Orchids of Tasmania

Tasmania may be Australia’s smallest state, but it is the world’s 26th largest island! In addition to being the home of the Tasmanian devil, this island state is also home to quolls, wombats, kangaroos and wallabies, some of the oldest and tallest trees of the world, and over 200 orchid species! The tour will cover much of the island, including many of the scenic hot spots such as Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park and the Hobart Botanic Garden. Our tour leaders are experts on the native flora of the island. Enjoy multiple species of spider orchids (Caladenia), bearded orchids (Calochilus), donkey orchids (Diuris), sun orchids (Thelymitra) and many others.

Dates & Prices

Dates: October 26-November 7, 2025

Deposit Due Date: June 1, 2025

Final Payments Due: July 1, 2025

Price: $6000 pp double occupancy. $7000 pp single occupancy

Price includes: Hotels, meals, ground transportation guides, entrance to parks and reserves. Price does NOT include round trip airfare from home country to Tasmania, hotel nights pre and post tour, alcoholic beverages, tips, souvenirs, or items of a personal nature.

Group size: The tour will take place when a minimum of 6 persons have registered. The maximum number of participants is limited to 8, not including the tour leaders.

Conservation donation:  A donation (~$1000 per person) is included in the price and is donated to The Orchid Conservation Alliance. The Orchid Conservation Alliance is a 501(c)3 organization, and for USA residents, the donation may be tax deductible. A formal acknowledgement is sent to each participant at year end.

Physical requirements for the trip: Participants should be healthy and able to walk short distances (1-2 miles) without difficulty. Walks may involve uneven ground, some uphill and downhill trails. We recommend all participants wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots, and bring a trekking pole to help with balance.

Health precautions: Covid 19 vaccines should be up to date, and are mandatory for OCA tours. Participants are suggested to contact their health provider for the most up to date recommendations for travel to Australia. Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all participants. Check with your physician regarding vaccination recommendations.

Tour Leaders: Malcolm Wells, Barry Dudman, Ron Parsons

OCA Representative for the tour: Mary Gerritsen

International flights: Participants should arrange their own flights to Hobart, Tasmania, planning on arriving on or before October 26. Note, we are departing from a different airport (Launceston), so participants should arrange for departures from Launceston on or after November 7. Flights for  both Hobart and Launceston are available to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Be sure to allow extra time for your connections to/from international flights.

Other information: All non-Australian citizens need a visa or travel authority to travel to Australia. ETA eligible passport holders (e.g. USA, Canada, UK, European countries ae eligible, check here for list)must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) using the Australian ETA app (can be downloaded for free on App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android). Do NOT apply through a website, you may be scammed. It should only cost about 20 AUS$ for the application.

 

 

Itinerary (note, subject to change due to local conditions-fires, drought, rainfall etc.)

 

Date

Activity

Hotel

Oct 26

Arrive in Hobart, Tasmania. Transfer to Hotel. Group Welcome Dinner

Hobart Woolstore Hotel

Oct 27

Hobart Botanic Garden. Private guided tour Orchid Rehabilitation/Conservation Facility

Hobart Woolstore Hotel

Oct 28

Tasman Peninsula

Hobart Woolstore Hotel

Oct 29

Botanizing in areas around Hobart

Hobart Woolstore Hotel

Oct 30

Bruny Island

Hobart Woolstore Hotel

Oct 31

Botanizing in areas around Hobart

Hobart Woolstore Hotel

Nov 1

Transfer to Launceston, via Freycinet National Park and Campbell Town

Launceston Peppers Silo Hotel

Nov 2

Botanizing around Launceston

Launceston Peppers Silo Hotel

Nov 3

Transfer to Stanley. Cradle Mountain National Park

Stanley Hotel

Nov 4

Arthur River area

Stanley Hotel

Nov 5

Rocky Cape National Park and Sisters Beach

Stanley Hotel

Nov 6

Transfer to Launceston, botanize en route

Launceston Peppers Silo Hotel

Nov 7

Departures from Launceston

 

