Australia Discovery: From Tasmania's Wilderness to the Great Ocean Road
Our March 2018 Australian adventure revealed a continent of extraordinary diversity - from Tasmania's pristine wilderness and unique wildlife to Victoria's dramatic coastal formations along the legendary Great Ocean Road. This two-week journey provided a comprehensive Australian experience, combining world-class cities, UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, and some of the planet's most spectacular coastal scenery.
General Comments
March Timing Perfect: Late summer/early autumn weather proved ideal - warm but not oppressive, minimal rainfall, and comfortable temperatures for both city exploration and wilderness hiking. Tourist crowds were manageable, and accommodation availability excellent throughout our journey.
Driving Excellence: Australia's well-maintained roads, clear signage, and courteous drivers made rental car exploration both safe and enjoyable. Driving on the left proved less challenging than anticipated, while the scenic routes ranked among the world's most spectacular.
Wildlife Encounters: Tasmania in particular offered incredible endemic wildlife experiences impossible elsewhere on Earth. From Tasmanian devils to echidnas, the island's unique evolutionary isolation created extraordinary animal encounters.
Cultural Sophistication: Both Melbourne and Tasmania's cultural scenes far exceeded expectations. World-class museums, galleries, cuisine, and local arts created sophisticated travel experiences rivaling any global destination.
Accommodation Quality: From luxury Melbourne hotels to wilderness lodges to coastal resorts, each property perfectly matched its setting while providing excellent service and amenities.
Itinerary
Days 1-3: Melbourne Introduction
Flying into Melbourne via the long trans-Pacific route, we immediately experienced Australia's sophisticated urban culture.
Hotel: Park Hyatt Melbourne - Located on the Yarra River with views of the city skyline, this luxury hotel provided the perfect introduction to Australian hospitality and design. The modern architecture and riverside location created ideal Melbourne headquarters.
Melbourne Cultural Immersion: The city's famous laneways revealed incredible street art, hidden cafes, and creative energy throughout the urban center. Federation Square's cultural attractions, the Royal Botanic Gardens' peaceful landscapes, and the Southbank's dining scene showcased Melbourne's reputation as Australia's cultural capital.
Food Scene Discovery: Melbourne's renowned coffee culture, diverse restaurants, and excellent vegetarian options provided outstanding culinary experiences. The city's multicultural influences created dining variety rivaling any international food capital.
Days 4-5: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair
Flying to Launceston and driving to Cradle Mountain introduced us to Tasmania's pristine wilderness.
Hotel: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge - This wilderness lodge perfectly balanced comfort with authentic Tasmanian environment. Individual cabins nestled in temperate rainforest provided intimate connection with the natural surroundings while offering luxury amenities.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage wilderness area offered some of Australia's most spectacular hiking. The Dove Lake Circuit provided stunning mountain reflections and diverse ecosystems, while shorter walks revealed ancient rainforests, unique alpine flora, and pristine wilderness areas.
Wildlife Encounters: Tasmania's unique fauna provided extraordinary experiences. We encountered echidnas, wombats, and various marsupials found nowhere else on Earth. The island's evolutionary isolation created endemic species impossible to see elsewhere.
Wilderness Experience: The complete absence of crowds and pristine natural conditions created profound wilderness connections. The combination of ancient landscapes, crystal-clear water, and unique wildlife demonstrated why Tasmania ranks among the world's great wilderness destinations.
Days 6-7: Freycinet Peninsula
Driving to Tasmania's east coast revealed completely different landscapes and coastal experiences.
Hotel: Tidelines of Bicheno - This coastal accommodation provided perfect access to Freycinet National Park while offering comfortable seaside atmosphere and excellent local hospitality.
Freycinet National Park: The park's combination of pristine beaches, granite peaks, and turquoise waters created some of Australia's most beautiful coastal scenery. Wineglass Bay, accessible via moderate hiking, revealed one of the world's perfect beaches - white sand, clear water, and dramatic mountain backdrops.
Coastal Hiking: Multiple trails revealed different aspects of Tasmania's diverse coastline. The Hazards Beach walk, Cape Tourville lighthouse circuit, and various short walks demonstrated the island's incredible coastal diversity and pristine natural conditions.
Marine Life: Seal colonies, abundant bird life, and pristine marine environments showcased Tasmania's position as one of the world's great wildlife destinations. The clear waters and healthy ecosystems provided excellent snorkeling and beach experiences.
Days 8-10: Hobart Cultural Exploration
Tasmania's capital provided sophisticated urban culture within dramatic natural settings.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart - Located in central Hobart with harbor views, this hotel provided convenient access to the city's cultural attractions while offering comfortable accommodations.
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art): This extraordinary museum challenged artistic expectations with provocative contemporary art in dramatic underground galleries. The combination of ancient artifacts and cutting-edge contemporary pieces created unforgettable cultural experiences.
Salamanca Market: Saturday's famous market revealed local arts, crafts, food, and culture in historic warehouse settings. The combination of local producers, artisans, and performers created vibrant community atmosphere and authentic Tasmanian cultural immersion.
Port Arthur Historic Site: This UNESCO World Heritage convict settlement provided sobering insights into Australian colonial history. The preserved buildings, guided tours, and dramatic coastal setting created comprehensive historical education about Australia's complex past.
