Days
5 Days
Tour Type
Walking
From
$1,920 per person
- Start
-
Launceston
- Finish
-
Launceston
- Physical Rating
- Moderate to challenging
- Tour Distance
- Approx. 52km
- Group size
- Min 4, Max 12
- Code
- BOF
Overview
A feast for the eyes as well as the soul, Tasmania's north-east region including larapuna/Bay of Fires and the Blue Tier range is nothing short of spectacular, where white sand meets turquoise-blue water, bordered by green coastal heathland, and dotted with the famous vivid orange and grey granite boulders; it's a destination that begs to be explored, one foot after the other. This five-day small group walking tour ex-Launceston is a chance to do just that. Begin with a day at leisure and a welcome dinner in Launceston, and then put your best foot forward as you journey along larapuna/Bay of Fires. Take in spectacular locations including The Gardens, Eddystone Point Lighthouse, the temperate rainforest of the Blue Tier range - and many more! You'll also learn about the abundant birds and wildlife that call the region home, as well as sites of local Aboriginal significance, from the professional tour guides. Package includes four nights' hotel accommodation, 10 meals, national park fees, and return transfers from Launceston.
Highlights of this walk
The Bay of Fires walk is famous for its signature colours and scenery in the peaceful North Eastern corner of Tasmania. The walk is stunning as it meanders past a scape of orange lichen covered granite, sheltered coves and crystal clear aqua-marine water. It’s rich in local history, including whaling and indigenous middens which are scattered along the coastline.
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Itinerary
Arrive at any time during the day and make your way to the Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston for a 2pm check-in. Meet in the lobby of the hotel at 6pm for a tour briefing followed by a 7pm welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Please note: the itinerary may change during the tour depending on weather and other factors; we may do the walks on different days or directions.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor - Launceston (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Your holiday begins! We will depart the Grand Chancellor at 7:30am and drive to St Helens (2.5 hours), a lovely coastal town that will be our base for the tour.
After morning tea, we will continue to Binalong Bay and the southern end of larapuna/Bay of Fires, where we will undertake walks in the Humbug Point Conservation Area, and perhaps explore the coastline east of Binalong Bay. The walks today are easy to moderate, on formed paths with the occasional rocky scramble. Watch out for sneaky roots in the pathway!
At the end of the day we will return to St Helens to check-in to our comfortable, 4-star accommodation at the Panorama Hotel, and afterwards a group dinner (included) and an evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Panorama Hotel - St Helens (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we drive to Eddystone Lighthouse first up to beat the crowds. After enjoying the view south along larapuna / Bay of Fires, we continue on to Deep Creek Campground where we stop for morning tea before starting our beach walk along what we think is the most stunning section of larapuna/Bay of Fires.
The walk today is mostly flat along glorious white and sandy beaches with the occasional granite headland to break up the walk. The end of the walk finishes along a 4WD track through coastal heathland.
At the day's end we return to our accommodation, with possible optional visits to an oyster farm or winery on the way, time and interest dependent. Then you'll have a chance to relax before enjoying a delicious meal at one of the local restaurants (not included).
Accommodation: Panorama Hotel - St Helens (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After a short drive along the coast, we will start our walk heading south from Policemans Point to the Gardens, a beautiful area that showcases the vivid orange lichen growing on Devonian granite that the area is famous for, back-dropped by turquoise waters. We will stop for morning tea and lunch on the walk, while enjoying the coastal views.
This walk is the most challenging of the tour, with several long sections of loose pebbles and rocks, and a few rocky headlands to scramble over or navigate around, depending on the tide. Walking poles are recommended, and your guide/s will be available to assist along the way. (If it's windy from the south, we'll walk south to north - not much fun walking with a face full of sand!)
The end point today is The Gardens, the southern-most end of larapuna/ Bay of Fires, from where we will make our way to the accommodation for dinner (not included) and a relaxed evening.
