Frequently Asked Questions

Inclusions vary slightly by expedition, but once you’re On Board, we take care of the details so you can settle into the experience. Your expedition will generally include:

• Daily guided walks, tender excursions and time ashore, shaped around the conditions and opportunities each day brings
• A flexible itinerary encompassing wilderness, wildlife, history, photography, beachcombing and plenty of time simply being out there
• Accommodation aboard Odalisque III, our purpose-built expedition vessel and floating home in some of Tasmania’s wildest places
• All meals, with menus built around seasonal Tasmanian produce and the places we explore
• A considered selection of Tasmanian wines, craft beers and small-batch spirits, alongside non-alcoholic beverages
• National Park entry fees
• Use of an On Board weatherproof rain poncho and expedition bag
• Expedition transfers, including scenic seaplane flights between Hobart and Tasmania’s remote Southwest on Port Davey expeditions, or transfers between Hobart and the East Coast, depending on your itinerary

For the exact inclusions for your chosen departure, please refer to the relevant Expedition Fact Sheet.

On Board expeditions don’t follow a rigid daily itinerary. Tasmania’s wild places tend to have their own ideas, so each day is shaped by the weather, tides and conditions, alongside the interests and abilities of the guests On Board.

We ask about your interests and how you like to explore before you arrive, giving the crew and your wilderness guide a sense of what you’d most like to experience. Days might include guided walks, tender excursions, beachcombing, birdwatching, photography, exploring historic sites or simply finding a beautiful anchorage and settling in. There’s no expectation to do everything, or anything in particular. A keen hiker and a birdwatcher on the same expedition may experience the day quite differently.

Your wilderness guide brings deep knowledge of the landscape, history, plants and wildlife of the places we explore, and works with the crew to make the most of what each day presents. Plans are often hatched around the dinner table the evening before, then fine-tuned in the morning when we see what Tasmania has in store.

And if your idea of a good afternoon is finding a comfortable spot aboard Odalisque III with a Tasmanian wine or beer and watching the wilderness drift by, that works too.

If you need to cancel your expedition, please let us know in writing. The following cancellation terms apply:

1. More than 90 days before departure: Your deposit is non-refundable but may be transferred to another departure within 18 months of your original departure date.
2. 60–90 days before departure: 50% of the total expedition cost is payable, with the remaining balance refunded.
3. Less than 60 days before departure: No refund is available.

For full details, including cancellations by guests and cancellations by On Board, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Mobile reception in Tasmania’s coastal waters can be patchy, and in remote Port Davey there’s no mobile coverage at all. We think that’s rather special.

It’s a rare chance to properly switch off and enjoy the space, stillness and freedom of being somewhere the outside world has a little trouble reaching.

Odalisque III does have guest internet when you need to reconnect, which we ask you to use discreetly and preferably in the privacy of your cabin. In an emergency, family or friends can reach you via our Hobart team on 0477 100 119.

For expeditions involving seaplane travel, each guest may bring up to 12kg of personal luggage, packed in a soft duffel-style bag and weighed at check-in. Soft bags are important as they’re much easier to stow aboard the aircraft and Odalisque III.

Pack for Tasmania and life on the water: comfortable clothing, sturdy footwear and warm, weatherproof layers are the essentials. If you don’t have a suitable bag, we can lend you an On Board weatherproof expedition bag. It holds approximately 45 litres and measures 48cm long x 34cm in diameter. Just let us know before your expedition.

Travelling with more? Any luggage you don’t need on expedition can be safely stored with our Hobart team while you’re away.

For selected special-interest expeditions, including our photography expeditions, additional allowance may be available for specialist equipment. Please check your Expedition Fact Sheet or speak with our team about the arrangements for your departure.

For a complete packing list and expedition-specific luggage information, please refer to your Expedition Fact Sheet.

Your expedition begins at Above & Beyond Tasmanian Seaplanes, 2 Franklin Wharf, on Hobart’s historic working waterfront and just a short walk from Salamanca Place and the city centre.

From here, the seaplane lifts off from the River Derwent, leaving Hobart’s docks and kunanyi / Mount Wellington behind before crossing Tasmania towards the remote Southwest. It’s not simply a transfer. It’s the first chapter of the expedition.

