Day 1 Sun: Arrive Launceston
Upon arrival in Launceston Airport you will be transferred to your hotel for check–in, then an afternoon tour of Tamar Valley and the Bay of Fires Winery for a wine tasting, tutorial and tasting plate. You will see the Swiss style Village of Grindelwald before returning to the hotel for a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director and fellow passengers.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston
Day 2 Mon: St Helens
A guided tour at Bridestowe Lavender Farm (early December to early February) gets things rolling. You'll see Legerwood’s WW1 memorial carvings, the old tin mining town of Derby and drive through the lush Myrtle Rainforest at Weldborough Pass before stoping at St Helens at lunchtime. This afternoon take the short coastal drive to Binnalong Bay Lookout for specactular views over the Bay of Fires. Return to the picturesque seaside town of St Helens for dinner.
Accommodation: Tidal Waters Resort, St Helens
Day 3 Tue: Freycinet National Park
Breathtaking Freycinet National Park is first up. A guided walk with a National Park Ranger unveils astonishing views. Cape Tourville Lookout will amaze. You’ll love Bonorong Wildlife Park, the best place to see Tasmanian Devils as well as other native animals. Onward to the historic sandstone village of Richmond, site of Australia’s oldest operational road bridge. This afternoon things get spectacular as you make your way along the impressive cliff–lined coast to Port Arthur. Test your nerve on the optional lantern lit Ghost Tour of Port Arthur.
Accommodation: Fox and Hounds Inn, Port Arthur, 2 nights
Day 4 Wed: Port Arthur
Today, a fascinating guided walk of Port Arthur’s infamous convict prison and Historic Site, and a cruise around the Isle of the Dead. You cross the 100 year old Denison Canal. View the ruggedly spectacular sea cliffs from Pirate’s Bay Lookout. Cross Eaglehawk Neck to the Tasman Peninsula and feast our eyes on the amazing vistas of Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole.
Day 5 Thu: Hobart
Today you set a course for Hobart via Claremont, for a tour of the Cadbury Factory (seasonal). Hobart is all yours for the afternoon, explore it your way – take a Derwent River Cruise or walk through historic, quaint Battery Point exploring its galleries, cafés and convict–built houses.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, 2 nights
Day 6 Fri: Huon Valley
Over the undulating hills of the apple– growing Huon Valley, you make a beeline for the Tahune Forest AirWalk, for a guided walk amongst the towering treetops, out over the Huon and Picton Rivers on a cantilevered, suspended walkway. The views are brilliant. At lunchtime you head to Geeveston’s Forest and Heritage Centre and a history of Tasmanian wood. From Mt Nelson you’ll see a spectacular view of Hobart and the Derwent River. Your Hobart orientation tour takes in Battery Point, Salamanca Place, Consitution Dock and the Botanic Gardens. Then you’re free to dine wherever you like. B
Day 7 Sat: Russell Falls
Take a wander through the Salamanca Market then head west to New Norfolk and the magnificent Mt Field National Park, Tasmania’s oldest, and location of the spectacular three–tiered Russell Falls. After morning tea, you take the winding journey up to Lake St Clair for your lunch break – amazing vistas await you. Back down to Queenstown, along the rainforest bordered road of World Heritage protected Franklin– Gordon Wild Rivers National Park to coastal Strahan – a unique ride!
Acommodation: The Strahan Village, Strahan, 2 nights
Day 8 Sun: Gordon River Cruise
Start the day your way – simply relax or explore the fishing village of Strahan – enjoy an optional, highly recommended, train ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway from Queenstown to Strahan or maybe visit the Huon Pine Museum. This afternoon you will take the Gordon River Cruise, where the wilderness comes to the water’s edge. You’ll be awestruck by the beauty of the pristine, crystal clear water reflecting the untouched wilderness. You stop at Sarah Island and discover the ruins of the brutal penal colony. See Hell’s Gate and Heritage Landing, site of the 1,000 year old Huon Pine. Dinner is onboard our cruiser.
Day 9 Mon: Cradle Mountain
Discover the mining and Hydro Electric towns of Rosebery and Tullah, as you travel to the sensational Cradle Mountain National Park. After lunch you’ll go up to Waldheim and gorgeous Dove Lake to see spectacular Cradle Mountain. The afternoon is yours. Explore the Australian National Wilderness and Landscape Gallery or just marvel at the view and breathe in the fresh air.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Chateau, Cradle Mountain
Day 10 Tue: The Nut – Stanley
This morning travel through the rainforest of Hellyer Gorge State Reserve to Wynyard, on the North Coast, and morning tea. En route to Table Cape, home of tulips, you’ll think you’re in a butter commercial on your drive through rolling green hills with Friesian cows galore. Lunch with a view – of the idiosyncratic landform ‘The Nut’. Then the hills keep rolling from Irishtown to Allendale Gardens – our next guided tour. You’ll arrive at Smithton for dinner.
Accommodation: Tall Timbers Hotel, Smithton
Day 11 Wed: Sheffield – Launceston
You travel east along the coast through Penguin, Ulverstone and Devonport up to Braddon’s Lookout for a view over the Forth Valley and Bass Strait. Lunchtime, and a wander through town, is at Sheffield, the town of murals. You then head to Ashgrove Farm Cheese Factory for a presentation on cheese making and some delicious product tasting – yum! A guided tour of historic Entally House and the chance to wander around the beautiful grounds is next on the agenda. Then it’s back to Launceston.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston
Day 12 Thu: Depart Launceston
Explore Cataract Gorge – wilderness in the city – rivers, a gorge, peacocks, two minutes from town! Cross the suspension bridge or take the chairlift for an aerial view of this urban wilderness before you transfer to Launceston Airport.
