TASMANIAN WILDERNESS – AUSTRALIA, WORLDWIDE DISCOVERY MARCH 2025

Tasmanian Wilderness Photography Adventure

Destination summary

As well as a proud Scotsman,  I’m also a proud Australian citizen and during my 12 years living Down Under, Tasmania was one of my go-to destinations. Simple reason.. it’s utterly beautiful and almost a quarter of this island state is untouched wilderness.

The Lightstalker’s  Tasmanian Wilderness photo adventure combines the most varied and breathtaking locations on Australia’s beautiful Island state.

Starting in the islands compact capital city Hobart, just a short flight from my former home city of Melbourne, you’ll explore and photograph The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Home to Mt Field National Park in the south west, and the Tarkine and Arthur Pieman Reserve to the north, Tasmania’s west is a true wilderness  of natural beauty.

Then just a little further inland you’ll arrive at the stunningly beautiful Lake St Clair – Cradle Mountain NP, one of my top 5 photographic destinations.

To the Islands east it’s a very different experience and a total contrast to the wild and untamed west. This coast has  lichen covered granite boulders, glorious beaches and horseshoe bays of Mt William National Park and the Bay of Fires. Heading further south brings us to the vivid colours around the wonderful Freycinet National Park with its famous Hazards peaks and Wineglass Bay. you can find out more about all these locations in more detail below.

Lightstalking Tasmania surpassed my expectations. Glen ensured that we all experienced an amazing range of landscapes; temperate rainforests, waterfalls, shimmering lakes, snow gums, misty rivers, tall trees, glowing cliffs and untouched beaches. The camaraderie, support and friendship also added to the experience. I return from this trip refreshed, inspired and satisfied with my portfolio of beautiful landscape images. .” Lisa, Sydney – Lightstalking Tasmania participant 2012

The Locations 

Mt Field National Park and Lake Pedder *

Tasmania’s first National Park features a high plateau of tarns (little lochs), temperate rainforest, Eucalypt trees and a unique array of alpine vegetation.  It’s also home to  Russell  & Horseshoe waterfalls plus access to the mysterious Styx river and towering Valley of the Giants.

Lake Pedder lies within the South West National Park and our accommodation for one nights is located  on its shores. Surrounded by natural wilderness and several mountain ranges or offers atmospheric wilderness experience and dusk and dawn photo sessions to capture it at its best.

Strahan

This scenic village on Macquarie Sound and former port features sunsets, old jetties, renovated boats and the story of the  Huon Pine.

Corinna – Heart of the Tarkine 

“The largest temperate myrtle-beech rainforest in Australia”. The remote  settlement of  Corinna sits on the Pieman river at the southern end of the Tarkine.

It really does feel like we’re deep in the wilderness here once we’ve come off the Fatman River barge ferry. Our base for the night are the former ( updated) miners cottages and old pub which are nestled on the edge of the bush where little marsupial  Quolls potter about outside and pose for pictures.

We’ll travel through the  Arthur Pieman Conservation Area, which has  features aboriginal cultural heritage, spectacular coastal landscapes highly diverse ecosystems,and breathtaking wilderness areas. Conditions and time permitting we’ll take a trip up the Pieman river on the Huon Pine clad Arcadia.

Cradle Mountain National Park

A Tasmanian mountain icon. Cradle Mountain’s dramatic Dolerite columns rise to a height of over 1500 meters. A photographer’s dream at dusk and dawn over Dove Lake. We’ll circle the lake on foot and get some vistas from above, explore the nearby Waldheim temperate rainforest, and capture some early autumn warm hues of the deciduous Fagus beech.

Mt William NP and the Bay of Fires

Another world from the lush green wilderness of the west. Gentle rolling hills and farmland greet us as we travel east to Tasmania east coast and its  golden strands dotted with palletes of colour.

Empty and wild with hidden azure bays, vivid lichen covered granite boulders with lots to photograph and enjoy.

Freycinet National Park

Just a few clicks south of the Bay of Fires, Freycinet features a rugged coastline with the glorious crescent shaped Wine Glass Bay ranked among the world’s top ten beaches.

Wake up to Sleepy Bay as it bursts into a kaleidoscope of colour at sunrise. The pink granite jagged peaks of the Hazards which sit above Coles bay provide a stunning back drop in which to create some amazing images.

We’ve always enjoyed some local Oysters and chilled white wine on the rocks on our final night here and its  a great way to end a great session on the final night.

Hobart and Mt Wellington 

Once we’ve circumnavigated the island we return to Hobart to take a trip up Mountain Wellington that looms over this captivating Harbourside  city  Stunning views that reach far out into the  Derwent Estuary will bring our Tasmanian adventure to a close.

*Itinerary locations maybe subject to change .

Extra information

Start time Trip commences 10:30 20th March 2025 from Hobart.

End time approx 16:00 drop off Hobart  – 31st March 2025

Getting there;  domestic flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Hobart.

Trip duration  12 days Hobart to Hobart

Accommodation* 11 nights single occupancy accommodation

1 night Lake Pedder Wilderness Lodge – South West National Park, 1 night  Risby Cove in scenic Strahan, 1 night Corinna miners cottages – The Tarkine, 3 nights Highlander cabins Cradle Mountain, 3 nights Icena Farm Mt William NP / Bay of Fires, 2 nights * Coles Bay Private holiday House , Freycinet NP . *subject to availability

Meals – Local pubs / self catering / cafes.

Essential equipment any camera system, lenses (16mm wide angle up to 200mm ) waterproof camera bag and good quality, sturdy tripod.

Non essential but recommended Polariser, neutral density graduated and straight neutral density filters would be useful. I use Lee ND filters both hard and soft.  A Laptop with Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop or other image editing software.

Accommodation  in Hobart. You may require overnight stays in town pre or post trip. I recommend  Quest Savoy , Hobart Travelodge or Quest waterfront, these are convenient to the harbour and restaurants etc.

Weather 

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, Tasmania will be in the early throws of Autumn. We can expect a variety of conditions from comfortable warm weather for  shorts and t-shirts  on east coast, to the possibility of early falls of snow at the higher altitudes like Cradle Mountain. You will be advised of how to prepare and what to bring.

If you are interested in this trip please contact Glen directly if you have any questions or to discuss your participation. Thanks

**Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance and visa entry for Australia.