Wukalina Walk

Arrive into Launceston and transfer to the Aboriginal Elders Centre, to be welcomed by a palawa elder. After a traditional morning tea and a chance to view important artefacts and historical photos you will be issued with equipment, as needed. Soon after you head out on the scenic drive north to the trail head while learning about the Aboriginal and European history of the districts you pass through.

After a ‘welcome to country’ and ‘smoking ceremony’ walk to the summit of wukalina for a picnic lunch and magnificent 360-degree views. On a clear day truwana (Cape Barren Island) is visible, and you will hear stories of the significance of truwana and the other Furneaux Islands - historical and contemporary heartlands of the palawa community and culture.

After lunch, take the newly crafted walking track to your purpose-built camp (krakani lumi) at Cobler Rocks, stopping along the way to hear cultural and botanical interpretations from your qualified guides, on the lookout all the while for endemic flora and fauna.

Time to relax before pre-dinner drinks and a traditionally inspired seafood feast. Your evening activities include interaction with a palawa elder and the telling of the palawa creation story.

krakani lumi camp | Meals: LD

After breakfast take the traditional coastal pathway, where significant Aboriginal middens are located. Along the way, your guide will share information on traditional food sources, medicines and native animals. After lunch in camp, there are cultural sessions including kelp and reed basket making, crafting and playing clap sticks, and working with shells and native animal furs.

Follow your traditional dinner of mutton bird, wallaby, and doughboys with a starlit night walk where you may encounter native wildlife such as wombats (prupilathina), wallabies (payathanima) and kangaroos, as well as possums and other Australian fauna in this untouched landscape.

krakani lumi camp | Meals: BLD

Heading south today your guided walk travels along stretches of pure white sand and past rocky headlands covered in the red lichen typical of the Bay of Fires region. Enjoy lunch at the unusual marsupial lawns where the chances of spotting wombats are quite high. Arrive at the Aboriginal landholding of larapuna (Eddystone Point lighthouse precinct) mid-afternoon, where you spend tonight at the beautifully restored Lighthouse Cottages.

Lighthouse Cottages | Meals: BLD

Today provides an opportunity for you to explore the larapuna area – including the coastline, rock quarry and lighthouse precinct. Take a tour of the fully operational lighthouse, with unmatched views of the world-renowned Bay of Fires coastline. It is not uncommon to see black swans and arctic terns or pelicans, sea eagles, and the odd whale or dolphin in the surf below.

Afterwards you may wish to spend time with your guides reflecting on key learnings from the journey.

After lunch return to Launceston with farewell drinks this evening before catching a flight home or settling into one of the city’s many boutique hotels.

Meals: BL