This 7-night hiking-themed itinerary takes you to explore the remote coastlines of Tasmania’s east, and the iconic walks of the region. Guests will enjoy a variety of shore excursions, with both challenging and less strenuous walks on offer. The imposing cliffs, sandy beaches and sapphire waters of the rugged coast of Tasmania offer an experience of spectacular beauty. Guided by experienced bush-walkers, explore breathtaking coastal hikes along with insights into the region’s unique ecosystem. Some of the longer/more challenging hikes include Mount Beattie, Mount Milner, Fluted Cape Walkway, Cape Hauy, Hazards Circuit, and Bishop and Clerk. After the day’s exertions, retire to Coral Discoverer’s panoramic Xplorer bar and recharge with a Tasmanian single malt or two.
Arrive at your advised check-in location for boarding at 4:00pm, with time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Take the time to become acquainted with all the facilities onboard before meeting your fellow travellers, the Captain and crew for the Captain’s Welcome Drinks.
On the edge of the world in southwest Tasmania, the landscape here is about as wild as it gets. Raw, craggy-peaked mountains and drowned river valleys. Wild rivers and rivulets carved by an eternity. Where tannin-rich freshwater sits atop saltwater, tinting the ocean the colour of tea. With no road access, the logical way to explore this wilderness is by small expedition ship.
Guests will have the option of:
MOUNT BEATTIE
256m above sea level – The Mt Beattie track starts from a jetty at Claytons Corner where the historic. Claytons Hut is located, it travels steady uphill through native forest then opens out to button grass, open windy areas which are often muddy on the trail to the summit. It offers stunning views of the whole Port Davey area in particular Bathurst Harbour.
Walk Details:
› Distance: 3 hours return
› Grade 3 walk – some bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps.
› Prepare with: A raincoat, woolen jumper or polar-fleece jacket, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
MOUNT MILNER
180m above sea level – This hike begins with getting your feet wet in the shallow bay, the hike begins by slowly gaining height before reaching a short but very steep section which quickly gains height before leveling off and an easy up and down section to the lookout over the Break Sea Islands.
Walk Details:
› Distance: 2 hours return
› Grade 3 walk – some bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps.
› Prepare with: Sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
*Access to Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour is subject to annual permits being granted by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife.
At Adventure Bay on the east coast of Bruny Island, we walk along the dramatic coastal cliffs of Fluted Cape and hope to see Bennett’s Wallabies which are endemic to Bruny Island. Learn about the rich maritime history of Adventure Bay, and explore the history of old whaling stations on the way to Grass Point.
FLUTED CAPE WALKWAY
240m above sea level – This is a moderately challenging track which has a very well-maintained loop track with several short steep sections, and gradual inclines. It begins at the beach and is a flat easy walk to grassy point (1.5km) where the steep uphill section begins, it levels off at the lookout sections (1.5km) and them traverses down through the forest area, this can be slippery and muddy if rainfall has occurred.
Walk Details:
› 3 hours return loop (5.5km)
› Grade 3 walk – There is one very steep section on this track that requires good fitness but in general it is a steady climed to the summit lookout area before it is mostly downhill to the beach.
› Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
The Tasman Peninsula is known for its fascinating geological formations like the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, and the soaring 300 metre high dolerite sea cliffs of Cape Raoul, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy – the tallest in the southern hemisphere. We will visit Fortescue Bay, where guests will have the option of:
CAPE HAUY (part of the Three Capes Walk)
180m above sea level elevation gain – It features many steps along the way over 1000 on the way down and 800 to the junction lookout – good fitness and balance required. It starts from the boat ramp and undulates through woodlands and heath; it then drops down a steep set of steps before ascending to the Cape.
Walk Details:
› Distance: 4 hours return (4.4 km one way)
› Grade 3 walk – Some bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps.
› Some hazardous cliffs and unprotected track edges
› Prepare with: A raincoat, woolen jumper or polar-fleece jacket, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
CANOE BAY TO BIVOUAC BAY
Stroll along the shoreline looking for local wildlife as we beachcomb from Canoe to Bivouac Bay
The Freycinet Peninsula is a dramatic headland dominated by a pink-hued granite mountain range called the Hazards. Blessed with picturesque sweeping bays with white sand beaches like famed Wineglass Bay, much of the peninsula is designated as Freycinet National Park.
Guests will have the option of:
HAZARD LOOP
204m elevation – From Wineglass Bay across the Isthmus track and walk down Hazards Beach before joining onto the Hazards track looping onto the start of the Wineglass Bay lookout walk from Coles Bay.
Walk Details:
› 3.5 – 4 hours return (12 km loop)
› Grade 3 walk – Undulates up and down a steady track then a rocky track with built in steps. The walk over to Wineglass has many steps over 500 on the way down.
› Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
ISTHMUS TRAIL
An easy flattish walk that undulates between Hazards Beach and Wineglass Bay on a well-formed trail can be walked either way. It features both sand and dirt tracks as well as a selection of boardwalks.
Walk Details:
› 30 minutes return (2 km)
› Grade 2 walk – There are some ups and downs bust mostly an easy enjoyable walk.
› Prepare with: water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
WINEGLASS BAY LOOKOUT
204m elevation – One of Tasmania’s celebrated walks, it is a very well-constructed walkway passing through the coastal woodland and striking granite boulders to the lookout. It is a steep uphill climb featuring many individual steps (more than 500) before reaching the lookout summit, as we cannot land on the Coles Bay side this is a return from Wineglass Bay.