Accommodation: Panorama Hotel - St Helens (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we're changing things up and heading to the Blue Tier sub-alpine plateau. The walks in the area vary in terrain, length and difficulty; your guides will choose the best route for the day, depending on weather, time, and group interest.
The easiest is the 600 metre Goblin Forest walk which meanders easily along a path and explores the history of tin-mining in the region. The most challenging is the Mount Michael loop track, which takes you through temperate rainforest to reach the top of Mount Michael. Reaching sub-alpine heathland vegetation as you near the summit, you'll enjoy the spectacular views over St Helens and through to the east coast. There are also several waterfalls to visit - the hardest thing about today is deciding which walks to do in the limited time!
From the Blue Tier area, we drive back to Launceston where our adventure comes to an end. We do recommend an additional night or two in Launceston before returning home - please ask our friendly reservations team for recommendations on accommodation and activities.
Accommodation: n/a
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
Meals
-
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
Accommodation
-
For the first night we stay at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, departing for the Bay of Fires area the next day where we will stay for the remainder of the tour at the Bayside Hotel in the quaint coastal town of St Helens. Accommodation is on a double or twin share basis. A limited number of single supplements are available – please let us know if you would like this option when booking.
1 night: Grand Chancellor Hotel
Located in the heart of Launceston, we will stay here for the first night before an early departure for the Bay of Fires area the next day. To celebrate our journey ahead we will enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant. Rooms are standard Twin share/Queen rooms with ensuites.
3 nights: Bayside Hotel, St Helens
The Bayside Hotel is situated in the beautiful town of St Helens, and is your typical country all in one pub/restaurant/motel. The rooms are recently renovated, and perfect for our needs. Overlooking the park and the bay, it is a top spot. Enjoy a swim in the on-site pool, or wander into town for an afternoon coffee.
Included activities
-
Bay of Fires Conservation Area - St Helens & Binalong Bay walks
-
Mt William National Park - Stumpys 4 Campground to Deep Creek or Eddystone Lighthouse
-
Bay of Fires Conservation Area - The Garden to Policeman’s Point walk
-
Blue Tier Regional Reserve - Day walks
Dates & Availability
$1,920 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $480 (subject to availability).
Contact us to confirm availability.
$2,160 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $480 (subject to availability).
3 spots available
$2,399 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $480 (subject to availability).
Contact us to arrange a different departure or join the waitlist
$2,555 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $540 (subject to availability).
8 spots available
$2,555 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $540 (subject to availability).
8 spots available
$2,555 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $540 (subject to availability).
8 spots available
$2,555 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $540 (subject to availability).
8 spots available
$2,555 AUD
per person twin share
Want your own room? From an extra $540 (subject to availability).
8 spots available
Important Notes
- Single Supplement: A single supplement is bookable, subject to availability at the time of booking. Single supplement provides you with your own room but with shared bathroom facilities.
- 2024 Itinerary changes: If you are travelling with us in 2024 please note that there are a few changes to the current itinerary. Accommodation will be at Panorama Hotel St Helens (no longer Bayside Hotel St Helens) and only dinner on Day 1 and Day 2 will be included.
- In the event of unforeseeable circumstances that require a modification to the itinerary or accommodation, we will make every effort to provide a suitable alternative.
- Start & End Times: This trip begins in Launceston on day 1 at 6pm and finishes in the late afternoon on Day 5 at around 5pm. Please keep this in mind when arranging your arrival and departure flights.
FAQs
About Walking Tours In General
How hard are the walks?
The difficulty of the walks ranges from tour to tour, from easy to challenging. We design all of our walking tours to be achievable for those with a moderate level of fitness. We do recommend doing some training before most tours, because physical activity is always more enjoyable if you are physically prepared. We will send you information about how to train when you book.
When on tour we find that a positive mental attitude is most important and that if you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, and not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. You can always have a day or sometimes an afternoon off to relax if you feel like it. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete a walk, give us a call or send us an email and we can talk you through it.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Do I have to twin-share accommodation? Can I have my own room?
