Tasmania's Wild Wonders
Tasmania’s wild West Coast beckons. Discover the cascading Russell Falls and the untouched beauty of Lake St Clair on this 7-day Small Groups guided tour. Glide through the breathtaking Gordon River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or hike Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain. Prefer a slower pace Cozy up by the fire with a glass of wine. Wherever your journey leads, indulge in Tasmania’s finest local flavours - from fresh seafood dinners to Farm-to-Fork lunches and cider tastings, ensuring every bite is as memorable as the scenery.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch (L)
- A medium level of fitness required. The Russell Falls Walk is an easy, flat 1.4 km trail taking approximately 25mins return. For those choosing to walk round Dove Lake, this is considered a Moderate 6km loop. Track has short steep hill sections, some rough surface and many steps. Not suitable for all guests. Alternate shorter walks are available which your Tour Director will advise. The Cataract Gorge circuit is a short easy walk however there are some steps and uneven surfaces.
- Day 1: Flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Hobart AirportDay 7: Flights to depart after 5.00pm from Launceston Airport Airport to Hotel transfers are available to purchase on request. Flights to and from your tour are not included in the tour price.
Whats included
- Enjoy the best of Tasmania’s west coast wilderness, towns and regional areas in a week Explore 3 pristine National Parks - Mt. Field, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers, & Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Parks Meet a 5th generation Tassie farmer and enjoy the organic produce grown on his property Try some local produce at the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company Experience the spectacular nature landscapes including waterfalls, mountains, lakes and pristine waterways Visit Cataract Gorge on the outskirts of Launceston
- Culinary and Cooking
- Small Group
- UNESCO Site
Day 1 - Welcome to Hobart
Hobart may be small, but it delivers big on charm - globally acclaimed restaurants, cozy wine bars, vibrant galleries, scenic waterfronts, and rich history. Explore at your own pace, then gather with fellow travellers over dinner, setting the stage for an unforgettable Tasmanian adventure.
Accommodations: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - City Sights and Salamanca Market
Start your day uncovering Hobart’s best sights. Take in panoramic views from Mt. Nelson Lookout, then stop at the historic Cascade Brewery before visiting Battery Point, steeped in colonial charm. Continue to the Botanical Gardens, where Tasmania’s native flora shines in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Next, immerse yourself in the energy of Salamanca Market, a vibrant showcase of local creativity. Browse artisan goods, fresh produce, and handcrafted treasures as you wander through 300 bustling stalls, all set against the backdrop of historic sandstone warehouses. Don’t forget to grab a coffee and soak in the atmosphere.
Accommodations: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Hobart - Strahan
Today’s journey unveils breathtaking contrasts, offering moments of serenity and awe-inspiring beauty. Stroll through the lush rainforest of Mt. Field National Park, where the cascading tiers of Russell Falls create an ethereal, misty scene. Find tranquillity at the glassy waters of Lake St. Clair, Australia’s deepest natural lake, reflecting the rugged wilderness beyond. Traverse the World Heritage-listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, a spectacular expanse of untamed nature, before arriving in Strahan, a peaceful coastal town on Tasmania’s wild West Coast. Here, marvel at the vast Macquarie Harbour, a stunning waterway seven times the size of Sydney Harbour, brimming with history and natural splendour.
Accommodations: Strahan Village
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Strahan - Cradle Mountain
A cruise day is always a highlight, especially when gliding across the serene waters of Gordon River, surrounded by ancient, towering rainforests. Drift through this untouched wilderness, embracing the tranquillity as you arrive at Sarah Island, Tasmania’s oldest convict settlement. Once a place of hardship, its haunting ruins are now enveloped by lush greenery and winding vines. Later, journey toward the majestic Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, passing through remote mining towns set amid rugged, mountainous terrain. Take a moment to unwind - tomorrow, the breathtaking landscapes of Cradle Mountain will be yours to explore.
