Join seasoned guide Matthew Cornish on an unforgettable journey through Tasmania’s wild landscapes and rich heritage. With over 20 years of experience, Matthew brings the island to life—spotting wildlife, sharing hidden stories, and capturing the beauty of each moment through his lens. Whether it’s a quiet encounter with a wombat or a sweeping view of Cradle Mountain, Matthew will show you Tasmania like you’ve never seen it before.
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*Some images provided by Tourism Australia and Tourism Tasmania
Set between the towering peak of Mount Wellington and the Derwent River, Hobart is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Founded in 1804, Hobart is Australia’s second oldest capital and everywhere you go the past steps out to meet you. Sullivans Cove is lined with sandstone warehouses reflecting the area’s rich maritime history and at Battery Point tiny cottages vie for space with grand mansions and Victorian terraces. We have time to settle into our hotel and relax before our Welcome dinner.
*Please arrive before 13:30pm to meet the scheduled airport transfer to the starting hotel
Accommodation: Wrest Point Hotel & Casino, Hobart
Meals: Dinner
We’re lucky enough to be in Hobart on a Saturday, so following some local sightseeing we head to the famous Salamanca Markets where hundreds of stallholders set up their stalls along the elm tree lined street every Saturday, drawing large crowds. We spend the morning here, have free time for lunch then pay a visit to The Cascades Female Factory which was a self-contained, purpose-built institution intended to reform female convicts. The inmates did laundry and needlework services, offsetting some of the colony’s penal costs. Today, we have a heritage tour that gives an emotional depiction of the harsh life within the Cascades Female Factory in 1833.
Accommodation: Wrest Point Hotel & Casino, Hobart
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
We farewell Hobart this morning and begin our journey to the West Coast. We pass the huge South West National Park, which combined with the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park makes up almost a full, one third, of the land mass of Tasmania. Late morning, we arrive in Derwent Bridge, the geographical centre of Tasmania to see the Wall in the Wilderness. The “wall” is a work in progress which when finished will have an array of panels measuring 100 metres in length. We then enjoy a late lunch at the Wilderness Hotel. This afternoon, we drive through the pristine wilderness of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park through some of the state’s most spectacular lakes and mountain areas before the steep drive into Queenstown, a town which was established as a result of the discovery of gold and other minerals at Mount Lyell last century. From here its not far to Strahan and we check into our hotel for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Strahan Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
following breakfast we join a cruise on the Gordon River into Macquarie Harbour—a vast body of water that measures six times the size of Sydney Harbour. First navigated by Captain James Kelly and four companions in 1815, these wild and remote waters offer the only safe harbour on Tasmania’s west coast. We’ll visit Sarah Island, once known as “hell on earth” as Tasmania’s first and most brutal penal settlement. We’ll hear about the points of interest including the Huon Pines found in this area, commonly known to live for 2000 years. We return to Strahan for some free time before travelling by coach back to Queenstown
Accommodation: Strahan Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Departing Strahan, we make our way through Tullah and arrive at the Cradle Mountain National Park. We take a special tour into the National Park including Waldheim and Dove Lake. Our last stop in this area is a visit to Devils @ Cradle, a Tasmanian Devil interpretation centre. Our guide will introduce us to the lifestyle of the alpine Tasmanian devil. We then enter a special viewing area for our encounter with the real thing. We’ll realise that devils@cradle is committed to the conservation and protection of this now vulnerable species. The centre operates a successful captive breeding program, ensuring the ongoing survival of Tasmanian Devils in healthy numbers in the wild. Leaving the park, we head north to Burnie for our overnight stay.
Accommodation: Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn, Burnie
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast we follow the north coast via Penguin and Ulverstone to Devonport and arrive at the Don River Railway. Here we take a relaxing rail trip on the historic Melrose line to Coles Beach and on our return, we can look through the museum. For lunch we call into the Anvers Chocolate Factory just outside Devonport. The “House of Anvers” is a real chocolate sensation. It is located in the property formerly known as “Wyndarra Lodge” – a stylish 1931 Californian Bungalow which is set on 1.12 hectares of gardens with mature trees and plants from all over the world. This afternoon our touring takes us via the small town of Sheffield before arriving in Deloraine for a visit to Yarns: Artwork in Silk -a large art work piece depicting the story of the valley. Finally we arrive in Launceston and take a brief sightseeing drive around town before settling into our hotel.
