At a Glance
Experience one of Australia’s greatest road trips, with this 6-day self-drive package that showcases the best of Tasmania’s East Coast. Perfect for nature lovers, this package takes you from Hobart to Launceston via the Lonely Planet’s hottest travel destinations: Freycinet National Park and the Bay of Fires.
A journey to celebrate simple luxuries – peace and pleasure in equal measure.
Tasmania’s East Coast, with its long white sandy beaches, secluded bays, and pristine national parks, offers a coastal experience like no other. Along the Great Eastern Drive, you’ll experience some of the world’s most inspiring landscapes as well as historic towns and classic seaside villages, fresh seafood and friendly locals – all on one of the best scenic coastal drives in the country.
Heading north from Hobart, you’ll make fantastic use of your ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 5-night handpicked, boutique accommodation in Hobart, Orford, Freycinet, Bay of Fires and Launceston on a twin share basis.
- Maria Island National Park guided day tour including morning tea, coffee, picnic lunch
- Freycinet twilight guided sea kayak tour including all sea kayaking equipment and light refreshments
- Meals: 4 x breakfast, 1 x lunch, 1 x dinner
- Bay of Fires eco tour
Itinerary
Arrive into Hobart International Airport (HBA) and pick up your hire car to begin your Tasmanian adventure. First stop is the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre to collect the Tasmania National Parks Pass required for entry to all of the state’s national parks. The money raised from park fees is reinvested and goes directly towards the upkeep of the parks and reserves. National Parks Pass in hand, spend the rest of the day exploring Hobart at your leisure. Wander the historic lands, alleys and squares of Salamanca Place; inspect the tall ships and pleasure yachts of Sullivans Cove; admire the fascinating works of MONA (The Museum of Old and New Art); and, in the late afternoon, venture up to Mt Wellington for to watch the sunset red, yellow and purple over the city and sea. You’ll stay the night at the Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart, a 5-star boutique art hotel offering a luxurious, historical and authentic experience. Remember to BYO lunch for tomorrow’s Maria Island cruise. |
Driving information: total driving approx. 1.5hrs Hit the road and head north to the fishing town of Triabunna, where you will embark on an unforgettable day tour to Maria Island. (Tour departs from the Triabunna Information Centre at (9:45am). Located just off the East Coast, the Island is a place where there are no motor vehicles, no shops and no worries. Enjoy a morning tea or coffee at the ferry marina as your local eco-guide welcomes you to the Island. Once you’ve made the crossing, spend the morning walking to Fossil Cliffs (1.5-hour loop), enjoying the views of Bishop and Clerk and observing the local wildlife in their natural habitat. Then, explore the World Heritage-listed Darlington, and learn the fascinating stories of convicts at the edge of the world. This township is the best-preserved example of convict life in Australia. Treat yourself to a picnic lunch inside a convict ‘mess hall’, on the penitentiary balcony or another pretty spot along the way. Once your belly is full, spend the rest of the afternoon walking to the vibrant Painted Cliffs (1.5-hours return) and learning about the rich cultural and geological history of the Island. Get up close with the unique patterns of this curious sandstone outcrop. Upon your return to Triabunna around 5:00pm, head south to Orford, a popular holiday township renowned for its bayside and riverside beauty. Spring Bay is the perfect spot for dinner – there are many beachfront restaurants to choose from. Make sure to try the famous Spring Bay mussels. Unlike most other mussel producers, Spring Bay’s mussels are grown in deep, oceanic, nutrient-rich waters in some of the most precious and pristine seawaters in the world. You’ll spend the night at Orford’s Sanda House Colonial B&B, the oldest building in Orford, featuring just 4 heritage guestrooms surrounded by beautiful gardens and a 20-tree orchard. |
Driving information: total driving approx. 2.5hrs Head north along the East Coast Wine Trail also known as the Great Eastern Wine Drive. One of Tasmania’s premier wine growing regions, the trail is known for fine cool climate varieties. Meet winemakers and brewers and sample fine wines, beer and stout accompanied by tasting plates of local cheeses and chocolate. Some of the more famous wineries along the route include Freycinet Vineyard, Spring Vale, Milton Vineyard, Gala Estate and the Hazards. |
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In the late afternoon, arrive into Freycinet National Park, the jewel of Tasmania’s eastern coastline. Take to the water for a relaxed 3-hour guided sea kayak along the coast. Glide beneath pink granite mountains, past 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 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. |
Driving information: total driving approx. 2hrs Departing from Coles Bay, take an included water taxi south to Hazards Beach to the start of the 11-kilometre (7mi) circuit to Freycinet’s most famous attraction: 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 around the final part of the circuit. The water taxi will be waiting to take you back to Coles Bay at a pre-arranged time. |
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In the afternoon, continue north to the beautiful Bay of Fires, famous for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and orange lichen-covered granite boulders. Along the way, you may like to stop off at the Bicheno Blowhole, which erupts like a geyser with every surge of the ocean. You’ll stay the night at Panorama St Helens Nature Resort, an eco-resort with a beautiful panoramic view of Georges Bay. |
Driving information: total driving approx. 3hrs Departing in the morning from Bingalong Bay Gulch, embark on a 2-hour scenic cruise of the southern half of the beautiful Bay of Fires. As you cruise through crystal-clear waters, expert guides will share with you the culture and history of the Bay, with emphasis on The Gardens, an area famous for its orange lichen-covered boulders and white sandy beaches – a postcard-worthy site! Different times of year bring a diverse range of sea life including Humpback and Southern Right Whales, dolphins, fur seals, pelicans, albatross, pacific gulls, shearwaters and sea eagles. |
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In the late afternoon, return to St Helens to commence the last leg of your journey to Launceston. Along the way, you’ll pass through the towns of Weldborough and Derby. Weldborough is known for the glorious Weldborough Pass where huge fern trees grow on either side of the road, while Derby was the setting for an epic tin rush that saw thousands of eager miners flock to the area. Alternatively, you might like to drive via the Blue Tier plateau, an exposed sub-alpine plateau 600-metres above sea level, with a rich mining history and magnificent natural heritage. One of the lesser-known walks in the area is the Blue Tier Giant or ‘Big Tree’ walk. The walk descends through native trees to the majesty of the Blue Tier Giant, the widest living tree in Australia, with a girth measuring 19.4-metres across. Another optional stop on both routes is the Pyengana Dairy Company, who have been handcrafting traditional cloth matured farmhouse cheddar for over 130 years. Learn about how cheese is crafted, see the cheese makers at work and, of course, sample the dairy delights. You’ll stay the night at Peppers Silo Launceston, a landmark heritage hotel that was once a grain silo. |
All good things must come to an end. Check out at your leisure and head to the airport to commence your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available. Surcharge applies to festival/holiday season.
More Info
The start point is Hobart, Tasmania
The end point is Launceston, Tasmania
Tasmania has four distinct seasons, with the warmest months being December to March. The average maximum daily summer temperatures are between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius and winter daily temperatures sit between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius. Rainfall varies dramatically across the island. The north west has an annual average of 2,400 mm that ensures the rainforest thrives. Regardless of where you travel in Tasmania you should be prepared for sudden, temporary deterioration in the weather, especially if bushwalking. Always carry additional warm clothing, including a waterproof outer layer.
- Hire car starting from $530AUD (per vehicle).
- Tasmania National Parks Pass $80AUD per vehicle (this must be purchased directly from the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, Hobart).
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.