Tasmania

Welcome to Tasmania! (A pristine blend of heritage and authenticity on the island with the cleanest air)

Tasmania is the perfect place to cruise for the adventurous guests who will love the opportunity of exploring the many vast waterways, calm channels, an archipelago of islands and one of the world’s deepest harbours, Hobart. Not only is 42% of its land protected by National parks and World Heritage sites, this island state off the South East coast of mainland Australia is known for its quirky art scene, cheese-making artisans, prized oysters, distilleries, and even its own animal named the Tasmanian Devil (the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world!).
Tasmania has four distinct seasons with the warmest months (December to March) being the best season to cruise. Renowned as a place of great natural beauty, Tasmania can offer guests rich cultural experiences and untouched heritage sites allowing them to be treated to authentic Australian wilderness. The diving, fishing and hiking opportunities reveal scenic landscapes no matter where you are. There is something for everyone when you visit Tasmania..

Climate

Tasmania’s weather has fewer extremes than inland Australia. Most days have a temperature range of about 10 degrees. With direct exposure to the westerly winds from the ocean, the island receives moderate rainfall spread over most of the year. Storms, downpours, long periods without rain, days over 30 degrees and nights below 2 degrees are all rare. Instead, Tasmania’s weather tends to be middle of the road but mostly about 5 degrees cooler than Melbourne or 8 degrees cooler than Perth, Sydney or Adelaide.

Destination Highlights

The Southern Lights: Aurora Australis

The lesser known counterpart to its famous alternative, the Northern Lights, the incredible natural phenomena is a dance of lights across the sky and makes for memories that will last a lifetime. Best seen in the Winter months, between March and September, Auroras are produced when the particles of solar winds and the earth’s magnetic field collide. Therefore, Antarctica and Tasmania are the ideal places to view this natural wonder, given that the earth’s magnetic field is closest to its surface and the North and South Poles. The atoms bring various colours forth, green and red representing oxygen, and nitrogen reflected in green and blue.

History

Hobart is a beautiful city. It began its early life as a penal colony in 1803, making it the second oldest city in Australia. Convicts who had committed severe offences after arriving in Australia were being sent to Hobart. You can visit a number of these places of punishment, including Port Arthur with their restored buildings and museums. Hobart is renowned for its controversial MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), the largest privately funded museum in Australia.

Surfing

The waters on the southern side of the island offer peaked rolling waves that bring with them a little of the south ocean chill from the Antarctic. Cloudy Bay, Coal Point and The Neckbeach all offer some of Tasmania’s best surf. Every year in April, they host the ‘Bruny Island Surf Classic’ – one of only four state championship competitions.

Wineries

Tasmania’s moderate maritime climate, mild summers and long autumn days are perfect for cool-climate winemaking. Tasmanian wines have been winning awards since the 1840s. Tasmania also enjoys an international reputation as a leading producer of some of Australia’s premium pours. Its Pinot Noir and Sparkling Wines are particularly awarded, thanks to their slowly ripening grapes resulting in maximum varietal flavour development. More surprisingly, the island state has been awarded for its whisky production not less than 26 times in the last 6 years. The first brewers kicked off operations in the early 90’s producing malt whisky, with one exception for a brewer making small amounts of rye whisky.

More surprisingly, the island state has been awarded for its whisky production not less than 26 times in the last 6 years. The first brewers kicked off operations in the early 90’s producing malt whisky, with one exception for a brewer making small amounts of rye whisky.

Day ONE (Hobart)

The second oldest city in Australia, Hobart is Tasmania’s gateway to many and varied destinations including World Heritage areas enriched with superb scenery, colonial history and diverse natural attractions. Nestled amongst the foothills of Mount Wellington (rising 1,271 m or 4,170 ft above sea level), Hobart combines heritage charm with a modern lifestyle in a setting of exceptional beauty. Berth at Elizabeth Street Pier and take the tender up the river to MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art) for an out-of-this-world modern art experience. The museum is the largest privately funded museum in Australia. The Owner’s unconventional and challenging curatorial approach presents antiquities and some of the world’s most infamous, thought-provoking contemporary art from the David Walsh collection. Walsh himself described the museum as a “subversive adult Disneyland”. Stay for an incredible lunch experience at The Source: perched atop the MONA site, it is a temple to seasonal Tasmanian dining. spend an afternoon exploring; stumble upon Salamanca market and discover the many art and craft galleries. You can meet the makers in tiny boutiques that sell quality handcrafted goods. Be sure not to miss the views from Mount Wellington; hike or drive up the mountain for a captivating, picturesque view of the city.