Accommodations: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Cradle Mountain
Step into the breathtaking wilderness of Cradle Mountain, a crown jewel of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Towering snow-capped peaks, ancient rainforests draped in moss, and calm glacial lakes create a stunning natural backdrop. At Dove Lake, watch as Bennetts wallabies, echidnas, and pademelons roam freely across the rugged terrain. Visit Waldheim Chalet, once home to Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, whose passion helped protect this remarkable landscape. This afternoon, the choice is yours - explore scenic hiking trails, meet a Tasmanian Devil (own expense), or cozy up by the fire at your hotel, soaking in the serenity of Tasmania’s untamed wilderness. Let the adventures unfold!
Accommodations: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Cradle Mountain - Launceston
Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast before setting off from the Central Highlands to Tasmania’s breathtaking north-west coast, where fertile volcanic soil supports over 100 varieties of potatoes, contributing to nearly a third of Australia’s total production. Arrive in the charming town of Penguin and visit Mount Gnomon Farm, where passionate farmer Guy Robertson cultivates orchards and crafts exquisite cider. Indulge in a paddock-to-plate lunch, celebrating the region’s finest produce. Later, journey to Sheffield, the famed ‘Town of Murals’, before winding through the scenic Meander Valley and arriving in Launceston, ready for new discoveries.
Accommodations: Grand Chancellor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 - Farewell from Launceston
Tasmania’s world-class food scene reflects its pristine air, pure water, and fertile soil. Start your day at the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company, sampling an enticing selection of sauces, jams, mustards, and relishes while learning about the region’s fresh, homegrown ingredients. Then, explore the natural beauty of Cataract Gorge, a breathtaking blend of rugged bushland and Victorian gardens, all within walking distance of Launceston’s city centre. Though your tour concludes this afternoon, why not extend your adventure? Take an optional tour of the historic Beaconsfield Mine, discover the marine life at Seahorse World, or embark on a Tamar Valley River cruise (all own expense). Prefer to stay local? Dive into Launceston’s stunning heritage architecture, soaking up the city’s unique charm. However you choose to spend your final moments in Tasmania, it’s the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Our Commitment
We’re captivated by the places we visit, from the rugged, crimson sands of Australia’s outback deserts to the verdant forests and inky depths of New Zealand’s fjords and valleys. Our passion for our lands, their people and wildlife is part of what makes each AAT Kings experience unique, and is why we work with partners who share our vision for making travel matter, now and in the future. When you travel with AAT Kings and any of our sister brands you can be assured that you are choosing to travel with a company that puts sustainability and the planet at the core of everything we do.
TreadRight
The TreadRight Foundation was founded over a decade ago as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands with a mission to ensure our trips have a positive impact, and AAT Kings is proud to be a founding member.
People
Community support and cultural preservation by targeting overtourism through the inclusion of new MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences, the creation of a standalone strategy to encourage greater diversity and inclusion at AAT Kings, and our global give-back efforts.
Planet
Sustainability and conservation by targeting climate change, sustainable food production and responsible consumption through carbon management, renewable energy, the food cycle, waste reduction, and the elimination of single-use plastics.
Wildlife
Conservation and protection by targeting animal welfare and conservation, and ethical wildlife experiences through our Animal Welfare Policy.
AAT Kings supports the following projects
In partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, we have supported more than 55 sustainable tourism projects worldwide which seek to protect wildlife and marine life and have a positive impact on the people and communities we visit. Each tourism project we support is assessed based on its impact on each of the TreadRight pillars of people, planet and wildlife, underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which combine to form the basis for our five-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right (HWTR).
Kiwi Conservation with the National Kiwi Hatchery
Since 1995 Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island has provided vital support to vulnerable populations of the flightless Kiwi bird, a beloved national species. The species is under threat from predators and their ground nests lack adequate protection, causing their population to decline each year. To date the National Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs has hatched more than 2,000 eggs, providing a safe environment for birds to hatch, releasing them into ideal habitats in the wild so that they can continue to reproduce. You can visit the Hatchery to learn more about the vital work they are doing to ensure the survival of the species, with less than 70,000 kiwis left in the wild.
