Maria Island & Freycinet 5 Day Guided Walk
5 Day Guided Maria Island & Freycinet Walk Tasmania
Pack-Free Adventure by Life’s An Adventure
Experience the magic of Tasmania on our 5-Day Pack-Free Walk of Maria Island and Freycinet Peninsula, where walking is only part of the adventure. This exclusive tour offers a balance of exhilarating hikes, breathtaking aerial views, and indulgent moments, all while leaving the heavy pack behind. Imagine waking each day in beautiful accommodation of Freycinet Lodge nestled within Freycinet National Park. You’ll explore renowned landscapes like Wineglass Bay, the Hazards Mountain Range, and Maria Island—featuring the dramatic Bishop & Clerk and the historic convict settlement of Darlington without the burden of an overnight pack. Instead, carry just your essentials, savouring the freedom to connect with Tasmania’s pristine wilderness at your own pace.
Each day of this journey offers thrilling new experiences with three wow-mazing inclusions to make your journey truly unforgettable. We soar above Tasmania’s rugged coast on a scenic flight from Hobart to Maria Island, cruise to remote locations in Freycinet National Park, and finish with an unforgettable helicopter flight over Freycinet’s iconic Wineglass Bay, and toast the journey with a vineyard lunch. Along the way explore trails that bring you face-to-face with the island’s raw beauty. With flexible options to match every adventure style, you can dive into the wilderness in a way that suits you best. Beyond the trails, indulge in Tasmania’s exceptional cuisine paired with local wines, every detail is crafted for a seamless experience, led by passionate guides who know and love the land, ensuring you connect with Tasmania on an unforgettable level.
This truly all-inclusive tour allows you to immerse yourself fully—exploring world-class landscapes, indulging in local flavours, and making unforgettable memories. Discover Tasmania with Life’s an Adventure, where walking is just the beginning of your journey.
Pack Free Walking Experience
Walk with as little as your water and lunch
The biggest advantage of this tour is you don’t have to carry all your clothes for the entire tour, these will be transported for you each day. This is a big plus for our walkers, in that you will avoid carrying an additional 8kg or more on your back each day with your clothes and personal items. With Life’s An Adventure you will carry as little as your water bottle, camera, lunch and hat every day – a wonderful pack free experience.
Wow-mazing Scenic flight to Maria Island
Wow-mazing Inclusion
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the East Coast as your private scenic flight takes you from Hobart to Maria Island. Enjoy views of the stunning coastline as the sun lifts from the horizon showcasing the impressive Maria Island. Known for its dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, and diverse wildlife, you will admire the striking landscapes from the air, including the iconic Painted Cliffs and historic convict settlement. This unforgettable experience.
Wow-mazing Boat cruise to Cooks Beach
Wow-mazing Inclusion
On day 4 we include a cruise to remote Cooks Beach. Here we disembark and begin the day’s walk up and over the saddle of Mt Graham for spectacular views over Wineglass Bay and the entire Freycinet National Park. To reach this part of the peninsula, normally you would have to walk in and overnight in the park, having carried tents and all your equipment. On our tour, with the help of a private boat, we do it all pack- free!
Helicopter flight over Wineglass Bay and Hazards Mountain Range
Wow-mazing Inclusion
On Day 5, embark on an exhilarating helicopter flight over the breathtaking Wineglass Bay and the stunning Hazards Mountain Range. Soar above the spectacular peninsular, marvelling at the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters of Wineglass Bay, known for its iconic crescent shape. Witness the rugged beauty of the Hazards, with their dramatic peaks and vibrant landscapes. This unforgettable aerial adventure offers a unique perspective on one of Australia’s most picturesque regions before landing at one of the East Coast local vineyards for a celebratory lunch with wine tasting. Experience nature like never before!
Freycinet Lodge
3 nights
Spend 3 evenings at the gorgeous Freycinet Lodge. Situated inside the Freycinet National Park, this award-winning eco-lodge has sweeping views over Great Oyster Bay. After a day’s walk, relax in the lounge area and enjoy a drink at the bar (own expense), before joining the group for a delicious dinner in the waterfront Bay Restaurant, meals are cooked with local produce and served with Tasmanian wines. Our guests will stay in one-bedroom Cabins surrounded by native bushland (twin share). Each cabin features a king size bed and queen sofa bed, ensuite and private balcony with views of the National Park’s natural landscape. Note: limited one-bedroom cabins are available at Freycinet Lodge with guaranteed twin king single beds.
