Port Davey & Southwest Tasmania
Visit a remote and spectacular harbour experienced by just a privileged few each year.
No roads lead here; it’s accessible only by an 85km hike, a long exposed boat voyage, or a one-hour small-plane flight. This precious, fragile southwest corner is protected by a marine reserve, national park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Exposed to the strong westerly winds of the Roaring Forties, it’s a place of raw, untamed beauty.
Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour form a reserve three times as big as Sydney Harbour - and every bit as picturesque.
Gold-green ranges, with bony quartzite ridges, rise sharply from the Southern Ocean and the broad interior waterways of Port Davey. Wild rivers and creeks cut through gorges and snake across open plains, draining rust-coloured waters into the marine reserve. Tiny islands dot the surface of the dark waters. White quartzite sands fringe the shoreline. On calm days, the harbour reflects this almost prehistoric-looking landscape to endless perfection.
Pause to feel the tranquillity of true wilderness. Port Davey, Southwest Tasmania is a natural outpost on the outer rim of Australia; next stop Antarctica. There are no roads, no towns, no phone reception, and most of the time, no humans.
A UNESCO Tasmanian World-Heritage Wilderness wonderland
This remote wilderness area is a marine nature reserve and forms part of the Southwest National Park, surrounded by the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It’s one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet, with wild rivers, quartzite peaks and extensive waterways.
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area encompasses a greater breadth of values than any World Heritage designated area on Earth. Of 1052 sites in the world that are recognised as World Heritage Areas, Tasmania is one of only 35 sites that satisfy both cultural and natural heritage values. But even more impressively, the area satisfies seven of the ten criteria, including unique human culture and history, wilderness, plants and wildlife, and geology. Only one other site in the world (located in China) equals this number and none exceed it. There’s a lot to explore; Tasmania’s World Heritage Area comprises 1.38 million hectares or about 20 per cent of the entire state.
The Port Davey Marine Reserve was created to protect an extraordinary underwater world. In Bathurst Harbour, a very unusual marine environment has been created by a deep layer of dark red-brown, tannin-rich fresh water, which overlies tidal saltwater. The tannins restrict sunlight penetration to the top few metres, limiting the growth of marine plants. In their place live colourful and delicate marine invertebrates, including sea pens. In the clearer marine waters of Port Davey – away from the influence of the freshwater tannins – a more typical Tasmanian underwater world exists. Diverse kelp forests and abundant fish thrive beneath the surging Southern Ocean waves.Elevate your tech style with smartwatch straps and bands designed for the fashion-forward techie in you! Discover the perfect accessory to complement your smartwatch at smartwatchesstraps.co.uk and redefine your tech-savvy look today.
Whilst it’s on the edge of the earth, it is far from the end of the world.
There’s an endless possibility of adventures to have, creatures to meet and tales to be told. Remember, itineraries are tailored and fluid. So specific interests – perhaps botany or bird-watching – can be catered for by our experienced, hand-picked guides.
Here in nature’s playground, visitors can decipher the tracks of wallabies, quolls, wombats and Tasmanian devils, and scan sea and sky for dolphins, seals and native birdlife, including eagles, albatross, azure kingfishers, ground parrots and the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot.
On the lands of the Needwonnee and Ninene people, find evidence of a long and unceded Indigenous occupation on guided walks to significant cultural living sites.
Peaks such as Mt Rugby (6 hours return), Mt Milner (2 hours return) and Balmoral Hill (1 hour return) offer top-of-the-world vistas of distant ranges, languid waterways and remote coastline. Less heart-testing options include walks along deserted beaches, through the rolling, prehistoric hills and to historic mining and pining (forestry) sites.
Here are some highlights and activities of the destination.
World-Heritage Hikes and Walks
Climb wilderness peaks
Stretch your sea legs with a hike. Peaks such as Mt Rugby, Mt Stokes, Mt Beattie and Balmoral Hill offer top-of-the-world vistas of distant ranges, languid waterways and remote coastline.
