Tasmania’s Wild West Coast & Southwest Wilderness
Tasmania’s west coast and southwest wilderness are among the last genuinely remote landscapes left in Australia. This is UNESCO World Heritage country – ancient Huon Pines that have stood for over 2,000 years, temperate rainforest that has barely changed since the Gondwana era, and waterways so pristine they feel like they belong to another century entirely. Most of it is inaccessible by road. The only practical way in is by air or by water.
These experiences combine scenic flights departing from Cambridge Airport near Hobart with boat cruises through protected waterways, guided walks through ancient forest, and – for the multi-day option – boutique glamping deep in the Bathurst Harbour Marine Reserve. The Bathurst Harbour alone covers over 4,500 square kilometres, making it three times the size of Sydney Harbour. There are opportunities to spot rare Orange-bellied Parrots, visit Aboriginal middens and caves, and breathe what is genuinely some of the cleanest air on earth. For travel agents building Tasmanian itineraries that go beyond Hobart and Cradle Mountain, this is where it gets interesting.
EXPERIENCE OPTIONS
Choose Your Tasmanian Wilderness Adventure
Scenic Flight & Award-Winning Gordon River Cruise
This full-day experience departs Cambridge Airport near Hobart and flies over Tasmania’s picturesque central highlands towards the wild west coast. Guests take in the grand scale of Macquarie Harbour from the air before descending to Strahan to join the award-winning Gordon River Cruise.
The cruise journeys through the famous Gordon River – part of Tasmania’s UNESCO Wilderness World Heritage Area. Guests pass through ‘Hell’s Gates’ at the mouth of Macquarie Harbour and visit local salmon and trout farms along the way. The atrium seating on board means the historical and natural scenery can be enjoyed in genuine comfort.
At Heritage Landing, guests step ashore to explore pristine rainforest surrounded by ancient Huon Pines – some over 2,000 years old. A chef-prepared lunch is served on board before a guided tour of Sarah Island, the former penal colony that ranks among Tasmania’s most fascinating historical sites. Back in Strahan, there’s time to browse the township before the return flight to Cambridge Airport.
Trade tip: This is one of the strongest single-day add-ons for any Hobart-based itinerary. It gets clients into genuine wilderness without the logistics of overnight stays in remote areas. The scenic flight component elevates it well above a standard day tour – it works particularly well for FIT clients and couples who want a premium experience without committing to multiple days.
The Ultimate Southwest Wilderness Experience
An eight-hour day tour that explores the remote southern coasts and waterways of Tasmania’s rugged southwest. This is a different beast from the Gordon River option – more raw, more isolated, and genuinely off the beaten track.
Guests fly from Cambridge Airport to Melaleuca, landing at the remote airstrip. From there, they board a comfortable cruising boat to explore the pristine waterways of the Port Davey Marine Reserve, taking in Waterfall Bay and the Breaksea Islands. A gourmet lunch featuring Tasmanian produce is served during the cruise.
Back on land, guests visit the Melaleuca Museum and walk the Needwonnee Walk – a monument to the rich Indigenous history of the area. The return flight takes in the Arthur Range (arguably Tasmania’s most spectacular mountain range), Mount Picton, the Huon Valley, and a bird’s-eye view of Hobart via Mount Wellington before landing back at Cambridge.
No challenging walks involved. Just an easy stroll from the airstrip to the boat. Great for all ages and fitness levels.
Trade tip: This tour appeals to clients who’ve already done the Cradle Mountain and Port Arthur circuit and want something genuinely different. The combination of scenic flight, boat cruise, Indigenous heritage, and Federation Peak flyover is hard to replicate anywhere else in Tasmania. The photography opportunities alone sell this one.
Arrive in Hobart & Settle In
Guests arrive at Hobart Airport and are transferred by private vehicle to accommodation in central Hobart. The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel or similar provides a comfortable base – centrally located, a block from the historic waterfront, and within walking distance of Salamanca Place.
The evening is free to explore Hobart. For clients arriving with time to spare, we can arrange waterfront dining, a MONA visit, or a wander through Salamanca’s galleries and bars.
Trade tip: We recommend clients arrive a day early rather than flying in the morning of departure. It removes the risk of flight delays causing a missed connection, and Hobart genuinely warrants at least one evening. Salamanca on a Saturday morning (market day) is a natural add-on if timing allows.