Tasmanian Cuisine: Hobart's sophisticated dining scene featured incredible local ingredients - fresh seafood, unique vegetables, excellent wines, and creative preparations. The city's restaurants rivaled any Australian food destination while maintaining distinctive Tasmanian character.
Days 11-13: Great Ocean Road Adventure
Returning to Melbourne and beginning our Great Ocean Road journey revealed Australia's most famous coastal drive.
Day 11 - Lorne: Mantra Lorne Hotel - This beachfront resort provided perfect introduction to the Great Ocean Road's coastal culture. The combination of beautiful beaches, coastal forest, and resort amenities created ideal relaxation after Tasmania's wilderness intensity.
Great Ocean Road Beginning: The drive from Melbourne through surf towns like Torquay and Lorne revealed Australia's famous surf culture and stunning coastal scenery. Perfect beaches, coastal forests, and charming seaside towns created ideal introduction to Victoria's coast.
Day 12 - Port Campbell: Loch Ard Inn - Located near the Twelve Apostles, this accommodation provided convenient access to the Great Ocean Road's most famous attractions while offering comfortable coastal atmosphere.
Twelve Apostles: These magnificent limestone sea stacks rising from the Southern Ocean created one of Australia's most iconic experiences. The visitor center, multiple viewpoints, and walking trails revealed how wave action carved these dramatic formations over millions of years. Sunset lighting transformed the limestone pillars into glowing monuments against the dark ocean.
Port Campbell National Park: Beyond the famous Twelve Apostles, the park contained numerous spectacular formations - Loch Ard Gorge with its tragic shipwreck history, London Bridge (partially collapsed), the Grotto's coastal cave system, and the Arch's natural stone bridge. Each formation demonstrated different aspects of coastal erosion and geological processes.
Coastal Walks: The Great Ocean Walk provided extended hiking opportunities along dramatic clifftops, through coastal forests, and to secluded beaches. Shorter walks connected major viewpoints while revealing the coast's diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
Day 14: Melbourne Return and Departure
The drive back to Melbourne completed our Australian circuit and provided time for final urban exploration before departure.
Melbourne Revisit: Our final day allowed for additional Melbourne experiences - last-minute shopping, favorite restaurants revisited, and reflection on our comprehensive Australian introduction.
Cultural and Natural Insights
Geological Education: Both Tasmania's ancient landscapes and the Great Ocean Road's coastal formations provided excellent geological education. Understanding how these landscapes formed over millions of years enhanced appreciation of their current beauty.
Wildlife Uniqueness: Tasmania's endemic species demonstrated how geographic isolation creates unique evolutionary outcomes. Encountering animals found nowhere else on Earth provided perspective on biodiversity and conservation importance.
Aboriginal Heritage: Respectful encounters with Aboriginal cultural sites and contemporary indigenous art revealed Australia's ancient cultural heritage and ongoing indigenous contributions to modern Australian identity.
Environmental Conservation: Visiting UNESCO World Heritage areas and marine parks demonstrated Australia's commitment to preserving unique natural environments while balancing tourism and conservation needs.
What We'd Do Differently
Extended Tasmania Time: The island's wilderness areas, unique wildlife, and cultural attractions deserved additional exploration time. Each region offered experiences justifying longer stays.
Great Ocean Road Extension: The coastal drive contained numerous attractions beyond the famous Twelve Apostles. Additional time would allow for more comprehensive coastal exploration and inland detours.
Melbourne Cultural Depth: The city's world-class museums, galleries, and cultural events could easily occupy additional days for more thorough urban cultural immersion.
Final Thoughts
This Australian introduction revealed a continent offering extraordinary diversity within accessible travel frameworks. Tasmania's pristine wilderness and unique wildlife provided experiences impossible elsewhere on Earth, while the Great Ocean Road showcased coastal beauty rivaling any global destination.
Australia's combination of sophisticated urban culture, pristine natural environments, and unique wildlife created comprehensive travel experiences addressing multiple interests. The excellent infrastructure, friendly people, and well-maintained facilities made exploration both safe and enjoyable.
Most importantly, Australia demonstrated how modern nations can balance development with environmental preservation, creating destinations where world-class tourism experiences coexist with protected wilderness areas and unique wildlife habitats.
For travelers seeking diverse experiences within a single destination, Australia offers unmatched variety. From cosmopolitan cities to pristine wilderness, from unique wildlife to dramatic coastal formations, the continent provides travel experiences justifying repeated visits and extended exploration.
Best Wildlife Experience: Encountering Tasmania's endemic species in their natural habitats - echidnas, wombats, and diverse marsupials found nowhere else on Earth Most Spectacular Scenery: Wineglass Bay's perfect white sand beach surrounded by granite peaks and turquoise waters Greatest Surprise: Tasmania's sophisticated cultural scene and world-class wilderness experiences in compact, accessible formats Most Iconic Moment: Sunset at the Twelve Apostles watching limestone pillars glow against the Southern Ocean Perfect For: First-time visitors to Australia seeking comprehensive introduction to the continent's urban culture, pristine wilderness, unique wildlife, and spectacular coastal scenery.