Flexible Walking Itinerary
Choose what suits you
Enjoy the freedom to tailor your walking adventure with our exclusive private transfers. Each day, you can choose to tackle the full route, opt for a shorter walk, or simply relax and take a break. Our private transfers offer flexible walking, allowing us to modify the walks to suit your needs.
Our CEO Guides
Chief Experience Officers
We refer to our guides as CEOs – Chief Experience Officers whose aim is to deliver you a world-class walk. We pride ourselves on employing a talented team of passionate CEOs who are committed to your safety and have a genuine desire to provide an enriching and memorable walking experience for you.
100% Local Tasmanian Produce and wine
Included in your tour
Food is an element very closely connected with Tasmania and an important part of your walking experience on Maria Island and the Freycinet Peninsular with Life’s an Adventure. Providing our guests wonderful Tasmanian local produce, as well as supporting local business is paramount to us and where possible most of the food, we consume on tour has been sourced from Tasmania.
Personalised Tours
Small group
Our group sizes are small and intimate, we find this delivers more personalised service, a great social environment and has less impact on the environment. Meet like-minded travellers on our wonderful journeys.
21 Tourism Awards of Excellence
including Australia's best Adventure Tourism Company
Life’s an Adventure have won 21 Tourism Awards of Excellence including the Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Australia’s Best Adventure Company. Awards are great, but our biggest accolade which we value even more, is that our clients come back and travel with us time and time again.
Genuinely all-inclusive
When you travel on of our walking tours, you won’t be asked to put your hand in your pocket for extras along the way. All meals featuring local produce as well as Tasmania wine are included in your walking tour with nothing more to pay. Inclusive is the private flight to Maria Island, boat transfer to Cooks beach & scenic Heli-flight to local winery on last day.
To find out more click on any of the below links:
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE US?
Tour Itinerary
This is a genuinely all-inclusive tour with no hidden extras:
WOW-MAZING INCLUSIONS:
- Scenic flight to Maria Island
- Return boat transfer to Cooks Beach and Hazards Beach to walk
- Helicopter flight over Wineglass Bay and Hazards Mountain Range
- Celebratory winery lunch
PACK-FREE AND FLEXIBLE WALKING:
- Pack-free guided walk
- Flexible walking options suit you
SUPERB ACCOMMODATION:
- 1 night at the Grand Chancellor Hobart Hotel
- 3 nights at the Freycinet Lodge
WINE & TASMANIAN PRODUCE MEALS:
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- 3 x dinners at the Bay Restaurant, Freycinet Lodge, featuring beautiful Tasmanian produce
- Tasmanian wine served with all dinners
- 4 x breakfasts
- 3 x walker’s lunches
- 1 x celebratory lunch at local winery
- Tea/coffee on the trail
- Trail mix & snacks each day
GUIDED WALKS, TRANSFERS & PARKS FEES
- Professionally guided – Our CEO’s – Chief Experience Officers are locals who are passionate, well trained and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information
- Ferry from Maria Island to Triabunna
- Return road transfers between locations and return to Hobart
- National Parks Fees
ITINERARY: Today you will make your own way to Hobart and check-in to the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart. Your accommodation for tonight has been booked in a deluxe room. The remainder of the day is at leisure, for you to explore Hobart, the charming capital of Tasmania, with its vibrant blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Nestled between the rugged Mount Wellington and the picturesque Derwent River, the city boasts a rich maritime heritage showcased in its historic waterfront. Maybe even discover the city’s art scene at the MONA Museum a unique and proactive gallery. With Hobart’s thriving restaurant & café culture, you will be spoilt for choice in selecting your evening meal. Otherwise enjoy the convenience of the Tasman Restaurant, located inside the Hotel. Dinner tonight is at your own expense.
Walk grade: Approximately 10kms. 5 – 6 hours walking with breaks. Medium to Hard grade
Terrain: The walk begins on formed gravel roads and crosses open grassy hills before becoming a narrow, natural trail that climbs steeply over uneven terrain. There is some rock hopping over large boulders and some scrambling up rocks to reach the summit.
