WALK TARKINE WILDERNESS

Please note day 1 and 2 itinerary will be changed for all departures from January 2024 onwards.

A price variance also applies. See details below.

FOR DEPARTURES SEPT TO DEC 2023

ARRIVAL DAY LAUNCESTON – OVERNIGHT GRAND CHANCELLOR

Today is an arrival day. Book your own flight to arrive any time in to Launceston and make your own way to the Hotel Grand Chancellor in the heart of the city. Your accommodation has been booked in a deluxe twin or deluxe king room. Accommodation is based on twin share (note:  solo travellers will need to pay a single supplement cost of  $75). Tonight enjoy a free evening to explore one of the many restaurants in Launceston, alternatively dine in the hotel’s restaurant. (own expense).

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FOR DEPARTURES FROM JANUARY 2024

ARRIVAL DAY – TRANSFER TO SMITHTON

From January 2024 our itinerary for day 1 will change to maximise your time in the remote Tarkine. Guests will be picked up at 2.00pm from the Grand Chancellor in Launceston and driven to Smithton the gateway to the Tarkine in the North West. (3 hours drive). Enroute we will stop to the visit the quaint seaside town of Stanley and see ‘The Nut’, an iconic volcanic plug rising dramatically from the coastal landscape. We continue on to our accommodation for tonight at the Tall Timbers hotel in Smithton. We savour a delightful dinner in the hotel restaurant, featuring local Tasmanian produce accompanied by a fine selection of wine.

PLEASE NOTE: When booking your own flights into Launceston ensure your flight arrives no later than 12pm midday to allow for any unexpected delays. After arrival into Launceston make your own way to the Hotel Grand Chancellor to meet our guides in the foyer of the hotel. (the hotel may be able to hold your luggage if you get in early and wish to explore the town).

ITINERARY FOR DEPARTURES SEPT TO DEC 2023
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DEPARTURE TIME:

7.30am

TRANSFER TIMES:

Morning: 2.5 hour transfer from Launceston to trail. Stop en route in the pretty town of Waratah. Afternoon: 1 hr 10 minute transfer from end of walk to accommodation.

WALK GRADE: 

7kms total walking for the day. Walk 1: 1.5 – 2 hours with breaks. Grade: Easy to Moderate Walk 4kms.  Walk 2: 1-2 hour walk. Grade Easy. 3kms. Moderate to Good level of fitness required.

TERRAIN:

Wide and narrow formed walking trails with some steps and occasional fallen trees to negotiate. The tracks can be slippery at times. Short, steep section at Philosopher Falls.

WALK ITINERARY:

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant, before meeting your guides in the hotel foyer of the Grand Chancellor Launceston at 7.30am. From here we head west past Cradle Mountain to the edge of the Tarkine where our adventure begins. 

We will stop en route at the quaint township of Waratah with its waterfall in the middle of town. We begin with a short walk to the Philosopher’s Falls, a walk through magnificent tall myrtle rainforest with views through the forest to the Arthur River. Afterwards, we head to the pretty Whyte River to explore the rainforests exploring Huon Pine and Myrtle.

Afterwards, we head to our accommodation for the next 2 nights at the charming Corinna Wilderness Resort.  Corinna was once a historical gold mining settlement in the 1800s and as such this remote Resort still has some of the historical buildings of this era.

Our guests will stay in the best accommodation in the township in 1 bedroom cottages. Tonight enjoy dinner in the Resort’s Tannin Restaurant featuring local produce served with Tasmanian wine. A wonderful end to our day’s adventures.

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ITINERARY FOR DEPARTURES FROM JANUARY 2024

From January 2024 our itinerary on day 2 will change to allow you more time to discover the rainforest areas of the Tarkine.

DEPARTURE TIME: 

8.00am

TRANSFER TIMES:

Morning: 35 min transfer from Smithton to Balfour Track.

Afternoon: 1 hr 45 minute transfer from Balfour Track to Corinna.

WALK GRADE:

Morning walk 8.2kms. 2.5 hours. Medium Walk.
Afternoon walk: 6.8kms. 3.5 -4 hours. Elevation 311m. Some short steep sections. Shorter walking option also available.