Malcolm Wells

Malcolm Wells

Malcolm Wells

Malcolm’s interest in Tasmanian native orchids began when he was a young man pursuing his main interest in marine life! When the weather was too rough to dive the Tasmanian coastline, he explored the coastal and inland regions and discovered the amazing flora of Tasmania. He is author of the first app on Tasmanian orchids, and is a member of several not-for-profit groups focused on the conservation of the rarer Tasmanian orchid species. He is also the joint author of the first book on Tasmanian fishes. His working life included a short period teaching, followed by an extensive (17 yrs) period as Deputy Chief Executive that the State’s World Heritage and National Parks Advisory Committees. Malcolm lives in the Hobart area.

Barry Dudman

Barry Dudman

Barry Dudman

Barry is a well-known local expert on Tasmanian orchids and frequently guides small groups to see the orchids in his beloved northern Tasmania. He is a long-time member of the Field Naturalists Group, and was one of the founding members (in 1962) of the Burnie orchid society. He has had a long interest in the Scouting organization (62 years) for which he was awarded an “Order of Australia” medal for his service. He has also been a volunteer guide (for 20 years) for the local population of Little or Fairy Blue Penguins. Barry lives in Somerset.

Ron Parsons

Ron Parsons

Ron Parsons

Ron, a well-known and highly respected photographer, has been growing orchids for 50 years, and has been interested in the species for most of that time. He has an extensive library of both digital and slide photos, and has over 6500 published photos. He is also a popular lecturer, and has given more than 500 talks on various botanical topics. Ron has co-authored four books on botanical subjects including masdevallias, miniature orchid species, general orchid culture and a genus of North American bulbs (Calochortus). Ron frequently travels to Australia (this will be his 13th trip) and is very familiar with the orchids and flora of Tasmania. Ron lives in South San Francisco, CA.

Mary Gerritsen (OCA Tour Representative)

Mary Gerritsen, Ph.D.

Mary Gerritsen, Ph.D.

Mary frequently leads OCA “Orchids in the Wild” ecotours. She has been to Australia 3 times, but this will be her first visit to Tasmania (so she is just along for the ride and to pay the bills!).

Orchids we may see: (based on observations from our guides, on the last week of October, 2024, Note * denotes a Tasmanian endemic species)

Caladenia filamentosa

Caladenia alata

Caladenia atrata*

Caladenia carnea

Caladenia cracens*

Caladenia gracilis*

Caladenia saggicola*

Caladenia vulgaris

Caladenia caudata*

Caladenia echidnachila*

Caladenia clavigera

Caladenia transitoria

Caleana major (may be too early)

Caleana minor (may be too early)

Calochilus herbaceous

Calochilus robertsonii

Chiloglottis grammata*

Chiloglottis cornuta

Chiloglottis gunnii*

Chiloglottis triceratops*

Cryptostylis subulata (may be too early)

Cyrtostylis reniformis

Diuris chryseopsis

Diuris pardina (may be too late)

Diuris sulphurea

Gastrodia sesamoides (may be too early)

Glossodia major

Lyperanthus suaveolens

Microtis arenaria

Microtis parviflora

Microtis unifolia

Pheladenia deformis (may be too late)

Paraprasophyllum milfordense*

Paraprasophyllum concinnum (may be too nearly)

Pterostylis alata*

Pterostylis concinna

Pterostylis dubia

Pterostylis melagramma

Pterostylis nutans

Pterostylis scabrida*

Pterostylis straminea

Pterostylis pedunculata

Thelymitra rubra

Thelymitra arenaria

Thelymitra aristata

Thelymitra atronitida

Thelymitra brevifolia

Thelymitra erosa*

Thelymitra exigua

Thelymitra holmseii

Thelymitra improcera

Thelymitra juncifolia

Thelymitra malvina

Thelymitra pauciflora

Thelymitra peniculata

Thelymitra silena*

Thelymitra viridis

Townsonia viridis*

 

 

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