ITINERARY OUTLINE:
Day 1. Sat 12 Oct 19: Arrive Hobart. Accom: Hobart
Day 2. Sun 13 Oct 19: Explore Hobart and travel Eaglehawk Neck. Accom: Eaglehawk Neck
Day 3. Mon 14 Oct 19: Pelagic birding. Accom: Eaglehawk Neck
Day 4. Tue 15 Oct 19: Orange-bellied Parrot flight to South West Wilderness. Accom: Hobart.
Day 5. Wed 16 Oct 19: Hobart to Bruny Island. Accom: Bruny Island.
Day 6. Thu 17 Oct 19: Full day Bruny Island. Accom: Bruny Island.
Day 7. Fri 18 Oct 19: Bruny Island to Mt Field area. Accom: Mt Field/New Norfolk area.
Day 8. Sat 19 Oct 19: Mt Field area to Cradle Mountain area. Accom: Cradle Mountain area.
Day 9. Sun 20 Oct 19: Cradle Mountain area. Accom: Cradle Mountain area.
Day 10. Mon 21 Oct 19: Cradle to Launceston and depart.
This tour has been designed to follow on from our South-Western Australian tour (4-12 October 2019).
DETAILED ITINERARY:
(B- breakfast; L- lunch; D-dinner.)
Day 1. Saturday 12 October 2019.
Arrive Hobart. Today has been set aside as an arrival day so you are free to arrive at any time that suits your travel plans. You are to make your own way to the hotel in the city (please see notes at the end of this itinerary). Please note that no activities have been planned for this day but if you plan to arrive early and would like advice on options for the day please do contact our office. For those participants joining this tour from our south-western Australian tour we will travel from Perth to Hobart today (based on the 2018 itinerary the best flight option looks like a departure from Perth at 08:00 and arrival in Hobart at 17:10 with a stopover in Melbourne -exact time/arrangements to be confirmed). We will meet as a group at the hotel at 7.00pm for a brief orientation and welcome dinner. Accommodation: Hobart Hotel (en suite rooms). Meals Included: D.
Day 2. Sunday 13 October 2019.
Hobart reserves and drive Eaglehawk Neck. Today we begin our exploration of spectacular Tasmania by visiting several reserves in the Hobart area including Mount Wellington. This mountain, at a height of 1270m (around 4,150 feet), affords spectacular views of the city and surrounding landscape on a clear day. Here we will also take a walk through a fern glade with towering tree ferns where we have our first chance to see the endemic and rather shy Scrubtit as well as Tasmanian Scrubwren and the stunning Pink Robin. Further endemic highlights we will look for today include Green Rosella, Tasmanian Native Hen, Black Currawong and Yellow Wattlebird. In the early afternoon we will enjoy the scenic drive to Eaglehawk Neck. On arrival we will bird some of the areas of interest enjoying the spectacular sea cliffs and breathtaking scenery typical of the area. We may well see Yellow-throated Honeyeater as well as a range of more widely distributed species including White-bellied Sea Eagle and Black-faced Cormorant. The uncommon Cape Barren Goose is also a possibility here.
Accommodation: Hotel on Tasman Peninsula (en suite rooms). Meals included: B, L, D.
Day 3. Monday 14 October 2019. Southern Ocean Pelagic.
This morning we will board a charter vessel (weather dependant) making our way into the vastness of the Southern Ocean in our quest for pelagic birds. High species diversity and the nearness of the continental shelf have earned Tasmania an international reputation as an excellent place to see pelagic species. Not long after we depart Pirate’s Bay we will encounter Short-tailed Shearwater in considerable number as well as our first albatross species. This is one of the finest places on the planet to see a diversity of albatross and Wandering, Black-browed, Shy, Southern Royal and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses are all possible. With land still in sight we will reach the continental shelf and begin to berley off the back of the boat. Possible petrels include Great-winged, the striking White-headed, Gould’s, and Mottled. Shearwater diversity is also good with Hutton’s, White-chinned, Buller’s, Sooty, Short-tailed (common in Tasmanian waters) and Fluttering Shearwater all possible. Wilson’s, Grey-backed and White-faced Storm Petrels and Fairy Prion are also regularly seen. There are often surprises in store, and with 30 plus species possible in these waters, there is bound to be something new for everyone. Mammals we may encounter include Australian Fur-seals, Hump-backed Whale and Bottlenose Dolphin. There will also be a chance to visit some nearby geological formations and if time permits explore Tasman National park before returning to our hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel on Tasman Peninsula (en suite rooms). Meals Included: B, L, D.