Day TWO (Bruny Island)

Hobart is the gateway to many of Southern Tasmania’s best travel experiences, including Bruny Island. Cruise to Bruny Island via the D’Entrecasteaux Channel where you will discover some of Tasmania’s most remarkable reserved natural environments, abundant wildlife and stunning clifftop views.
Discover the best of Tasmanian produce recognised by the world’s top chefs: local artisan cow milk cheeses, premium cool-climate wines (mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), and traditionally-brewed beer. Bruny Island cheese tasting on the beach followed by a Pinot is a must-do activity!
A highlight is South Bruny National Park where you can immerse yourself between towering cliffs overlooking long sandy beaches, coastal heathland, underwater gardens of kelp seaweed and some amazing bushwalks to take it all in.

Day THREE (Huon River)

The Huon River is a picturesque area within a region of waterways noted for its exceptional variety of landscapes, from the still waters of the tranquil river itself to the magnificent forests of the Hartz Mountains National Park.
Enjoy the region’s seasonal produce by visiting Home Hill Winery Restaurant, where the salmon from the local farm is highly recommended. Maybe you would even be lucky to try the Whisky Cured Cold Smoked Salmon! Spend the night at anchor in Port Cygnet.

Day FOUR (Dover)

Spend the day anchored in Dover, a pretty fishing village once convict station, featuring beautiful beaches, pastoral scenery whilst offering a wealth of fresh seafood (abalone, salmon and crayfish), and produce for guests with a refined interest in food. Dover sits at the head of Esperance Bay and overlooks the small islands of Faith, Hope and Charity. With such christened names, you are in for a peaceful stay!
Dover is home to unspoilt scenery with quaint cottages and English trees that give the town an old-world charm.
Options to visit Hastings Caves and the Thermal Springs or stroll around the old buildings today.

Day FIVE (Recherche Bay)

Arrive in idyllic Recherche Bay in the far south of Tasmania beyond the Huon Valley – named by French explorer Bruni D’Entrecasteaux in 1792, who came ashore here for water and stayed for a number of weeks in 1792 to rest his crew and complete maintenance on his ships. Coal found on North Point by D’Entrecasteaux was mined by a team of 43 convicts from 1841 to 1848. There are three small settlements on Recherche Bay – Catamaran, Recherche Bay and Cockle Creek, the most southern communities in Australia.
On 22nd January 1793, two great ships named Recherche and Esperance once again dropped anchor on the “very good bottom” of this calm bay. “It is difficult to express the sensations we felt,” wrote the ship’s botanist, Jacques Labillardiere, “at finding ourselves at length sheltered in this solitary harbour at the extremity of the globe, after having been so long driven to and fro in the ocean by the violence of the storms.”

The spectacular coastal area extends to the dramatic wild landscape of the Southport Lagoon conservation area, home to critically endangered birds and plant species. The lagoon lays within the large territory of the South Eastern Aboriginal people of Australia, who were attracted to the area in the Summer following the large seal colonies.

DAY SIX (Port Arthur)

Make your way to Port Arthur and take in Australia’s most intact convict settlement to get a taste of Tasmania’s colonial past, a great base to explore the dramatic coastal rock formations and towering cliffs.
The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia’s most important heritage sites and destinations: you are now on the Tasman Peninsula. The spectacular coastline lends itself to temperate diving at Eaglehawk Neck, surfing, sea kayaking and bushwalking along rocky capes.
Cruising past the incredible rock formations, your gaze might drop back toward the ocean to meet whales, dolphins, seals and sea birds. Venture into a coastal sea cave, be amazed at the highest sea cliffs at Cape Pillar and majestic Tasman Island, the silent custodian of the Tasman Peninsula and final navigation point for migrating Antarctic whales and the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (yearly in December).

A heli tour could also provide a stunning opportunity to put the grandeur of the landscape into perspective.
Another land-based option is to transport yourself to the gorgeous Lavender fields of southern France: Port Arthur Lavender Farm spreads over 7 hectares, revealing picture-perfect rows of blooming flowers from December to February, as well as lakes and rainforests right on the ocean’s edge at Long Bay.
Return to the yacht for dinner and a beautiful night at anchor.

Day SEVEN (Hobart)

Depart Port Arthur and cruise back to Hobart. With Hobart’s captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences, the city has something for everyone. Reminisce upon the blissful week of cruising Tasmania’s South while you make the tough decision of “where to next?” within Australia’s most magnificent, untouched wilderness.
Spend the last night on board, venturing to maybe yet another incredible gourmet or gin/whisky distillery experience.
In the mid-morning, get ready to say Goodbye to the amazing crew, and remember it is only an Au Revoir !