WALK ITINERARY:

After breakfast we transfer 35 minutes to the start of our walk in the Northern Tarkine region.

Our journey takes us on the historic Balfour Track in the Tarkine. The track follows the Stephens Rivulet and was cut in the early 1900s for packhorse and prospectors wanting to track to the mining township of Balfour.

As you embark on this scenic journey through this beautiful, cool, quiet, temperate rainforest you find yourself surrounded by ancient rainforests of towering myrtle, eucalypt and sassafras trees and ferns.

Afterwards, we make our way to the remote Corrina and discover an extraordinary world-class rainforest trail renowned for its beauty. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the river area, adorned with vibrant ferns and majestic tall trees, evoking a sense of enchantment.

As we traverse the trail, be captivated by the allure of moss-covered trees, diverse fungi, adding to the trail’s allure. This extended hike seamlessly combines the elements of river, forest, hill, and a secluded pontoon to take in the tranquility.

We then head to our accommodation for the next 2 nights at the charming Corinna Wilderness Resort. Corinna was once a historical gold mining settlement in the 1800s and as such this remote Resort still has some of the historical buildings of this era.

Our guests will stay in the best accommodation in the township in 1 bedroom cottages. Take a well-deserved break before indulging in a hearty meal accompanied by fine wine at the esteemed Tannin Restaurant.

TRANSFER TIMES:

Morning: 1 hour cruise to the start of the trail.

Afternoon: 1 hr cruise back to accommodation.

WALK GRADE:

6 hours walking. 13kms. Good level of fitness required. Grade: Moderate.

TERRAIN:

Mainly flat walking, no inclines. Some walking on sand, rock hopping and formed trails.

WALK ITINERARY:

After breakfast, we join our private boat transfer down the pristine Pieman River to enjoy a truly personal experience with river and rainforest. This river is engulfed by stunning rainforest with mirror-like reflections at every turn. Our boat transfer drops us off at the edge of the forest, where the river spills into the sea.

From here we head north to the coastline to do a section of the ‘Tarkine Coast Track’. This Coastline is one of the world’s wildest and most spectacular stretches of coastline. Looking out to sea, you would need to travel 2/3 of the entire globe before you reached land again in South America.

This spot is like nothing you have ever seen; marvel at the huge surf driven by the roaring 40s, coastal meadows and rocky headlands. Sea eagles, Tasmanian Devils, wombats and seabirds all make this wild coastline their home.

Late afternoon we return to our accommodation at the Corinna Wilderness Lodge for a relaxing dinner in the Tannin Restaurant and to chat about today’s adventures.

*Please note dependant on weather conditions if they are not favourable the captain of the boat may choose to travel in a southerly direction and the walk will not be as advertised .

TRANSFER TIMES:

Morning: 1.5 hour transfer from accommodation to start of the trail.

Afternoon: 2.5 hour transfer from end of walk back to Launceston.

WALK GRADE:

Main walk – 5 hours walking. 8kms. Grade: Moderate to Difficult. Steeply inclined mountain walking. Easier option –  3 hours walk. 8kms of same walk

TERRAIN: 

Steeply inclined mountain walking. Rocks and fallen trees to negotiate. Can be slippery with occasional muddy sections. Easy rock scramble near the summit of Mt Farrell. Easier option – Mostly flat walking on a formed trail. Can be slippery with occasional muddy sections.

MAIN WALK ITINERARY:

After breakfast farewell Corinna and cross the Pieman River by the famous ‘Fatman’ barge. We head south-east into the Meredith Range region of the Tarkine.

Our walk starts near the old hydro town of Tullah and ascends steeply through forests into the alpine environment and the summit of Mt Farrell with sweeping views over the Tarkine, down the west coast and inland to Cradle Mountain.

Afterwards, we head back to Launceston arriving at approximately 7.00pm.

ARRIVAL TIME:

We arrive back into Launceston at approximately 6.00 – 6.30pm. Note: our guides are happy to drop guests off directly at the airport, en route back into Launceston. If booking flights please do not book before 8.00pm.