Day 4. Tuesday 15 October 2019. Orange-bellied Parrot excursion: flight to South West Wilderness.
This morning we will leave civilisation behind us and embark on a spectacular flight (weather dependant) to Tasmania’s remote South West World Heritage area. Inaccessible by road and breathtakingly scenic, this is one of the most remote areas in Australia and is famed, not only for its unspoilt wilderness and clean air (arguably the cleanest in the world), but also for its birdlife. Today we have a chance to see one of Australia’s rarest birds, the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. With no more than 50 left in the wild, this vivid parrot is teetering on the brink of extinction. Other specialties we hope to see are the elusive Eastern Ground Parrot, Striated Fieldwren, the delightful Southern Emu-wren, and the aptly named Beautiful Firetail. The area is also rich in history and we will learn of the fabled adventurers who braved this region in a bygone era. Depending on the mood and weather we may opt for some spotlighting after dinner in a Hobart reserve to search for Southern (Tasmanian) Bettong, Tasmanian Pademelon, Bennetts Wallaby and Brush Tailed Possum. In our searching we may also encounter Tawny Frogmouth.
Accommodation: Hobart Hotel (en suite rooms). Meals Included: B, L, D.
Day 5. Wednesday 16 October 2019. Hobart and Bruny Island.
Depending on our timing and conditions we may opt to start our day in reserves around Hobart or alternatively venture directly down to Bruny Island. Situated 40km south of Hobart, Bruny Island is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and accessed by a vehicle ferry. The ferry trip takes approximately 15 minutes where one can enjoy some wonderful scenery and possibly Little Penguins or dolphins alongside the ferry. This afternoon we will visit Bruny’s southern coastline to view the second oldest lighthouse in Australia, and search for species such as Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Olive Whistler and Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo. Here we also have a chance to see the Tasmanian subspecies of Short-beaked Echidna, one of Australia’s two egg-laying mammal (montreme) species. After dinner tonight, we will visit the Little Penguin and Short-tailed Shearwater colony to view these species at their burrows.
Accommodation: Cottage style accommodation, Bruny Island (en suite cabins) Meals Included: B, L, D.
Day 6. Thursday 17 October 2019. Bruny Island.
Today we have a full day to explore Bruny and the variety of habitats found on the island; from coastal beaches, where there is a possibility of finding Hooded Plover, to rainforest areas where we will search for the endemic Scrubtit and Tasmanian Thornbill. We will also attempt to find all of Tasmania’s remaining endemic birds with Strong-billed Honeyeater, Dusky Robin and Forty-spotted Pardalote likely highlights. Most of these can be seen at the Inala Private Reserve, Tonia Cochran’s privately owned 1,500-acre sanctuary on south Bruny Island. If we are fortunate we may encounter the striking white morph Grey Goshawk and critically-endangered Swift Parrot that regularly occur on the Inala Reserve. We will also take time to enjoy the interesting flora of the area, including Tasmanian endemic species and relics from the ancient Gondwanan Supercontinent. We will enjoy another night trip tonight for the chance to see a range of Tasmania’s nocturnal marsupials (including Eastern Quoll and “normal” as well as golden morph Bennett’s Wallaby and Brush-tailed Possums) in addition to searching for Tawny Frogmouth and Morepork (formerly Tasmanian form of the Southern Boobook).
Accommodation: Cottage style accommodation, Bruny Island (en suite cabins). Meals Included: B, L, D.
Day 7. Friday 18 October 2019. Bruny Island to Mt Field area.
This morning we will depart Bruny early for Mount Field National Park. This area is an excellent back up site for our endemic target species, notably Scrubtit and Black Currawong, and is also a great place to experience a range of habitats from fern gullies with waterfalls, to alpine heathland and cool temperate rainforest boasting some of the tallest Eucalyptus in Australia. Today we have our first chance of seeing the bizarre Platypus, the other species of Australian monotreme. In the late afternoon we will make our way out of the park to a nearby settlement where we will overnight.
Accommodation: Mount Field area (en suite rooms). Meals Included: B, L, D.
Day 8. Saturday 19 October 2019. Mt Field area to Cradle Mountain area.
