TASMANIAN WALKING HOLIDAYS Able Tasman Discovery

TASMANIAN WALKING HOLIDAYS
Able Tasman Discovery
8 Day Walking Program
This walking tour is more than just a walk; it’s a complete holiday from start to
finish. Not only will you feel invigorated by being active, but also fascinated &
stimulated by the places we visit as well as being informed and enriched by the
people we meet. If you have not been to Tasmania before you will have the
opportunity to explore the highlights of two of Tasmania’s fine cities, Hobart &
Launceston, as well as experience something of Tasmania’s rich historic past with
your day at Port Arthur on the dramatic Tasman Peninsula. On your walk you will
encounter multi facetted environments, rolling hills, rural pastures & placid rivers as
well as pure white remote beaches and peaceful tidal estuaries and in stark contrast
walk along towering cliff tops with the waves crashing far below. You will have the
opportunity to explore an offshore island with a short sea crossing and a very good
chance of spotting dolphins or even whales in the pristine waters of the Tasman Sea.
This holiday is not just about what you will see its also meeting the people that live
here. Sharing afternoon tea, with the owners of one of the properties that we walk
through at their coastal homestead, has been a highlight for many of our walkers & a
great way to hear real stories & history that you will not find in any guide books.
From your carefully selected accommodation you will have views across rural
paddocks and when on the coast perhaps capture a sunrise over the Tasman Sea as
you eat your breakfast from a cliff top rustic cabin.. If you’re looking for a holiday
that unwinds & removes some of the stresses of city life then what could be better
than viewing crystal clear aquamarine waters in the intimate bays and almost surreal
tiny coves, which are a feature of the coastline & islands that we will visit. Indeed a
holiday of contrasts.
We have timed this holiday to commence on the Sunday morning so that guests
have the opportunity to arrive in Hobart a day or two before the holiday to take
advantage of the Salamanca Market on the Saturday & explore the delightful Battery
Point area or perhaps take a trip up Mt. Wellington if the weather is suitable.
Below is a brief outline of your holiday, upon booking and two weeks prior to
departure we will send you a full itinerary together with notes and route maps.
Day 1
Guests meet at the Old Woolstore Hotel, close to Hobart’s historic water front at
0800 on the day of departure. If arriving in Hobart the previous day you can make
your own accommodation arrangements for the Saturday night* or we can arrange
this for you at the Old Woolstore Hotel at a preferential rate. You will meet your
guides, have a clothing and gear check and time while you enjoy some morning tea
to ask any questions prior to departure.
An hour’s drive puts us well on the way to the Tasman Peninsula and also the start
of our first walk. Bangor a family owned historic property of some 6200 hectares on
the Forestier Peninsula. This outstanding, well maintained rural, coastal property has
been in the Dunbabin Family for over 100 years. Here you will be taken on a walking
tour by the Dunbabin family’s own guide who will provide expert interpretation of
this historically significant property where in 1642 the first Europeans, from Abel
Tasman’s expedition landed & planted the Dutch Flag. Later that day we head south
via Eagle Hawk Neck & Pirates Bay to our first nights accommodation at Stewarts
Bay Lodge.
Day 2.
No visit to Tasmania would be complete without a visit to the Port Arthur. Guests
today will join a guided tour of the historic site with plenty of time following your
official tour to explore this vast area on foot to fully appreciate the significance of
Port Arthur in Tasmania development; this will help to put the rest of the places we
visit during our walking tour into context. Following lunch in the historic sites
restaurant there will be the option of spending more time on site or join our guides
on a short walk to view some of the Tasman Peninsulas dramatic coastal scenery. A
second night at Stewarts Bay Lodge.
Day 3.
Departing the Tasman Peninsula we head north with a brief stop at Eagle Hawk neck
& then on to Buckland where we eat a leisurely lunch and have time to soak up the
history & stories that surround the Buckland Anglican Church. After lunch we don our
walking boots once again and head north on foot following the route of the old
convict road to Brockley Estate. This walk is a mixture of open country, with some
elevated areas with good views of the Prosser Valley. Lovely stands of Red Gum line
the rutted track with some interesting sandstone caves where we linger a while for a
mid walk break. Arriving out of the bush at Brockley homestead, we look forward to
a relaxing shower and some light refreshments prior to our evening meal.
Day 4.
After a hearty breakfast we prepare for what we think is one of the nicest and
remotest sections of our walk from Oakhampton to Grindstone Bay, our walk
includes pasture, cliff top & remote sandy beaches with magnificent views of Maria
Island and the Freycinet Peninsula. Wild flowers, native grasses & shore birds further
enhance this section of our walk. A second night at the Brockley Estate.
Day 5
No visit to the east coast of Tasmania is complete without visiting magnificent Maria
Island. It is not possible in the space of a few words to describe the beauty and
variety of scenery that abounds on this historically significant offshore island. Lofty
peaks, precipitous cliffs full of fossils, historic ruins, convict buildings, sandy beaches
and an abundance of wildlife – Maria Island has it all. The boat trip itself is an
experience to remember, with dolphins & sometimes whales sighted during the 30
minute ferry crossing to Darlington. Today you will have the opportunity to
undertake a self guided walk or stay with your guides for the more challenging full
day walk to the summit of Bishop & Clerk the second highest point on the island
Day 6
After a final night at Brockley we bid farewell to our hosts Julien & Chaxi who have
looked after us so well for the past few days. After two very full days we return to
close to where we finished our walk on day four & continue north along outstanding
remote sandy beaches to another historically significant property, where we will join
the owners for afternoon tea on there veranda with magnificent views of the Tasman
sea. Today’s walk is shorter & more relaxed and will allow more time to linger awhile
to take photographs prior to a late afternoon arrival at our new accommodation
Kabuki.
