Tasmania
- Written by Gina Woodward
As the only official guided walk operator appointed to the Three Capes Track, the Tasmanian Walking Company has been formally accepted into the Great Walks of Australia Signature Collection with their new Three Capes Lodge Walk. Over the past thirty years, this company has continued to set and deliver the highest standards for guided walking holidays in Australia. They have two other Great Walks of Australia Signature Collection walks, Cradle Mountains Huts Walk and Bay of Fires Lodge Walk.
The new, fully-guided walk experience along Tasmania’s dramatic Tasman Peninsula includes exclusive use of new luxurious and sustainable eco lodges, the only private accommodation allowed within the Tasman National Park.
Chair of Great Walks of Australia, Geoff Dixon said, “The standards set by Tasmanian Walking Company are of the highest calibre. We look forward to welcoming this new product into our premium collection of walks, supported by Tourism Australia through their Signature Experiences of Australia program.”
The 46km walk takes guests to the edge of the world on this southern tip of Tasmania. From Port Arthur (with transfers from Hobart), this four-day walk starts with a boat transfer, incredible views of dolerite spires, marine and birdlife in an environment with 37,000 years of history.
Each evening, walkers settle into architecturally-designed lodges and enjoy comfort in the wilderness. These purpose-built advanced off-grid lodges are discreetly positioned off the trail, with their design responding to contours of the land. Hot showers, generous lounge areas and plush pillows on comfortable beds await hikers at the end of each day. Along with a showcase of Tasmania’s finest regional food and wine, guests may also choose to take in a bathing or massage treatment.
GM of Tasmanian Walking Company, Heath Garratt said, “It’s great to have our newest walk recognised within the Great Walks of Australia collective. Our advance bookings for this walk are both strong and well above expectations. We look forward to walking with people from all over the world, showcasing this magnificent destination on a world class walking track.”
Note: This walk will commence on 1 September 2018. Forward bookings are being taken directly by Tasmanian Walking Company, the only guided walking company authorised by the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service to offer the Three Capes Track and stay within the national park overnight. The Three Capes Track and public huts originally opened in December 2015 for self-guided walkers.
Three Capes Lodge Walk by Tasmanian Walking Company
Accessed from: Hobart, Tasmania
Commencing September 2018. Forward bookings currently being taken for walk opening.
Operating season: September - May
Distance: 46km (28 miles) Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Grade: moderate Group size: 14 guests maximum
Price: from $2790pp all-inclusive twin share Optional extras: bathing/massage treatments
Walk itinerary
Day 1 – Hobart to Crescent Lodge (6km)
Depart Hobart and arrive at Port Arthur township. Private boat ride to Denman’s Cove where walkers enjoy lunch before a gentle walk through coastal woodland to the rocky refuge of Surveyors Cove. If the Southern Ocean allows, guests can take a swim before walking up to Crescent Lodge. With far stretching views across Crescent Bay to Cape Raoul, the lodge provides hot showers while guides-come-chefs prepare a three-course meal of local Tasmanian produce and sunset drinks on the deck.
Day 2 – Crescent Lodge to Munro Lodge (11km)
The walking group heads due south to enjoy views across Safety Cove and Maingon Bay to Bruny Island. Climbing Arthurs Peak, 300m above sea level, is truly worth the rewarding ocean vista. Lunch follows an easy downhill descent to south-facing cliffs where pelagic seabirds are aplenty - albatross, petrels and gannets. Walkers skirt the edge of Tornado Ridge before heading south toward Munro Lodge, home for the next two nights.
Day 3 walk – Munro Lodge Return (15km)
This is the most adventurous day (and is optional). Walkers head through silver gum forest, a species endemic to the area, out to the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar. A side trip to The Blade is a must, with staggering views across to Tasman Island. Lunch is served at Chasm Lookout with the Island’s weathered lighthouse in sight. Then a direct return home to Munro.
Day 4 walk – Munro Lodge to Fortescue Bay (13km with optional Cape Huay side trip +4km)
Walkers say farewell to their home and head to cross Retakunna Creek (local indigenous dialect for creaking trees) enroute to the rainforest. Next mission is the peninsula’s highest peak, Mount Fortescue, climbing 490m above sea level. Guests enjoy lunch with leafy-framed ocean views overlooking The Monument before taking the side trip to enjoy the majesty of Cape Hauy or wait for the final cliff-walk descent onto the cool white sands of Fortescue Bay when a celebratory swim or a sooth of hiking weary feet in the cool Southern Ocean waters awaits. After canapes & sparkling wine, guests return to Hobart.
Great Walks of Australia
Great Walks of Australia is a collective of 13 privately owned walks that highlight the very best of Australia’s premium, guided, multiday walk experiences – with coastal, inland and outback trails, high end accommodation, outstanding regional food and wine, and expert guides. Since its inception in 2012, Great Walks of Australia continues to grow with new member walks to the group, increased brand awareness, and partnerships through activity in the domestic and international markets that are key to the premium tourism sector of walking in Australia.
Signature Collection Walks (11 members):
Northern Territory: Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort by Australian Walking Holidays
Queensland: Scenic Rim Trail by Spicers Retreats
South Australia: The Arkaba Walk by Wild Bush Luxury; Murray River Walk by Luxury River Trails
Tasmania: Freycinet Experience Walk; The Maria Island Walk; and Tasmanian Walking Company’s three walks: Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Bay of Fires Lodge Walk and Three Capes Lodge Walk
Victoria: Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk by Australian Walking Company
Western Australia: Margaret River Cape to Cape Walk by Walk into Luxury
Member Walks (new member tier introduced in 2017, differ from above Signature Collection by one selection criteria only, be it non-exclusive accommodation or shorter walk duration):
NSW: Seven Peaks Walk by Pinetrees, Lord Howe Island; Blue Mountains Grand Traverse by Auswalk