Save the Tasmanian Devil
In some areas, more than 80% of the Tasmanian Devil population has been wiped out by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) which continue to spread through wild populations in Tasmania. In conjunction with the TreadRight Foundation, AAT Kings support the work done at the University of Tasmania to develop a vaccine to ensure the population of Tasmanian devils can thrive disease-free in the wild. Guests travelling on selected Tasmanian tours can spend time observing the nocturnal behaviour of the Tasmanian Devil and learn more about these fascinating creatures with our Devils After Dark experience.
Animal Welfare Policy
AAT Kings is committed to only offering ethical wildlife experiences on our trips guided by TreadRight’s Animal Welfare Policy to support a tourism industry free of animal cruelty. The policy is based on the Five Domains of Animal Welfare.
How We Tread Right (HWTR)
Launched in 2020, How We Tread Right (HWTR) is AAT Kings’ five-year sustainability strategy. It is the sustainability blueprint for us and our sister brands under our parent company The Travel Corporation (TTC).
Our strategy consists of 11 sustainability goals anchored to the United Nations’ Global Goals, which guide the way we are addressing climate change, sustainable food production, waste reduction, travel experiences, diversity and inclusion, and wildlife: the six main issues that we are currently focused on as a business.
Goal 1: Climate Change
Reach net zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050 from a 2019 baseline year
Goal 2: Climate Change
Source 50% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025
Goal 3: Sustainable Food Production
Reduce food waste by 50% across
Goal 4: Sustainable Food Production
Increase use of local & organic food products by our supply chain by 2025
Goal 5: Responsible Consumption
Reduce printed brochures by 50% by 2025
Goal 6: Responsible Consumption
Eliminate as many unnecessary single-use plastics from our operations and itineraries
Goal 7: Overtourism
Include at least 1 Make Travel Matter Experience on 50% of TTC itineraries by 2025
Goal 8: Overtourism
Achieve a 20% increase of itineraries visiting developing regions for select specialist brands by 2025
Goal 9: Our Culture
Increase employee and market sentiment regarding diversity and inclusion across our brands
Goal 10: Our Culture
Complete 30,000 volunteer hours by 2025
Goal 11: Animal Welfare
Ensure all wildlife experiences across TTC brands adhere to our animal welfare policy
At AAT Kings we've assembled a range of fun, passionate, quirky, knowledgeable and talented people to help make your holiday great and one you’ll remember forever. Our team will bring your holiday to life and they’ll share their passion and knowledge for Australia and New Zealand in ways beyond expected.
Travel Directors
At AAT Kings we pride ourselves on having some of the most experienced and insightful Travel Directors in the world. They’ll provide the commentary, stories and local insights behind each destination to allow you to truly get a feel for the places you visit. They’ll share advice, provide personal recommendations and reveal some ‘Hidden Gems’ along the way that you simply couldn't experience if travelling on your own.
Driver Guides
We personally train all our Driver Guides to provide exceptional service every step of the way. Each and every Driver Guide has extensive on road experience and driver training with a safe driving track record. Along with passion and local insight these genuine Aussie characters will enhance your AAT Kings experience and make sure you have a holiday you won’t forget. If you’re travelling on a Short Break you may be joined by a different Driver Guide each day so you can benefit from the breadth of their combined knowledge and years of experience for a more independent style of travel.
Local Guides
We’ll also be joined by a number of Local Guides at various destinations on selected Day Tours and Short Breaks. These Local Guides have specialist knowledge of their hometown and local traditions. They’ll take your sightseeing experience to a whole new level as they share their passion and stories in an engaging and entertaining way.
Travel Solo, Not Alone
Travelling solo doesn’t mean that you have to travel alone. Travelling solo on an AAT Kings Guided Holiday connects you with other like-minded travellers to experience the best Australia and New Zealand have to offer on a worry-free adventure.
Your Solo Traveller Options
Solo Traveller Room Share
On nearly all of our itineraries you can choose to be matched with a same gender traveller and only pay the twin share price
Enjoy A Room Just For You
We offer single room supplements across our tours if you want to enjoy a room all to yourself. Simply choose your tour and select your room preference in the booking process.