Flights generally depart between 8:30am and 11:30am, and we’ll confirm your exact departure time before you travel.

We recommend having breakfast before you arrive. Once you’re airborne and headed for the Southwest, cafés become rather scarce.

For many guests, the flight into Port Davey becomes one of the defining memories of the expedition.

The approximately 40-minute flight aboard our 10-seat Cessna Caravan amphibious seaplane, operated by our sister company Above & Beyond Tasmanian Seaplanes, gives you a perspective on Southwest Tasmania that is difficult to appreciate any other way.

Leaving Hobart behind, the landscape becomes progressively wilder beneath you: mountains, lakes, buttongrass plains, river systems and vast tracts of wilderness with barely a road or building in sight. Weather permitting, your pilot may take an inland route past Federation Peak in one direction and return via the coast and South West Cape, revealing two remarkably different perspectives on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Then comes an arrival that’s hard to beat: descending onto the waters of Bathurst Harbour with Odalisque III waiting nearby.

The seaplane isn’t simply how we get you to Port Davey. It’s part of the expedition, and your first real sense of just how far out there you’re about to be.

Weather is part of life in Tasmania’s remote Southwest, and when it comes to flying, safety always comes first. If visibility or conditions aren’t suitable, the seaplane will wait for a safe weather window rather than depart to a timetable.

Delays are uncommon, but conditions can change quickly. If they do, our team and pilots will keep a close eye on the weather and adjust plans accordingly, keeping you informed along the way. Sometimes, expedition travel asks for a little flexibility.

We strongly recommend allowing a buffer day before and after your expedition, particularly if you’re connecting with onward flights or other time-sensitive travel arrangements.

For seaplane travel, we ask each guest for their approximate body weight, along with the weight of their luggage, so our pilots can safely calculate the aircraft’s weight and balance before departure.

This is a standard requirement for travel aboard private aircraft and helps ensure the aircraft is loaded correctly for each flight. We understand it’s personal information and always handle it discreetly.

Yes. We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. When travelling to remote parts of Tasmania, it’s important to check that your policy is appropriate for your expedition and includes cover for:

• Trip cancellation, disruption and delays, including those caused by weather
• Seaplane and light aircraft travel
• Walking, tender excursions and other activities you plan to take part in
• Medical assistance and evacuation from remote areas
• Baggage and personal belongings

Every policy is different, so please read the terms, exclusions and cover limits carefully to make sure it suits your circumstances and travel plans.

On Board isn’t an insurance provider and can’t recommend a particular policy, but our team is happy to clarify any details about your expedition that your insurer may need.

It depends a little on the expedition. Much of our cruising takes place in sheltered waterways and anchorages, where conditions are generally calm. On our Port Davey expeditions, for example, most of your time aboard Odalisque III is spent within the protected waters of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour.

Some expeditions include periods of open-water cruising. Our South Coast Cruise is the more adventurous of these, with greater exposure to the Southern Ocean as we travel along Tasmania’s remote southern coastline. Conditions can vary, and our skipper plans routes and timing with weather, sea conditions and guest comfort firmly in mind.

If you know you’re susceptible to motion sickness, or simply prefer to be prepared, we recommend bringing your preferred seasickness medication and discussing suitable options with your pharmacist or doctor before travelling.

Whatever you’ve got.

Walks can range from a gentle 15-minute wander to a more adventurous six-hour hike. Before you set off, the crew will explain exactly what’s involved, including the distance, terrain, steepness and likely time out, so you can decide what feels right for you.

And walking is only one way to explore. If a particular walk isn’t for you, there may be the option to head out in the tender, watch for birds and wildlife, enjoy a beach picnic or simply stay aboard Odalisque III and take in the surroundings. A member of the crew accompanies every excursion, so you’re never left to work it out alone.

You won’t need to carry a heavy pack on our walks or excursions. A small day pack with a water bottle, camera and warm layer is usually all you’ll need.

If you have any mobility considerations, please let us know before your expedition. The more we know, the better we can shape the experience around how you like to explore.

For exploring ashore, we recommend sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots with good grip. Tasmania’s tracks can be muddy, uneven, rocky or overgrown, so something supportive that you don’t mind getting a little dirty is ideal.

You’ll also need a second pair of shoes to wear aboard Odalisque III. Trust us, after a day exploring ashore, you’ll appreciate having something clean and dry to slip into. Comfortable sneakers, deck shoes or similar are perfect, ideally something that’s easy to get on and off.

There’s no need to buy specialist “boat shoes” just for the expedition. Comfort, grip and a clean, non-marking sole are what matter aboard.

You’ll find a complete packing list in the Expedition Fact Sheet on the relevant expedition page.

Walking poles aren’t essential, but if you normally use them or appreciate a little extra stability on uneven ground, we recommend bringing them. Some tracks can be rocky, rooty, muddy or uneven underfoot, and poles can be useful for extra support.

Relaxed is the order of the day, including at dinner. There’s no formal dress code aboard Odalisque III, so there’s no need to bring separate evening wear unless you’d like to.

During the day, comfortable layers will take you from exploring ashore and tender excursions to relaxing aboard. Tasmania can deliver sunshine, wind, rain and cooler temperatures in the same day, so warm layers and a waterproof outer layer are particularly useful.

For evenings aboard, comfortable casual clothing is all you need. Dinner may be beautifully presented, but the atmosphere remains relaxed, and with luggage space at a premium, there’s no expectation to pack a different wardrobe for it.

You’ll find a full recommended packing list in the Expedition Fact Sheet for your departure.

Not at all. Dinner aboard Odalisque III is an occasion, but dressing for it isn’t.

Most guests like to change out of the day’s expedition gear and into something fresh and comfortable for the evening, but there’s no dress code and no expectation to dress up. The atmosphere around the table is relaxed, even when the food and wine are rather special.

Come as you are, just perhaps without the muddy boots.

Think beautifully considered expedition cabins, with the wilderness right outside your window.

Odalisque III has just seven guest cabins across two categories, each with a queen bed, private ensuite and large windows designed to bring the landscape in. Space aboard an expedition vessel is naturally compact, but every detail has been carefully considered for comfort.

The three Southwest Suites on the upper deck are our most spacious at approximately 10sqm including the ensuite, with interiors inspired by the deeper, moodier tones of Tasmania’s Southwest. Our Coastal Cabins on the main deck are a little more compact, with a lighter palette inspired by Tasmania’s East Coast.

Throughout, you’ll find distinctly Tasmanian details: botanical textiles by local artist Deborah Wace, photography of places we explore, and locally considered materials and finishes. And perhaps the best feature of all is one we can’t take much credit for: the view from your bed when you wake each morning.

With a maximum of 12 guests aboard, Odalisque III feels intimate rather than crowded, with the Wheelhouse Lounge, dining room and outdoor decks becoming your shared living spaces between excursions.

See our Vessels page(opens in new tab) for cabin layouts, images and full details.

Relaxed, convivial and often one of the best parts of the day.

Dinner is shared around the table, usually with plenty of conversation, stories from the day and the occasional deep dive into whatever has captured everyone’s interest. Afterwards, you might linger over a Tasmanian wine, browse our onboard interpretive collection of books, shells and animal-track casts, or head outside to see what the night is doing.

In Port Davey, with virtually no artificial light for miles, the night sky can be remarkable. On a clear evening, stargazing is reason enough to step outside, and if you’re lucky, the Aurora Australis may make an appearance.

And if you’d rather watch the stars from bed, just let the crew know you’d like your blinds left up. There’s no one around to see in.

Absolutely, and the more we know before you travel, the better we can look after you.

Our chef is very happy to cater for dietary requirements and food allergies. We’ll ask for these when you book, but we also like to know about any strong dislikes and, just as importantly, the things you really love to eat. It gives our chef the chance to plan thoughtfully and get a little creative with Tasmania’s exceptional produce.

For our Port Davey expeditions, provisions travel into the wilderness with us by seaplane, so good preparation matters. There are no shops in Port Davey for a last-minute ingredient. That’s why we ask you to tell us everything we need to know well before departure.

