Tasmania is now officially home to 6 of Australia’s best hikes

Katie CarlinBy Katie Carlin
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Great Walks of Australia has revealed the thirteenth walk in its exclusive collection.

For the first time in seven years, Great Walks of Australia has added a new hike to the collection of Australia’s best multi-day hikes – making Flinders Island Walking Island Adventure in Comfort , operated by Tasmanian Expeditions, the thirteenth walk awarded the honour.

Walkers Hop Over Granite Boulders on Flinders Island
Rock hopping is a defining feature of many of the coastal walks on Flinders Island.

The news cements the island state as the go-to destination for Australia’s best walks with six of the 13 hiking experiences in the collection located in Tasmania. Freycinet Experience Walk, The Maria Island Walk, Cradle Mountain Signature Walk, Bay of Fires Signature Walk, Three Capes Signature Walk and now Flinders Island Walking Island Adventure rounds out the list of the state’s best.

Tasmanian Expeditions Flinders Island Walking Adventure in Comfort
Take in scenic sights from every angle.

Flinders Island Walking Adventure in Comfort

Great Walks of Australia executive officer Liz O’Rourke is thrilled to be adding the thirteenth Great Walk of Australia to the collection.

“Rugged, pristine and remote, this gem of a destination is perfect for hikers wanting to discover somewhere new, get off the beaten path into spectacular wild landscapes with blockbuster views and feel like you have it nearly all to yourself," says Ms O’Rourke.

Coastal views from the headlands on Flinders Island
The guided six-day walk takes you to the most breathtaking locations around the island.

Considered the hidden gem in a crown of island walking experiences in Tasmania, the six-day and five-night, day-pack-only guided walk covers 42 kilometres of easy to moderate hiking accessed via seaplane from Bridport, near Launceston. The itinerary includes an unmissable blend of sweeping coastal walks, crystal clear swimming spots and rugged granite peaks to the summit for 360-degree views of Flinders Island.

Sunrise on the summit of one of Flinders Islands mountains.
Nothing beats the feeling of making it to the summit for a sunrise.

As the first walking tour operator in the state, Tasmanian Expeditions has been curating new trails for extended walking experiences since the 1970s and holds advanced certification from Ecotourism Australia.

Aerial view of Flinders Island Walking Adventure eco camp in Tanners Bay
Return to your Eco-Comfort Camp of an evening alongside Tanners Bay.

Michael Buggy, general manager of Tasmanian Expeditions says the walk offers the perfect balance of adventure and comfort with all measures taken to minimise impact to the island’s pristine environment.

“Our six-day itinerary guides walkers through Flinders’ amazing trails and pristine wilderness by day, then continues this true immersion in nature by night at our beachfront Eco-Comfort Camp, which is big on comfort but small on environmental impact."

Eco Tents at Flinders Island Walking Adventure in Comfort camp.
Stargaze through the see-through roof of your tent as you drift off to sleep.

Like all Great Walks, the experience is all-inclusive, with flights to the island, food, accommodation and expert guides leading the way; walkers just need to bring their boots, clothes and a sense of adventure.

Walkers scale dramatic rocks on Flinders Island
Keep your eyes peeled for flora and fauna as your expert guides lead the way.

Flinders Island highlights

Flinders Island is one of 52 in the Furneaux group of islands scattered across the Bass Strait, north-east of Lutruwita/Tasmania. The Palawa and the Pakana peoples are the Traditional Owners of this land and their history and culture are explored during the six-day itinerary.

Walkers trek on pristine beaches that meet orange splattered granite boulders on Flinders Island
Trek along pristine beaches that meet orange lichen-splattered granite boulders on Flinders Island.

Tasmanian Expedition guide Nigel Heath says the anticipation builds from the moment you take off in the seaplane.

“Getting there is nearly a whole adventure in itself. We start to see the shallow sea formations, the beaches, the coasts, the Strzelecki peaks – I just can’t wait usually," he says. “It’s a magic place, it’s amazing."

Castle Rock on Flinders Island
Loop around the striking Castle Rock on the West Coast.

With just over 1000 residents on the island, you’re guaranteed to have this place nearly all to yourself – especially when hiking. From the rugged heights of Mt Killiecrankie and Mt Strzelecki to the coastal delights of Castle Rock and Red Bluff, the untamed beauty of Flinders Island is best explored on foot.

