Maria Island Winter Escape

Challenge yourself to one of Tasmania's finest long-distance walks, carrying a full pack along the unspoiled wilderness of Australia's southernmost shores. This ten-day, 85-kilometre walk offers a spectrum of Tasmanian scenes, from empty beaches to towering rainforests and the alpine heights of the Ironbound Range. It's a place of wild scenes and wildlife, with the chance to see wombats, quolls and possibly even the orange-bellied parrot, one of the world's rarest bird species. After a spectacular flight along the coast or mountains to the remote airstrip at Melaleuca in the World Heritage-listed Southwest National Park, you will walk 10 to 15 kilometres each day, carrying up to 20 kilograms and camping at night. The walk has a flexible itinerary that allows for a rest day and time for swims or exploration along the succession of south-coast beaches. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through a true wilderness experience and the challenge of a lifetime. If you have a thirst for full pack hikes, have excellent fitness and an open, flexible approach to being in remote areas for multiple days then this could be the perfect hiking adventure for you!

The Overland Track holds a legendary status as one of the finest walks in Australia. Winding your way along a graded trail through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area with each step you will be surrounded by breathtaking views, from the stunning crags of Cradle Mountain to the rainforest-clad shores of Lake St. Clair. Your journey will lead to new discoveries and some of the mother nature's finest creations including waterfalls, dolerite mountains, lakes, tarns and diverse ecosystems. The itinerary is ideal for walkers looking to make the most out of their time in the area by appreciating the many highlights and exciting side trips you'll undertake along the way. This full pack trek is suitable for first time bushwalkers as the inclusion of food drops and modern lightweight equipment will keep your backpacks as light as possible while your experienced guides will help bring the track to life thanks to their local knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tasmanian wilderness.

For the ultimate Tasmanian wilderness experience, this 11-day rafting trip takes advantage of the access the Franklin River offers to the prized summit of the Frenchman's Cap. From Irenabyss on the Franklin River, you will undertake a one-day ascent from the river to the quartzite dome of Frenchman's Cap (1443 m), from where you can enjoy 360 degree views over the entire south west wilderness. Returning to the river you'll continue this classic rafting adventure, meeting the challenges of Great Ravine, Propsting Gorge and Newlands Cascades. The massive temperate rainforests of the lower Franklin and Gordon Rivers are an inspirational reminder of what was saved when the Franklin Dam was stopped in 1983. Led by experienced rafting guides, this rafting expedition is recognised by many as one of the greatest wilderness experiences on earth. Our trip was named the best river journey in the world by Outside Magazine in 2012. Join on us on this real wilderness experience of a lifetime.

A four day walk in Tasmania's only true alpine National Park during winter. To truly appreciate the grandeur of this alpine setting, fit and hardy walkers should consider walking and snowshoeing through the highlands during the winter months when the landscapes are blanketed with fresh snow. The Walls of Jerusalem are only accessible by foot, and this walking and snowshoeing itinerary provide an ideal introduction to winter camping. Climbing up through the forests, past the historic Trapper's Hut above the treeline to the scattered tarns known as Solomon's Jewels. Our base camp is nearby and from here your days are filled with sensational excursions carrying only the day's necessities, returning at the end of each day to your comfortable camping set up. The trip is suitable for those who have never snowshoed before as time will be allocated to learn the art of this increasingly popular mode of winter travel. Depending on the weather, we aim to explore the heart of the "Walls", and climb Mt. Jerusalem, King David's Peak and possibly reach the remote outer areas known as Golden Gate and Zion Vale by either foot or on snowshoes.

Selected as one of National Geographic Traveler Magazine's '50 Tours of a Lifetime', this complete active adventure on the East Coast of Tasmania traverses all the great spots from Launceston to Hobart. Over six days you will make the most of this adventure playground with a combination of cycling, walking and paddling. You begin by cycling through quaint villages and rural settings, breathe in the scents of rainforests overhead and be awed by the beauty of the eastern coastline - in particular Wineglass Bay and Maria Island. We enjoy great kayaking near Freycinet and move on to stunning walks at Maria Island. An exhilarating cycle descent of Mount Wellington located near Hobart is the fitting conclusion to this fun filled trip. This tour will cater to a wide range of experience and fitness levels and the constant presence and support of professional guides provides you with the option of completing as many or as few kilometres as you please. Join us on this active and thoroughly rewarding tour of Tasmania.

