10 Incredible Experiences on Bunnik's Tasmania in Depth Guided Tour

Bunnik Tours are delighted to bring you their second Australian tour, Tasmania in Depth. Circling the island on a round trip from Hobart, this guided tour showcases some of Tasmania's most rugged and jaw-dropping scenery, while uncovering the rich indigenous and colonial heritage and tasty food and wine experiences.

You will travel in a group of no more than 20 on a full sized coach, with plenty of space to spread out and relax of an evening in 4 star accommodation. You can travel confidently with Bunnik’s enhanced Health and Safety protocols.

As an added bonus, your tour will be hosted by Marion Bunnik, the founder and Joint CEO of Bunnik Tours. With an unrivalled amount of travel experience under her belt, Marion will share her expert tips and wealth of travel stories along the way.

Here are just 10 of many incredible experiences you will have as you explore Tasmania in depth.

1. View Hobart from the top of Mt Wellington

Your first adventure takes you to the top of Mt Wellington for incredible 360 degree views of Hobart and beyond. From the summit, you will overlook the expanse of the city and the beauty of the coastline. It’s a 21 kilometre (13mi) scenic drive to the top of the mountain, winding through temperate rainforest to sub-alpine flora and glacial rock formations as you ascend to the summit to discover breathtaking panoramic views of Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula. It can be blustery up there, but the vista is well worth it – wear lots of layers and a warm coat!

2. Cruise Wine Glass Bay

You will be enthralled by the stunning granite coastline and the pink hues of The Hazards as you explore Freycinet National Park from the water. Discover a coast rimmed by sparkling white sand beaches, some only accessible by water. Look out for hidden sea caves, blowholes and waterfalls amongst the sheer granite cliffs as you experience the sheer beauty of picture perfect Wineglass Bay from the water. Watch for waterbirds, whales and fairy (little) penguins bobbing in the water for their daily catch along the way.

3. Witness Fairy Penguins in Bicheno

Speaking of fairy penguins, you'll also witness the sunset march of local fairy (little) penguins from the ocean to their rookery in coastal Bicheno. The anticipation buidls as the sun starts to set and one after the other a waddle of fairy penguins makes the nightly journey from the ocean into the shallows. Oblivious to your presence, watch them shake off the salty water, trip over the sand and rocks as they return to their nests for the night.

Located on the Tasman Peninsula on Tasmania’s east coast (north of Freycinet) this tiny fishing village has worked hard to protect the fairy penguin habitat, culling feral cats that had depleted numbers, to create a safe rookery for these delightful little penguins that are only found in southern Australia and New Zealand.

4. Walk the Beaches of the Bay of Fires

Kick off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes as you wander the pristine, uncrowded beaches of the Bay of Fires. Stretching for over 50 kilometres from Binalong Bay to Eddystone point, the Bay of Fires is known for its white sand, sparkling blue water and the vibrant orange lichen tinged granite rocks that grace the shores. As you explore your surrounds and look out into the horizon, you will see why the Bay of Fires is considered one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches.

5. Cruise Cataract Gorge, Launceston

The Cataract Gorge is a breathtaking natural phenomenon in Launceston offering walking trails, recreation areas and simply beautiful scenery a stone’s throw from the city centre. It makes sense to explore the gorge by water on a cruise through its steep cliffs into the upper reaches of the Tamar River. View historic vessels and heritage properties as you drift into King’s Wharf and explore Launceston’s seaport precinct. The highlight is of course cruising between the sheer cliffs and cascades in the gorge, while hearing the skipper's stories about the fascinating history of the area.

6. See rainbows bloom at the Table Cape Tulip Farm

Located on the magnificent Table Cape, a volcanic plug that dominates Tasmania’s northwest corner not far from Wyndham, you will find ribbons of colour created by the acres of colourful tulips that are farmed here. Deferring to the tulip season, this special experience is only available on October departures but if you are a lover of tulips and spectacular scenery this is one to plan for. The family run tulip farm has created a colour pop on this remarkable natural wonder that towers 180 metres above the Wyndham coastline for almost 40 years, having farmed there since 1910.

7. Savour Berries on the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail

Tasmania’s northwest region also offers fertile, volcanic soils and a temperate climate, which, all together, create some of Tasmania’s finest produce that can be discovered along the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail. You will stop at The Cherry Shed where you can sample a variety of regionally grown cherries (and some of the largest fruit of its kind) and sample the delectable dishes made from these in the restaurant. More samples and delicious berry delights will be waiting at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, where the chocolate coated fresh raspberries are a firm favourite among the treats on offer.

8. Wander around Dove Lake

Picture perfect Dove Lake is the serene body of water that features in pictures of Cradle Mountain. Sitting at the foot of the mountain, you can wander the six kilometre boardwalk at your own pace. You will marvel at the serenity, while you breath in the pure alpine air and drink in the stunning scenery that surrounds you. If you are a photography enthusiast, this is a place to get your camera snapping in this secluded setting.

9. Cruise the Gordon River

You’ll be awestruck by the soaring beauty of Tasmania’s west coast wilderness and witness the dramatic pioneer history on a Gordon River Cruise, which showcases this untamed region. Cruise the reflective waters to Hells Gate, the notoriously shallow and dangerous channel between the Macquarie Harbour and the Great Southern Ocean.

Stop to observe the harsh conditions of the penal settlement established on Sarah Island in 1821, where convicts laboured felling Huon pines to build boats. Expect to be moved by the contrast between the beauty of the tall Huon pine forests and the bleak life the convicts led.

10. Ride the Rack and Gorge Railway

Join a heritage steam train ride from Strahan to Queenstown through remote rainforest to the incredible King River Gorge. Steam train enthusiasts will be thrilled to be travelling on an Abt rack and rail system and to learn the history of this line, built in the late 19th century to transport Queenstown's wealthy copper lode to the world.

As you ascend and descend steep mountain sides, and rock and roll along steep gorges, you will marvel at one of the most remote and challenging landscapes imaginable. Your toes will curl at the colourful stories of the pioneering visionaries and rogues that cut through this incredible wilderness.