There may not be a supermarket for miles, but there’s certainly no shortage of good food in Tasmania.

Families are very welcome On Board. Guests aged 7 years and over can join our scheduled overnight expeditions, with the full expedition fare applying.

Our small-group expeditions can work particularly well for families travelling across generations, with days shaped around different interests and ways of exploring. There are no dedicated child-minding facilities aboard Odalisque III, and children remain in the care of their accompanying adults throughout the expedition.

For families with younger children, an exclusive charter gives us greater flexibility to tailor the experience to your family.

If you’re considering an expedition with children or a multi-generational group, have a chat with our team about the ages and interests of everyone travelling, and we’ll help you find the best fit. Likewise, if you’d prefer to travel on a departure without children, let us know when you enquire and we can advise on the departures available.

We follow the seasons around Tasmania.

From December to May, Odalisque III makes her home in the remote Southwest, exploring Port Davey, Bathurst Harbour and the surrounding wilderness during the longer days of late summer and autumn.

As the seasons turn, we head east. East Coast Expeditions operate at from June to November, exploring a very different Tasmania of granite coastlines, islands, beaches and sheltered bays.

Between scheduled expeditions, Odalisque III is also available for private charters(opens in new tab) and floating events(opens in new tab), giving us the freedom to explore other corners of the Tasmanian coastline.

See our Departure Dates(opens in new tab) for upcoming expeditions and availability.

Our 2-night Port Davey Highlights(opens in new tab) expedition starts from $5,800 per person, twin share, and is fully inclusive from the moment you take off from Hobart.

Your fare includes scenic seaplane flights into and out of Port Davey, accommodation aboard Odalisque III, every meal, Tasmanian wines, beers and spirits, National Park entry, guided walks, tender excursions and expedition gear.

As a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, our interpretation of a lodge is perhaps a little different: ours floats, and moves with the wilderness. With a maximum of just 12 guests, you’re looked after by a Tasmanian crew including skipper, wilderness guide, chef and host, with the freedom to shape each day around the conditions, the place and how you’d like to explore.

There are no optional excursions to add, meal packages to choose or drinks bills waiting at the end. One fare covers the complete Port Davey experience.

Our 4 and 6-night Port Davey Escape(opens in new tab) are our signature expeditions, with more time to explore this vast and remote wilderness. Port Davey is a place worth lingering in, allowing the landscape and the unexpected to shape the experience over several days.

See our Departure Dates(opens in new tab) for current fares and availability.

Some guests plan Port Davey years ahead. Others discover us and decide it’s time for an adventure. Both work.

We generally release our expedition schedule around two years in advance, and many guests choose to secure their preferred dates and cabin early. With just 12 guests aboard Odalisque III and a small number of scheduled departures each season, particular dates and cabin categories can fill well ahead of departure. Around eight months ahead is common, and earlier is certainly not unusual.

That said, we’re rather fond of an impromptu adventure too. If you’re travelling to Tasmania at shorter notice, it’s always worth checking our Departure Dates or getting in touch. Occasionally the stars, schedules and a cabin align.

For private charters, we recommend starting the conversation as early as you can, particularly if you have specific dates in mind.

A small Tasmanian crew, and you’ll get to know them pretty well.

With a maximum of 12 guests aboard Odalisque III, you’ll be looked after by a skipper, wilderness guide, chef and one or two hosts, depending on the number of guests On Board. They’re there to navigate, guide, cook and look after the details, of course, but also to help you get beneath the surface of the places you’re exploring.

Your guide brings knowledge of the landscape, wildlife, plants and human history; your skipper reads the weather, tides and waterways; and your chef turns Tasmania’s produce into something worth gathering around the table for. Along the way, expect local knowledge, plenty of conversation and perhaps the occasional tall Tasmanian tale.

It’s a small ship and an informal way of travelling, so there’s no great divide between guests and crew. You might find yourself chatting with the skipper in the wheelhouse, asking the chef what’s cooking, or hatching tomorrow’s plans with your guide over dinner.

