The Big 3 - Hobart to Launceston

The BIG 3 Starting Hobart

Note: This tour is also available departing from Launceston and finishing in Hobart.

See the BIG 3 highlights of Tasmania in just 3 days! We combine the very best of our day tours to bring you 3 days of amazing highlights, scenery, wildlife and huge fun days exploring Tasmania with our awesome guides.

Day 1: Port Arthur, Richmond & Tassie Devils

Departs: Hobart at 7.30am
Returns: Hobart 6.00pm
Overnight: Hobart (accommodation by own arrangement)

Today is action packed and fast paced. We make an early start from Hobart and drive directly to the stunning Tasman National Park.  This area has amazing history, fascinating stories and spectacular scenery. It is also home to Australia’s highest sea cliffs. We enjoy the panoramic views of the area from Pirates Bay Lookout which provides a great vantage of the surrounding area. Passing through Eaglehawk Neck and "The Dogline" our Tour Guides will share with you some fascinating stories and history of the area. 

Then we begin one of Tasmania’s “Great Short Walks”.  This is a short but spectacular  track along the Waterfall Bay Clifftop.  The walk is around 45 minutes, undulating and categorised as an easy walk.  The track concludes at the remarkable rock formations of Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.

Next stop is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo.  We arrive here for all the action of a Tasmanian Devil Feeding. Watch the snarling, fighting and bone crushing in a spectacle of devilish behaviour during the feeding.  Hand feed the wallabies and walk among the local fauna and flora in the charming “Unzoo” setting.

Continuing our journey, we arrive at Port Arthur Historic Site.  As we enter the Port Arthur Historic Site, there is a wealth of information and history to take in and to explore. Your entry includes a complimentary Harbour Cruise around the Isle of the Dead, ‘The Port Arthur Experience' a podcast that provides a fascinating introduction to the site, and complimentary site talks throughout the day led by Port Arthur’s expert guides.  Discover the grim and violent history of the early Australian Penal system and get a sense of the isolation experienced by the convicts in this “inescapable prison”.   With around 2.5 hours here, you have time to walk among the main penitentiary; see the solitary confinement cells and many more buildings in this World Heritage open air museum.

On our return to Hobart, we travel via the historic township of Richmond. Arriving late the in the afternoon, you will have time to meander the streets, stop for a coffee, visit the Lolly Shop, Chocolatier and walk across Australia’s oldest bridge still in use – a convict built sand-stone bridge, reported to be haunted!

We return to Hobart around 6.00pm.

Day 2: Hobart to Launceston via Wineglass Bay & Freycinet National Park

(Bring your luggage today!)
Departs: Hobart 7.30am
Returns: Launceston 6.00pm
Overnight: Launceston (accommodation by own arrangement)

We depart Hobart heading east then following the coastline north.  We travel through the seaside towns of Orford and Swansea as we make our way to Freycinet National Park.  Freycinet is one of Tasmania’s first National Parks, famous for its rich and stunning coastal landscapes.  Pink Granite Mountains form the backdrop for secluded bays, pristine waters, white sandy beaches, local wildlife and amazing walking trails.

We walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout where your guide will help you take those sought after photographs and offer you some walking options for the day.  This walk takes around 1.5 hours, is graded as an easy but uphill walk.

For the keen walkers you can continue the walk down to Wineglass beach (2.5 hr return walking time).  You have time on this famous beach to take a swim, relax, eat your lunch or meander along the white sands.

If you prefer to select the shorter walking option, then you can explore other areas of Freycinet with our tour guide.  Visit Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay, Cape Tourville Lighthouse & great short walk.

We re-group ready for the return journey.  Our final stop on the East Coast is the stunning Devil’s Corner Winery, where you will have time to take in the magnificent view. On site you can enjoy a wine tasting, wood fired pizza, fresh seafood from Freycinet Marine Farm and ice creams all available at own expense on the day.  Then it is onwards into Launceston returning around 6.00pm.

We arrive in Launceston around 6.00pm.

Day 3: Cradle Mountain Active Day Tour

Departs: Launceston 7.30am
Returns: Launceston 6.00pm

Cradle Mountain National Park is an area of iconic scenery with a wide variety of walking trails to choose. Cradle Mountain is a stunning and World Heritage listed area.  With around 5 hours to spend in the National Park we leave our walking itinerary flexible to suit our guests and the weather conditions on the day.

After departing Launceston we enjoy a short stop in Sheffield – The Town of Murals.  Sheffield is a small and quirky rural village, in the foothills of the mountains.  Sheffield is Tasmania’s own outdoor art gallery, featuring over 100 paintings on the walls of buildings across the town.  The artwork depicts the history of the Cradle Mountain region, and is a great taster of what is to come, before we continue onwards into the mountains.

Arriving into the Cradle Mountain National Park, we prepare for the walking opportunities ahead of us.  We aim for around 4 – 5 hours in the National Park, to really make the most of the trails.  We begin our adventures with one of Tasmania's Great Short Walks, which gives us the perfect introduction to the area the Enchanted Walk trail. An easy 20 minute circuit following Pencil Pine Creek.

Our main hike for today's tour, begins from Dove Lake with 2 walking options available.  Here you can choose your preferred main walk.  There is the iconic Dove Lake Circuit which is a 6 kilometer track, classified as easy and usually takes 2-3 hours.  This is one of the premier walks in Tasmania, the track undulates around Dove Lake and traverses beneath Cradle Mountain. All the magnificent flora can be viewed on this walk, with buttongrass, myrtle, sassafras, fagus and King Billy Pine along the way, along with epic views of Cradle Mountain.

For the more active and avid hiker, we offer the chance to climb to the loftier heights of Marion’s Lookout.  This is around 4 kilometers but is classified as a medium grade hike, with some steep sections.  Marions Lookout sits at 1200m, and provides breathtaking 360 degree views of the surrounding World Heritage wilderness area.

We stop along the way for a lunch break, enjoy a rest by a quiet stream, watch the famous and friendly Cradle wombats in their natural habitat, or take the time to photograph the  landscapes.  Learn some of the local history as we visit Weindorfer’s Chalet and see the ancient King Billy Pines on Weindorfer’s Forest Walk.

On our return to Launceston, we stop to refresh and refuel at the delicious Van Dieman's Land Ice Creamery and Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm.

We return to Launceston around 6.00pm, concluding your BIG 3 Adventure!

BIG 3 Planning Information

Meals are not provided, however, there are plenty of opportunities to stop for lunch and snacks on each tour to suit your taste and budget, or you can bring your own.

Book your own accommodation of choice to suit your budget and style.  We will pick up and drop off to select Hobart / Launceston central city hotels only. The nearest location to your accommodation will be allocated to you. Please ensure you can load and unload your own luggage on Day 2.

For flexible departure day options or non consecutive tour day options please contact our friendly office team.