Your Far South Journey: 5 days, 4 nights, self drive tour 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 70 minutes to Huon Valley for your first two night stay.

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.

Huon Bush Retreats: Huonville

An Eco-Retreat with self contained cabins, deluxe tipees and campsites.
Near Huonville, Mount Misery, Hartz Mountains, Highland Getaway Farm Tour, Willie Smiths Apple Shed and Home Hill Winery.

Day Two

  • Rest day: Sleep late, relaxed breakfast. Make a packed lunch.
  • No need to drive anywhere today. Right on site is the Mount Misery Walk. 3  hours return through rainforest and sub-alpine heathland. Small waterfall on the way back.
  • Lunch at Mount Misery Summit
  • Return to Huon Bush Retreat. Relaxing late afternoon or visit nearby winery or cider works.

Mount Misery Walk

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

Home Hill Winery: Huonville

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

Willie Smiths Apple Shed

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

Day Three

  • Departing Huon Bush Retreats, drive an hour south to Hartz Mountain National Park. (Take the gravel road if you want an adventure, or stick to the bitumen)
  • 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.

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.
  • Walk to Fishers Point or 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.

​Buttongrass Retreat: Far South 

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

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.

Aurora Upgrade Option

​Many Aurora chasers spend freezing nights sitting in their cars, waiting for a glimpse of this natural spectacle. Sometimes, they get lucky and are rewarded with some great photos. Other times their suffering goes unrewarded.

Smart Aurora chasers will book a cosy cabin, set high above the landscape with a good view to the south. A roaring wood fire, a bottle of wine and camera ready on the tripod, but such locations are few and far between.
​
In southern Tasmania, Clifftop Cabin at Huon Bush Retreats provides just such a setting. If the Aurora performs, this is the box seat view in comfort. Even if the lights are quiet during your visit, you can still enjoy forest walks, wildlife without cages by day and night while relaxing in tranquillity at this private eco-retreat, just south from Hobart, Tasmania.

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.

The Huon Trail Archive: Where To Stay

Over 50 places to stay during your southern journey. Motels, self contained cabins, eco retreats, backpackers and camping. From D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Bruny Island, Huon Valley and Far South Tasmania.

Your Southern Journey: 5 days, 4 nights in Tasmania

Huon Bush Retreats: Huonville

An Eco-Retreat with self contained cabins, deluxe tipees and campsites.
Near Huonville, Mount Misery, Hartz Mountains, Highland Getaway Farm Tour, Willie Smiths Apple Shed and Home Hill Winery.

2 - 6 nights to explore Tasmania's Huon Trail

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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 near Huonville

Choose a self contained cabin or try "Glamping" in a deluxe tipee, surrounded by forest and wildlife. Take the 3 hour walk to Mount Misery.

Continue south past Dover to the Far South of Tasmania