Day 7
One of the difficulties of showing visitors some of the best that Tasmania has to
offer, is what not to include!! We thought long and hard about our last full day,
originally planning to walk on the Freycinet Peninsula, but then upon reflection we
though our guest would prefer to go to a place that very few (even Tasmanians)
people get the opportunity to visit; this is a small, but very significant historically,
island with usually deserted beaches, no actual designated tracks with a variety of
vegetation and stunning views of Mt Freycinet & the peninsula just across the water;
this, then, is Schouten Island discovered by Abel Tasman in 1642 & a fitting last full
day our walking holiday. Should the sea conditions be unsuitable for this visit, or
there are members of the group that prefer not to take the short boat trip there will
be the option of a days walking on the Freycinet Peninsula visiting Wineglass Bay. A
second night’s accommodation at Kabuki.
Day 8.
Alas, our holiday is almost complete, but not before one last short forest walk with a
gourmet picnic lunch, en-route to Launceston. We can drop you at you hotel or other
accommodation or to the Airport if departing that evening. For those wishing to
return to Hobart we can arrange this for you. Car Hire is readily available in
Launceston or we can arrange additional day tours to the surrounding area, including
the Tamar Valley.
A comprehensive description & a location map of this walk will be provided as part of
an information package to be sent to you one week prior to your tour.
Walking Distance:
The average walking distance each day is approximately 12 km. There are very few
really steep sections and those that are, are generally optional. About 70% of this
walk is off track on easy undulating ground that will include paddocks, sand &
shingle beaches & occasional rocky ground. In off track areas, the grass will
generally be short, but longer grass will be encountered depending on time of the
year. 30% will be on well worn tracks, from fairly rocky uneven ground to sandy
tracks. Some muddy sections maybe encountered. You can expect to be walking for
about six hours most days. Good sturdy, supporting footwear is essential – we will
send you a list of clothing recommendations upon making a booking.
Grading for this walking tour is: Medium.
Cost: $2950.00 fully inclusive (please see below for inclusions).
INCLUSIONS:
All transport during your holiday.
All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) except breakfast on day of arrival.
Breakfast and lunch only is provided on day of departure.
Tea/Coffee when provided in hotel rooms.
A choice of non-alcoholic drinks with all main meals.
A glass of wine from our selection with dinner.
Accommodation on a twin share basis (single supplement available)
National Park Passes.
A day entry pass for Port Arthur Historic site.
A lunch voucher for use at Port Arthur.
Use of a “Day Pack” if required for the duration of holiday.
Transfer of your luggage between hotels & guest houses when required.
Transport to Launceston Airport if required on final day.
Two guides for the duration of the holiday.
Information package including a route map. (sent out two weeks prior to your
holiday).
If you would like us to arrange accommodation in Hobart for the Friday night prior to
day one of the holiday or accommodation in Launceston on the Sunday night after
completing the walk we can arrange this at a special discounted rate. Please ask for
details.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
Ghost Tour at Port Arthur.
Additional alcoholic drinks at main meals & any food or drink from mini bars in
hotel rooms/cabins.
Single room supplement.
Travel Insurance.
Accommodation
We have strived to provide you with what we consider to be comfortable
accommodation in a variety of types, Hotel, Guest House & Self contained cabins. In
nearly all cases there will be en suite bathrooms. We have tried to use smaller hotels
where possible as these generally provide a more personal service and a more
“homely” environment. When booking, please specify if you want a double room
(double bed) or twin rooms (two single beds). If you do not wish to share, then a
single supplement of $500.00 applies.
Although unlikely, if for some reason the Hotel or Guest house that is listed is for
reasons beyond their control not able provide the accommodation that we have
booked, alternative accommodation of equal value & quality will be substituted.
Meals
Breakfasts: There is usually a choice of a cooked or continental style breakfast.
Cereals & fruit juice. Tea & Coffee.
Lunches: On most days this will vary, but will consist of Sandwiches or Rolls, with
your choice of fillings to fresh salads, and fine Tasmanian Cheeses. Fresh fruit will
always be included. Tea, Coffee & a Fruit Drink will also be provided. On some days
you will be given a voucher to purchase your own lunch at a Café.
Dinner: You will usually have the choice of two or three courses. A complimentary
glass of Tasmanian wine of your choice or a soft drink will be provided. Tea/Coffee.
Special Dietary Requirements:
Please indicate when booking if you have special dietary requirements or allergies to
certain foods.
Changes to itinerary
Although we will endeavour to keep to the itinerary that is provided, if we are unable
to walk a particular section due to weather or some other reason that makes the
location hazardous, we will substitute another section of coast or area of equal
interest.
Bookings & Enquiries
If you wish to make further enquiries or make a booking please complete the on line
enquiry form and we will send you the relevant booking form & further information.
Closing date for applications
The closing date for all multi-day walking holidays is 60 days prior to departure. In
the unlikely event that we do not receive sufficient numbers to run a particular
holiday, we will advise you. In these cases we will make a full refund of any monies
paid or if you prefer offer you another departure date.