This morning we will leave the Mt Field area and travel north to Cradle Mountain National Park. While today is largely a travel day we will enjoy some lovely scenery and stop en route to bird and stretch our legs. There will also be an option to visit a wildlife Sanctuary where some of Tasmania’s rarer mammal species can be seen. We will arrive at our accommodation near the National Park in the late afternoon. This accommodation has been chosen as it offers a chance of seeing one of Australia’s most threatened and charismatic mammals in the wild and at close range. Having become increasingly rare this is one of the only places left where one has a reasonable chance of seeing Tasmanian Devils. Here the owner places meat down for the devils at dusk and, with any luck, they will come in to feed after dark. Spotted-tailed Quolls also come to the verandas to feed and this is an excellent opportunity to view and photograph these elusive creatures.
Accommodation: Lodge near Cradle Mountain (en suite cabins). Meals Included: B, L, D.
Day 9. Sunday 20 October 2019. Cradle Mountain area.
Today we have a full day to explore Cradle Mountain. This is a good area to search for Tasmania’s endemic bird species like the retiring Scrubtit, Black Currawong, Tasmanian Thornbill and Tasmanian Scrubwren. In addition to the great birding we will enjoy some of the interesting plants found here. Notable are ancient rainforest species and Gondwana relics such as Pencil and King Billy Pines, Myrtle and the famous Fagus (Nothofagus gunnii) which is Tasmania’s only deciduous tree. This is also a good area to view Common Wombat and if we are fortunate we may see Platypus. If time permits we will visit the replica of “Waldheim”, the home of the Austrian Gustav Weindorfer, whose love of the area inspired the establishment of the national park. Tonight, we have another chance to see Tasmanian Devil at our accommodations.
Accommodation: Lodge near Cradle Mountain (en suite cabins). Meals Included: B, L, D.
Day 10. Monday 21 October 2019. Launceston and depart.
This morning we travel to Launceston after breakfast where you will be able to connect with a flight of your choosing to one of the capital cities. If time permits we will visit some wetlands en route where there is a chance to view a number of wetland species including Purple Swamphen, Australian Shelduck, Black-fronted Dotterel and Little Grassbird. Please note that flights from Launceston should be made from around 13:00 as the guide will deliver those clients there around midday. The guide will then be traveling back to Hobart and there is therefore scope to deliver clients to Hobart airport around 15:00 for flights from 16:00 onwards for domestic flights and from 17:00 for international flights. Alternatively, we can organise an additional night in Hobart for you at the end of the tour at an additional cost if that is your preferred option.
Meals Included: B.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Group size: 6-8 participants and 1 guide or up to 12 participants and 2 guides.
Tour Price: AUD$5,995 per person twin share. Single supplement: $990
Inclusions: 9 nights en suite accommodation, specialist guiding and transport for day and night tours as outlined above, all meals as outlined in the itinerary, activities outlined in the itinerary (including the South West flight and the pelagic cruise), National Park entry fees, Bruny Island ferry fares, GST (=VAT).
Exclusions: International or domestic Australian airfares* (except the South West flight as mentioned above), activities and breakfast and lunch on day 1, the airport transfer on day 1, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and expenses of a personal nature (snacks, travel insurance, internet, laundry, tips etc).
Please note:
Additional services: We are able to arrange either self-guided or guided extensions to other parts of Tasmania or Australia to compliment this tour. Please enquire at the Inala office and we will happily cater for you through our licensed travel agency.
Arrival in Hobart: There is a regular shuttle bus service (The Hobart Airporter) between Hobart airport and the main hotels in the city. Details on the costs and timing of the shuttle can be found at the following website - http://www.airporterhobart.com.au/. Alternatively, you may wish to take a taxi to the city – there is no need to pre book these, they are readily available outside the terminal building. More information on taxis (and additional airport information) can be found here http://hobartairport.com.au/to-from/taxis-buses/.
Meals and drinks: Breakfast generally consists of a continental style breakfast with cereal, fruit and yoghurt and tea/coffee. Full cooked breakfast is not generally offered at most locations. Lunch will generally consist of a packed lunch style meal eaten in the field, with sandwich/filled roll, fruit, and a drink. Dinner is usually two course and consists of several options for main with the choice of either an appetiser or dessert. Drinks (soft and alcoholic) are generally not included but at lunches and breakfasts juice may be made available.
The itinerary: Whilst we aim to follow the itinerary as planned, please note that the itinerary provided should only be used as a guideline. Depending on individual trip circumstances, weather, and local information, the exact itinerary may not be strictly adhered to. The guides reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary as they see fit.
The pelagic and the South West flight: Both of these activities are weather dependant and we will try to reschedule within the timeframe of the tour if either is cancelled due to bad weather.