Southern Wilderness & Gourmet Islands by Private Plane Solo Journey

We come together this afternoon at Hyatt Place Essendon Fields Hotel, were we meet newfound friends over a welcome drink and later enjoy a Welcome Dinner. We get excited about tomorrows adventure.

Our private plane is bound for the Furneaux archipelago off Tasmania’s north-east coast. Alighting on Flinders Island, the largest of the group, we visit the island’s noteworthy lookouts, including Trousers Point and Walkers Lookout. After a welcome lunch of fresh, local produce at Mountain Seas Lodge, we take to the skies again for the short hop to Burnie. From here, a scenic drive brings us to the west-coast town of Strahan. Our hilltop hotel overlooks its charming harbour surrounds. Pre-dinner drinks are served here, before we savour a sumptuous seafood buffet dinner at View 42°, also conveniently located within our accommodation.

Today we cruise an exquisite stretch of the Franklin-Gordon Rivers National Park aboard Spirit of the Wild. Our personal guide shares their knowledge and passion for the world-famous region while we enjoy a lunch of local delicacies, accompanied by Tasmanian wines and beers. Back in Strahan, we take our seats in the Richard Davey Amphitheatre, where history is brought to life in the highly acclaimed play The Ship That Never Was. Afterwards, dine at Risby Cove restaurant, a short walk from our hotel.

Aboard a heritage locomotive, we depart Queenstown for a journey through cool temperate rainforest. We ride through the spectacular King River Gorge, and climb steeply at Rinadeena Saddle using Australia’s only operating rack and pinion system. Our plane then flies us from Burnie to King Island. Here we raise our glasses during a Farewell Dinner that heroes the produce of King Island, before retreating to our accommodation, Boomerang by the Sea or King Island Hotel. 

After breakfast we tour Currie township, then make the gastronomic pilgrimage to the King Island Dairy for a cheese tasting at the altar of Australian cheese. Afterwards, we set off for Cape Wickham on the island’s craggy west coast to view Australia’s tallest lighthouse. Lunch is served at Cape Wickham before our early afternoon flight back to Melbourne.