What to expect when travelling solo in Australia and New Zealand with AAT Kings
On an AAT Kings Guided Holiday you’ll be joining a tour with travellers who have one thing in common. A desire to uncover the true beating heart of Australia and New Zealand in ways that you never imagined possible. Getting under the skin of a destination, learning from local experts, and travelling worry-free, you’ll experience places more beautiful than any guidebook can describe.
Drink in the view, discover wild tastes to feed your soul and immerse yourself in stories that live and breathe, safe in the knowledge that every detail of your trip will be taken care of. You’ll enjoy the benefits of travelling in a group, with all of the essentials like accommodation and exclusive experiences all seamlessly sorted ‘behind the scenes’.
You don’t need to be single to travel solo. Perhaps you want to travel to parts of Australia and New Zealand your partner is not keen to visit, or you want to challenge yourself to travel solo for the first time. Our First Choice and Best Buys Guided Holidays give you the flexibility to choose a fully curated experience with plenty of local connections or a flexible itinerary with more time for you.
Our Commitment
We’re captivated by the places we visit, from the rugged, crimson sands of Australia’s outback deserts to the verdant forests and inky depths of New Zealand’s fjords and valleys. Our passion for our lands, their people and wildlife is part of what makes each AAT Kings experience unique, and is why we work with partners who share our vision for making travel matter, now and in the future. When you travel with AAT Kings and any of our sister brands you can be assured that you are choosing to travel with a company that puts sustainability and the planet at the core of everything we do.
TreadRight
The TreadRight Foundation was founded over a decade ago as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands with a mission to ensure our trips have a positive impact, and AAT Kings is proud to be a founding member.
People
Community support and cultural preservation by targeting overtourism through the inclusion of new MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences, the creation of a standalone strategy to encourage greater diversity and inclusion at AAT Kings, and our global give-back efforts.
Planet
Sustainability and conservation by targeting climate change, sustainable food production and responsible consumption through carbon management, renewable energy, the food cycle, waste reduction, and the elimination of single-use plastics.
Wildlife
Conservation and protection by targeting animal welfare and conservation, and ethical wildlife experiences through our Animal Welfare Policy.
AAT Kings supports the following projects
In partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, we have supported more than 55 sustainable tourism projects worldwide which seek to protect wildlife and marine life and have a positive impact on the people and communities we visit. Each tourism project we support is assessed based on its impact on each of the TreadRight pillars of people, planet and wildlife, underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which combine to form the basis for our five-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right (HWTR).
Kiwi Conservation with the National Kiwi Hatchery
Since 1995 Rainbow Springs Nature Park in Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island has provided vital support to vulnerable populations of the flightless Kiwi bird, a beloved national species. The species is under threat from predators and their ground nests lack adequate protection, causing their population to decline each year. To date the National Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs has hatched more than 2,000 eggs, providing a safe environment for birds to hatch, releasing them into ideal habitats in the wild so that they can continue to reproduce. You can visit the Hatchery to learn more about the vital work they are doing to ensure the survival of the species, with less than 70,000 kiwis left in the wild.
Save the Tasmanian Devil
In some areas, more than 80% of the Tasmanian Devil population has been wiped out by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) which continue to spread through wild populations in Tasmania. In conjunction with the TreadRight Foundation, AAT Kings support the work done at the University of Tasmania to develop a vaccine to ensure the population of Tasmanian devils can thrive disease-free in the wild. Guests travelling on selected Tasmanian tours can spend time observing the nocturnal behaviour of the Tasmanian Devil and learn more about these fascinating creatures with our Devils After Dark experience.
Animal Welfare Policy
AAT Kings is committed to only offering ethical wildlife experiences on our trips guided by TreadRight’s Animal Welfare Policy to support a tourism industry free of animal cruelty. The policy is based on the Five Domains of Animal Welfare.
How We Tread Right (HWTR)
Launched in 2020, How We Tread Right (HWTR) is AAT Kings’ five-year sustainability strategy. It is the sustainability blueprint for us and our sister brands under our parent company The Travel Corporation (TTC).
