Renowned for its unspoilt beauty, the white sandy beach in the shape of a wineglass is dominated by the surrounding red granite mountains of The Hazards. There are more optional activities that you can poke a stick at so if adventure is your thing: four wheel bikes, sea kayaking, abseiling, mountain biking, more hiking, fishing and sailing tours.

The following day, ride into Swansea and through to our favourite berry farm in the world. In the afternoon take the ferry along with your bike over to Maria Island, a national park in its entirety. As it’s traffic-free you can zoom smugly past the walkers on your bikes, and see more sights than them in half the time! Back to Hobart later that night.

Duration 2 days/1night. Departs every Friday
Price from $295 per person
Includes: Hotel/hostel pick up and drop off; 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner; 1 night hostel accommodation; bike and helmet, ferry trip to Maria Island; National Parks Pass; knowledgeable guide and support van.
Call Island Cycle Tours on 03 6234 4951 or visit Island Cycle Tours

The wrecks of the “SS TASMAN” in 70 metres (230ft), “SS NORD” in 40 metres (130ft) and the “ANDRE REBONCAS” in 6 metres (20ft) offer wreck diving for every level of experience.

Giant kelp forests (macrocystis pyrifera) towering from sometimes 30 metres to the surface give the diver the feeling of flying as they glide through the underwater answer to rain forests. These forests are home to many of the endemic species that can be found in Southeast Tasmania. You might see unique creatures such as sea dragons, hand fish and seals.

Self-contained accommodation at the dive centre is backpacker style at $18/night/person, bring a sleeping bag ($25 if we provide the bedding). Accommodation is also available for groups and families. For those on a budget camping at the dive centre is available.

Facilities at the dive centre include a wet laboratory for biologists and photographers, lodge, kitchen, showers, toilets, dive shop, classroom, and diver training pool and fill station. Divers are transported to and from the jetty in wet diver transporter (Toyota Troop Carrier).

Operates daily on demand for two or more divers all year round.
Adults: $37.00 to $55.00 with own gear
Adults: $112.00 to $175.00 with full gear hire
Learn to dive from $195.00 per person
Call Eagle Hawk Diving Centre on 03 6250 3566 or
visit Eaglehawk Dive Centre

By day, the small groups of up to eight guests plus two guides ramble along magnificent beaches and walk through the world’s largest Tasmanian blue gum forests exploring Maria’s fascinating convict sites.

At night, enjoy a gourmet meal while sharing a glass of fine Tasmanian wine with friends, before retiring to comfortable beds where you drift into a slumber to the murmur of lapping waves.

For the first two nights, enjoy elegant, private beachfront camps and for the final night stay in the heritage-listed Bernacchi House in the historic convict settlement of Darlington.

Carry light packs of 5-8kg with basic essentials (but not sleeping bags, which are provided at each camp) and walk 25km over four days. The walk generally skirts the coastline, unless you choose to climb the island’s summit for breathtaking views.

Maria Island has superb wildlife viewing with many unusual animals such as rare Tasmanian kangaroos and wallabies, wombats and echidnas, most of which roam around totally unafraid of visitors on their island sanctuary.

Maria Island is also renowned for its bird watching and The Maria Island Walk contributes to the Birds Australia conservation program by recording bird counts on each trip.

The four-day package starts and finishes in Hobart and guests need to be in Hobart the night before the trip. Hobart Airport drop-off at the conclusion of the trip is available.

Duration 4 Days
Adults $1549
Includes: All transport within Tasmania (including boat trip to Maria Island), three nights twin share accommodation, gourmet meals and fine Tasmanian wine, experienced guides, National park entrance fees and use of backpack and waterproof jacket
Contact Maria Island Walk on 03 6227 8800 or visit Maria Island Walk for more details.

Join Cradle Mountain Huts on a spectacular walk along the Overland Track in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain Lake of St Clair National Park.

Two experienced and friendly guides will escort you along this famous track which meanders for 60 kilometres, through the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area – an area that covers more than one million hectares.

Beginning at the dramatic Cradle Mountain, which towers over Dove Lake, you will pass through a myriad of vegetative zones and experience the beauty of mountains, lakes, streams and waterfalls before arriving at the shores of Lake St Clair six days later.

At the end of each day you will find yourself at one of five private huts. Afternoon tea with freshly brewed coffee, teas and a book from the small collection, all combine to complete a fantastic day of walking in the national park. This is the only private accommodation permitted in the World Heritage Area.

These huts have been designed to complement their sensitive surroundings and are nestled among Tasmanian flora, offering privacy and expansive views. Each hut contains twin share accommodation, hot showers, toilets, heating, full kitchen facilities and living/dining area. This trip gives you the opportunity to experience, appreciate and learn about the Tasmanian wilderness in the presence of experienced guides in a safe and inspirational environment.

Duration 6 Days. Departs Launceston 6.20am – returns 6.30pm
Adults $2195
Includes: All transport within Tasmania, 5 nights twin share accommodation, all meals with Tasmanian wines, National park entrance fees, boat cruise on Lake St Clair, two experienced guides and use of Gore-text jacket, pack and sleeping bag
Call Tasmanian Travel Centre on 1800 641 917 or
visit Cradle Huts Pty Ltd

Specialists in fun, adventure and nature-based tours, Under Down Under Tours offers a no-hassle and value for money way to experience this amazing island. From the wilderness of the north to a jam-packed seven-day island tour, ‘wild places, wildlife and wild fun’ are the key features of any tour.

For more information on Under Down Under Tours call them on 03 6362 2237 or see their website Under Down Under.