Your Far South Journey: 5 days, 4 nights, self drive nature itinerary to Far South Tasmania

This journey offers 4 nights in nature and 5 days exploring the waterways, wilderness, wildlife and wine of Far South Tasmania. Regional accommodation is often more plentiful and cheaper Mon - Thurs. If you want to add a night or two in the city, weekends are the best times.
​This Tasmanian Journey is still in development. You can use it as a rough guide but the draft maps and location details might be inadequate for full planning.

The Plan
Two nights here, two nights there, gives you more time to relax and explore and wastes less time packing/unpacking. Avoiding the busy period from Christmas to end January will reduce queuing at activities, eateries and even national park car parks. Tasmania gets 4 distinct seasons. Most visitors come in summer. This means that during Autumn, Winter and Spring, there is good accommodation availability and discounted rates. Even during off season, flights, ferry, accommodation and guided tours should be pre booked. The earlier you book, the more chance you will get your preferred location on your preferred dates. 

Arrival
How to get to Tasmania and Hobart? What is prohibited to bring into Tasmania?
​Getting your bearings, maps etc.
​Where to stay the first night?
​How to travel around Southern Tasmania?

The Journey: Explore the nature of Far South Tasmania

Day One

  • Early morning flight arrival at Hobart Airport. Collect your hire car and begin your Tasmanian Journey.
  • Drive 20 minutes to historic village of Richmond for morning tea.
  • Drive 20 minutes to Bonnorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Drive 30 minutes to Mona Art Museum. Lunch at Mona, then spend the afternoon in the galleries.
  • Drive 1 hour to Pelverata for your first night.

Historic Village of Richmond

This is a classic village for and icecream break or morning tea of scones with fresh made Tasmanian jam and cream. (On longer journeys you can spend a couple of hours exploring the village)

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Rehabilitating and injured wildlife. Your chance to see many native Tasmanian species, all in one place.

Mona Art Museum: Hobart

Modern and ancient art, mostly a bit weird, often confronting, always memorable.

Laid Back Manor: Pelverata

A luxuriously appointed studio cabin with ensuite and kitchenette. Outside is a fire pit and golf course set by a mountain stream.
​
Near Pelverata Falls, Bruny Island ferry, Cygnet.

Day Two

  • Rest day: Sleep late, relaxed breakfast. Make a packed lunch or pick one up in Cygnet.
  • Not much driving today. Just 15 minutes drive and 1 hour walk to Pelverata Falls.
  • Lunch at the Falls or in the village of Cygnet
  • Second night at Laid Back Manor. Relaxing late afternoon or a round of golf.
Relaxing afternoon with a good book by the fire or a long bath outdoors with nature. Otherwise a quick food and drink journey around Huonville.

Day Three

  • Departing Laid Back Manor, drive  45 minutes to Willie Smiths Apple Shed for morning tea and cider tastings.
  • Continue 30 minutes south to Geeveston to pick up lunch, then turn west to Hartz Mountain National Park.
  • Range of walks from 5 minutes to 3 hours return. Packed lunch at Hartz Peak summit or in the picnic shelter.
  • Continue south via Geeveston. Pick up your groceries.
  • Arrive at Buttongrass Retreat late afternoon.
  • Evening bath on the deck.

Willie Smiths Apple Shed

Apple museum, cider works, cafe, distillery. Food, drink and culture of Tasmania's Huon Valley.

Hartz Mountains National Park

Snow in winter, spectacular views to the World Heritage Wilderness Area during summer. A wonderland of mountain peaks, small lakes and waterfalls.
Weather can change suddenly. For the longer walks, be sure to have all weather clothing.

​Buttongrass Retreat: Far South 

Being the southernmost accommodation in Australia, Buttongrass Retreat is close to Hastings Caves, Ida Bay Railway and Cockle Creek, the southernmost place in Australia. This 2 bedroom eco-cabin at Lune River is a great base for a couple of nights.

Day Four

  • From Buttongrass Retreats, drive 20 minutes south to Cockle Creek, the southern most place in Australia.
  • Swim in the protected bay or just enjoy the beach.
  • 2 hour return walk to Fishers Point plus afternoon cave tour at Hastings
  • Or 5 hour return to South Cape Bay, Australia's southern most beach.
  • Return at Buttongrass Retreat late afternoon.
  • Maybe dinner nearby at Southport Tavern.

Cockle Creek: End of the road

Drive to the end of the road at Cockle Creek, then a well made walking track to Tasmania's South Coast. With a permanent population of just 3 people, there are no shops here so be sure to bring a packed lunch.

​South Cape Bay Walk

Stand on the cliffs of South Cape Bay, a bracing wind blowing from Antarctica, surf rolling in from the Southern Ocean. You are the southern most people in all Australia.

Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs

Join a 45 minute guided tour into Hastings Caves. Lunch at the cafe or BYO BBQ to cook by the thermal spring.

​Buttongrass Retreat: Far South 

Your second night at Buttongrass Retreat. Self cater or maybe drive 12 minutes to Southport Tavern..

Day Five

  • From Buttongrass Retreats, drive an hour north to Franklin for a river cruise.
  • Lunch at Home Hill Winery.
  • (If you have a late flight, maybe add the 3 hour return Mount Misery Walk)
  • Take the winding mountain road to the summit of kunanyi Mount Wellington. Spectacular views over Hobart.
  • One hour drive to Hobart Airport for your flight home, or if you have a later flight, stop at the Hobart docks for fish and chips on the waterfront.

Calm water cruise on the Huon River

This cruise is set to inspire you to imagine a life on the water and get a glimpse of the rich history of the area, the people and the fantastic wooden boats that inhabit the waterways of the Huon Valley. ​

Home Hill Winery: Huonville

Pinot and Chardonnay tastings. Relax for an hour and enjoy a fine dining lunch on the edge of the vineyard.

Optional Extra if you have a late flight:
​Mount Misery Walk

Three hours total return walk to a mountaintop via rainforest, sub-alpine heathland and a small waterfall.

Mount Wellington Summit

Snow in winter, spectacular views over Hobart during summer. Drive to the summit and enjoy a walk of 5 - 50 minutes.

Extra Journey Options

Add a city centre night before or after your nature journey

Modern conversion of an historic building. Hotel rooms or self contained apartments. Onsite parking, restaurant. Just a couple minutes walk to city centre and waterfront.

Day trip to the Southwest World Heritage Wilderness Area

Before or after your self drive journey, maybe add a spectacular flight from Hobart, landing at Melaleuca in the South West World Heritage Area.
Learn about Aboriginal heritage on the Needwonnee walk, an award winning Aboriginal experience before having refreshments.
A boat ride down Melaleuca Inlet and into Bathurst Harbour, to witness the wilderness from a perspective that you are unable to appreciate by air or by foot.

Tours of 4 or 7 hours, depart most days.

Begin the
Huon Trail
with 2 nights
in Hobart

Stay at the Old Woolstore Hotel in central Hobart, visit Mona Art Museum or take a flight to Tasmania South West Wilderness and Port Davey.

Then 2 nights at a private nature retreat in the wilderness

Try "Glamping" in a deluxe yurt, surrounded by forest and wildlife. Accessible only by air.

Continue south past Dover to the Far South of Tasmania