Our strategy consists of 11 sustainability goals anchored to the United Nations’ Global Goals, which guide the way we are addressing climate change, sustainable food production, waste reduction, travel experiences, diversity and inclusion, and wildlife: the six main issues that we are currently focused on as a business.
Goal 1: Climate Change
Reach net zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050 from a 2019 baseline year
Goal 2: Climate Change
Source 50% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025
Goal 3: Sustainable Food Production
Reduce food waste by 50% across
Goal 4: Sustainable Food Production
Increase use of local & organic food products by our supply chain by 2025
Goal 5: Responsible Consumption
Reduce printed brochures by 50% by 2025
Goal 6: Responsible Consumption
Eliminate as many unnecessary single-use plastics from our operations and itineraries
Goal 7: Overtourism
Include at least 1 Make Travel Matter Experience on 50% of TTC itineraries by 2025
Goal 8: Overtourism
Achieve a 20% increase of itineraries visiting developing regions for select specialist brands by 2025
Goal 9: Our Culture
Increase employee and market sentiment regarding diversity and inclusion across our brands
Goal 10: Our Culture
Complete 30,000 volunteer hours by 2025
Goal 11: Animal Welfare
Ensure all wildlife experiences across TTC brands adhere to our animal welfare policy
At AAT Kings we've assembled a range of fun, passionate, quirky, knowledgeable and talented people to help make your holiday great and one you’ll remember forever. Our team will bring your holiday to life and they’ll share their passion and knowledge for Australia and New Zealand in ways beyond expected.
Travel Directors
At AAT Kings we pride ourselves on having some of the most experienced and insightful Travel Directors in the world. They’ll provide the commentary, stories and local insights behind each destination to allow you to truly get a feel for the places you visit. They’ll share advice, provide personal recommendations and reveal some ‘Hidden Gems’ along the way that you simply couldn't experience if travelling on your own.
Driver Guides
We personally train all our Driver Guides to provide exceptional service every step of the way. Each and every Driver Guide has extensive on road experience and driver training with a safe driving track record. Along with passion and local insight these genuine Aussie characters will enhance your AAT Kings experience and make sure you have a holiday you won’t forget. If you’re travelling on a Short Break you may be joined by a different Driver Guide each day so you can benefit from the breadth of their combined knowledge and years of experience for a more independent style of travel.
Local Guides
We’ll also be joined by a number of Local Guides at various destinations on selected Day Tours and Short Breaks. These Local Guides have specialist knowledge of their hometown and local traditions. They’ll take your sightseeing experience to a whole new level as they share their passion and stories in an engaging and entertaining way.
Travel Solo, Not Alone
Travelling solo doesn’t mean that you have to travel alone. Travelling solo on an AAT Kings Guided Holiday connects you with other like-minded travellers to experience the best Australia and New Zealand have to offer on a worry-free adventure.
Your Solo Traveller Options
Solo Traveller Room Share
On nearly all of our itineraries you can choose to be matched with a same gender traveller and only pay the twin share price
Enjoy A Room Just For You
We offer single room supplements across our tours if you want to enjoy a room all to yourself. Simply choose your tour and select your room preference in the booking process.
What to expect when travelling solo in Australia and New Zealand with AAT Kings
On an AAT Kings Guided Holiday you’ll be joining a tour with travellers who have one thing in common. A desire to uncover the true beating heart of Australia and New Zealand in ways that you never imagined possible. Getting under the skin of a destination, learning from local experts, and travelling worry-free, you’ll experience places more beautiful than any guidebook can describe.
Drink in the view, discover wild tastes to feed your soul and immerse yourself in stories that live and breathe, safe in the knowledge that every detail of your trip will be taken care of. You’ll enjoy the benefits of travelling in a group, with all of the essentials like accommodation and exclusive experiences all seamlessly sorted ‘behind the scenes’.
You don’t need to be single to travel solo. Perhaps you want to travel to parts of Australia and New Zealand your partner is not keen to visit, or you want to challenge yourself to travel solo for the first time. Our First Choice and Best Buys Guided Holidays give you the flexibility to choose a fully curated experience with plenty of local connections or a flexible itinerary with more time for you.
