Tasmania

Day 1

Home - Hobart
Upon arrival into Hobart, we will be greeted by our Coach Captain. After boarding our coach, we will visit Rosny Lookout for panoramic views of Hobart against the majestic backdrop of the Wellington Range. Later, settle into our accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 2

Salamanca Market - Richmond Village
Saturday morning in Hobart means the famous Salamanca open-air markets will be on. Be swept up in a sea of colour, creativity and culinary delights where more than 300 stalls fill the street selling art, craft and other hand-made goodies. It's the perfect place to find a uniquely Tasmanian gift or souvenir. Next we visit the historic village of Richmond where you can browse the many delightful craft shops, galleries and cafes. There will also be the opportunity to walk across Australia's oldest bridge, built by convict labour between 1823 and 1825 and to visit the cemetery of Australia's oldest existing Catholic Church, St John the Evangelist, built in 1836. Travel back to Hobart for some free time before dinner.

Day 3

Derwent Valley - Tarraleah - Wall in the Wilderness - Queenstown
Departing Hobart this morning, we travel through the picturesque Derwent Valley to New Norfolk before climbing the Central Plateau to follow the Wild Way through trout lakes, mountains, gorges and the Wild Rivers National Park. Pass through Tarraleah Gorge, the site of early hydro-electric installations. Enjoy lunch in the quaint Tarraleah Village before continuing on to "The Wall in the Wilderness", a magnificent artwork depicting the history of the region, beautifully carved in Tasmanian timbers. We then make our way to Nelson Falls before crossing Lake Burbury and descending through the ghost towns of Linda and Gormanston, arriving into the copper mining town of Queenstown for the next two nights.

Day 4

Macquarie Harbour - Gordon River Cruise - Strahan
After an early breakfast, we travel to Strahan to cruise the incomparable Gordon River into the heart of Tasmania's wilderness. Enjoy comfortable main deck window seating as we cross the vast Macquarie Harbour to Hell's Gates, the aptly named harbour entrance where many early ships were destroyed by ferocious ocean swells. Follow the Gordon River through UNESCO World Heritage Rainforest, featuring ancient Huon pine, sassafras and myrtle forests, and explore the wilderness board-walk at Heritage Landing. Step ashore Sarah Island for a guided tour of one of the harshest penal settlements in Australia before returning to Strahan, where there'll be opportunity to explore the village including the Visitor Centre and Huon pine sawmill.

Day 5

Queenstown - Cradle Mountain - Smithton
Leaving Queenstown, we tour through the rugged west coast, rich in mining history. Journey past Tullah, located on the shores of peaceful Lake Rosebery before making our way north through rainforest and mineral rich mountains, cross the Vale of Belvoir and alpine cattle country to reach Cradle Mountain National Park. Board the shuttle bus to Dove Lake, at the foot of the crags of Cradle Mountain, and visit Waldheim Forest. Enjoy lunch at the Cradle Mountain Hotel and visit the Wilderness Gallery before a guided tour at Devils@Cradle to see the infamous Tasmanian Devils. Continue on through mountains and button grass plains to the far north west coast and our overnight accommodation.

Day 6

Woolnorth - Stanley
Today learn about the fascinating history of the Van Diemen's Land Co. with a visit to its original property "Woolnorth Farm", situated on the far North West tip of Tasmania. Admire the views over the outer islands from Cape Grim and breathe the purest air in the world! Visit the roaring 40s wind farm and enjoy lunch before travelling to the historic village of Stanley, nestled at the foot of an ancient volcanic core known as 'The Nut'. Take a guided tour through Highfield House, the historical headquarters of the early Van Diemen's Land Co., and explore the quaint township with its terraces and chairlift access to the top of The Nut (ride is optional and own expense). Tonight we stay at the beautiful Seaview Stanley Inn, known for its amazing view over the town and across to The Nut. Dinner is at a local restaurant which will be followed by viewing Little Penguins in their natural habitat.

Day 7

Penguin - Cataract Gorge - Launceston
Enjoy the sights of Tasmania's north west as we follow the coastline to the small township of Penguin. Here you can pose for a photo beside The Big Penguin, with Bass Strait as your backdrop. Our next stop is Anvers Chocolate for a visit to the chocolate museum and gift shop. See the factory and taste their award-winning handmade truffles before continuing on to Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for lunch. This afternoon, explore Launceston's magnificent Cataract Gorge, with its cliff-side gardens, peacocks, pools, suspension foot bridge and one of the longest single span chairlifts in the world (ride is optional and at own expense).

Day 8

Launceston - Freycinet - Orford
This morning, we leave Launceston and travel the Heritage Highway to Campbell Town where we'll stop for a short break. Next, traverse the Lake Leake Highway to the picturesque Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park, boasting jagged pink granite peaks, crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the iconic Freycinet Lodge, perched on the edge of Coles Bay. After lunch, enjoy the magnificent coastal views during the easy walk at Cape Tourville to the lighthouse. This afternoon, stop at the enigmatic, convict built Spiky Bridge before settling in for our overnight stay beside the blue waters of the Tasman Sea in the coastal town of Orford.

Day 9

Tasman Peninsula - Port Arthur - Hobart
Today we travel to the stunning Tasman Peninsula to explore the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Within the 40 hectares of landscaped grounds lies a rich history of Australia's convict past. Included in the entry is a guided walking tour, a short harbour cruise, access to the Visitor Centre and Interpretation Gallery as well as more than 30 buildings, ruins and restored gardens and houses. This afternoon, visit a chocolate factory and stop to marvel at the geological formations of the Tasman's Arch and Devils Kitchen before crossing the Tasman Bridge into Hobart, settling in for the next two nights at our centrally located hotel.

Day 10

Bruny Island
Travel south to Kettering to cross the beautiful D'Entrecasteaux Channel by ferry to Bruny Island. Known for its spectacular coastlines, gourmet delights and native wildlife, Bruny Island also has a fascinating history. Arrive at Roberts Point in the north before travelling south past The Neck, a game reserve of penguin and mutton bird rookeries and site of the memorial to famous Tasmanian aboriginal, Truganini. Continue to Adventure Bay and explore the foreshore before visiting the Bligh Museum built of convict made bricks, and housing interesting historical exhibits which include the remains of Cook's Tree. Enjoy lunch at Hotel Bruny, which prides itself in offering the freshest local produce, before reboarding the ferry and returning to Hobart. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner set amongst a truly unique and vibrant maritime atmosphere at The Drunken Admiral Restaurant.

Day 11

Hobart - Home
This morning we visit the sheltered, landscaped grounds of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens which hold historic plant collections and a large number of significant trees, many dating from the nineteenth century. We then make our way to Hobart Airport, and after farewelling our Coach Captain, we check in ready for our flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner