Tasmania

Day 1

Home - Hobart
On arrival into Hobart, we will be met by our local Coach Captain who will be waiting to welcome us on board. Visit Rosny Lookout for panoramic views of Hobart against the majestic backdrop of the Wellington Range before checking into our accommodation for the next four nights.

Day 2

Salamanca Market - Richmond Village
Saturday morning in Hobart means the famous Salamanca open-air markets are 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 handmade goodies. It's the perfect place to find a uniquely Tasmanian gift or souvenir. Next is the picturesque and historic village of Richmond. Walk across Australia's oldest bridge, built by convict labour between 1823 and 1825. Visit the cemetery of Australia's oldest existing Catholic Church, St John the Evangelist, built in 1836 and browse through the many delightful craft shops, galleries and cafes. Travel back to Hobart for some free time before dinner.

Day 3

Tasman Peninsula - Port Arthur
Travel via Sorell Causeway and Midway Point for our full day tour to the Tasman Peninsula. Take in the magnificent views from the lookout above picturesque Eaglehawk Neck and Pirates Bay before continuing to the Port Arthur Convict Settlement. 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; explore as you wish. On return to Hobart, visit a chocolate factory and stop to marvel at the geological formations of the Tasman's Arch and Devils Kitchen.

Day 4

Bruny Island
Travel south to Kettering this morning to board the ferry and cross the beautiful D'Entrecasteaux Channel to Bruny Island. Not only can Bruny Island boast some of Tasmania's most superb scenery of sweeping beaches, mountains and spectacular capes and bays, it also has a fascinating history. Notable early visitors include Captain Furneaux (1773) Captain Cook and Bligh in the 'Bounty' who planted the Tasmania's first apple tree. We arrive at Roberts Point on North Bruny and tour south past The Neck which is a game reserve of penguin and mutton bird rookeries and site of the memorial to famous Tasmanian aboriginal Truganini. Continue to scenic 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. On the return journey to the ferry, we stop in at Island Produce which offers a superb quality range of fudge, truffles and chocolate sauces. Reboard the ferry and return to Hobart, travelling beside the Derwent River. This evening is at your leisure giving opportunity to purchase your own dinner.

Day 5

Hobart - Freycinet Peninsula - Launceston
This morning, we leave Hobart and follow the Prosser River Valley through Buckland and Orford, pausing at the convict built, enigmatic Spiky Bridge. Enjoy the panoramic views across the Tasman Sea to the beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the iconic Freycinet Lodge, perched on the edge of Coles Bay. Visit Cape Tourville for spectacular views over the Southern Ocean and along the East Coast. After lunch, travel to Campbell Town where we'll stop for a short break before making our way to the second biggest Tasmanian city, Launceston for our overnight stay.

Day 6

Cataract Gorge - Raspberry Farm - Penguin - Smithton
This morning explore Launceston's magnificent Cataract Gorge with its cliffside gardens, peacocks, pools, suspension foot bridge and one of the longest single span chairlifts in the world (ride is optional at own expense). Travel along the Bass Highway to Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for a delicious lunch and then on to the picturesque coastal town of Penguin. As we continue across the northwest, enjoy the panoramic coastline and the rich agricultural vistas along the way. Settle in for two nights at Smithton.

Day 7

Woolnorth - Stanley
Learn about the fascinating history of the Van Diemen's Land Co. with a visit to its original property "Woolnorth Farm", situated on the 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'. Enjoy a guided tour through Highfield House, the historical headquarters of the early Van Diemen's Land Co. and explore the quaint town with its terraces and chairlift access to the top of The Nut (ride is optional at own expense).

Day 8

Smithton - Cradle Mountain - Strahan
This morning we follow the highway through mountains and button grass plains crossing 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, home of pioneer Gustav Weindorfer. Enjoy lunch at Cradle Mountain Hotel and visit the Wilderness Gallery before a guided tour at Devils@Cradle to see the infamous Tasmanian Devils. Afterwards, tour through the rugged west coast which is rich in mining history to the town of Strahan, situated on the magnificent Macquarie Harbour, for the next two nights.

Day 9

Macquarie Harbour - Gordon River Cruise
After an early breakfast, board the world heritage cruise boat to tour the incomparable Gordon River into the heart of Tasmania's wilderness and the edge of UNESCO World Heritage. Cross vast Macquarie Harbour, past Sarah Island, worst convict settlement of all and follow the Gordon through stands of ancient Huon pine, sassafras and myrtle rainforest to step ashore for a wilderness board walk at Heritage Landing. Voyage to Hell's Gates, the aptly named harbour entrance where many early ships were destroyed by ferocious ocean swells. On return to Strahan, there will be opportunity to explore the village including the Visitor Centre and Huon pine sawmill.

Day 10

Strahan - Queenstown - Hobart
Travel to the copper mining town of Queenstown and descend through the ghost towns of Linda and Gormanston, before a short walk into the delightful Nelson Falls. Climb the Central Plateau through the Wild Rivers National Park. Pass through Tarraleah Gorge, site of early hydroelectric installations. See The Wall in the Wilderness depicting the history of the region beautifully carved in Tasmanian timbers. Travel through the picturesque Derwent Valley to New Norfolk and on to Hobart where we will settle into our accommodation centrally located near Constitution Dock.

Day 11

Hobart - Home
After breakfast, visit the sheltered, landscaped grounds of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens which holds historic plant collections and a large number of significant trees, many dating from the nineteenth century. It's then time to farewell Tasmania as we transfer to the airport, ready for our flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner