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Discovery and Cruising
Activities
  • 5 days cruising
Accommodation
  • 4 nights aboard Odalisque III
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts

5 Days$10300AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: OPM

Trip highlights

  • World-heritage listed Maria Island: Maria Island National Park is a haven for wombats, wallabies and Tasmanian devils. Head ashore for a stroll to the patterned Painted Cliffs via the historic convict settlement, or beachcomb along the island’s long, sandy isthmus.
  • Tasman Peninsula’s soaring sea cliffs: Cruise between the 300m dolerite towers of Cape Pillar, the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere, and rugged Tasman Island. Hike to dizzying heights on the Cape Hauy clifftop walk. Search for seals, dolphins, migrating whales and sea birds.
  • Secluded beaches of Freycinet: Ashore and afloat, explore the pristine white beaches, turquoise waters and pink-granite peaks of the Freycinet Peninsula. Wineglass Bay’s beauty is world-renowned - we celebrate the lesser-known coves and corners too.

Discover azure waters, sparkling beaches and dramatic sea cliffs from floating luxury accommodation on vessel Odalisque

On this intimate and immersive expedition, cruise past magnificent mountains and call into secluded beaches en route to national parks, historic sites, and peninsulas aboard the boutique expedition vessel Odalisque. Explore each day on guided walks and shore excursions in small groups, encountering fluffy lawnmowers (aka wombats) on Maria Island, climbing the granite-capped peaks of Freycinet National Park, or taking a clifftop bushwalk.

Why this is the experience of a lifetime:

-Discover three of Tasmania’s top National Parks (Freycinet, Tasman & Maria Island) from an exclusive perspective at sea level, visiting secret spots and hard-to-reach places such as Schouten Island

-Explore the renowned World-Heritage-listed Port Arthur convict site and Wineglass Bay on a guided walking tour

-Encounter a magical coastline on daily guided walks and wilderness cruises led by local experts, returning to the comforts of a floating luxury lodge. (We think the lounges feel softer and the bubbles taste better for having conquered the mountain!)

Activities:

Itinerary

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This experience includes a one-way voyage from Hobart to the Freycinet Peninsula with a return land transfer to Hobart (or reverse). If you are boarding boutique-cruiser Odalisque in Hobart: • The meeting point is at Elizabeth St Pier. Unless otherwise specified, the experience begins at 10:00 am. Guests should arrive at the meeting point between 9:30 am and 9:45 am. If the cruise leg of your experience begins on the Freycinet Peninsula: • The meeting point is at Coles Bay Jetty (just next to Wineglass Bay Cruises’ office). Unless otherwise specified, the experience begins at 2:00 pm. Guests should arrive at the meeting point between 1:30 pm and 1:45 pm. A transfer from your accommodation in Hobart CBD to the meeting point is available. Guests can also opt to make their own way to the meeting point. Our itineraries are as changing as the wind and tide in this remote, wild country. Our crew will develop a daily itinerary based on the latest weather report, and guests’ interests - whether that be hiking, beachcombing, bird spotting, history lessons or simply soaking up the scenery from Odalisque. Take this voyage at your own pace. Birdlife to bushwalking, photography to botany, action-packed to relaxed. Let us know your interests and abilities, and we’ll tailor the trip to you. Below we have includes some East Coast highlights to give you an idea of how you might spend your days. Upon booking, please advise us of your interests in the area so that we may accommodate them.

Meals:  L,D

-There are cliff-top walks to jaw-dropping vistas and hill climbs to wide lookouts over sea and scenery. Fortescue Bay to Cape Hauy (4hrs return) and Wineglass Bay Lookout (1hr to summit) are two of our favourites. Pass by forests, heathland, abundant birdlife and friendly wildlife. -For those wanting something less heart-testing, there are plenty of gentle walks along deserted beaches, over tessellated pavements and through historic sites. -Your expert guide, a personal walking-encyclopedia, makes for excellent company on every shore excursion. They’ll point out flora and fauna along the way, and share their deep knowledge of landforms, geography and history (plus a quip or two). -Maria Island is a marine reserve and national park. Head ashore to see the pretty patterns of the Painted Cliffs via the historic convict settlement of Darlington, or beachcomb the long, sandy stretches of the isthmus. -Schouten Island has crystal-clear blue waters and an abundance of sea life. It falls within Freycinet National Park and is host to many pretty anchorages. -The magnificent cliffs of Tasman Island mark the turning point for the iconic Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Perched on top is one of Australia's most inaccessible light stations. The island sits just off the colossal peaks of Cape Pillar.

