Hinterland & Rainforest Tour — Waterfalls, Glow-worms & Historic Tin Mines in Tasmania

On the Hinterland & Rainforest Tour you’ll spend eight hours driving and walking through northeastern Tasmania’s wild heart, based out of Binalong Bay. This full-day outing starts with pick-up at 8:30 am from your accommodation or a pre-arranged spot and threads rainforests, mining relics, lakes and coastal eucalyptus on a loop that reads like the region’s short history. First stop, St Columba Falls at Pyengana — Tasmania’s second-highest waterfall — where a short, moss-lined path drops you to the base of the cascade and the cool spray wakes the senses. From there the tour climbs into the Blue Tier, a plateau of myrtle and sassafras forest where the ground is carpeted in ancient leaf litter and ferns. A measured walk beside a mossy stream leads to the Anchor Tin Mine and its preserved Anchor Stampers, industrial relics used between 1880 and 1996. These iron stampers sit against timber ruins and illustrate the boom-era engineering that once drove local towns. The route also includes a glow-worm tunnel: step inside after dusk or under canopy dimness and find bioluminescent insects clinging to stone — a quiet, otherworldly counterpoint to the mechanical echoes at the mine. Midday exploration takes you to Mount Paris Dam, a concrete buttress structure built to serve the Mount Paris Tin Mine and once backed by Prouds; the stark geometry of the dam contrasts with the soft lines of the surrounding myrtle forest. After lunch (own expense; options include bringing a picnic, stopping in Weldborough or Derby, or pre-booking a gourmet box with 24 hours’ notice), expect a reflective visit to Blue Lake at Pioneer — a small alpine waterbody ringed by peat and sedge, photogenic in any light. Return travel follows east coast eucalyptus forest where wildflowers, seasonal daffodils by an abandoned farm cottage and the occasional platypus in slow streams punctuate the road. The tour accommodates up to six guests, with greatest comfort for four. Guides balance natural history, local mining lore and practical route choices to showcase geology, flora like myrtle and eucalyptus, and fauna such as wallabies and native birds. Tours operate in all weather; extra time is available for a fee. For bookings or questions call 0428 449 543 or 03 6376 8151, or email [email protected]. Expect variable walking surfaces: short boardwalks, uneven volcanic-age soils and muddy mountain tracks; good gaiters or waterproof boots are advised. Guides are local operators familiar with seasonal platypus activity windows and can adjust timing for the best wildlife chances. The trip’s small-group format keeps impact low while offering frequent stops for photos and short, interpretive walks that make geology and industry legible in the landscape and stories.