SOUTHWEST TASMANIAN EXPEDITIONS

If you’re dreaming of an adventure in a stunning, wild and remote place, Southwest Tasmania will fulfill that desire and then some. We love this wilderness and sharing the experience of being immersed in an untouched landscape with its challenges and breathtaking beauty. Paddlers on our expeditions talk of it a being life-changing experience, here are just a few of their comments:

“..all of this in a superlative natural area…Bliss. May it stay awesome always.”
“You will be grinning from ear to ear. After a week on dry land, we still are!”
“If you want to experience the real southwest wilderness of Tasmania, this is the trip for you.”

FLINDERS ISLAND EXPEDITIONS

The land and seascapes of Flinders Island are equally magnificent. The spectacular granite peaks that rise up out of the sea remain in sight as you skim across the blue waters. The wildlife on land and sea is abundant, the produce as fresh as you can get and, when you add in the friendly, laidback locals, it’s an island exploration you’re unlikely to forget. Last year's kayakers said:

"One of the best times ever and I'd go back again tomorrow!"
"Great trip, great guides, fabulous scenery and the weather added atmosphere!"
"What a fantastic trip ... it certainly had the wow factor."

The first five expedition bookings (Southwest Tasmania or Flinders Island) to use the code SUPERLATIVE in the special instructions will receive a special pack valued at $150 including a Roaring 40s Kayaking shirt.
(Valid for bookings made between 13th September and 31st October 2018 ONLY)

Reg, Tory and Tom are busy checking our gear for a summer of paddling (and they didn't even let a bit of snow slow them down!).

Now is also the perfect time to check your own kayaks and equipment to make sure you’ll be ready the moment the summer paddling weather arrives. Reg has put together a checklist to help you out!

From weekend skill sessions to 2 hour pool sessions, our upcoming instructional program has something for everyone. These sessions aim to give you the confidence and inspiration to get out and enjoy the water this summer.

Kayaking skills weekend – two fun days of kayaking and camping covering advanced strokes, group management, route and trip planning, weather conditions and much more.
Eskimo Roll – over 2 nights in a warm pool, learn to master the Eskimo roll.
Rescue Pool Session – essential skills to manage a capsize situation.
Intro to Sea Kayaking and safety aspects for sea kayaking.
Kayak Sea Skills – full day of intermediate kayaking skills training.

So you’ve ticked the box for a kayaking adventure with us, what else can you do while you’re here? You can mountain bike, drink wine, buy up at the markets (see our blog posts for more on these) or visit these particularly Tasmanian events:

The Unconformity, Queenstown 19-21 October - Contemporary arts festival on Tasmania’s Wild West Coast. A community with an unmatched sense of place.
The National Picture, Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, Hobart - The art of Tasmania’s Black War.
Freycinet Challenge, East Coast 6-7 October - Multisport event in spectacular location (with our very own Melzi competing too!)
Sheffield Medieval Festival13-14 October - Jousting, sword combat and feasting!
Bruny Island Bird Festival19-22 October - On the island home of all 12 endemic bird species.
Bicheno Food & Wine Festival16-18 November - East Coast food, wine, sun and beaches!

We have had a lot of interest in our cycling adventure from Manali to Leh. Below we have answered some of the common questions we are asked. Check out our extended answers and a few pics here.

1. Why cycle the Manali to Leh road?
With passes over 5000m it is classed as the highest highway in the world and often called the ultimate two-wheeled adventure – how could we resist! We rode independently (meaning we had to carry all our gear on the bike with us) with another couple and took seven days cycling plus one rest day to ride the almost 500km.

2. Was it hard climbing to over 5000m?
Possibly not has hard as you think as the roads have gradual gradient, but you still to have to cycle up those hills! Then there is altitude which makes everything harder, including trying to drink while riding. We had to stop and drink as we were gasping for air so much!

3. Did you enjoy all those Indian curries and did they cause any issues?!
Curries in the towns were amazing, if a little hot for Jen at times. But on the remote road the only option available to us were “parachute tents” which were a bit like temporary truck stops. Dhal Bhat (rice and lentils) was the only option most days and that got monotonous very quickly. Luckily the parachute tents also sold chocolate!

We had no issues with illness eating at the parachute tents. However, Jen and our friend Meg, got sick for 3 days from food when we arrived in Leh.

4. What were the highlights?
The spectacular landscape of mountains, gorges and rivers that transformed themselves almost every day, and the sense of achievement cycling over 5000m passes. One of the real surprises, and a highlight, was how friendly the people were. It was hard to believe this was really India - until that truck came up behind beeping the horn!

5. Would you do it again?
Reg is not so sure, and is keen to stay at sea level in the future (have a laugh at him in this video enjoying altitude). Jen would definitely do it again, although possibly on an organised tour which would save a lot of pre-trip planning and offer a greater variety of food options.

7-day Southwest expeditions
3-day Southwest expeditions
Flinders Island Explorations
Hobart City paddle
Tasman Peninsula paddle
Hobart's Cliffs, Caves and Beaches paddle
Instruction