Skip to Main Content
Road Scholar logo
Australia

Walking Australia: From Tasmania to the Great Ocean Road

Program No. 20755RJ
Walk through the beautiful and unique landscape of Australia, joining local experts to discover national parks, pristine coastlines, myriad wildlife and colonial history.
WishlistShare
Start
  • 20755-walking-australia-from-tasmania-to-great-ocean-road-woman-c.jpg
  • 20755-walking-australia-from-tasmania-to-great-ocean-road-landscape-lghoz.jpg
  • 20755-walking-australia-from-tasmania-to-great-ocean-road-c.jpg
Walking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall Group
Length
16 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
8,499
Flights start at
1,500

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
16 days
15 nights
What's Included
32 meals ( 13B, 9L, 10D )
1 expert-led lecture
26 expert-led field trips
1 flight during the program
An experienced Group Leader
13 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Expand All
Activity Note
As water is drinkable throughout Australia, at the welcome meeting you will be given a Road Scholar water bottle to use throughout your program. This is yours to keep. This afternoon we will walk up to 2 miles on flat, paved surfaces.
Afternoon:
If you have booked your flights to Australia through Road Scholar, upon your arrival at Launceston airport today, you will be met by our team and transferred in to Launceston. Check-in to our accommodation commences at 2:00 p.m. After time to settle in, we will have a short walk to explore the centre of historic Launceston along the Tamar River. Orientation & Welcome Meeting. The Group Leader and Site Coordinator will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. The format of meals will vary based on each venue, with some meals being buffets, others plated and served, and some ordered in advance. Beverages typically include coffee, tea and water, with other beverages available for purchase depending on location. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. After the orientation, our Group Leader will introduce us to Australia and Tasmania.
Dinner:
At our hotel, we will have plated meals. We will have "welcome to Australia" wine with dinner tonight.
Evening:
After our long flights, we have an early evening at leisure. Prepare for hotel check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
The drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain is about 85 miles (140 kilometres), approximately 2.5 hours. Walking approximately 3 miles, maintained tracks, generally undulating terrain with some moderately steep sections.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
This morning we leave Launceston and head into Mole Creek Karst National Park. A walk here with our Group Leader and Site Coordinator will offer our first taste of the pristine Tasmanian landscape. We carry on to our accommodation in Cradle Mountain National Park.
Lunch:
At the hotel, we will have a sandwich lunch.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we begin our exploration of Cradle Mountain National Park with several short walks in the general vicinity of our accommodation. We can explore the Enchanted Walk, Pencil Pines Falls Walk and the Rainforest Walk.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we will have plated meals.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking at least 5 miles today; maintained paths, predominantly flat surfaces.
Breakfast:
At hotel.
Morning:
This morning we have a half-day walk with our Group Leader and Site Coordinator around the beautiful Dove Lake on the Dove Lake Circuit. The circuit is approximately 3.5 miles (5.7 kilometres). It is reasonably flat with a combination of boardwalk and gravel sections. There is one short, moderate hill.
Lunch:
At the hotel, we will have a sandwich lunch.
Afternoon:
This afternoon is free for you to relax and soak up the natural beauty of this stunning landscape. Your Group Leader and Site Coordinator will be able to assist those of you wishing to walk further. There is ample opportunity to embark on additional walks along the Cradle Valley and/or along King Billy Walk. You may also choose to walk to the historic Waldheim Chalet to learn something of the history of the area.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we will have plated meals.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for hotel check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
The drive from Cradle Mountain to Strahan is about 85 miles (140 kilometres), approximately 2.5 hours. Getting on and off a cruise vessel. Walking approximately 1 mile on Sarah Island during our cruise. Walking approximately 2 miles this afternoon for those doing the Hogarth Falls Circuit when back in Strahan.
Breakfast:
This morning we depart early from Cradle Mountain with boxed breakfasts.
Morning:
We drive through to Strahan for our cruise on the Gordon River - a World Heritage-listed area of temperate rainforest and mountain crags. This area was the site of one of Australia's longest-running and most successful environmental protests and is thus seen largely as the birthplace of the country's environmental movement.
Lunch:
On the cruise vessel, we will have a lunch featuring Tasmanian produce.
Afternoon:
Our cruise continues with an exploration of Tasmania's notorious convict past as we visit the ruins of a former convict gaol on Sarah Island and discover the harsh conditions endured by those sentenced there. We return to the jetty in Strahan, a short walk from our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for us to explore the delightful historic fishing village of Strahan at leisure. For those who wish, there is the possibility of an additional afternoon walk to a local waterfall. This walk takes in Strahan People's Park and the Hogarth Falls. The Hogarth Falls Walk is an easy walk along an almost-level track. It is approximately 0.8 miles (1.2 kilometres each way).
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
The drive from Strahan to Hobart is about 185 miles (300 kilometres), approximately 5 hours. Walking 3 miles, maintained tracks, undulating terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we drive through the wilderness bound for Lake St Clair National Park. Our Group Leader and Site Coordinator will lead us on a walk to Nelson Falls, located in a cool temperate rainforest within the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area. The walk to the delightful falls is easy with some steps to ascend and descend en route. We then have a 2.9 mile (4.7 kilometre) circuit walk at Lake St Clair. This walk uses creative interpretive panels to introduce the Larmairremener, the local Indigenous people of this region. It also introduces us to a wide variety of Tasmanian vegetation.
