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Southwest Wilderness Camp – multi-day package

Southwest Wilderness Camp

THE ULTIMATE THREE-DAY GLAMPING EXPERIENCE IN TASMANIA'S MAGNIFICENT SOUTHWEST WILDERNESS

Let the everyday melt away with the ultimate Tasmanian nature experience in one of the world’s last remaining areas of accessible yet untouched wilderness.

Spend three full days exploring the remote southwest wilderness of Tasmania. Take some of the many scenic walks on offer, explore pristine waterways on a private boat tour, or simply relax in a secluded spot where all you’ll see and hear is the untouched beauty of this incredible wilderness.

At over 4500 square kilometres, the Bathurst Harbour Marine Reserve is three times the size of Sydney Harbour. It’s the ultimate destination for nature lovers with opportunities to see the rare and endangered Orange Bellied Parrots, visit Aboriginal middens and caves, and to take in the stunning scenery in every direction.

Experience the magnificent Huon Pine forest on the Old River and the untouched Celery Top Islands. Walk secluded beaches, spot local wildlife, or even climb a nearby mountain. All the walks here are graded easy to moderate.

This region is heaven for anyone who loves nature, and it’s a paradise for amateur and professional photographers.

Our friendly guides will be your personal link to this spectacular wilderness, with an entertaining and informative interpretation of the region – including exclusive insights from their many years of experience here.

And you’ll be staying at our exclusive wilderness camp in true glamping comfort, tucked away in a secret location known to very few.  You’ll be warm and dry in private eco-friendly accommodation, with convenient amenities – including hot showers. 

The exclusive guide for your wilderness camp experience is also a talented cook. You’ll enjoy delicious meals prepared from local produce and the best wines our state has to offer. We did say this was glamping!

Travel with ease

All transport is included and pre-arranged, including return flights between Hobart and Melaleuca, and return boat transfers between Melaleuca and the camp

Experienced guides

Our guides are passionate about the southwest, having spent many years exploring the area and hosting groups from all over the world.

Visit with friends or join a small group

Great for couples and small groups, our wilderness camp can accommodate up to eight people in comfort.

Everything is included

Bring your clothes, personal effects, and a camera - we provide and arrange everything else.

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Sample itinerary

Every trip is different and crafted to suit your level of adventure and energy, and to best suit the weather conditions. We'll work with you and fellow guests to set a day-by-day schedule for optional walks, boat trips, and climbs; with plenty of time to relax, breathe the cleanest air in the world, and enjoy the fine food and wine.

Click each heading for more detail

DAY 1
Flight from Hobart/Cambridge Aerodrome
Our tour begins with a spectacular scenic flight to the Southwest National Park. Following the coast, past Bruny Island to Cockle Creek, we’ll fly along the tough South Coast Track with its wild beaches, thick rainforests and mountain ranges. During the flight, we take in Precipitous Bluff, Mt La Perouse, Ironbound Range and remote Maatsuyker Island. We’ll also fly over the ancestral home of the Needwonnee people, who occupied Louisa Bay for thousands of years.
Explore Melaleuca & settle-in
Landing at the abandoned tin mining settlement of Melaleuca, we’ll visit the bird observatory to see rare and endangered Orange-Bellied Parrots, which can be seen in the area typically between October and March. Then we’ve got time to explore the old tin mine and take a stroll along the Needwonee walk. We’ll then head off on the boat to our private Southwest Wilderness Camp, where we’ll spend some time settling in and have lunch.
Bathurst Harbour and islands sightseeing
We’ll head out to Bathurst Harbour after lunch, and visit the untouched Celery Top Islands for a forest walk (depending on the tidal conditions). Cut off and preserved since the end of the last ice age, these islands are a unique time capsule of the area. We’ll then stop at Forest Lag for a walk up TV Hill and a look at Claytons’ Corner.
Time to unwind at the camp
After a busy day exploring the area, we’ll enjoy a fully-prepared gourmet dinner with Tasmanian wines, and spend the evening relaxing.
DAY 2
Bathurst Narrows tour & picnic lunch
After a hearty cooked breakfast, we’ll travel by boat through the Bathurst Narrows with its 800-metre mountains rising from the sea towards the picturesque Bramble Cove. Here we have the option of walking up Mt Milner with its beautiful views of Port Davey and the Bathurst Narrows. We’ll enjoy lunch at one of the hidden coves along the way.
Breaksea Island & Port Davey sightseeing
Next we head out to Breaksea Island, cruising along the protected side, witnessing the array of native bird life at the mouth of Port Davey and the Caroline and Shanks Islands. We then visit an ancient aboriginal ochre cave at Schooner Cove, visit the grave site of Critchley Parker Jr. – a walker who perished exploring the “New Jerusalem” – and take a stroll along beautiful Balmoral Beach before heading back to camp for dinner and relaxation.
DAY 3
Mt Beattie walk or visit Old River forest
We’ll enjoy a cooked breakfast and consider the option of taking a walk up Mt Beattie. This 2.5-hour return walk is graded easy to moderate and offers impressive views of the whole area. If the tide and weather permits, our other option is a visit to an ancient Huon Pine forest found on the shores of the Old River. Afterwards, we’ll head back to the camp for some lunch and pack up.
Camp departure
After lunch, we’ll pack up and head back to Melaleuca by boat, snaking our way along Melaleuca Inlet.
Scenic flight to Hobart
We’ll return to Hobart by aircraft with spectacular aerial views of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour. As we travel inland, we’ll pass the rugged Western Arthur Range, world famous Federation Peak, Mt Picton, the Hartz Mountain National Park, and the Huon Valley.
Arrive at Hobart/Cambridge Aerodrome