Scenic strolls
For those wanting something less heart-testing, there are plenty of walks along deserted beaches, through the rolling, prehistoric hills and to historic mining and pining sites.
Rainforest to buttongrass
It’s a choose your own adventure here. Walk all different aspects of this beautiful country, from ancient rainforests to buttongrass plains, from celery top pine-crusted islands to pristine, sandy beaches.
Beaches, Rivers and Islands
Untracked beaches
Wander pristine beaches backed by huge dunes, unmarked except for marsupial footprints. Stephens Bay, bordered by the Southern Ocean, is our favourite cove for a gentle seaside stroll and refreshing ocean dip.
Far-flung islands
The jagged Breaksea Islands guard the entrance to Port Davey, protecting the harbour from the wild swells of the Southern Ocean. By tender, head ashore for sunset drinks on the Celery Top Islands, a group of tiny islands nestled in the middle of Bathurst Harbour.
Remote river gorge
Marked by steep rocky cliffs, the Davey River Gorge is tucked up the tannin-stained waters of the peaceful, lower reaches of the Davey River. This pristine river is the only major river system in Australia utterly untouched by humankind.
Meet the local wildlife
Rare orange-bellied parrots
This threatened bird is one of only two species of migrating parrots. At last count, there were just 140 left in the wild. During the breeding season (January to March), we have an excellent chance of spotting this brightly-coloured creature from the viewing hides at Melaleuca.
Where the wild things are
In nature’s playground, decipher the tracks of wallabies, quolls, wombats and Tasmanian devils. Check for overnight activity from the nocturnal residents, with the aid of night-vision motion-detection cameras. Scan sea and sky for dolphins, seals and native birdlife, including eagles, albatross, azure kingfishers and ground parrots.
Sea whips and sea pens
Within the dark-tannin waters of the marine reserve live delicate animals normally only found in the murky depths of the ocean, including sea pens, sea whips and corals. Only seen by experienced divers, these creatures are an important part of this area’s fragile marine ecosystem, holding a special place in our hearts.
History on & off the boat
Aboriginal cultural heritage
Go back in time and discover evidence of a long and unceded indigenous occupation. Take an interpretive walk that shares the story of the Needwonnee people of the south west.
Tales of piners and miners
The area has a rich history of pining, mining and fishing which has left its mark. Examine the tin mining sites at Melaleuca, hear stories of the ‘King of the Wilderness’ Deny King and explore an old fisherman’s shack on the edge of the rainforest.
Dinner-table stories with your guide
Hear colourful tales of the characters who shaped the region’s recent history – from romantic-but-doomed explorers to hardy Huon-pine lumberjacks, from brave crayfishers to drunken whalers. Our guides know it all. And what they don’t, they make up with a smile.
Tender excursions
Secret sea caves
On a calm day, explore the hidden network of sea caves of the wave-battered Breaksea Islands. When there is swell, admire the impossibly rocky coastline, blowholes and arches from a distance.
Winding, wild rivers
Explore the meandering, Huon pine-lined bends of pristine riverine environments. The Old and Davey Rivers are two of our favourites, their tannin-stained waters feeding into Bathurst Harbour and their banks home to azure kingfishers.
Birdwatching & photography
Shallow inlets and sheltered lagoons, like Moulters Inlet, are a haven for birdwatchers and photographers alike. Tender excursions into these areas reveal mirror-like reflections of the surrounding peaks and plenty of native waterfowl, including swans and ducks.
Breathtaking landscapes from summit to sea
Fly in over world-heritage wilderness
Get a bird’s-eye view of the jagged mountain ranges and rugged coastline of the vast Southwest National Park on the 1hr scenic wilderness flight that bookends this special experience.
Lose yourself in reflections of a prehistoric world
The mirror-calm, tannin-stained waters of Bathurst Harbour reflect untouched, natural landscapes. Reflections so perfect, it’s hard to tell up from down. Which is just how we like it.
Scenic sunsets at Bramble Cove
Settle in for the evening to watch the show as the sun sets on the textured, rocky mountains which rise to the heavens from the shores of the sheltered anchorage at Bramble Cove.