For many people, Tasmania's famous Franklin River is synonymous with wilderness conservation. The Franklin is one of the world's last great wild rivers and it forges through the rugged south west of Tasmania, through deep gorges, quiet pools and magnificent temperate rainforest. This expedition provides a true wilderness adventure, an experience we pioneered back in 1978. Regardless of the river level, you will be in good hands as our professional guides have an exceptional safety record. Despite the remoteness, our guides will ensure that the preparation of delicious meals will exceed all expectations. Any descent of the Franklin is demanding and while previous rafting experience is not required, some wilderness knowledge, along with a sound level of fitness, is essential. Our trip was named the best river journey in the world by Outside Magazine in 2012. Join on us on this real wilderness experience of a lifetime.

A seven day trek along the Overland Track during winter, when the Cradle Mountain National Park turns into a winter wonderland. Walking the Overland Track during winter is a very different experience to summer and offers a more serene and tranquil environment. The trail is much quieter, the lakes are frozen and the snow ensures the surrounding landscapes provide unique photographic opportunities. Fit and hardy walkers who are prepared to camp during winter and carry a full pack will truly enjoy this unforgettable winter trek along the graded trail through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Every step will lead to new discoveries and some of Mother Nature's finest alpine creations. This winter itinerary is designed to travel at a pace to allow you to fully appreciate the park's many highlights and side trips you'll undertake along the way. Food drops and modern lightweight equipment will keep your backpacks relatively light while your experienced guides will help bring the track to life and teach first time snowshoers the finer points of this popular style of alpine travel.

Discover a mountain landscape, only accessible by foot, carved by glaciers on our exclusive walk in Tasmania's only true alpine National Park. On this four-day walk, we use a comfortable base camp near the entrance to the Walls of Jerusalem peaks, allowing for delightful day walks with light packs into the heart of this most spectacular mountain regions. On the first day you will make the short hike up into the base camp, where you can leave your main packs for two days of exploration inside the 'Walls'. You'll have the chance to climb King David's Peak and Mt Jerusalem, from where views stretch across much of Tasmania, or venture to remote outer regions such as Golden Gate or Zion Vale. Each day, you'll return to the base camp, which is situated near a cluster of alpine tarns known as Solomons Jewels. Tents are pitched on wooden platforms, and your guides will prepare gourmet camp meals served with a wilderness view. Utilising the base camps, this trip is an ideal introduction to remote wilderness walking, providing a simple and rewarding camping experience. For a real alpine experience join one of our midwinter snow shoe expeditions.

For experienced walkers a self guided trek into Tasmania's impressive Walls of Jerusalem National Park should be high on the agenda. Only accessible by foot, Tasmania's only true alpine National Park is a spectacular and remote mountain landscape carved by glaciers. The biblical names for the many highlights in the region simply adds to the imagery and drama of this other-worldly region that is void of the busier more popular trails in Tasmania. After a briefing by our guides in Launceston you will be transferred to the trailhead to begin the short hike into the comfortable base camp, complete with toilets and tent platforms, situated near the entrance to the Walls of Jerusalem peaks. From here it's up to you where you wish to explore. Leaving your main gear at basecamp, enjoy delightful day walks with light packs into the heart of the 'Walls'. You'll have the chance to climb King David's Peak and Mt Jerusalem, from where views stretch across much of Tasmania, or venture to remote outer regions such as Golden Gate or Zion Vale. Each day, you'll return to the base camp, which is situated near a cluster of alpine tarns known as Solomons Jewels.

The spectacular Frenchman's Cap rises 1443 metres out of the Gordon-Franklin Wild Rivers National Park. The eastern side of the peak is home to Tasmania's oldest rock, an impressive 300 m overhanging rock wall face of Precambrian quartzite. This superb trek to Frenchman's Cap is a 46 km return journey over varying terrain including open button grass plains and dense rainforests with steep ascents. Amidst this truly wild area you will discover an abundance of wildlife including many endemic bird species. By allowing five days of walking and camping under the summit, the carefully thought out itinerary allows a greater chance of visiting the peak in fine weather. From the summit you will be rewarded with spectacular views throughout the Tasmanian wilderness including Mt. Ossa, the Arthur Range and Macquarie Harbour.