Walk to Stacky's Bight for a swim and snorkel.
Walk to Stacky’s Bight on the North West Coast for a truly spectacular swimming spot.

Great Walks of Australia

Great Walks of Australia launched with six founding multi-day hike experiences in 2013 and has since grown to become one of Australia’s most trusted walking experience brands. Every walking holiday in the collection is led by expert guides who bring the stories of culture, flora, fauna and history of each destination to life. Small intimate groups, comfortable accommodation, outstanding food and wine, and remote locations are all consistent features across the portfolio. All Great Walks members also hold advanced eco-tourism credentials and are actively involved in the conversation of the lands they walk through.

In addition to the six in Tasmania, the official list includes the Northern Territory’s Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort, The Arkaba Walk and Murray River Walk in South Australia, the Twelve Apostles Signature Walk in Victoria, the Seven Peaks Walk on Lord Howe Island in NSW, and the Cape to Cape Walk in Margaret River, Western Australia.

To experience Flinders Island Walking Adventure In Comfort, head to Tasmania Expeditions for more information .

Katie Carlin
Katie Carlin is Australian Traveller's Head of Content and when she’s not travelling or behind her computer, she’s hosting a dinner party (likely cooking an Alison Roman recipe), at brunch, working on extending her running k’s, or has her nose buried in a book. She joined Australian Traveller in 2018 and is responsible for leading the editorial team across print, digital, social, email and native content. Her job is to make sure we create content that connects readers to incredible experiences in Australia and beyond. In addition to sharing her expertise on travel through industry speaking engagements, Katie appears onToday, A Current Affair and various radio segments. With a BA in Communications majoring in Journalism and a career that has spanned roles at Fairfax Media and Are Media writing for titles such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and various lifestyle brands, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her most impactful trip to date has been swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef. For her next trip she is longing to experience the romance of train travel – hopefully on The Ghan or Indian Pacific.
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New Norfolk is fast becoming the Apple Isle’s most charming small town

    Christine AldredBy Christine Aldred
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    One of Tasmania’s oldest riverside towns is marking itself on the map with award-winning dining and creative spirit without forgetting its past.

    On the banks of the Derwent, New Norfolk wears its history proudly: Georgian cottages, historic precincts and a trove of antiques hint at its early days. But this riverside town – just 30 minutes from the mad arty world of Hobart’s Mona in one direction and the bountiful nature of Mount Field National Park in the other – isn’t content with nostalgia.

    With destination dining, a new wave of distillers and brewers, and creative energy reshaping its heritage buildings, New Norfolk is emerging as one of Tasmania’s most compelling small-town stories.

    A quick history lesson

    the Derwent River from Pulpit Rock Lookout
    Views of the Derwent River and town from Pulpit Rock Lookout. (Image: Mauricio E. Mozo)

    The town was established in 1807 on Leenowwenne Lands when military leaders and settlers abandoned the far-flung penal colony at Norfolk Island for then-called Van Dieman’s Land. Along with hops, salmon and timber, the town’s history is closely bound to the Willow Court Asylum, a convict hospital established in 1827 that grew into the nation’s oldest continuously operating mental health facility, closing only in 2000. The site’s vast footprint still dominates the town – a place layered with a difficult history but also with stories of healing.

    the Willow Court, New Norfolk
    The 1827-built Willow Court Asylum is a former mental health facility that you can tour. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Rob Burnett)

    Local guide Sharmaine Mansfield, who runs Willow Court Asylum Tours , is determined to keep that history alive. Her tours – historical by day, ghostly by night – approach the site with deep respect. “My number one priority is to be respectful of this former mental health institution and to those who lived and worked here. At night, we hold a minute’s silence to think of them.” It’s often then that guests report hearing and feeling things in the stillness of the evening.

    A delicious new chapter

    The Agrarian Kitchen from above
    The Agrarian Kitchen is one of the country’s most lauded restaurants and cooking schools. (Image: Luke Burgess)

    Within the Willow Court precinct, The Agrarian Kitchen continues to write a new chapter of history. One of Australia’s most celebrated restaurants has transformed a former hospital ward into a temple to Tasmanian produce. Since opening in 2017, the restaurant and its renowned cooking school have become a pilgrimage for food lovers, sealing the town’s place on Australia’s culinary map.

    a close-up of a dish at The Agrarian Kitchen, New Norfolk
    The produce from the garden is used in the dishes and for cooking classes. (Image: Stu Gibson)

    Just outside, a walled garden is abundant with herbs, vegetables and fruit trees and is open for guided tours; its produce heads straight to the restaurant or neighbouring kiosk.

