails in the country.

In the late afternoon, take to the water for a relaxed 3-hour guided sea kayak. Glide beneath the mountains, past the beaches and across water so clear you feel like you can touch the marine life below. As the sun sets, the spectacular evening light will take your breath away.

You’ll stay the next two nights at Coles Bay in Freycinet Lodge’s Coastal Pavilion. Tucked away amid coastal bush, the Coastal Pavilion offers a superb blend of natural simplicity and ultimate comfort, complete with an outdoor bathtub in which to soak up the ambience.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner at the lodge.

Walking information: 11km/7mi | 5hrs | Grade 4: Moderate - Difficult

Departing from Coles Bay, take an included water taxi south to Hazards Beach to the start of the 5.5km Hazards Circuit Track to Wineglass Bay.

After a stroll along Hazards Beach, walk up and around the low rocky coastline. The views across Great Oyster Bay are beautiful and a taste of what is yet to come as you begin your walk across the wide isthmus to one of the top ten beaches in the world.

Nestled in the iconic Hazards Range and bordered with pink granite peaks, Wineglass Bay is the most photographed view in the whole of Tasmania. After descending from the lookout to the sugar white sands, take your time, enjoy a picnic, walk on the beach and paddle in the crystal-clear waters. If you’re lucky, you might see White-bellied Sea Eagles that are known for their aerial gymnastics.

When you’re ready, say goodbye to Wineglass Bay and make your way back to Coles Bay.

In the evening, enjoy another delicious 3-course dinner at the lodge.

All good things must come to an end! After a delicious breakfast, check out of your accommodation and commence your onward journey.