DESCRIPTION
Take a closer look at Mt Wellington through this in-depth half-day tour. You get to see the mountain up close and hear about its history, plants, geology and amazing stories. This tour does not involve any hiking, instead we make stops at interesting and scenic places on the way up the mountain including the summit. You get to see and experience far more than what you would from shorter tours that drive direct to the summit. You will be looked after by your Tasmanian tour guide David, who is trained in natural sciences at the University of Tasmania, seasoned in local knowledge and can make the place come alive with stories.
2pm, meet at the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre (20 Davey Street). We take a guided scenic drive through historic Hobart. Then we explore the classic Cascade Gardens with one of Australia’s best collection of Rhododendrons and trees and lawns. We also view the Cascade brewery building dating back to 1824 and Mount Wellington. This is followed by a brief stroll past the historic convict Female Factory and the tranquil Hobart Rivulet that flows down from Mount wellington and contains the Platypus.
Then we continue our drive through the lush Eucalyptus forests and the town of Ferntree with its interesting cool climate front yard gardens before arriving at The Springs. Here we can pick up refreshments at the Lost Freight Cafe halfway up the mountain and gaze up at the spectacular cliffs and summit of Mt Wellington. Then it’s time to explore the dramatic history and weather of this ever-changing mountain at the Springs Hotel Site (the pub with no beer).
Next we drive up to the Chalet, behold the colourful and resilient snow gums, flowering banksia trees, a waterfall, the unique dolerite hut and views of Hobart. David your Guide has studied botany, geology and water resources at a local university in Hobart and is well able to explain this unique mountain environment. He has experienced this mountain since young and has many stories of the mountain to share.
Now above the tree line the wheels again do the climbing and you do the viewing, with a scenic drive to the summit. Up here the views only get better, now including some of the mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. We get to have free time to take in stunning views from the Hobart and South West Wilderness viewing platforms, see unique Tasmanian alpine vegetation and rock formations. At the summit, you will be filled with astonishment, to be launched forth into an ocean of natural goodness where you can see no limits.
We return to the Tasmanian Travel Information Centre with further views, mountain and forest scenery on the way down. We arrive back in Hobart at 6pm in time for you to have dinner at nearby restaurants.
Please be aware that the trip time also includes travel time with scenic views with some commentary.