Lunch:
At a local café, we will have a plated lunch.
Afternoon:
We visit the Wall in the Wilderness – "an inspirational tale carved from the mountains and rivers of the Central Highlands of Tasmania" commemorating those who helped shape the past and present of Tasmania’s central highlands. The area is surrounded by wilderness and is full of mining heritage that highlights bygone days when Queenstown was a thriving gold and copper town. We carry on to our hotel in Hobart and check in upon arrival.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, urban surfaces.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We have an early morning walk around Hobart's historic Battery Point precinct with our Group Leader and Site Coordinator. After our walk, the remainder of the day is free for you to explore Tasmania's compact capital at leisure. Perhaps you will join in the fun of the Salamanca Markets in Hobart's historic quarter; perhaps you will head off and visit one of Hobart's newest attractions, the cutting-edge MONA (Museum of Old & New Art) and finish in the winery and brewery also located on-site; perhaps you will walk up Mount Wellington for its panoramic outlook. Your Group Leader and Site Coordinator will give you additional information on the various walks available to you. The day is yours to do as you see fit.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
The drive from Hobart to Triabunna is about 50 miles (85 kilometres), approximately 1.5 hours. The drive from Triabunna to Bicheno is about 60 miles (100 kilometres), approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes. Getting on and off ferry. Walking 5 - 7 miles, undulating terrain with the odd steep section.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we leave Hobart and travel on our coach to Triabunna, where we board the ferry to Maria Island. We cruise across the Mercury Passage to stunning Maria Island - a formal penal colony known for its amazing scenery and abundant wildlife. Maria Island is home to Tasmanian kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and echidnas. The unique birdlife includes the endangered forty spotted pardalote, Cape Barren geese (the world’s second rarest breed), eagles and numerous seabird species. On the island, we will have a walking exploration of the old Darlington settlement.
Lunch:
On the island, we will have packed lunches brought over from the "mainland".
Afternoon:
This afternoon, depending on the conditions, we will, under the guidance of our Group Leader and Site Coordinator, walk to the Fossil Cliffs or Mount Bishop. This is a walk of around 2.8 miles (4.5 kilometres) across open ground with some moderate climbs. After exploring Maria Island's spectacular vistas, we take the ferry back to the mainland. We carry on via coach to Bicheno, on the edge of the Freycinet National Park, and check in to our accommodation.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we will have a plated meal before departing for our evening penguin viewing.
Evening:
This evening we have an expert-led visit to the local penguin rookeries so we can get up close to these delightful little creatures.
Activity Note
The drive from Bicheno to our stop in Freycinet National Park is about 28 miles (45 kilometres), approximately 40 minutes each way. Walking 5 miles, maintained paths, undulating terrain, steep in parts this morning. The walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout, according to Parks Tasmania, includes over 300 stairs - it involves a "steep uphill climb of 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometres) on rough bush steps".
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We take our coach to Freycinet National Park this morning. Our Group Leader will guide us on a walk up to the lookout overlooking Wineglass Bay, one of Tasmania’s iconic destinations and most memorable vistas. The walk up to the lookout is a steep, uphill climb of 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometres) utilising rough bush steps. This is a steep, uphill walk on a rocky but well-constructed track within the Freycinet National Park.
Lunch:
As we take in the scenery at Freycinet Lodge, we have plated meals.
Afternoon:
Our Group Leader and Site Coordinator will lead us on a walk to Cape Tourville lighthouse this afternoon. The walk is on a wide track with even surfaces and gently-graded slopes. From here we can take in more spectacular scenery. We then have an expert-led visit to the Freycinet Marine Farm. Here we learn about the local aquaculture industry and have the opportunity to sample some of the fruits of the hard work and research that has gone into the local industry. We return via coach in time for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
The drive from Bicheno to Hobart airport is about 100 miles (160 kilometres), approximately 2.75 hours. The flight from Hobart to Melbourne is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Qantas typically uses Airbus A220 aircraft on this route. The drive from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport to Apollo Bay is about 125 miles (200 kilometres), approximately 3.5 hours.
Breakfast:
Boxed breakfast.
Morning:
We check out of our hotel before breakfast and board our coach for the drive through to Hobart airport. From Hobart we fly to Melbourne and commence the Great Ocean Road section of our program.
Lunch:
We will pause en route for a lunch break. The cost of this lunch has been excluded from your program. Lunch is at own arrangements from your choice of the local cafes.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we travel to the Great Ocean Road via Torquay and Bell's Beach, famous for the world surfing titles held there each Easter. We will pause and stand under the Memorial Arch on the Great Ocean Road where we will learn from our Group Leader and Site Coordinator about the history of the Great Ocean Road - built mainly with picks and shovels by returned soldiers from WWI and dedicated to all those who died in battle. We will have a brief stop to [hopefully] view the koalas in the gum trees by the ocean at Kennett River. We will carry on to Apollo Bay and check in to our accommodation. We will have a short orientation walk in Apollo Bay on arrival.
