Tasmanian Wonders

Day 1: Welcome to Hobart

Your Tasmanian holiday begins today with an afternoon tour of Hobart. You’ll see historic Battery Point, Salamanca Place, take a wander through the Botanic Gardens, Constitution Dock, the destination of yachts participating in the Sydney to Hobart race each year, and Mt. Nelson, which affords panoramic views over Australia’s southernmost city. Enjoy the company of your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner.

Hotel: Wrest Point

Day 2: Hobart – Strahan

This morning, you’ll head west to New Norfolk and magnificent Mt. Field National Park. Here, you’ll take a stroll through lush rainforest to the many-tiered cascade of picturesque Russell Falls. Then enjoy the scenic drive to iconic Lake St. Clair, the deepest freshwater lake in Australia, and continue through the rainforest to the coastal town of Strahan. Nestled on the shores of Macquarie Harbour, a waterway six times the size of Sydney Harbour, Strahan is the gateway to the World Heritage listed Franklin- Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Hotel: Strahan Village

Day 3: Strahan – Cradle Mountain

Today’s highlight experience is a lunch cruise on the Gordon River. You’ll be awestruck by the beauty of the dark waters. Stained amber by Button-grass tannins, they reflect the untouched wilderness that surrounds them. Stop at Sarah Island for an insight into a relic of Tasmania’s lesser-known convict history, the Macquarie Harbour Penal Settlement. See Hells Gates, the treacherous entrance to the harbour, and Heritage Landing, site of a 2,000-year-old Huon Pine. Travel through the mining towns of Rosebery and Tullah on your way to your hotel. After dinner tonight, you may choose to do an optional animal night spotting tour or perhaps take advantage of a rare opportunity to see Tasmanian Devils feeding after dark.

Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel

Day 4: Cradle Mountain – Smithton

This morning, marvel at the inspiring beauty of Cradle Mountain National Park. Join your Travel Director for a guided walk by Dove Lake, where you may spot Bennett’s wallabies, echidnas, and pademelons along the way. Travel on through rolling green hills to Table Cape for spectacular views of Bass Strait. Picturesque Stanley is in your sights as you head west. Enjoy views of the sheer-sided Stanley bluff known as ‘The Nut’ and take some time to explore. Your destination this evening is Smithton.

Hotel: Tall Timbers

Day 5: Smithton – Launceston

Travel along the picturesque northwest coast visiting townships such as Burnie and Penguin where you’ll stop for morning tea and get a chance to wander around the shops and beachfront. Continue on to Ulverstone before heading inland to Sheffield, home to over 60 murals depicting the area’s rich history. You’ll learn about dairy production methods at the award-winning Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm on your way to Launceston, Tasmania’s ‘northern capital’.

Hotel: Best Western Plus Launceston, 2 nights

Day 6: Launceston

This morning visit the unique natural formation of the Cataract Gorge, home to the longest single-span chairlift in the world. You may choose to take the easy walk around the First Basin and across the historic suspension bridge, or why not relax in one of the gorge’s cafes and just soak up the tranquillity? The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, exploring all that Launceston has to offer. Consider an optional experience on a Cataract Gorge River Cruise. Alternatively, why not stay local with a visit to the Art Gallery or the historic Tramway Museum?

Day 7: Launceston – Bicheno

Bridestowe Lavender Estate, producer of high-quality lavender since 1922, is your first stop today. Later, visit the Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, sculpted into World War One soldiers, then after a stop for lunch at coastal St Helens, follow the picturesque east coast south to Bicheno. This evening you might like to take an optional tour to see Bicheno’s wild penguins as they emerge from the ocean (seasonal.)

Hotel: Beachfront at Bicheno

Day 8: Bicheno – Hobart

Today, experience the grandeur of Freycinet National Park, visiting Coles Bay and taking a guided walk to the lookout at Cape Tourville that affords astonishing views across brilliant blue water, verdant forest and golden beaches. On your way to Hobart, you’ll travel through Swansea and Orford before making a lunch stop in historic Richmond. This village is famous for its elegant Georgian architecture, with beautiful heritage buildings dating to the 1820s now housing galleries, tea shops, craft boutiques and museums.  Our final stop for the day is to the shores of the Derwent River in Hobart where you’ll immerse yourself in local Aboriginal traditions including a Welcome to Country ceremony performed by the local Palawa people.

Hotel: Wrest Point, 2 nights

Day 9: Port Arthur

Explore the Port Arthur Historic Site today, taking a cruise around the Isle of the Dead and a fascinating guided walk of the remains of Port Arthur’s infamous convict prison. There will be time for you to wander the site at your leisure. On the drive back to Hobart, see the amazing natural rock formations of the craggy Tasman Arch, the Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole. This evening, mingle with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner in one of Hobart’s most iconic restaurants.

Day 10: Farewell from Hobart

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast.