A state-of-the-art catamaran reveals a stretch of Tasmanias rugged southern coastline that few visitors get to see.
Port Davey is three times the size of Sydney Harbour.
There I boarded my floating home for the next seven days,Odalisque III.
Odalisque III anchored in the Hannant Inlet.Credit:Justin Meneguzzi
I bring artists here and its like watching a dog wag its tail, Marmion said.
Marmion is also an irrepressible optimist.
Even though we were both soaked to the bone, he predicted the weather was about to break.
From left: Exploring the Breaksea Islands by dinghy; On Board’s seaplane drops guests off at the ship.Justin Meneguzzi
(Itineraries are shaped by weather conditions, meaning that no two sailings are exactly alike.)
After each adventure, I was grateful for a hot shower in my small but functional cabin.
One morning we cruised to the remote locality of Melaleuca.
From left: A wallaby grazing in Melaleuca; a roaring fire at the Claytons Corner hut.Justin Meneguzzi
Kings daughter Janet Fenton still tends to her fathers beloved patch of wilderness.
True to form, he told me to just give it a minute.
A few moments later, as if on cue, the clouds broke.
A replica of a Needwonnee hut in Melaleuca.Justin Meneguzzi
Four- and six-night expeditions in Port Davey withOn Board Tasmanian Expedition Cruises.
A version of this story first appeared in the February 2025 issue ofTravel + Leisureunder the headline Deep South.
Guide Pete Marmion leads the group to the summit of Mount Beattie.Justin Meneguzzi