Meals:  B,L,D

-Stroll along white-sand beaches with sparkling turquoise waters. Pause for a refreshing dip – and perhaps a gourmet picnic. Wineglass Bay’s beauty is world-renowned - we’ll take you to the lesser-known coves and corners too. -Shelter in remote harbours. Protected anchorages are strewn along the east coast, from the deep-blue harbour of Fortescue Bay to the vast sandy expanse of Chinamans Bay. Whether wind or wave, we’ll find a sheltered port. Likely one with a good view, too. -Paddle past Freycinet’s hidden bays and striking orange lichen-cloaked boulders on a 3-hour kayaking tour. From the coastal town of Coles Bay, sweep into the clear-blue waters bordering the national park and past the beaches beyond. -From June to October, humpback and southern right whales can be spotted on their long migration from (or back to) Antarctica. Also in the neighbourhood are colonies of seals fishing off rocks and pods of bottlenose dolphins hitching rides on bow waves. -Maria Island National Park is a wildlife sanctuary for wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. Tasmanian devils were introduced to this natural Noah’s Ark to protect this endangered species from the facial tumour disease impacting the population on mainland Tasmania. -All but one of Tasmania's endemic birds can be found on Maria Island, including one of Australia's rarest birds, the endangered forty-spotted pardalote. Keep your eyes on the skies for white-bellied sea eagles circling above and albatross coasting the cape.

Meals:  B,L,D

-Enter Port Arthur Historic Site, the best-preserved convict site in Australia and among the most significant convict era sites worldwide. Learn more about Tasmania’s convict past with a visit to the historic buildings of Darlington’s penal colony, on Maria Island. -This is a shore of shipwrecks and lighthouses, riddled with stories of captains and lightkeepers. At the mouth of the River Derwent, pass Australia’s oldest remaining (and operational) lighthouse, the Iron Pot. Cruise under Tasman Island’s isolated lighthouse, the highest operating tower in Australia. -Hear the tales of the characters who shaped the region’s history – from master mariners to big-wave surfers, brave explorers to escaped convicts – our guides know it all. And what they don’t, they make up with a smile. -Take a masterclass in oyster shucking on a remote beach. Pry open locally-grown oysters, then wash them down with fresh sauces and matched sparkling wine. Heaven. -The sea air certainly whets the appetite. And we think nothing tastes better than gourmet Tasmanian fare served in a distant wilderness – whether the setting is a simple beach picnic or aboard what is quite possibly Tasmania’s most remote restaurant.

Meals:  B,L,D

Depending on where your voyage started you with either conclude your journey at Coles Bay Jetty where a land transfer will be waiting to take you back to Hobart or we will dock at Elizabeth Street Pier in Central Hobart. Return times to Hobart are generally between 3 and 6 pm.

Meals:  B,L

Inclusions

What's included

  • Daily guided walks, shore excursions & wilderness cruises by tender
  • Tailored itinerary including walking, historic sites, birdwatching, photography, beachcombing...
  • Luxury accommodation onboard expedition-vessel Odalisque
  • Expert local crew including interpretive guide, skipper, host and chef
  • 4-night voyage from Hobart to Freycinet Peninsula (or reverse)
  • Land transfer from Freycinet Peninsula to Hobart (or reverse)
  • All meals featuring gourmet Tasmanian produce
  • A curated range of local wine, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Weatherproof rain poncho for tender excursions
  • Use of waterproof expedition bag for luggage transfer

  • Airfares to/from Tasmania
  • Accommodation before and after the trip
  • Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature

Accommodation

Odalisque III

Purpose-built for a luxury escape in Tasmanian waters, Odalisque III, unsurpassed in its design, offers a new level of exclusive boutique accommodation in Tasmania’s wildest and most remote wilderness areas.

