HOBART GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Five Days on Tasmania’s Wild West: Cradle Peaks, Devils and the Rainforest Railway
A compact 5-day, small-group circuit from Launceston to Hobart that stitches together Cradle Mountain, wildlife encounters and the West Coast’s rail and coastal scenery—this guide explains what to expect and how the days unfold.
Five Days on Tasmania’s Wild West: Cradle Peaks, Devils and the Rainforest Railway.
Over five days the tour threads Tasmania’s alpine heart to its weathered west coast: Cradle Mountain’s dolerite columns and reflective lakes, a close encounter at a Tasmanian Devil sanctuary, nostalgic steam through rainforest, and the sleepy fishing towns that front the Southern Ocean. With a maximum of eight guests and a local guide, the itinerary is paced to introduce the island’s geology, wildlife and remote settlement history without rushing the key sites.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Cradle Mountain’s alpine drama
Cradle Mountain National Park presents sculpted dolerite columns, alpine moorland and the mirror-surface of Dove Lake; guided walks through the Cradle Valley focus on these signature mountain scenes and the chance to see wombats around Ronny Creek.
Close encounters with Tassie devils and native fauna
The itinerary includes a joy‑encounter tour at Devils@Cradle where guests can get close to Tasmanian devils and even hold a joey (a baby wombat or baby devil), plus bird and platypus‑watching opportunities at the Tasmanian Arboretum.
Rail, rainforest and coastal villages
A nostalgic run on the West Coast Wilderness Railway (with a Gordon River Cruise as an alternate) threads former mining country and rainforest to the harbor town of Strahan; the route also visits seaside dunes, waterfalls and historic mining lookouts.
What the day feels like
What the five days feel like
This is a compact, guided traversal of Tasmania’s western wilderness: meet your guide in Launceston and move into high country at Cradle Mountain for alpine walks and wildlife viewing, then descend into the rainforest and coast via Queenstown and the West Coast Railway to Strahan, continue through mining outlooks and waterfalls, and finish with temperate rainforest at Mount Field before returning to Hobart. Accommodations are four nights en route and the program blends short to medium walks with rail and road transfers to showcase the region’s varied environments.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits—and where it might not be the best match.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour package comprises 5 days of small‑group touring with a local guide, four nights’ accommodation, four breakfasts and one dinner, a joy‑encounter tour at Devils@Cradle, the West Coast Wilderness Railway excursion (or Gordon River Cruise as an alternative), and all National Parks passes.
Provided meals include the listed breakfasts and one dinner; lunches and some evening meals (for example theatre tickets or additional dining in Strahan) are at your own expense.
Pricing for 2025 departures is published per person based on double/twin share: AUD 3,499 and AUD 3,639 (different fare options); any alternative accommodation or schedule adjustments will be advised at booking.
On Day 1 guests are met at 11:00 am at the Launceston Transit Centre; the tour returns to Hobart and typically concludes at around 3:00 pm on Day 5.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do we meet for the tour?
You will be met at 11:00 am at the Launceston Transit Centre to begin the tour.
How long is the tour and when does it finish?
This is a five‑day tour returning to Hobart and concluding in the late afternoon of Day 5, around 3:00 pm.
What wildlife experiences are included?
The itinerary includes a joy‑encounter visit at Devils@Cradle to see Tasmanian devils (and the opportunity to hold a joey), plus opportunities to spot wombats, platypus and endemic birds during park visits.
What is the maximum group size?
The tour is a small‑group experience with a maximum of eight guests and a minimum of four guests.
Is the West Coast Wilderness Railway guaranteed?
The West Coast Wilderness Railway is included where available; the operator may substitute it with the Gordon River Cruise if necessary.
What national parks and natural areas will we visit?
Key protected areas on the route include Cradle Mountain National Park and Mount Field National Park, plus other World Heritage‑listed and coastal landscapes on the west coast.