By the end of an expedition, it tends to feel less like being looked after and more like exploring Tasmania with people who know their way around.

Absolutely. Travelling solo doesn’t always have to mean paying more.

We welcome solo expeditioners aboard Odalisque III, and on selected departures we waive the usual solo supplement, giving you your own cabin without the additional single-traveller cost.

With a maximum of just 12 guests and meals shared around the table, it’s an easy environment in which to find good company when you want it, while still having your own cabin and plenty of space to retreat when you don’t.

We release solo supplement-waived departures(opens in new tab) at selected times throughout the season, so take a look at our current solo traveller offers or speak with our team about what’s coming up.

Come on your own. You certainly won’t be exploring alone.

Not at all. Tipping isn’t expected On Board, but guests sometimes ask how they can show their appreciation.

If you would like to recognise the crew with a gratuity, it is always appreciated and shared among the whole team. Alternatively, some guests choose to support two Tasmanian conservation organisations close to On Board, the Raptor Refuge and the Seabird Island Restoration Group.

Our crew can point you in the right direction if you’d like to know more.

For us, it comes down to travelling lightly and looking after the places we’re fortunate enough to explore.

Odalisque III allows us to explore Port Davey without permanent land-based infrastructure. Everything we need travels in and out with us, and with no more than 12 guests aboard, we keep groups small when exploring ashore. Onboard, we collect rainwater, minimise waste and use a large lithium-ion battery bank to reduce our reliance on generators. The vessel was built in Hobart, with Tasmanian materials, makers and suppliers used wherever possible.

Before heading ashore, guests are introduced to biosecurity practices that help protect the environment. There are also opportunities to contribute to citizen science by recording sightings of threatened and migrating species, adding useful observations from places that few people get to visit.

Taking people into wild places comes with responsibility. We want to share them carefully and help keep them wild. You can read more about the practical steps we take on our Sustainability page(opens in new tab).

For us, it comes down to travelling lightly and looking after the places we’re fortunate enough to explore.

Odalisque III allows us to explore Port Davey without permanent land-based infrastructure. Everything we need travels in and out with us, and with no more than 12 guests aboard, we keep groups small when exploring ashore. Onboard, we collect rainwater, minimise waste and use a large lithium-ion battery bank to reduce our reliance on generators. The vessel was built in Hobart, with Tasmanian materials, makers and suppliers used wherever possible.

Before heading ashore, guests are introduced to biosecurity practices that help protect the environment. There are also opportunities to contribute to citizen science by recording sightings of threatened and migrating species, adding useful observations from places that few people get to visit.

Taking people into wild places comes with responsibility. We want to share them carefully and help keep them wild. You can read more about the practical steps we take on our Sustainability page(opens in new tab).

Odalisque III is a non-smoking vessel, and out here the fresh air is rather worth preserving.

If you do smoke, there is a designated area on the back deck where smoking is permitted. We simply ask that you check with the crew first and be mindful of other guests.

Being small gives us room to move.

With no more than 12 guests aboard Odalisque III, plans don’t have to revolve around moving a large group from one scheduled activity to the next. Days can respond to the weather, the tides, what’s happening in the wilderness and what interests the people On Board.

If conditions suggest a change of plan, we can change it. If a pod of dolphins decides to linger beside the tender, we can linger too.

It also makes the experience personal in a very natural way. You’ll get to know the skipper, guide, chef and hosts looking after you, and they’ll get to know how you like to explore.

It really is family-run, although these days there are quite a few hands On Board.

Founder and skipper Pieter van der Woude has been exploring Port Davey for much of his life, first coming to know these waters during his years as an abalone diver. That connection eventually became On Board, and the business remains very much a Tasmanian family affair.

Today, Pieter and Alice work alongside a close-knit team of skippers, wilderness guides, chefs, hosts and the Hobart crew who make each expedition happen behind the scenes. It takes a surprising number of people to make 12 guests disappear into the wilderness for a few days.

What hasn’t changed is the scale. We’re still small enough to know who’s travelling with us, to answer the phone in Hobart, and to have many of the people behind On Board out there sharing Tasmania with you.

Small, in this case, is rather useful.