Suggested itinerary for one day exploring the Far South of Tasmania

Updated Version with Covid-19 restricted opening times.

Breakfast can be served anytime from 5am onwards for an earlier start which would allow more time to enjoy the scenery or one or possibly two of the many great walks. A packed lunch is also available.

Please Note: The following timings are based around the main tourist season of November to March, either side of this different departure times are required to fit in with day light hours and different opening times at Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.

8.30am: depart Ashdowns of Dover Bed & Breakfast.  Turn left out of the drive way and follow the main road south passing through the settlements of Strathblane, Hastings and Lune River where the sealed road ends and the good quality gravel road continues south through beautiful scenery and the smaller settlements of Catamaran and Recherche to Cockle Creek where the road literally ends. About 1hr drive/43km.

The ‘End of the Road’ signpost is opposite the small car-park just over the bridge not far from the public telephone and informative signboard.  From here it’s a leisurely 15 minute walk along the beach (tide permitting) or the main path to the bronze whale sculpture where the interpretive signs guide you through the history of the area and offer a geographical view as to where you are.  ‘Closer to Antarctica than Cairns.’

The tiny settlement of Cockle Creek at the southern end of Australia is the gateway to the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.  The area is known for its scenic beauty of deserted white beaches, turquoise waters of Recherche Bay and a variety of short and multi-day bushwalks including the end of the famous 82 km South Coast Track.  Historically aborigines valued the region for the seals, shellfish and bush-hunting it provided during the warmer months, with evidence of many shell middens in the area.  French explorer, Bruni D’Entrecasteaux sailed his ship, the Recherche into the bay in 1792, subsequently naming the bay.  The region provided an important port of call for ships transporting convicts to the Sarah Island Penal Colony in Macquarie Harbour on the West coast of Tasmania from 1822 to 1834, when sealers, whalers and loggers visited the area and settled to extract Huon pine.  At its height the settlement numbered more than 2000 people.

If you plan to walk the final section of the South Coast Wilderness Track from Cockle Creek to South Cape Bay/South East Cape and back, the sign says 4hr return; this would be a fast pace, I would allow a minimum of 4.5-5hrs for the walk there, a short stop and return to Cockle Creek. The track starts on the right just after the National Parks office. 

If you prefer a shorter and less strenuous walk, just south of the settlement of Ida Bay take South Lune Road which is just before Ida Bay, travel 4.2km along South Lune Road and turn left up Limestone Quarry Road for 500m to the start of the Mystery Creek Cave walk.  Glow worms await you inside Mystery Creek Cave at the end of this flat and well-marked trail. And it’s an easy-earned reward as you’ll marvel at relics of a bygone mining era along an abandoned train track. This walk is quintessentially Tasmanian. You’ll literally walk through some of the island’s 1800-era mining boom history to experience the Australian-endemic glow worm.  Allow 1.5 to 2hrs for this walk.

 The Ida Bay Railway is closed and will hopefully reopen soon.  Originally used to transport limestone from the Lune River quarry to the Deep Bay jetty between 1919 and 1975.  The rail track is open for people wishing to walk the (14.6km return) track through scenic bush, past the historic graveyard to Deep Hole beach.

From Cockle Creek it’s 25 minute/21km drive to the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.  

Well worth a stop, just up the road from the railway is Lunaris Gemstones, 175 Lune River Road.  They specialise in Tasmanian gemstones, fossils, crystals and minerals, natural specimens, unique jewellery pieces, ornamentals and decorative items.

Please Note: At the moment group tours of Hastings Cave are limited to eight visitors per tour and bookings are essential; call (03) 6298 3209 the day before your visit if possible to make a booking.

Try to arrive at the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs Visitor Centre around 2.15pm in plenty of time to take the 3pm tour; ticket sales close strictly 25 minutes prior to the advertised cave tour time. After ticket purchase there is a further drive of 5kms and a 5 minute walk to the cave entrance where your guide will meet you. The travel to the cave is undertaken in your own vehicle.  In Summer (26th Dec to 31st Jan) if you miss the 3pm cave tour, visit the thermal pool first and then take the 4pm tour.  

Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs

01st May – 30th Sept – Visitor Centre & Pool open 10.30am – 4pm, Cave tours 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm.

1st Oct – 24th Dec – Visitor Centre & Pool open 10am until 4pm, Cave tours 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm.

25th December – Closed.

26th Dec – 31st Jan – Visitor Centre & Pool open 9am until 5pm, Cave tours 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm.

1st Feb –30th Apr – Visitor Centre & Pool open 10am until 4pm, Cave tours 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. 

The Hastings Caves State Reserve offers visitors a variety of experiences, from relaxing in the warm waters of a thermal springs pool, walking in the rich forests of the reserve and the unique experience of exploring Newdegate Cave. Both the thermal pool and the trail which leads through the surrounding forests are accessible to wheelchair users.  Named after Sir Francis Newdegate, the Governor of Tasmania from 1917-1920, Newdegate Cave is the largest tourist cave in Australia which occurs in dolomite, rather than limestone.

Its richly decorated chambers began forming tens of millions of years ago.  Don’t miss the opportunity to take a tour of the cave with qualified Parks and Wildlife Service guides.   Hastings Pool is fed by pure spring water which maintains a constant temperature of 28 degrees Celsius year round.

Well worth a stop is Touchwood Farm, 7777 Huon Highway Strathblane, between Southport and Dover. Where you can find a range of hand-made soaps, lotions, oils, herbs, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Farm-gate store and workshop open 10am – 4pm Thursday through to Sunday.

Return to Ashdowns of Dover Bed & Breakfast around 5.30pm.

Telstra has by far the best mobile phone coverage in the Far South, Optus is OK but patchy and the others don’t work at all.  Food is available at several places in Dover, the Southport hotel, Rocket@ the end of the road Southport and Hastings Caves visitor centre. Fuel is available in Dover and Southport.

Suggested itinerary that includes Tahune, Hartz NP and the Caves

 Updated Version with Covid-19 restricted opening times.

Please Note: Tahune Adventures is open 7 days 10am until 4pm and last tickets are sold an hour before closing.  Closed Christmas Day and during hazardous weather. 

Please also note: The following timings are based around the main tourist season of November to March, either side of this different departure times are required to fit in with day light hours and different opening times at Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.

9am depart Ashdowns of Dover Bed & Breakfast.  Turn right out of the drive way heading north to the town of Geeveston where you leave the Huon Highway (A6), follow the signs to Tahune Adventures along the Arve Road (C631), a good quality sealed road all the way 45km/1hrs drive.

Situated on the edge of 1.6 million hectares of World Heritage Listed forest Tahune Adventures (AirWalk) was opened on the 1st of July 2001 and has since become one of the most visited tourism attractions in Tasmania.  The 600m long raised steel AirWalk ends at a spectacular cantilevered platform 50m above the riverbank – the views extend over the forest canopy to the mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.  You can also enjoy one of the many short walks.  There is an information centre and licensed café at Tahune Adentures specialising in local food and wine.

As a very rough guide I would allow between 2 and 3hr at Tahune Adventures. Which would make it about midday when you are thinking of leaving, either have lunch at Tahune Adventures, enjoy your packed lunch or return to Geeveston for a range of cafes, shops or takeaways. 

To add the Hartz Mountains, from Tahune Adventures head back down towards Geeveston, about half way back to Geeveston turn right onto Hartz Road (C632) which is a good quality gravel road up to Hartz Mountains National Park 29km/30mins drive. 

Hartz Mountains National Park is a window into the south-west wilderness, offering views of remote mountain ranges as far as the southern coast. As well as spectacular views of a landscape which has been shaped by glaciers during past ice ages, the park offers a variety of unique features. Waterfalls tumble off the dolerite range that runs through the centre of the park and small glacial lakes dot the plateau. The park contains a wide variety of vegetation from wet eucalypt forest and rainforest through to alpine heath on the exposed mountain tops.  The park was included in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in 1989, in recognition of its spectacular natural and cultural values.  From the Hartz Shelter carpark and picnic area there are 3 short return walks of 20 – 45mins and several longer walks such as the 1.5hr return Lake Esperance or the 4hrs return Hartz Peak.  The parks highest point, Hartz Peak (1254 m), provides panoramic views into the heart of the southwest.  