Accommodation: Aspect Tamar Valley Resort, Grindelwald
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning we make our way east towards Nabowla, for a visit to the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm. We take a tour of the farm, one of the world’s largest single commercial lavender farms, producing the finest quality lavender flowers and lavender oil. We have a tour and morning tea before returning to Launceston and arriving at Cataract Gorge Reserve. Surrounded by cliffs, bushland and beautiful gardens explore at your leisure, perhaps taking a ride on the world’s longest single span chairlift followed by lunch in the cafe. This afternoon we have planned to join Tamar River Cruises for a cruise into Cataract Gorge for a different perspective. Our 50-minute cruise will explore the old and new facets of Launceston’s Seaport precinct, Kings Wharf, heritage properties and of course the spectacular Cataract Gorge.
Accommodation: Aspect Tamar Valley Resort, Grindelwald
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Departing Launceston, we journey down what was the finest highway in Australia in its day. It was first known as the Main Road linking Launceston and Hobart, then for some 55 years became the Midland Highway & now Highway One or the Heritage Highway. This morning we are heading to Swansea where we have morning tea at the Bark Mill Tavern and Bakery, as well as some time to look through the small museum. This afternoon we start making our way along the East Coast and see Maria Island off to the East, as we pass through Triabunna and Orford. On our way to Hobart, we pass through Richmond which is famous for having one of the oldest convict-built bridges in Tasmania.
Accommodation: Port Arthur Motor Inn, Port Arthur
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Today we will be spending the day discovering the Port Arthur Historic Site. The penal settlement is a stark reminder of the harsh conditions endured by the earliest European inhabitants of this one time island jail. The ruins are the greatest single tourist attraction in Tasmania and the place where up to 12,000 prisoners were kept in an atmosphere of hopelessness and misery. At the Visitor Interpretative Centre where we take a fascinating journey, retracing the life of a convict from the time of his petty crime in England, to his transportation to Port Arthur and finally his life in the penal colony. We also take a cruise on the harbor around Isle of the Dead. It was here that around 1000 convicts and ex-convict paupers were buried, mostly in unmarked graves. After a great day, we now return to Hobart and our final night of the tour.
Accommodation: Wrest Point Hotel & Casino, Hobart
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
We enjoy our final breakfast together before departing for the airport and our respective return flights home.
Meals: Breakfast
Fully Hosted by our Friendly Staff
Wildlife & Nature Guide | Tasmania & Far North Queensland Specialist
Matthew Cornish is a highly respected wildlife guide, photographer, and educator with over 20 years of experience leading nature-based tours across Australia and beyond. His passion for storytelling, deep knowledge of native wildlife, and warm, engaging personality make him a favourite among guests.
Matthew has spent several seasons guiding in Tasmania, where he leads immersive tours through some of the island’s most iconic regions. From the alpine landscapes of Cradle Mountain to the windswept Tarkine wilderness, and from the convict heritage of Port Arthur to the vibrant Salamanca Markets in Hobart, Matthew brings Tasmania’s natural and cultural history to life with insight and enthusiasm. Guests appreciate his ability to spot elusive wildlife, share fascinating ecological facts, and create memorable experiences in every destination.
A self-taught nature photographer, Matthew captures the beauty of the landscapes and wildlife encountered on tour, often sharing his images with guests as treasured mementos. His tours are consistently praised for being educational, relaxed, and full of character—reflecting his genuine love for the Australian environment and the people he travels with.
In His Own Words:
“There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people truly see what’s around them—whether it’s the silence of the Tarkine, a devil crossing a trail at dusk, or the stories embedded in a Hobart warehouse. Tasmania has a way of revealing itself slowly, and I love guiding people through that discovery.”
Tour Cost is PP in a Double or Twin Room, If Sole Use Room, add $900.00
This is a Moderate Paced Tour– Medium level of fitness required
Travelers must be able to meet the below fitness level requirements or have a carer who is available to assist. GVH Staff are not able to assist with those who have reduced mobility or other health problems. It is Your responsibility to arrange for such a carer if so required:
GVH reserves the right at its discretion to exclude from a tour or to terminate the travel arrangements during the course of the tour without refund, of anyone who is unable to cope with the requirements of the tour, including using coach steps for embarking and disembarking or needing services or facilities that are not available. We will not be held liable for any termination of your travel arrangements or additional expenses incurred. Please be aware that some outback locations may experience high temperatures.