Our tour prices are based on rooms being twin share (two single beds in one room) or double (one double/queen bed in a room, shared by a couple). If you are travelling alone, we will place you in a room with someone of the same gender. If you have opted for a single supplement, this means you will have your own room but we won’t always be able to guarantee your own bathroom and king/queen bed due to the types of accommodation we use for group bookings. Often we stay at 2 or 3 bedroom chalets so that we can cook and have a common area for the group to relax and mingle at the end of your days walk. If having your own bathroom is important, give us a ring and we will see if it is possible.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Will I hold up the group if I’m a slow walker?
We find a lot of people who haven’t been on a walking tour before worry about this, but it’s rarely an issue. We keep a comfortable steady pace with plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the scenery along the way. Usually the group will spread out over a couple of hundred metres as we walk.
Normal walking pace on a formed surface like a road or footpath is around 4.5 – 6 km per hour and we tend to average just over 3 km per hour on bush tracks. It’s not a stroll but it’s not a brisk walk either. If you feel you may be slower than this, try some longer training walks to increase your walking fitness.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What is the average age of Inspiration Outdoors’ guests?
About 80% of our walkers are aged between 45 – 75, but we welcome all adults on our tours. We get a roughly 60/40 female to male split.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
What’s the food like? Can you cater for my dietary needs?
We serve simple, nutritious and delicious food on tour prepared by our guides, using fresh and local ingredients as much as possible. Sometimes we also eat out at restaurants. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, fresh fruit, pre-dinner nibbles and a two course evening meal are all included. We are happy to adapt our menu to suit many dietary needs including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets – please ask when you book.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Are your walking tours just for “bushwalkers”?
Our walks are for anyone who enjoys walking and nature – bushwalkers or not. Our walks are conducted in safe, supportive and fun environments and you don’t need specialised equipment or experience to undertake them. We give you information about what you will need to bring and how you should prepare for each tour and we’re always here to answer any questions or concerns.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
Do I have to walk every day on tour?
Of course not – it’s your holiday and you should do what you feel! Relax at the accommodation, come for a drive, get dropped off in town or go for a stroll of your own. On some days there is also the opportunity to walk for part of the day. This last option depends on whether there is vehicle access to the track.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What do I have to carry when I walk?
Very little. A water bladder or bottles, lunch/snacks/fruit for the day. a rain jacket, some personal first aid supplies and, on some days, lunch. You will probably want a camera as well. We return to accommodation each evening so there is no need to carry a large backpack.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Not sure if this is the right tour for you?
At Inspiration Outdoors, we understand that choosing the right tour can be a difficult decision. That’s why we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible. If you still have questions, give us a call or drop us a line. Whether it’s a question about the tour itinerary or your fitness level, our customer care team is ready to answer it. We have product specialists for every tour who are eager to share their knowledge and help you plan your next adventure.
What our customers say
Our Booking Process
What happens after I book?
After you have filled in a registration form, we will send you all extra information you may need, including a list of what to bring and how best to prepare for the tour.
Payment in full is required at least six weeks prior to the tour (bookings can still be made within six weeks of tour start date if there are places available). We will email or call you to remind you when this is due.
Finally, we will contact you prior to your tour to confirm pick-up times and locations. If you have any questions or concerns at all before or after you have booked, please don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can go through them with you.
What are my payment options?
Payment can be made by:
- Direct deposit
- Cheque
- Credit card
Can I cancel my booking?
If you need to cancel your tour;
(a) 84 days or more prior to departure, we will refund your deposit minus $50 administration fee;(b) 30 and 84 days prior to departure, loss of deposit
(c) between 24 and 29 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 25% of the total booking cost;
(d) between 15 and 23 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the total booking cost;
(e) 14 days or fewer prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking cost.
If you have any concerns about cancelling, please take out travel insurance covering this contingency. This policy will be adhered to despite the most compelling and compassionate circumstances.
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