The expedition vessel houses two spacious lounges, three outdoor viewing decks and six luxe cabins all featuring Queen sized beds with private ensuites. Throughout the vessel, including in the cabins, there are knee-to-ceiling windows that offer incredible panoramic views, meaning that guests will, literally, wake each morning to a different view of Tasmania’s World-Heritage wilderness. The décor, which changes from room to room, is a nod to the dramatic colours of the southwest or the soft, sandy hues of the east coast.

The new catamaran serves as a luxe launching pad for exploring the wilderness of southwest Tasmania and Freycinet on guided walks, tender and shore excursions. Guests can go beyond their comfort zones, without giving up their creature comforts.

Coastal Cabins

The relaxed yet considered cabins of the main deck have a coastal-chic feel, emulating the soft, sandy colours of the east coast. These stylish rooms include a comfortable queen bed, a private ensuite with toilet and shower, and wide wilderness views through large windows. A twin bed option is available.

Southwest Suites

The carefully curated suites of the upper deck exude sophistication, reflecting the moody colours of the south west. These refined staterooms are a little more spacious than their main deck counterparts and have larger private ensuites. Each Southwest Suite features a comfortable queen bed, expansive ocean views and direct access to the open bridge and wheelhouse lounge.

Suitability

Discovery and Cruising

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This adventure requires a reasonable level of fitness, and we believe that any adventure holiday is more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit. During the day you’ll carry your own daypack, in which you’ll have your lunch, a water bottle, camera, etc. You will also need to be able to get in and out of the tender boats that are used for the excursions each day. You can choose from a range of daily activities including swimming, historic sites, birdwatching, photography and hiking.

Departure dates


Notes

NB:
Our Coastal Cabins are our included Standard Cabin. You may pay a supplement to upgrade to our Southwest Suites.
NB:
In addition to the World Expeditions deposit, you will also be required to pay an additional deposit of 20% of the trip cost (paid in your local currency at the current rate of exchange). The balance of the tour price is payable 90 days prior to departure.

Priceper person from

$10300AUD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed East Coast Luxury Cruise Explorer trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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We are happy to cater to dietary requirements, please just let us know at the time of booking. We’re also happy to be advised of major dislikes so that our chef can design a menu accordingly.

We support multi-generational travel and welcomes guests of all ages aboard Odalisque. Guests wishing to indicate their preferences concerning travelling with children are encouraged to advise us when making a booking

Power is available onboard to charge up any devices, including cameras. Odalisque is equipped with 240v household power points and USB charging stations in the cabins and lounge areas.

Tasmania has four distinct seasons. The warmest months are December, January, February and March. Autumn has still, sunny days and particularly beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Winter runs from June through August, a time particularly delightful in the mild year-round climate of Tasmania’s east coast. As Tasmania sits beside the Southern Ocean, exposed to the wild winds of the Roaring Forties, the climate can vary greatly - on any given day.

The average maximum daily summer temperatures sit between 17 and 23°C and winter daily temperatures between 3 and 11°C.

Rainfall varies dramatically across the island. Hobart, with an average of 626 mm is Australia's second-driest capital city (after Adelaide), while the southwest coast’s annual average of 2,100 mm ensures the rainforest and buttongrass thrive.

We provide an all-inclusive experience. The only additional fees are purchases from our top-shelf drinks list, which is an optional addition to our splendid selection of cool climate wines, crisp craft beers, slow-sipping spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

Our expedition cruises don’t run to a set itinerary. Rather, we tailor each experience to suit guests’ interests, guided by the weather. The experience can be as active or as relaxing as you like – there are plenty of opportunities to go ashore for walking, beachcombing and birdwatching, or you may prefer to choose a soft lounge aboard the Odalisque, sip a boutique Tasmanian beer and take in the wilderness scenery from a soft lounge aboard Odalisque.

The expert wilderness guide, who knows everything there is to know about the history, plants and wildlife of the area, will plan your daily tender and shore excursions. The next day’s adventures are often the topic of conversation around the dinner table the night before.

Solo travellers are welcome aboard Odalisque. We provide the following three options.

Single occupancy fares are available for a private cabin and guaranteed departure on a particular expedition. Single occupancy fares are available less 25% of the twin-share rate.

Standby Singles is available to guests who are flexible with their travel times. Guests are placed on a standby list for their preferred expedition and will be contacted 30 days prior to departure should there be availability. Alternatively, you can view expeditions departing in the next 30 days here and contact us to book if you see availability. Standby Singles will only be charged at the twin-share rate per person (no single supplement).

Single Guest Match is suitable for guests who are flexible in their departure dates and willing to share a cabin with another guest of the same gender. Like the Standby Singles, they will be placed on a standby list and will be notified as soon as a match becomes available. Once confirmed, they will only be charged at the per person rate (no supplement charged). Unlike the Standby Singles, it is possible to obtain confirmation well ahead of departure if we can match you with another solo traveller of the same gender happy to share a cabin.

We tailors activities to suit guests of all abilities and interests. Walking is a popular activity in our itineraries, and with options ranging from 15 minutes to 6 hours, there’s always something for everyone. Your crew will advise guests of the difficulty level of any walks prior to departure. If a certain activity is not for you, we will provide an alternate activity. For all excursions, our crew are always on hand for guidance and assistance.

Should you have any physical limitations or mobility issues, please notify our reservations team prior to your departure.

If you have any questions about the activities or are concerned about whether our cruise expeditions can cater to your fitness level, please get in touch.

Absolutely nothing! Our guides will carry anything that you might need on any day walks. Of course, you are welcome to carry your own day pack. In fact, some guests prefer to carry their camera, water bottle and a warm layer.

You’ll need to bring comfortable activewear suitable for a range of activities – from hiking to cruising in the tender – appropriate for the range of weather conditions we’ll be exposed to – from hot, sunny and still to cold, windy and wet. Guests may like to change out of the day’s expedition attire into something fresh for dinner, but we like to keep it casual and relaxed onboard. There is no dress code for dining. For more information, please take a look at our pre-departure information sheet

We recommend taking a pair of lightweight and sturdy hiking boots, as some of the walking tracks can be muddy, rutted or overgrown.

You’ll also need to take a second pair of shoes for wearing when on the vessel. Trust us, you’ll be wanting something dry and clean to put on. We recommend a shoe that’s comfortable and easy to get on and off eg. Sneakers or ‘boat shoes’.

A full list of what to pack can be found in the pre-departure gear list.

There is limited phone reception in Tasmania’s coastal waters, with reception patchy at best.

We see this as an opportunity for total escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There is however a satellite phone which guests can be reached on, should any friends or family need to make urgent contact.

When packing for your expedition we recommend that all guests pack lightly. For convenience and protection against the elements, we provides a waterproof expedition bag made of soft, weatherproof canvas for guest use. The bag is approximately 48cm long with a diameter of 34cm and a capacity of 45l. Guests may also like to bring a small bag or backpack.

For convenience and protection against the elements on all expeditions, we provide a waterproof expedition bag made of soft, weatherproof canvas for guest use on all expeditions. The bag is approximately 48cm long with a diameter of 34cm and a capacity of 45l.

The waters that Odalisque cruises in are generally quite calm, as they’re mostly protected from the swells of the Southern Ocean. This is particularly the case on the Port Davey Escape and Southwest Immersion expedition cruises, which operate within the safe harbour of Port Davey.

Only a short period of any expedition will be in open sea, therefore for the majority of the experiences guests will find the conditions generally fine. We also design itineraries and routes with the comfort of guests in mind. We do recommend that passengers who have a history of travel sickness or are concerned to bring their own sea sickness medication as a precaution.

Trip reviews

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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Discovery and Cruising