Itinerary: To maximise our day, this morning meet your guides in the hotel foyer at 6am (guests will enjoy breakfast boxes on the go). From here we transfer to the airport to join your private chartered flight for a 30-minute scenic flight to Maria Island. Along the way enjoy scenic views of the East Coast of Tasmania, passing the striking and rugged coastline and spectacular Marion Bay before landing on the private airstrip on Maria Island. Our walking adventure today is a hike to the fabulous Bishop & Clerk. We begin with a hike towards Skipping Ridge, this spot is one of the East Coast’s most breathtaking locations, with stunning views of Fossil Bay. During our break, we’ll introduce you to the fascinating geology of Maria Island’s famous fossil cliffs. Fossil Bay is home to a world-class fossil outcrop, boasting lower Permian strata that date back over 290 million years. As the seas rose and fell over millennia, they left behind an extraordinary array of fossilized sea creatures, including sea fans, coral-like organisms, scallops, and sea lilies, all visible on the rock shelf below. After lunch, we’ll embark on one of Australia’s top 10-day hikes. The trail takes us through grassy open woodlands, and dense forests before reaching the rocky ascent to Bishop & Clerk’s summit. These towering dolerite formations are named for their resemblance to a bishop and his attendant. From the summit, you’ll be treated to spectacular views across the Freycinet Peninsula on clear days. Life’s An Adventure’s founder, Mark Norek, describes this summit as a place of unforgettable beauty, where he chose to propose to his wife Vicki. Afterwards, we descend back down to sea level where we’ll explore the World-Heritage convict township of Darlington, and learn about the many changes since the European settlement in the 1800’s. After enjoying the best part of the day on the Island, we’ll board the comfortable 20-minute ferry journey across to Triabunna where we transfer by road to the superb Freycinet Lodge where we’ll stay for the next 3 nights. This evening, enjoy a superb dinner featuring local Tasmanian Produce, perfectly matched with local Tasmania wines.
Walk grade: 12.8kms. Grade 4. 4.5 -5 hours walking with breaks. Easy to Medium grade. Total climb 160m. Total descent: 160 m
Terrain: This walk has one steep climb to Wineglass Bay Lookout, and a steep descent with 1000 stairs to Wineglass Bay. The rest of the walk is relatively flat. Track conditions are excellent to Wineglass Bay. Beyond this, the track narrows, with some minor obstacles.
Itinerary: Enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant overlooking Great Oyster Bay before a short transfer to the trailhead. Established in 1916, Freycinet National Park is one of the state’s oldest and best-known parks. It’s grand granite peaks and beautiful white beaches are set against the azure blue ocean to create a truly beautiful landscape. Today we enjoy a great walk to the famous sweeping curve of sand known as Wineglass Bay, voted as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. We then return along a scenic trail beneath the magnificent Hazard mountains, skirting the coastline and passing several picturesque coves, perfect for swimming on hot days. A short five-minute drive at the end of walk brings you back to Freycinet Lodge. Tonight, the group will enjoy a wonderful dinner in the Bay Restaurant featuring local Tasmanian produce, perfectly matched with local wines.
Walk grade: Approximately 15kms 6 – 6.5 hours with breaks. Easy to Medium grade
Terrain: The terrain features sandy beaches and gentle dunes with easy paths. Starting at Cooks Beach, you’ll encounter sand walking and slight undulations, bordered by lush vegetation. As you continue along the Oyster Bay side, compact sand and coastal tracks provide a comfortable walking experience suitable for all abilities.
Itinerary: In the morning enjoy another delicious breakfast at the Freycinet Lodge before boarding the comfortable boat transfer to Cooks beach where we’ll begin our walk to Bryans Beach. This side hike lands us at a secluded beach overlooking the Schouten passage and Schouten Island. After enjoying some morning tea, we’ll head back to the west side of the Peninsular and enjoy the stunning stretch of coastline which hugs Great Oyster Bay.
As you walk, enjoy breathtaking ocean views and the soothing sound of waves lapping at the shore. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including seabirds and playful dolphins in the distance. This leisurely walk not only reconnects you with nature but also provides an opportunity for reflection and appreciation of Tasmania’s stunning landscapes. With only a quick transfer back to the accommodation, you will feel a sense of accomplishment along with cherished memories from this remarkable coastal experience.