    The Agrarian Kitchen detail, New Norfolk
    The Agrarian Kitchen is a pilgrimage for food lovers. (Image: @PuddleHub)

    A stay steeped in history

    The Woodbridge, New Norfolk
    The Woodbridge is one of the country’s grandest stays. (Image: Christine Aldred)

    For a night dripping with history, The Woodbridge – one of the country’s oldest grand homes which this year celebrated its 200th birthday – offers a rare experience. Built by convicts in 1825 as the residence of the colony’s first constable, it now operates as a luxe heritage-listed hotel.

    inside a suite at The Woodbridge, New Norfolk
    The building was restored to become a hotel.

    It feels like a gracious country estate. Behind an iron gate, a crunching gravel driveway on one side and sweeping lawns rolling to the river on the other. From my room’s terrace, I can peer beyond the tiered gardens across the Derwent to the original toll gate for passing merchant vessels or settle into inviting lounge and library spaces with a book or glass of muscat.

    the river at Woodbridge, New Norfolk
    Seek serenity by the river. (Image: Christine Aldred)

    It’s happenstance this Tasmanian grande dame is still here at all, saved by its dedicated owners who spotted it on a holiday visit. The Woodbridge was teetering on the brink of destruction when Laurelle and John Grimley bought it in 2003. After an exacting, multi-year restoration, it’s been coaxed back to life.

    a telescope at The Woodbridge, New Norfolk
    Peer beyond the tiered gardens. (Image: Christine Aldred)

    Today, modern comforts – elegant rooms, contemporary furnishings and new bathrooms – sit easily with the original blackwood floors, stone walls and Georgian-paned windows, complementing and respecting its rich history. Laurelle is well proud that the building’s future is now assured. “If we didn’t save it, who would? I feel this is my legacy,” she says.

    Sourcing antique charms

    inside the Flywheel boutique stationery store, New Norfolk
    Flywheel is a boutique stationery store in town. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Nick Osborne)

    Known as the antiques capital of Tasmania, New Norfolk hums with history. Visitors can forage for hours at the sprawling Willow Court Antique Centre or the beautifully curated and styled Drill Hall Emporium in town.

    inside the Flywheel letterpress studio in New Norfolk
    Visit the letterpress studio in New Norfolk. (Image: Christine Aldred)

    Books and coffee pair perfectly at Black Swan Bookshop on a sunny corner while The Quilted Teapot mixes lattes and lunches with quilting supplies. Don’t miss Flywheel , a stunning boutique stationery shop and working letterpress studio in an old bakery.

    a bartender holding a glass of rum at New Norfolk Distillery
    Sample rum at New Norfolk Distillery. (Image: Jess Curtis)

    Thirsty travellers can taste-test award-winning rum at New Norfolk Distillery in a quirky industrial space with weekend snacks and sci-fi vibes, or sip craft brews at Welcome Swallow Brewery – an inviting microbrewery brimming with warmth and a veritable jungle of plants. History buffs shouldn’t miss the 1825-licensed Bush Inn, said to be the state’s oldest continually licensed pub. It’s also where the very first long-distance telephone call was made in Australia in 1888.

    More reasons to visit

    a group having a picnic during the Tasmanian Autumn Festival, New Norfolk
    The Tasmanian Autumn Festival includes events and experiences across the region. (Image: Stu Gibson)

    Each April, the Tasmanian Autumn Festival brings the region to life in a month-long celebration, with food and tipple trails, blacksmithing workshops or the chance to meet a highland cow or alpaca. Platypus spotting, pottery classes, glamping on a truffle farm, kayaking and vineyard visits are other Derwent Valley temptations, all close enough to make New Norfolk a natural hub.

    And there’s more change afoot. The newly opened Bridgewater Bridge means easier road and river access. And within the Willow Court complex, the Nurses Quarters and Ladies Cottage are being meticulously restored to create an evocative event space with commercial kitchen, and boutique accommodation to follow. In this town, heritage is a living asset: respected but ever evolving into something new and inviting.