Touring map

Click the map for a full-size view

Frequenty asked questions

  • $2799.00 per person for 3 days/2 nights (as described on this page) – all inclusive with nothing further to pay 
  • or in winter only $1999.00 for 2 days/1 nights – all inclusive with nothing further to pay  (enquire for details)

We may offer other specials from time-time in the off-season and these will be shown on this page and/or our home page when available.

PAYMENT: A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. Balance due 30 days before departure. 

Three-day camp experiences are generally held over the warmer months between October and April. 

You are welcome to enquire about group bookings for other times-of-year.

This is one of our most popular experiences, so we recommend you book at least six months in advance.

We have a maximum of ten guests, and we try to be as flexible as possible to suit guest needs. Each cabin can accommodate either a single person, two singles, or a couple. Beds can be either queen-size or twin.

We generally don’t require a minimum number of guests, given the high demand for this experience.

Absolutely, and if your booking is for at least eight guests, the camp will be exclusively yours – together with your guide.

Yes, single guests are welcome. You’ll join a small group of other guests for the experience. Your accommodation will be in a private cabin.

Two friends (who book as singles) may share a cabin. We have twin beds available on request.

This experience is generally not suitable for children under the age of 16 years. We may consider accepting children as guests with bookings for exclusive family groups only.

Please let us know your dietary requirements when you enquire or book. We can accommodate most dietary needs.

Your safety and enjoyment of this experience is our top priority. Our pilots and guides regularly assess the weather forecast and conditions in the lead-up to this experience. If the weather is not compatible for the flights to/from Melaleuca, or for your stay at the camp, we will provide you with options to reschedule the camp a day earlier/later (subject to availability), move your booking to another time, or provide you with a full refund.

Please note this is a wilderness area on the southwest coast of Tasmania. It is subject to variable and rapidly-changing weather conditions at times. We cannot guarantee ideal weather on any experience, and you should expect there may be some periods of rain, wind, and/or cool temperatures. This is all part of a true wilderness experience.

Amendments and cancellations are possible subject to our terms and conditions. We’ll be as flexible as we can, within reason.

  • Cancellation with more than 14 days notice prior to departure – no cancellation fee.
  • A 50% cancellation fee applies if cancelled within 14 days of departure.

The experience is a finely-tuned balance between the reality of living in the remote wilderness with the creature comforts of glamping.

Shared facilities include a fully-equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area, toilets, and bathrooms with hot water and showers. Cabins and shared facilities are interconnected with raised walkways. All our facilities are eco-friendly and designed for minimum impact on the local environment. 

It’s time to ‘unplug’ … the camp does not have fixed-line telephone, mobile phone service, or Wi-Fi. Your guide has a satellite phone in case of emergencies.

Our pilots and guides are all trained in first-aid and carry essential first-aid supplies.

Find out more

Contact us with any questions and to find out about availability. We’ll be glad to help

How to book

Please read our terms and conditions first.

Bookings are arranged by phone or email with us.

Book with confidence – read our COVID-safe information