Dinner:
At a local hotel, we have a plated dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking approximately 5 miles, defined tracks, undulating terrain with some steady uphill and downhill sections.
Breakfast:
At a local café, we will have a plated breakfast.
Morning:
This morning we begin our exploration of the Great Ocean Road with a visit to Cape Otway Lightstation. At Cape Otway we have a guided tour of Australia's oldest mainland lighthouse. We will have a walk to the scenic lookout and the historic Signal Station. We walk along a section of the Great Ocean Walk to view the historic lightstation cemetery and enjoy spectacular views of the Southern Ocean.
Lunch:
We have a picnic lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch we walk east along part of the Great Ocean Walk from Shelly Beach to Marengo. This is a medium to hard walk of approximately 3.7 miles (6 kilometres) with two moderate hill climb sections. The Great Ocean Walk generally has reasonably small changes in elevation with a maximum change of less than 1,000 feet (300 metres). While the actual change in elevation is relatively insignificant throughout the Great Ocean Walk, there are few truly flat sections with most parts requiring quite a bit of going up and down hill. We return to our accommodation on our coach. Those who wish may like to add in an additional walk from Marengo to Apollo Bay - a beach walk of around 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometres).
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking approximately 5 miles, defined tracks, varied terrain with some steady uphill and downhill sections.
Breakfast:
At a local café, we will have a plated breakfast.
Morning:
This morning we have a expert-led visit to Wildlife Wonders, a wildlife sanctuary nestled alongside the Great Ocean Road and protected by a cat- and fox-proof fence. Wildlife Wonders is a social enterprise which uses its income to support "the critical research and conservation programs of the Conservation Ecology Centre, building knowledge, restoring habitats and supporting threatened species." As well as the easily-spotted koalas, we may also possibly glimpse other unique Australian residents such as bandicoots and potoroos.
Lunch:
We will have a packed lunch we have carried from Apollo Bay.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we continue our walk along the Great Ocean Walk experiencing spectacular coastal views in a pristine environment from Castle Cove Lookout to Aire River East. This is a walk of approximately 3.7 miles (6 kilometres). We return on our coach along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay and have some time at leisure.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
The drive from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell is about 60 miles (100 kilometres), approximately 1.5 hours. Walking approximately 8 miles, defined tracks, varied terrain.
Breakfast:
At a local café, we will have a plated breakfast.
Morning:
This morning we check out of our accommodation and board our coach bound for Port Campbell. En route, we will make regular stops for walks with our Group Leader in the natural environment. We first have a walk in magnificent rainforest at Melba Gully in the Great Otway National Park. This is a short rainforest walk with steps and one steep section. We will have another field trip to the Castle Cove Lookout from where we gain spectacular views of the Southern Ocean and Shipwreck Coast.
Lunch:
We will have a packed lunch en route to Port Campbell.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we do the walk from Princetown to the Twelve Apostles. This is a moderately streuous walk of approximately 4.4 miles (7 kilometres) with sandy tracks (some soft sand), rubber matting and timber chain and plank sections up and down through the sand. Upon arriving in Port Campbell, we will explore the magnificent Port Campbell National Park with guided walks to Loch Ard Gorge and the historic Gibson Steps.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we will have plated meals.
Evening:
This evening we will board our coach to have a sunset viewing of the 12 Apostles. We return to our accommodation to prepare for hotel check out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
The drive from Port Campbell to Melbourne is about 140 miles (225 kilometres), approximately 3.5 hours. Walking approximately 6 miles, defined tracks and flat city streets.
Breakfast:
We will have breakfast at our accommodation.
Morning:
This morning we walk two miles as we explore the spectacular Bay of Islands Coastal Park before travelling to Melbourne. We will visit the London Bridge lookout, Martyr's Cove, the wreck of the Falls of Halladale and the Bay of Islands lookout.
Lunch:
We will pause in one of the little towns en route to Melbourne for a lunch break. The cost of this meal has been excluded from your program. Lunch is at your own arrangements from your choice of the local cafes.
Afternoon:
Upon our arrival in Melbourne, we will check into our central-city accommodation. This afternoon our Group Leader and Site Coordinator will take us on walk of central Melbourne introducing us to Melbourne's historic buildings, its parklands, the Yarra River and its sporting and relaxation precincts. We will walk through some of Melbourne's famously funky laneways as we wend our way back to our hotel.
Dinner:
At our hotel, we will have plated meals. We will have "farewell to Australia" wine with dinner tonight.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for hotel check out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check out is by 10.00 a.m. For those participants who have booked their long-haul flights through Road Scholar, please see your program’s travel details regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveller (POP status) who has booked your own flights to and from Australia, you are responsible for making your own way to the airport at the conclusion of the program.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our program concludes with breakfast. After breakfast, we check out of our hotel. Those participants who have booked their flights through Road Scholar will be transferred to Melbourne airport. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.





Recommended For You