Tasmania's East Coast offers access to some of the best experiences on offer on the island state and there are few better ways to take in all the highlights than by travelling by bike at your own pace on this eight-day self guided itinerary. After a thorough briefing from our guides in Launceston, you may choose to begin this self guided trip with a ride along a section of the Trail of the Tin Dragon driving route, which delves into the regions tin mining history and the arrival of the local Chinese population. Out of the saddle, stop to taste cheese in Pyengana and take an optional walk to Tasmania's highest waterfall, St Columbus Falls, before getting back on the bike for a spectacular coastal ride via picturesque Bicheno to Coles Bay, gateway to the Freycinet National Park. In Freycinet, there is time to explore this special part of the East Coast by taking in some walks or kayaking on the azure waters. The highlights keep rolling on as you continue with time on Maria Island, where you can discover remnants of Tasmania's convict past and the island's extraordinary beauty on foot or a 22 km circuit ride.

The Great Tasmanian Traverse is a unique annual adventure combining Tasmanian and World Expeditions’ five most popular trips into an epic five-week expedition. Travelling by foot, raft, light plane and yacht, we cover Tasmania from the quiet rural communities of the North to the wild and isolated reaches of the South, completing the Coast to Cradle Trail, Overland Track, Frenchmans Cap Trek, Franklin River Rafting and South Coast Track. Over 39 days we will cover Tasmania’s finest hiking trails, summit its highest and most iconic peaks, enjoy an incredible variety of landscapes and encounter the history, flora and fauna of the region. Between each leg of the traverse, we have two or three nights in comfortable accommodation to relax, reflect on the journey so far and recharge for the next section of our adventure. We travel with highly experienced guides who are eager to share their knowledge and passion for Tasmania, and we end each day at unforgettably scenic campsites in the remote wilderness.

With its mesmerising mix of spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and Aboriginal and European history, Flinders Island is the gem in the crown of Island walking in Tasmania. Over this diverse and rewarding itinerary you will experience 6 days walking the rugged peaks and sweeping coast lines of this windswept Island, taking the time to swim in the crystal clear waters and photograph the endless picture perfect vistas. You have the opportunity to summit the dramatic granite peaks of both Mt Killiecrankie and Mt Strzelecki, the second of which is the highest point on the island at 756m giving you spectacular 360 degree views of Flinders Island in its entirety. Although a small island of only 1,333 square kilometres, Flinders Island hosts an amazing array of ecosystems from dunes and lagoons to woodland and mountainous granite ridges which produce spectacular and unique species of flora and a profusion of fauna which freely roams the island, it is also the only remaining habitat of the common wombat which you may be lucky enough to spot on your adventure. With scenic flights included from Launceston you are only a hop, skip and a jump away from your next unforgettable walking adventure!

Combining both the coast and the cradle, this trip allows you to explore the highlights of both Maria Island and Cradle Mountain. On Maria Island you can look forward to experiencing the best that Maria Island has to offer as we set our sights high to Mt Maria (711 m), the tallest mountain on the island, and the rugged Dolerite peak of Bishop and Clerk (620 m). You’ll experience the challenge of the mountains and the serenity of the beach and ocean as your guides show you the way and interpret the landscape and the history with stories that will bring it all to life. In Cradle Mountain National Park, which you will explore on foot over three days you will explore the base of the Great Western Tiers on foot before a visit to the fascinating caves of the Mole Creek Karst National Park. It's then on to the Cradle Mountain National Park high country where you'll have a number of impressive walks to choose from, you can even tackle the summit of Cradle Mountain (weather permitting). The 360-degree panoramic views of Tasmania's highest mountains and surrounding wilderness area from the summit of Cradle Mountain is simply unbeatable.

Visit Tasmania's only true alpine National Park, the Walls of Jerusalem, during this six day full-pack bushwalking expedition showcasing the regions spectacular mountain scenery, pristine wilderness as well as unique flora and fauna. From your initial base camp you will spend two days exploring the surrounding peaks and valleys of the central northern Walls region. There is an option to summit King Davids Peak (1499 m), Tasmania's 10th highest, as well as walks up Mt Jerusalem, The Temple and Solomons Throne. The trek continues through remote alpine herb fields and highland lake country, sideling Lake Adelaide, Lake Meston and Junction Lake to name a few. In the southern confines of the National Park we will have the opportunity to summit Mt Ragoona and Cathedral Mountain. These peaks both provide impressive views onto the southern wilderness of the famous Overland Track and the headwaters of the mighty Mersey River and its Never region.