A Tasmanian adventure for well-heeled guests in a hurry

On Board, the floating member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, has launched a new two-night Tasmanian adventure. 

The Port Davey Highlights expedition gives time-poor travellers rare access to Tasmania’s wild southwest. 

Aboard Odalisque III - purpose-built in Tasmania for wilderness immersion - this condensed three-day journey captures the essence of the region’s silence, waterways and rugged peaks, previously only available on longer voyages.

Departing Hobart via seaplane, guests fly over the jagged Arthur Range and the spire of Federation Peak before touching down beside Odalisque III in Port Davey. 

Over two nights and three days, travellers explore the wilderness; Huon pine-lined rivers, untouched Southern Ocean beaches, and weather-beaten coastlines. 

The mini expedition is guided by On Board’s all-Tasmanian crew, who share decades of knowledge of the southwest’s flora, fauna, geology, and the stewardship of the Needwonnee and Ninene people, the region’s first custodians. 

Guests can tailor their experience - heart-pumping hikes and sea-cave adventures, or the chance to just be still in a World-Heritage wilderness. 

Evenings offer a gentle pace, with Tasmanian wines and whiskies poured in the Wheelhouse Lounge, and freshly sourced Tasmanian fare served around a Huon pine table that was handcrafted upstream on the Huon River in Franklin. 

Guests then retreat to private suites with views of wild rivers and peaks. 

“Port Davey is the kind of place that makes three days feel like weeks,” says Alice van der Woude, On Board’s director of marketing & experience. 

“Whether you’re out exploring or simply pausing to take in the vastness and quiet of the harbour, it’s the sort of place that stays with you long after you’ve gone home.”



For travellers with more time, On Board continues to offer its signature 4- and 6-night Port Davey expeditions. 

The vessel caters for a maximum of 12 guests. 

Fares start from $5,800 per person twin share, all-inclusive and to celebrate the launch of Port Davey Highlights, On Board is offering a $1,000 cabin credit on new bookings made by December 12, 2025, valid for expeditions through May 8, 2027.

For more details see onboardexpeditions.com.au

When is a boat a luxury lodge?

When is a boat a luxury lodge?

When it is the state-of-the-art Odalisque III expedition cruiser, which has just been added to the elite collection of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

Odalisque III was only launched this year to enable guests to explore Tasmania’s pristine wilderness.

The upmarket boat hosts a maximum of just 12 guests, taking them to secluded parts of Tasmania’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage wilderness in the south-west of the state.

The signature journey offered by On Board is a five-day enchanting exploration of the remote Port Davey harbour, which is accessible only by water.

Starting and concluding in the the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, the expedition begins with a 40-minute seaplane transfer to their floating "lodge".

The voyage showcases local sustainably sourced seafood, along with Tasmanian wines and whiskies.

 

Guided tours include Bathurst Harbour, ancient rainforests and hike into the wilderness (where Tasmanian tigers may just still survive). There is also a glimpse in Tasmania’s Aboriginal history and culture.

Penny Rafferty, executive chair of Luxury Lodges of Australia, sais On Board’s offerings bolster the organisation's existing portfolio and create synergies with Tasmanian member Saffire Freycinet.

To get a special deal reserve a 2024 experience before December 9 at 

onboardexpeditions.com.au/luxury-lodges-celebratory-offer and mention "Luxury Lodges Celebratory Offer".

Meet Tasmania's newest wilderness tourism attraction

Exploring the wilderness regions of Tasmania will take on a new dimension with the launch of a new luxury vessel.

On Board/Tasmanian Expedition Cruises will launch a new custom-designed boat, Odalisque III, at the end of this year.

Pieter van der Woude, On Board founder and skipper, said the new Odalisque will provide an intimate wilderness experience in remote Tasmanian waters.

“Hitting the water in January 2023, Odalisque III will take a maximum of 12 guests in luxury on the trip of a lifetime in Tasmania’s wilderness,” he said.

“The 24-metre expedition catamaran features six cabins with indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas.

“Odalisque’s sole purpose is to provide small groups access to some of Tasmania’s most remote waters and wilderness areas, led by local experts.”

Van der Woude said the new vessel will cruise into the wilds of Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour in south-west Tasmania between January and May each year.

Odalisque will then cruise the beaches and islands of Tasmania’s east coast from June to December. The boat will will also be available for private charter.

Odalisque III will offer suites with walk-around queen beds, ocean views and en-suite bathrooms; chefs seconded from some of Hobart’s top restaurants, serving local Tasmanian produce and cool-climate wines, craft beers and spirits with an emphasis on the best of Tasmania.

Van der Woude said Port Davey is a remote and spectacular harbour on the edge of the world, inaccessible by road and visited by just a privileged few each year.

Port Davey highlights include: the sea caves of Breaksea Islands, hiking to wilderness peaks to take in views over the harbour and national park; and cruising the Davey River looking out for the critically-endangered orange-bellied parrot.

Odalisque III is the only expedition vessel that On Board will operate and will replace their current cruiser, Odalisque II.

On Board is taking bookings for Port Davey Escape expeditions between January-May, and East Coast Expeditions from June-November 2023. See https://onboardexpeditions.com.au/