Walk Details:
› 2 hours return (3 km) from Wineglass Bay
› Grade 3 walk – It is a steady and sometimes steep walk up featuring more then 500 steps integrated into the walkway.
› Prepare with: water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
Maria Island can be referred to as a Noah’s Ark for native Tasmanian species. The Maria Island National Park provides an ideal sanctuary, and is one of the best places in Australia to observe endemic birdlife as well as wombats, Cape Barren geese, Forester Kangaroos, Bennett’s Wallabies, and pademelons
Guests will have the option of:
BISHOP AND CLERK
620m above sea level, this hike climbs through grasslands, open forests, tall woodland, to rocky slopes towering dolomite columns of the summit. It involves steep up and down sections, and an extensive field of boulders with a short climb to the summit.
Walk Details
› 4-5 hours return
› Grade 4 walk – Bush-walking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough, and steep. Signage may be limited. Hazardous cliffs, unprotected track edges, rock screed scramble
› Prepare with: A raincoat, woolen jumper or polar-fleece jacket, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
Other recommendations may include: Thermal pants, warm gloves, and woolen beanie.
FOSSIL CLIFFS LOOP
54m elevation – This is a loop walk starting at the jetty and finishing at the Darlington Settlement. It follows gentle but uneven grass areas and well-maintained tracks it is mostly gentle ups and downs but does feature one steep hill climb. It visits the old buildings and the fossil cliffs where fossils were deposited some 300 million years ago.
Walk Details
› 2-2.5 hours loop return (4.5km)
› Grade 2 walk – Mostly on a well maintained track. plenty of places to rest and feature only one steep hill climb.
› Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
PAINTED CLIFFS
56m elevation – A relaxing loop return coastal walk that features the stunning painted cliffs at Hopground beach, best done on a low tide to allow safe access to the rock platform beneath the cliffs.
Walk Details
› 2-2.5 hours loop return (4km)
› Grade 2 walk – It is mostly flat with only gentle incline along the trail. The rock platform at the painted cliffs require care as it can be slippery.
› Prepare with: Water bottle, sturdy walking shoes or boots, and a sun hat.
Our Tasmania adventure concludes in Hobart this morning as we bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew, disembarking at 8:00am. A complimentary transfer is provided to CBD hotels, or the airport is included.
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions, and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests that you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling. Note on fitness levels: This trip involves moderate to challenging walks, therefore reasonable mobility is required to enjoy all it has to offer. Our Xplorer tender permits easy boarding without climbing any stairs. Hikes vary in intensity and where possible we split groups to suit easy and moderate walkers. Guests are welcome to opt out of any excursion and relax onboard – our top deck outdoor lounge is great on a sunny day. As the itinerary covers remote regions, it is not suitable for passengers with serious medical conditions.
|
Book now |
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition
Length: 63 metres
Passenger Capacity: 72 (in 36 rooms)
Built: 2005 / Refurbished: 2016
Launched in 2005, Coral Discoverer set a new benchmark standard for small ship cruising in Australia. Refurbished in November 2016, she continues to raise the bar to new levels of sophistication in expedition cruising in the Southern Hemisphere.
The 1800-tonne Coral Discoverer is the grand vision of Coral Expeditions, pioneers in expedition and adventure cruises around Australia, Papua New Guinea and South East Asia. Her shallow draught and manoeuvrability allow her to go where larger vessels cannot. Her tender vessel, Xplorer, can seat all 72 passengers for excursions to beaches and rivers. Coral Discoverer is equipped with latest technology active stabilisers to ensure comfortable cruising in open waters and is fitted with modern safety and navigation equipment and wireless internet facilities.
Coral Discoverer was built to the exacting international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) standards and specifications in Cairns, Australia, with one aim in mind; to create the ultimate small ship cruising experience. Australian flagged, and staffed entirely by an Australian and New Zealand crew, your experience aboard Coral Discoverer will be unique.
After the refurbishment, the Sun Deck has evolved to become a new social space and the hub of on board community living. This area has been converted into an undercover deck area complete with round ‘Explorer Bar’ with bar stools and sun deck with lounges and an area for outdoor exercise equipment.
Guest accommodation has also received a substantial upgrade with the addition of six Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms providing coveted inside/outside living quarters. Each of our other Stateroom grades has also received a full upgrade with updated bathroom fixtures, soft furnishings and artwork making for an even more comfortable stay on board Coral Discoverer.
The Coral Discoverer offers five different grades of staterooms, ranging from Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms to Main Deck Staterooms. Bridge Deck Balcony Staterooms are on the top deck and have private balconies opening out from french windows. All rooms are furnished with contemporary flair and feature original artwork, a small private en-suite, individually-controlled air-conditioning, an iPod dock, ample storage and Australian toiletries. All staterooms are serviced daily. Each stateroom is spacious, sized between 15sqm (161 square feet) to 20 sqm (215 square feet) and has either a balcony, feature picture windows or porthole windows. Most staterooms can be configured to either junior king or twin bedding.
FACILITIES ON BOARD
> Sun Deck with undercover area, sun lounges and ample seating
> Three fully stocked cocktail bars, including brand new round Explorer Bar on Sun Deck
> Spacious, modern dining room, recently refurbished
> Forward lounge
> Reference library
> Gift shop
> Open bridge
> Workout Area
> Wireless internet available for laptops, mobile devices or via onboard guest computer
> Limited laundry facilities available
> SCUBA diving department (selected itineraries)