Scenic Flight to the Southwest & Camp Arrival
After breakfast, guests transfer to Cambridge Airport for a spectacular scenic flight to the Southwest National Park. The route follows the coast past Bruny Island to Cockle Creek, then along the wild South Coast Track with its remote beaches, thick rainforest, and mountain ranges. During the flight, guests take in Precipitous Bluff, Mt La Perouse, the Ironbound Range, and remote Maatsuyker Island – plus the ancestral home of the Needwonnee people at Louisa Bay.
On arrival at Melaleuca, guests board a boat for the transfer to the exclusive wilderness camp, tucked away in a location known to very few. The camp is boutique glamping at its best – private eco-friendly accommodation with queen or twin beds, hot showers, and all the comforts that make roughing it entirely unnecessary.
The afternoon is spent exploring the immediate surrounds. The Bathurst Harbour Marine Reserve stretches out in every direction – over 4,500 square kilometres of protected waterway. Dinner is prepared by the camp guide using local Tasmanian produce, paired with regional wines.
Trade tip: The scenic flight alone is worth the price of entry. Clients who think they’ve seen Tasmania will be genuinely surprised by what’s down here. The camp accommodates a maximum of eight guests, which makes it ideal for couples, small groups, and intimate incentive experiences where exclusivity matters.
Bramble Cove, Mt Milner & Breaksea Island
After a hearty cooked breakfast, the day begins with a boat journey through the Bathurst Narrows – 800-metre mountains rising from the sea – towards picturesque Bramble Cove. From here, there’s the option of walking up Mt Milner for views across Port Davey and the Narrows. Lunch is enjoyed at one of the hidden coves along the way.
In the afternoon, the group heads to Breaksea Island. Cruising the protected side, guests witness an array of native birdlife at the mouth of Port Davey and the Caroline and Shanks Islands. There’s a visit to an ancient Aboriginal ochre cave at Schooner Cove, the grave site of Critchley Parker Jr. – a walker who perished exploring the area – and a stroll along beautiful Balmoral Beach before heading back to camp for dinner.
Trade tip: This is the day that really opens clients’ eyes to the scale of the place. The Bathurst Narrows are visually stunning, and the Aboriginal ochre cave adds a cultural layer that surprises many travellers. The Mt Milner walk is optional and graded easy to moderate, so it suits a range of fitness levels.
Mt Beattie, Huon Pine Forest & Return to Hobart
The final camp morning offers a choice. The Mt Beattie walk is a 2.5-hour return hike graded easy to moderate, rewarding guests with sweeping views of the entire area. Alternatively, if tide and weather allow, there’s the option to visit an ancient Huon Pine forest on the shores of the Old River. Both are memorable. After the walk, it’s back to camp for lunch and pack-up.
The return flight to Hobart takes in Port Davey, the Bathurst Narrows, then overland to the rugged Western Arthur Range, spectacular Federation Peak, Mt Picton, Hartz Mountain National Park, and the Huon Valley. Guests arrive back at their Hobart hotel for a final overnight stay.
Trade tip: The return flight route is deliberately different from the outbound leg, so clients get a completely new set of landscapes on the way back. Federation Peak from the air is extraordinary. We include a final night in Hobart so clients have time to decompress before onward travel. This pairs naturally with a Port Arthur day tour or Bruny Island trip on Day 5 before departure.
Depart Hobart or Extend Your Stay
A private transfer collects guests from their hotel and delivers them to Hobart Airport for onward flights. For clients with more time, Tasmania has plenty to offer – the Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain, or the Tamar Valley wine region are all within reach.
Trade tip: We strongly recommend agents build at least one extension day into the itinerary. A Port Arthur day tour is the most popular add-on – a full day of convict history, dramatic coastal scenery, and guided walking tours at the World Heritage Site, including a harbour cruise past the Isle of the Dead. We can also arrange Bruny Island food tours, MONA visits, or self-drive itineraries connecting to the east coast. As Australia and Beyond Holidays, we build complete Tasmanian programmes with flights, accommodation, touring, and transfers – so this wilderness experience slots seamlessly into any broader Australian itinerary.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Inclusions & Experience Details
Frequently Asked Questions
