Cradle Mountain Lodge. Photo / Supplied
Lisa Ikin shares five ways to do a luxury adventure, the Tasmanian way.
If you crave the challenge of the outdoors but love a little indulgence at the end of the day, luxury adventure travel is the perfect escape. And when it comes to destinations, few are better than the wild, remote yet sophisticated Tasmania/Lutruwita.
Here, you can hike coastal tracks, kayak rivers and seas, ride world-class mountain bike trails, and climb summits before retreating to luxury accommodation to indulge in Tasmanian wine and a delicious, locally sourced meal. As an adventurous Tasmanian, I’ve explored this island from sea to summit, but was delighted to discover that some of my favourite wild places can also be experienced in comfort with fresh white sheets and a glass of wine. Here are five luxury adventures Tasmania has to offer.
I’ve walked much of Tasmania’s east coast, but few places take my breath away like the Bay of Fires. Hiking into the Bay of Fires Lodge (a moderate 6km walk from Anson’s Bay), for a private tour, I discovered the property hidden amongst the coastal bush. Designed by architect Ken Latona, this timber-and-glass lodge looks out across the ocean and fiery granite rocks of the Bay of Fires.
Guests arrive on foot and are greeted with a soothing foot spa and a glass of Tasmanian sparkling on the deck. From there, it’s straight to a luxe king room with expansive ocean views.
With Tasmanian Walking Company, your days are spent hiking, glamping, or kayaking with expert guides, while evenings are reserved for outdoor Bush Baths, spa treatments, and long dinners featuring Tasmania’s finest food, cheeses and wines. It’s an adventure softened by luxury and feels so right.
If you prefer your adventures on two wheels, the guided Blue Derby Pods Ride is a perfect introduction to Tasmania’s world-class mountain bike trails.
During the Three-Day Iconic Experience, you’re collected in Launceston and spend the days coasting through sub-alpine forest, splashing through creeks and taking on the ups and downs of mountain biking at your own pace.
About two kilometres from the trailhead in Derby, the sleek accommodation pods are hidden deep in the Tasmanian Blackwood Forest; three curved timber pods and a central dining pod where you dine on beautifully crafted meals.
When I chatted with founder Tara Howell in her Lilydale office, she described the experience as a way for guests to reach “flow state”; the balance between skill, focus and joy. Add fine Tasmanian food and wine, and this B-Corp-certified experience will leave you both exhilarated and sated.
Bruny Island, just across D’Entrecasteaux Channel in the southeast, is one of Tasmania’s natural wonders. As a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, I lived on wild Cape Bruny and have memories of remote beaches, local wildlife and pristine bushland.
Southern Sea Ventures has run international sea tours for over 30 years, and their Bruny Island kayaking trip suits active paddlers of all abilities. Starting with a night in Hobart, the five-day experience, curated by world-class kayaking guides, provides ample chances to enjoy the natural beauty of towering sea cliffs, lagoons, sea kelp forests and incredible birds and wildlife.
Nights are spent in the comfortable remote Bruny Island Lodge with meals prepared from seasonal local Tasmanian produce, including local oysters and seafood, cheeses and award-winning Tasmanian wines.
Another way for nature and seafood lovers to enjoy the water around Bruny Island is on a Pennicott Wilderness Journey Cruise.
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys formed part of the Three Capes Signature Walk I completed earlier this year, and I can confirm Pennicott guides are knowledgeable and experienced, and their boats are built for adventure.
The Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise departs Hobart’s Derwent River, exploring sea cliffs and coves en route to Bruny Island. Pennicott’s skippers then pull their custom vessel into a secluded bay and dive for abalone, rock lobster and sea urchin.
Lunch is prepared on deck, starring the freshest seafood imaginable alongside artisan bread, local cheeses and Tasmanian beverages. It’s a full-day feast for both palate and soul, and you don’t even have to get your feet wet.
Meanwhile, in the highlands, the iconic Cradle Mountain awaits. This stunning part of the world is where the Overland track starts, and you can encounter wombats grazing at sundown.
Life’s An Adventure offers a personalised three-day pack-free guided hiking experience with two nights cosying up in Pencil Pine Cabins at Pepper’s Cradle Mountain Lodge. Evening meals served at Highlands Restaurant are delicious local produce and gourmet treats, fine wines and beverages.
Even better, a Wow-Mazing helicopter flight around the mountains and lake is included; a real Tasmanian alpine luxury adventure.
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Whether hiking remote beaches, biking forest trails, cruising for seafood, or flying over alpine peaks, these experiences have a soft landing at day’s end. From sea to summit, Tasmania delivers adventure with refinement.
Tasmanian Walking Company Bay of Fires Walk | 5-day Signature Experience from $2995 pp October to April, all-inclusive with return transfers from Launceston. taswalkingco.com.au
Blue Derby Pods Ride | 3-Day Iconic Experience from $2540 pp all-inclusive with return transfers from Launceston.
Southern Sea Ventures Bruny Island Paddle | From $2930 pp October - April, departs from Hobart, all inclusive.
Tasmanian Seafood Seduction | From $700 pp, including a seafood degustation meal and all beverages.
Life’s An Adventure Cradle Mountain 3-Day Pack-free Walk | From $2999 pp, September to April. All meals with wine at dinner and return transfers from Launceston.