Our top-selling six day tour of Tasmania, the Explorer 6, has had a slight revamp ready for next high season. From October to April we have weekly departures each Saturday of this highlights tour of lutruwita/Tasmania. Starting and finishing in Hobart, this tour includes one night in nipaluna/Hobart, one night in Bicheno on Tasmania’s East Coast, one in Launceston in the north, and two in Strahan on the West Coast. It includes the famous Salamanca markets, a visit to a wildlife sanctaury to see Tasmanian devils, entry to Port Arthur Historic Site, plus several guided short hikes in Tasmanian national parks as we tour the state. Like our other tours, this experience is an approved eco-certified product through Ecotourism Australia.

Most of what’s new about this tour happens on the very first day which we’ll explain below. After that we depart Hobart and head up the East Coast before looping back to Hobart via Cradle Mountain and the West Coast.

The new Explorer 6 begins like this: On Saturday morning around 7.30am, we pick up passengers in Hobart at various set-locations around the city. Then we’ll visit the famous Salamanca Markets in Hobart. This is Tasmania’s leading farmgate market and has a bustling and vibrant atmosphere. The market sells local produce, arts and crafts. You’ll find something you can’t resist, like woodcraft made from Tasmania huon pine, a jar of raspberry jam or leatherwood honey, freshly-baked sourdough doughnuts or a famous Tasmanian scallop pie.

Next, it’s time to meet Tasmanian devils at a wildlife sanctuary. You’ll also see kangaroos, wallabies and other native animals where you can get close to these animals and learn about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts.

The highlight this afternoon is visiting Port Arthur Historic Site. We’ll spend 3 hours here where you can wander the colonial gardens and exhibits of the open-air museum at your leisure, taking advantage of the included audio tour. The fascinating harbour cruise to the Isle of the Dead is also included in your entry fee. This large site is known for its contribution to Australia’s convict-history, and is recognised as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While this experience illumniates a short part of Tasmania’s history in the early 1800’s, your Under Down Under guide spends time over the 6 day tour telling you about a much longer connection to the land and the rich cultural history of palawa (Tasmanian aboriginal) people who are the traditional and ongoing custodians of lutruwita.

When we’re done at Port Arthur, we’ll check out a few locations in Tasman National Park to see the impressive Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen geological formations. We return to Hobart that night and you can explore the city at your own pace, perhaps returning to Salmanca to a historic pub or resturant, or wandering along Hobart’s waterfront area.

The next day (day 2), we depart nipaluna/Hobart and travel along the Great Eastern Drive we explore other highlights around Tasmania.

For a full description of the Explorer 6 please check out the tour page.

Still not sure if this is the right tour for you? Give us a call on 03 6232 4800 or email [email protected].