Tasmanian Wonders

Day 1: Welcome to Hobart

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Wrest Point

Transfer from Hobart Airport to your hotel for check-in and then you’ll take an afternoon tour of Hobart. Your orientation takes in Battery Point, Salamanca Place, the Botanic Gardens, Constitution Dock, and Mt. Nelson for amazing views overlooking Hobart. Tonight you will meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner with fabulous views of Hobart.

Day 2: Hobart – Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: West Coaster Motel

This morning you head west to New Norfolk and the magnificent Mt. Field National Park. Tasmania’s oldest National Park is the location of the spectacular three-tiered waterfall, Russell Falls, which is surrounded by towering swamp gums. You’ll then take the winding journey up to Lake St. Clair – amazing vistas await you. Then back down to Queenstown, along the rainforest bordered road of World Heritage protected Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park – a magnificent part of the world.

Day 3: Gordon River Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today you travel to the fishing village of Strahan on Macquarie Harbour where you’ll cruise the Gordon River, while enjoying lunch. You’ll be awestruck by the beauty of the dark waters, reflecting the untouched wilderness and be amazed by the 2,000 year old Huon Pine at Heritage Landing. Later, the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Day 4: Queenstown – Smithton

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Tall Timbers, Smithton

Travel past Lake Plimsoll through Tullah on the shores of Lake Rosebery, surrounded by forests and mountains to the sensational Cradle Mountain National Park. Once there we’ll take you to gorgeous Dove Lake for spectacular views of Cradle Mountain – make sure the camera’s charged, this is a scenic highlight, and the air – there’s none fresher! Rolling green hills and Friesian cows – this afternoon you’ll think you’re in a butter commercial as you make your way past Table Cape, home of tulips, for views of Bass Strait, the lighthouse and coastline. You’ll then visit Highfield Historic Site, unique among colonial residences in Tasmania. It was built by the Van Diemen’s Land Company and is a rare example of domestic architecture from the Regency period, which is characterised by refined decoration that is geometric yet elegant. Your final destination is Smithton.

Day 5: Smithton – Launceston

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Best Western Plus, Launceston

Picturesque Stanley is in your sights as you head west with a view of ‘the Nut’. Next stop is Burnie for a guided tour of the Makers’ Workshop, a place that honours Burnie’s history, innovators and artists. Later, travel east along the coast through Penguin and Ulverstone then south to Sheffield for a wander through this town of murals with its colourful wall paintings that adorn the town’s buildings. En route to Launceston you’ll visit the Ashgrove Farm Cheese Factory for a presentation on cheese making and some delicious produce testing – yum!

Day 6: Launceston

Meals: Breakfast

Start your day at Velo, a boutique winery, where at a private wine tasting, you’ll hear not only of Velo’s cool climate wines but also the intriguing story of Michael Wilson, who transformed from Olympic cyclist to boutique wine producer. This afternoon is free to explore ‘Lonny’. Maybe visit Cataract Gorge or take a cruise on the Tamar River.

Day 7: Launceston – Bicheno

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Beachfront at Bicheno

Your first stop is Hillwood Berry Farm, a family-run farm in the heart of the scenic Tamar Valley. Experience the sweeter side of farming with freshly picked strawberries, raspberries and other fruit in season. Then it’s on to Bridestowe Lavender Estate. Why not try one of their famous lavender ice creams! Later you’ll see Ledgerwood Carved Memorial Trees in honour of fallen WWI soldiers, and then drive through the lush myrtle rainforest at Weldborough Pass. You’ll visit St. Helens before arriving in the seaside hamlet of Bicheno.

Day 8: Bicheno – Port Arthur

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Port Arthur Motor Inn

Get your camera ready for the spectacular and breathtaking – Freycinet National Park. You’ll take a walk that will unveil astonishing views across brilliant blue water, forest and golden beach. Cape Tourville Lookout is awesome! Travel through Swansea and Orford, then chart a course for Port Arthur along an impressive cliff-lined coast. You’ll cross the 100 year old Denison Canal and the historic once-guarded checkpoint of Eaglehawk Neck. On arrival in Port Arthur, you’ll cruise around the Isle of the Dead and then take a guided walk of the Historic Site and prison. This evening, perhaps test your nerve on an optional lantern-lit Ghost Tour of Port Arthur.

Day 9: Port Arthur – Hobart

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Wrest Point

This morning, on your way back to Hobart, feast your eyes on the amazing vistas of Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole. Drive through the Coal River Valley to the historic sandstone village of Richmond, site of Australia’s oldest operational road bridge and a perfect spot for lunch. Cross the Derwent River on your way into Hobart, where the afternoon is free to do as you wish. This evening join your Tour Director and new-found friends for dinner.

Day 10: Farewell from Hobart

Meals: Breakfast

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Hobart Airport for your onward flight.