Tasmania by Superyacht: Naturally Different & Diverse

Editor’s note: After years of working on superyachts all over the world, Dave Saul and Corina Wilson realized Australia was undervalued as a cruising destination. Therefore, these Aussies decided they were in an ideal position to attract more superyachts not only to Australia, but also to the South Pacific. ​Their yacht agency, Superyachts 153°, assists with all needs, including itinerary planning. While they enthusiastically recommend the Kimberley cruising region, they additionally recommend Tasmania by superyacht. The region is especially naturally beautiful. This two-week itinerary takes you round-trip from Hobart through UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wine regions, and more. Saul and Wilson say you could easily spend a month in the area, too.

Nature is what Tasmania does best, and you have plenty to choose from, with 19 National Parks scattered around the state. Solitary beaches, bush walks, mountainous backdrops, and an array of wildlife. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area takes up over 20 percent of Tasmania and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Combine the incredible nature with time in the capital of Hobart and surrounds. It’s the best way to immerse yourself in the history, food, wine, and of course the natural beauty.

This is a travel day, where you can anchor up in Barnes Bay. Bruny Island sits off the southeast coast of Tasmania. It’s renowned for its endemic species as well as with eagles, fur seals, and more.

The local Bruny Island community produces some of the finest food products in Tasmania and on the world stage. This therefore makes it one of the best islands for discovering amazing food amid spectacular wild scenery.

As for that scenery, the Cape Bruny Lighthouse is one of the island’s most prominent attractions. It’s been guiding ships around our rugged coastlines for more than 180 years. Towering dolerite sea cliffs, crumbling sandstone, and mudstone pillars dominate the coastline. You’re sure to see seabirds, penguin colonies, seals, whales, shipwrecks, and sweeping white sandy beaches.

Cygnet is a nice, protected anchorage, with the trip to get there just as terrific. Departing Barnes Bay, you’ll cruise along the western side of Bruny Island then into the Huon River and Kangaroo Bay. The picturesque Huon Valley produces some of Australia’s best apples and cherries.

Foodies traveling Tasmania by superyacht will definitely enjoy the day exploring Cygnet and its surrounds. A sensational winery not far out of town is Sailor Seeks Horse, a maker of beautiful cold climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Also worth the drive is Grandvewe, making fine sheep’s cheese and with an on-site award-winning gin distillery.

(Note: If you’re adventurous, you could continue south from this point to Recherche and then on to Port Davey. It’s approximately 100 NM. It requires favorable ocean conditions, however. Port Davey is within a UNESCO World Heritage area and requires permits and permissions from several authorities. It’s worth the effort, unquestionably. The harbor is safe, providing spectacular scenery and incredible hiking options. No infrastructure or road access to the area exists, although a small airfield is nearby. If this is of interest, advise us, and we’ll start the permit process.)

The coast line from Ship Stern Bluff (above) to Cape Raoul is incredibly dramatic and worth a close look on the journey.

Port Arthur is a small town on a peninsula within a well-protected bay. An option is to spend an afternoon at the nearby historic site of the famous Port Arthur Penal Colony, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Consisting of 11 remnant penal sites, it is also a World Heritage property. You can explore ruins and restored period homes from the prisons’ establishment in 1830 until its closure in 1877. During this time around 12,500 convicts served sentences, and for many it was a living hell.

An alternative but still outdoor option for the day is to tackle the Shipstern Bluff Walk out past Cape Raoul. The drive from Port Arthur to Stormlea, where the track starts, is about 30 minutes. The walk, while typically muddy and sometimes challenging, delivers stunning views of the rugged southern coast and out to Shipstern Bluff (below). It’s well known in top surfing circles as one of the best and most challenging surf locations on the planet! Either climb up and out onto the bluff or trek down onto the beach. Regardless, both are steep and rocky. The climb to the bluff provides expansive views of the coastline, but the descent to the beach allows up-close and personal views of some of the best surf on the planet!

Spring Beach makes a perfect base to explore Maria Island. Spend the full day on day eight enjoying excellent walking and cycling journeys .Short walks explore the buildings and ruins of Darlington, a ghost town with a convict and industrial past. The Reservoir Circuit is sheltered from the coastal winds and provides a glimpse of Maria Island’s wildlife and history as you wander through open woodlands into a tall eucalypt forest.

A former limestone quarry at the Fossil Cliffs provides a fascinating close-up look at the many ancient creatures immortalized as fossils in the rocks. The Painted Cliffs at Hopground Beach are beautifully patterned sandstone shaped by the mineral-rich water and wind.

You can reach Bishop and Clerk, the island’s towering peaks, on a three- to five-hour return walk past majestic sea cliffs and through grasslands, open forest, and tall woodland to rocky slopes. Scramble over boulders to reach the summit and be rewarded with spectacular views of the island, Freycinet Peninsula, and the Tasman Sea.

Animal life is abundant around the island. For example, you’ll find wombats as well as pademelons, Forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies, and Tasmanian devils (below). The waters, meanwhile, include a marine natural reserve and see regular visits by seals and whales. The abundant marine life and clear waters make for spectacular diving and snorkeling.

Cruise to Coles Bay (below) on day eight, and spend the next few days enjoying a few possibilities there. A great option here is to have the crew drop you on the beach in Wine Glass Bay to hike across The  Hazards to Coles  Bay It’s about a 1.5-hour walk, with spectacular view of the bay from the top. Conveniently, this timeframe gives your crew the chance to reposition the yacht over to your Coles Bay anchorage.

A great day out includes a drive to Mel’s Oyster Shack for fresh, plump oysters and a glass of local wine, then on to Freycinet Winery. The return journey takes you past Sapphire Freycinet, a luxury lodge overlooking The Hazards. The Palate restaurant there is among the finest in Tasmania and a must stop. Typically, in-house guests exclusively get to dine there, but we usually can get you a table for lunch.

If you’d like to enjoy more local wines, another great option is the The Farm Shed in Bicheno. A 30-minute drive from Coles Bay, it showcases Tasmainan wines with tastings as well as regular events plus art and design displays. Bicheno is a thriving fishing village, too, so seafood purchasing options are aplenty.

With your Tasmania by superyacht experience nearly done, you’ll still enjoy a stunning cruise along the dramatic Tasmanian east coast.

Enjoy all the highlights Hobart has to offer, including the Mona Museum, The Lark Whiskey  Distillery, Tasmania Golf Club, Salamanca Markets, Mount Wellington or the wineries of the Derwent Valley.

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