Walk grade: HARD OPTION: 4km return, 3-4 hours. Grade 4 Hard, steep terrain. Total climbing: 410m. Good level of fitness required. EASY OPTION: 1.5kms, 1hr walking. Grade 3 Easy
Terrain: The track to Mt Amos climbs steep, rock slabs. There are large step-ups, some rock scrambling and some exposure while climbing and descending. The Cape Tourville Lighthouse Walk is along a well-made track & the track to Sleepy Bay has man-made steps which take you down to a stunning pink pebbly beach.
Flexible walking: You have the choice this morning to choose Mt Amos or Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Sleepy Bay Walk.
Itinerary: Enjoy one final breakfast at the Freycinet Lodge before choosing between one of today’s two great short walks. You’ll have the option between, Mount Amos – a challenging walk which climbs to stunning 360-degree panoramic views of Wineglass Bay and the surrounding coastline. This walk isn’t for the faint hearted & shouldn’t be attempted by anyone with a fear of heights. The second option is a very enjoyable easy walk around the Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Sleepy Bay, with sweeping views and the opportunity to see marine life, this easy but fulfilling walk is one you won’t forget. After the walks, we’ll take a short drive to the Freycinet airstrip. Here you’ll experience the breathtaking beauty of Tasmania with a thrilling helicopter flight over Wineglass Bay and the Hazards Mountain Range. Soar above the stunning coastline, marvelling at the iconic crescent of Wineglass Bay and the rugged peaks of the Hazards. This unforgettable aerial adventure offers panoramic views of pristine beaches and vibrant landscapes, providing a unique perspective on one of Australia’s most picturesque regions. Capture incredible photos and create lasting memories from the sky! With first class service, your helicopter will drop you off at a local winery where the group will enjoy a beautiful celebratory lunch with wine tasting. After lunch we’ll transfer back to Hobart where this incredible tour will finish. Estimated time of arrival back to Hobart is around 5:30pm
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Tour Availability
We run scheduled tours from September to April every year, which is the optimal time to walk in Tasmania. Shoulder months of September to October and April are great times to walk and come with the added benefit of being discounted by $100 per person.
NOTE: For those booking online and who have travelled with us before, your correct pricing will appear in the booking system after you have entered in your email address. If you have any issues please contact our Reservations Team on (02) 9975 4553 or email: walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
Prices in AUD (Australian Dollars)
PRIVATE GROUPS: Date of your choice is available for groups of 10 -12 people. Subject to availability.
Please contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553 or email: walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
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SOLO TRAVELLERS & EXTRAS:
The following extras can be purchased with your tour:
Solo Travellers
Twin share rooms are unavailable at Grand Chancellor Hobart and Freycinet Lodge for 3 nights. Solo travellers will have to add the single supplement fee to their booking to secure their own room.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $999
FlexiWalk – Cancel for Any Reason:
Purchase a FlexiWalk Add-On for normal price tickets and cancel 96 hours prior to departure for any reason. Price: $199 per person. See conditions below for full details.
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BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Before you book please read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Click here.
SALE TICKET CONDITIONS:
* Super Earlybird, Earlybird and Spot Special Sale Tickets: Must be paid in full at time of booking. Refunds or cancellations are not permitted for Sale Tickets however, transfers to another date are permitted 8 weeks or more prior to departure incurring a $200 transfer fee. We advise taking out travel insurance in case unexpected circumstances prior to the trip, prevent you from joining this tour. Early bird or Spot Special discounts cannot be used in conjunction with another offer. We have partnered with Cover-More to provide travel insurance to our guests. To get a quote or purchase travel insurance directly with them Click here. To receive these special discounts, full payment must be made at the time of initial booking.
* Those who have travelled with Life’s An Adventure previously, receive a past passenger discount of $100. This discount will automatically be deducted from future bookings when you book online using the same email address used for past bookings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
* Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
* A deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your booking. (unless taking advantage of Earlybird or Spot Specials in which full payment is required at time of booking).
* Note: If you are booking within 90 days of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
* Prices are based on twin share of rooms. If you are travelling solo you may be required to share with someone of the same gender. If this is not suitable you can request to pay a single supplement, however, limited single rooms are available per trip so are on a request basis.
* Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
* We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc. Click here
* Credit for cancelled activities. If a tour activity has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a credit for this missed activity can be applied to any future tour with us. Click here.
