Feel like you're a world away in the Tarkine
Blog home / New Year's in Tasmania: 7 unique ideas for adventurous travellers
As New Year's Eve comes around we see ourselves promising to exercise more, eat better, trek often and have adventures. Often, how you spend this holiday season can set the tone for the year to come.
And while you might have big aspirations for the night, if you’re not careful you could end up welcoming the new year with a vague sense of déjà vu – same old parties, same old fireworks display in your same old hometown.
So how about adding a dose of adventure to kick off the New Year? These multi-day trips promise one of the most fulfilling and memorable starts to the year that any party could ever give you. But you better secure your place early as the holiday season books out fast.
If you do miss out on trips running over New Year's Eve, you can still find plenty of summer departures in December, January and February.
Experience spectacular mountains, pristine wilderness and unique flora and fauna on this stunning walk. During this six-day full-pack expedition, you'll bushwalk through Tasmania’s only true alpine National Park, the Walls of Jerusalem. The first three days are spent exploring the more remote parts of the national park.
Alpine herb fields and highland lake country abound as you visit Lake Adelaide, Lake Meston and Junction Lake – to name a few. In the southern confines of the national park, you'll also have the opportunity to summit Mt Ragoona and Cathedral Mountain. View dates and trip details.
Feel as if you have the ancient forest to yourself with private access to sections of the Tarkine. The rainforest's natural history dates back 100 million years and provides a sanctuary for at least 60 rare or endangered species, with coastal plains that provide important feeding grounds for the world's rarest and fastest parrots: the orange-bellied and swift parrots.
You'll also enjoy a cruise to the mouth of the Pieman River, bordered by a dense forest filled with myrtles, sassafras, celery-top pine, laurels, blackwoods and giant tree ferns. View dates and trip details.
With a 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 six days walking the rugged peaks and sweeping coastlines, 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. View dates and trip details.
The south coast of Tasmania is, quite simply, awesome! Look south and feel the tingle of Antarctic air. This remote, rugged track follows Aboriginal trade and migration routes which were more recently utilised by shipwrecked European seafarers who found themselves washed ashore by the wild southern seas.
The track leads eastward along wild beaches, across streams and rivers frequently swollen with torrential rain. You'll climb several mountain ranges well above sea level into alpine conditions – at times, complete with snow! This is a challenging trek with some long days, big packs, and trying conditions. For our guides, they consider it one the hardest trips but, for the few that lead it, it's also their favourite.
The South Coast Track is a stunning place and those that venture there come away inspired, invigorated and re-energised. View dates and trip details.
The Overland Track is Australia’s premier extended bushwalk. The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is renowned for its beauty, featuring abundant wildlife, rare and unusual vegetation and dramatic scenery. Starting at Dove Lake, situated beneath Cradle Mountain, we head south for the wilderness adventure of a lifetime.
The itinerary follows a moderately graded trail for 70kms, finishing our journey with a ferry crossing of Lake St Clair. Averaging just over 10km per day to walk the track, this allows you to best appreciate highlights and side trips along the way. View dates and trip details.
Selected as one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s '50 Tours of a Lifetime', this complete active adventure traverses all the must-see highlights of Tasmania’s spectacular East Coast. With a combination of vehicle supported cycling, kayaking and walking you will make the absolute most of this adventure playground.
Over six days you will cycle through the picturesque rural landscape, past vineyards and lush orchards, along the stunning coastline, and down deep forested valleys. Kayak the sparkling aquamarine waters of Freycinet National Park and walk to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Wineglass Bay, and spend two days discovering Maria Islands’ rich history, world-class scenery and extremely friendly wildlife.
Each day you will make the most of the great outdoors, and each evening is spent celebrating and relaxing over a delicious 3-course meal showcasing the finest of Tasmania’s famous produce. View dates and trip details.
The Franklin is one of the world's last great wild rivers and it forges through the rugged southwest 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.
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. View dates and trip details.