Day 1 Sat. Launceston, Woolmers Estate, Cataract Gorge,
Grand Tasman
Lush ferns surround Russell Falls in Mt Field National Park
Convict ruins at Stanley, with The Nut in the background
Discover the convict-built Richmond Bridge in the National Trust-listed village of Richmond
Join a morning flight to Launceston, arriving before 12.40 p.m.
This afternoon, take a guided tour of Launceston. Inspect the fine
collection of antiques at historical Woolmers Estate, and enjoy
some time to explore the National Rose Garden. Later in the
afternoon visit spectacular Cataract Gorge. This evening, enjoy
complimentary pre-dinner welcome drinks followed by a Welcome
Dinner. Get to know your fellow travellers and crew.
Stay:
Launceston, Commodore Regent. Overlooking central city
parklands.
Dinner
Day 2 Sun. Weldborough Pass, East Coast Natureworld, Freycinet
National
This morning we continue through the winegrowing area of
northern Tasmania. During flowering season, visit the Bridestowe
Lavender Farm (Dec.-Jan.). Stop at the East Coast Natureworld and
meet a Tasmanian Devil, so called by early European settlers
because of its spine-chilling screeches, black colour, and reputed
bad temper. Although only the size of a small dog, it can look and
sound incredibly fierce. Travel along beautiful Tasmanian coastline
and into the stunning Freycinet National Park. Join a guided walk
along Richardsons Beach at Coles Bay.
Stay: Swansea,
Waterloo Inn, overlooking Oyster Bay.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 3 Mon. Ross, Richmond, Tasman Peninsula, Eaglehawk
Neck,
Journey inland to Campbell Town and Ross. Travel south to the
charming Georgian village of Richmond. Between 1824 and 1872, it
was a busy town. When a bridge was built at Sorell, traffic rarely
passed through which is why Richmond remains much as it did 100
years ago. See the famous Richmond Bridge.Proceed to Eaglehawk
Neck, with its rugged coastline which you can enjoy from Pirates
Bay Lookout. Continue on to Port Arthur.
Stay: Port
Arthur, Fox and Hounds Inn.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 4 Tue. Port Arthur Historic Site, Harbour Cruise, Hobart,
Mt Nelson.
Port Arthur is Australia's most notorious convict prison, having
been called 'hell on earth' by its 12,500 convict prisoners. Many
of the sandstone prison buildings remain and have been preserved.
At the Port Arthur Historic Site, call into the Visitor Centre and
play the Lottery of Life game. Take a guided tour through the
chapel and penitentiary ruins and join the Marana for a cruise
around the Isle of the Dead. Travel to Tasmania's capital of
Hobart, situated along the shores of the Derwent River. Journey to
the top of Mt Nelson for magnificent views.
Two Night
Stay: Hobart, Hadleys Hotel, situated in the heart of
Hobart.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 Wed. Cadbury Chocolate Factory, Salamanca Place,
Botanical Gardens.
Tour the sights of Hobart, including a guided tour through the
Cadbury Chocolate Factory and sample some well-known favourites
(seasonal closures occur, please enquire at time of booking).
Wander through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and see the
historic sandstone buildings of Salamanca Place. The remainder of
the day is at leisure, perhaps visit the Cascade Brewery (own
expense). Dinner this evening has not been included to allow you to
discover the culinary delights of Hobart for yourself.
Breakfast
Day 6 Thur. Derwent Valley, Mt Field National Park, Lake St
Clair.
Leave Hobart and enter Mt Field National Park to view Russell
Falls. Then enter some of Tasmania's highest country, Cradle
Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Enjoy a stop on the shores of
Lake St Clair to admire the view before travelling through World
Heritage-listed wilderness to Strahan, on Macquarie Harbour.
WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY OPTION Choose to ride the West
Coast Wilderness Railway from Queenstown to Strahan (own expense).
Available during daylight savings time only.
Stay: Strahan
Village Hilltop
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 7 Fri. Strahan, Gordon River Wilderness Cruise with
Lunch,
This morning board the luxury cruise vessel, the Lady Jane
Franklin II, for a cruise across the tranquil Macquarie Harbour and
along the World Heritage Gordon River. Cruise to the former penal
settlement of Sarah Island. Enter the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers
National Park and stop at Heritage Landing before enjoying lunch on
board. Later, depart Strahan for World Heritage-listed Cradle
Mountain National Park.
Stay: Cradle
Mountain Chateau.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8 Sat. Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, Sheffield, Stanley and
The Nut.
Tour Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and explore the
Visitor Centre before travelling out to Waldheim Chalet. Nestled
among the myrtles and King Billy pines, the chalet is a replica of
the original guest chalet built in 1912 by Austrian migrant Gustav
Weindorfer. View Dove Lake, with the craggy peak of Cradle Mountain
as its backdrop. Later, visit Sheffield where many of the town's
buildings are decorated with murals depicting the region's history,
while the local school children have painted mini-murals on the
town's garbage bins. Journey to the charming fishing village of
Stanley, rich in maritime heritage. Stanley is set in the shadow of
'The Nut - a striking rocky outcrop that soars 150 metres from the
sea.
Stay:
Smithton, Tall Timbers Hotel/Motel
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 Sun. Ashgrove Cheese Factory, Great Lakes Plateau,
Crayfish
Visit Ashgrove Cheese Factory, makers of delicious handmade
cheeses for a tour and tasting. Ashgrove uses traditional recipes
and techniques to produce superior cheeses - try their farmstyle
English cheeses, vintage cheddars or a unique cheese with Tasmanian
native pepperberry flavours. Traverse the Great Lakes Plateau
before passing through Poatina and continuing to Launceston. This
evening, enjoy our farewell crayfish dinner with new-found friends
(fresh seafood outside cray season).
Stay:
Launceston, Commodore Regent, in the centre of the city.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 10 Tamar River Cruise, Seahorse World, Home.
Take a morning cruise up the Tamar River and enjoy morning tea.
Arrive at Deviot and follow the Tamar River Valley to Beauty Point
to visit Seahorse World then transfer to the airport for your
flight home.
SPIRIT OF TASMANIA
RETURN CRUISE OPTION Tour Code: TXTAB Return from Devonport
to Melbourne overnight aboard the Spirit of Tasmania. The boat
sails from Devonport at 8.00 p.m., arriving in Melbourne at 7.00
a.m. the next morning. And when you retire, you can relax in your
twin inside cabin with private facilities. Price:- Twin Share:
£1190pp; Single Supplment:£303
Breakfast
get more info »