Please Note: bookings must be made prior to the intended cave tour.  Bookings can be taken up to 14 days in advance by phoning (03) 6298 3209, between 10am and 2pm.  For tour times refer below.  Numbers are currently limited to 8 people per tour.  No bookings required for the thermal pool.​

For Hastings caves and thermal springs, return to Dover and then continue on the Huon Hwy south passing through the settlements of Strathblane and Hastings, turning right onto Hastings Caves Road, the road is now sealed all the way to the cave entrance.  About 1hr and 20mins drive or 71km.

Try to arrive at the Hastings caves visitors centre around 2.15pm in plenty of time to take the 3pm tour, ticket sales close strictly 25 minutes prior to the advertised cave tour time. After ticket purchase there is a further drive of 5kms and a 5 minute walk to the cave entrance where your guide will meet you.  The travel to the cave is undertaken in your own vehicle.  In Summer (26th Dec to 31st Jan) if you miss the 3pm cave tour, visit the thermal pool first and then take the 4pm tour.    

Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs

01st May – 30th Sept – Visitor Centre & Pool open 10.30am – 4pm, Cave tours 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm.

1st Oct – 24th Dec – Visitor Centre & Pool open 10am until 4pm, Cave tours 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm.

25th December – Closed.

26th Dec – 31st Jan – Visitor Centre & Pool open 9am until 5pm, Cave tours 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm.

1st Feb –30th Apr – Visitor Centre & Pool open 10am until 4pm, Cave tours 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. 

The Hastings Caves State Reserve offers visitors a variety of experiences, from relaxing in the warm waters of a thermal springs pool, walking in the rich forests of the reserve and the unique experience of exploring Newdegate Cave. Both the thermal pool and the trail which leads through the surrounding forests are accessible to wheelchair users.  Named after Sir Francis Newdegate, the Governor of Tasmania from 1917-1920, Newdegate Cave is the largest tourist cave in Australia which occurs in dolomite, rather than limestone.

Its richly decorated chambers began forming tens of millions of years ago.  Don’t miss the opportunity to take a tour of the cave with qualified Parks and Wildlife Service guides.   Hastings Pool is fed by pure spring water which maintains a constant temperature of 28 degrees Celsius year round.

Return to Ashdowns of Dover Bed & Breakfast around 5.30pm.

Telstra has by far the best mobile phone coverage in the Far South, Optus is OK but a bit patchy and the others don’t work at all.  Food is available at several places in Dover, the Southport hotel, Hastings Caves visitor centre and at the Ida Bay Railway café. Fuel is available in Dover and Southport.

Suggested itinerary for a day trip to Bruny Island.

Breakfast can be served anytime from 5am onwards for an earlier start which would allow more time to enjoy the scenery or one or possibly two of the many great walks.

Please Note: The following timings are based around the main tourist season of November to March, either side of this different departure times are required to fit in with day light hours and the Bruny island ferry service.

The following itinerary includes the multi-award winning Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Bruny Island cruise, make sure you have booked this in advance, your host, Gary can book this for you, or call 03 6234 4270.

Timings

• Have breakfast anytime between 5am and 6.15am.
• By 6.50am depart Ashdowns of Dover Bed & Breakfast, drive to ferry 81km/75mins
• Depending on when you left Dover take the 8.10am or 8.30am Bruny Island ferry from Kettering
• 15 – 20 minute crossing time.
• From North Bruny ferry terminal to Bruny Island Cruises, Adventure Bay. 38km/40mins
• Check in by 9.30am for 10am, 3hr Bruny Island cruise

To get to the ferry

Turn right out of our drive way heading north on the A6 towards Huonville, about 1km after the small settlement of Waterloo, turn right onto the C634 signposted to Huonville, this road bypasses the town of Geeveston.  Then at the next ‘T’ junction turn right again back onto the main Huon Highway (A6), follow the signs to Huonville.

