Grand Australia: Tasmania Extension

Separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait, Tasmania feels like a world apart—an island of mountains, rainforests, and rivers where ancient Gondwanan landscapes remain largely untouched. Nearly half of the island is protected in national parks and reserves, providing a refuge for rare birds and mammals found nowhere else on Earth.

This relaxed seven-day adventure explores Tasmania’s extraordinary natural beauty at the height of spring, when wildflowers bloom and birds are at their most active. We’ll begin in Launceston, birding the Tamar River wetlands for Cape Barren Goose, Pink-eared Duck, and the flightless Tasmanian Nativehen. Traveling westward, we’ll look for endemic species such as Green Rosella and Yellow-throated Honeyeater before arriving at Mountain Valley Wilderness Lodge, where Tasmanian Devils and Pademelons emerge at dusk.

At Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park, we’ll immerse ourselves in ancient forests and alpine meadows alive with robins, honeyeaters, and currawongs, while nearby clear streams may reveal Platypus or the spiny Short-beaked Echidna. Continuing south through the Central Highlands, we’ll watch for Wedge-tailed Eagle and Musk Duck before reaching Hobart’s historic harbor, our base for exploring southeastern Tasmania.

A highlight of the journey is a full day on Bruny Island, where we’ll seek the endangered Swift Parrot and rare Forty-spotted Pardalote, alongside oystercatchers, Hooded Plovers, and soaring sea eagles. The trip concludes with leisurely birding around Hobart and a farewell dinner showcasing Tasmania’s celebrated seafood and produce.

Blending remarkable wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and easy travel, this journey captures the essence of one of Earth’s last great wilderness islands.

Tasmania’s landscapes range from rugged alpine peaks to lush rainforests, windswept coasts, and tranquil wetlands. These varied habitats shelter endemic birds such as the Green Rosella, Scrubtit, and Tasmanian Thornbill, as well as iconic mammals like the Tasmanian Devil, Wombat, and Platypus. The island’s ancient forests and clean, cool air reflect its Gondwanan heritage—a pristine refuge for wildlife and nature lovers alike.