Just after crossing the Huon River Bridge (just in front of the Grand Hotel) at Huonville, turn right onto the B68 signposted to Cygnet, and follow the Channel Highway through Cygnet. At the BP service station round-a-bout in Cygnet the main road goes to the left, take this exit.  After about 1.5km turn left onto Nicholls Rivulet Road C626 signposted Bruny Island Ferry. 

Follow this winding road up over the hills and down to the main Channel Highway B68 at Oyster Cove, turn right towards Kettering and then after a few minutes turn left down Ferry Road to the Bruny Island ferry.  This 81km journey takes about 75mins.  Please allow 1.5hrs.

The ferry

The first ferry departs Kettering at 6.30am (except Sundays), then there are the 6.50am, 7.10am, 8.10am and 8.30am departures, all of these will allow you to arrive in plenty of time for the cruise departure.

Pre-purchase your ticket online or pay at the ticket booth on arrival, cost $38 return per car including passengers. 20min crossing.

Bruny Island is a 362 square kilometre (89,000-acre) island located off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania. The island is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Both the island and the channel are named after early French explorer Antoine Raymond de Bruni d’Entrecasteaux who was captain of the frigate Recherche visiting the area in 1792. Its traditional Aboriginal name is lunawanna-allonah, which is also the name of two island settlements on Bruny. 

From the ferry

Follow the Bruny Island Main Road B66 south, crossing the thin stretch of land ‘the neck’ that connects north and south Bruny, at the ‘T’ junction turn left onto Adventure Bay Road C630, signposted Adventure Bay, follow this to the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys office, café and restaurant at 1005, Adventure bay Road. From the ferry to here 38km/40mins. 

The Pennicott Wilderness Journey cruise

The multi-award winning cruise explores the rugged coastline of South Bruny National Park.

Cruises depart every day at 10am and 1.30pm during peak periods, 9:30am and 1pm check in, cruises finish at 1pm and 4.30pm.

Outside of the busy summer season Dec 1st – Apr 28th there is a daily cruise from 11am to 2pm. Again check-in 30mins prior to cruise departure. 

The rest of the day

You have driven past some wonderful things on your drive to the Bruny cruise, you now have the rest of the day to slowly make your way back to Dover stopping along the way to enjoy the best of southern Tasmania.

My suggestions for things to do on Bruny:

White Wallabies:  Before you get back into your car, walk down to the beach and head right away from Adventure Bay, at the end of the beach there is a footpath marked Grass point track, Fluted Cape walk. The sign points to the left, but walk to your right, there is a large area that used to be a caravan park and if you are lucky white wallabies enjoying the grassed area.

• The Fluted Cape Walk: about 2hrs return, great scenery, the first section to Grass Point is easy going after Grass Point the second part of the route is a bit more strenuous.
• The Bligh Museum Adventure Bay: On your left as you drive back through Adventure Bay, interesting displays dealing with maritime history.
• Bruny Island Hotel: around from Adventure Bay in the town of Alonnah, classic pub with great food.
• Bruny Island Premium Wines: Lunawanna, south from Alonnah, great wine and food.
• The Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Company: North Bruny halfway between the ‘neck’ and the ferry. Wonderful cheese and beer tasting.
• Get Shucked Oysters: A little further north, great seafood, particularly the oysters.
• Bruny Island House of Whiskey: Just south of the ferry, a whiskey lover’s heaven and great food.

The ferry back

The last ferry back to Kettering departs at about 7:15pm, please don’t risk there being space available on the last crossing, better to leave on one of the earlier ferries.

Ferries depart North Bruny every 20 minutes from 5.10pm or on demand.

The drive back to Dover or on to somewhere else?

Depending on how much time you have allowed to drive back to Dover, there are several different routes you can choose to drive back to Dover.  One good way is to turn left onto Channel Highway B68, and travel around the coast passing through the towns of Woodbridge, Flowerpot, Middleton and Charlotte Cove back to Cygnet, which is well worth a stop to walk around.

Return to Ashdowns of Dover Bed & Breakfast.

Telstra has by far the best mobile phone coverage in the Far South, Optus is OK but a bit patchy and the others don’t work well at all.