|
Launceston
• Freycinet National Park • Port Arthur • Hobart
• Russell Falls • Gordon River • Cradle Mountain
Itinerary
Day
1 Sun: Arrive Launceston
Transfer
from Launceston Airport to your hotel for check–in,
then an afternoon tour of Tamar Valley and the
Bay of Fires Winery for a wine tasting, tutorial
and tasting plate. We’ll see the Swiss style
Village of Grindelwald before returning to the
hotel for a Welcome Dinner with your Tour Director
and fellow passengers.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston.
D
Day
2 Mon: St Helens
A
guided tour at Bridestowe Lavender Farm (early
December to early February) gets things rolling.
We’ll see Legerwood’s WW1 memorial carvings,
the old tin mining town of Derby and drive through
the lush Myrtle Rainforest at Weldborough Pass
before we stop at St Helens at lunchtime. This
afternoon we take the short coastal drive to
Binnalong Bay Lookout for specactular views
over the Bay of Fires. Return to the picturesque
seaside town of St Helens for dinner.
Hotel: Tidal Waters Resort, St Helens.
B D
Day
3 Tue: Freycinet National Park
Breathtaking
Freycinet National Park is first up. A guided
walk with a National Park Ranger unveils astonishing
views. Cape Tourville Lookout will amaze. You’ll
love Bonorong Wildlife Park, the best place
to see Tasmanian Devils as well as other native
animals. Onward to the historic sandstone village
of Richmond, site of Australia’s oldest operational
road bridge. This afternoon things get spectacular
as we make our way along the impressive cliff–lined
coast to Port Arthur. Test your nerve on the
optional lantern lit Ghost Tour of Port Arthur.
Hotel: Fox and Hounds Inn, Port Arthur, 2 nights.
B D
Day
4 Wed: Port Arthur
Today,
a fascinating guided walk of Port Arthur’s infamous
convict prison and Historic Site, and a cruise
around the Isle of the Dead. We cross the 100
year old Denison Canal. View the ruggedly spectacular
sea cliffs from Pirate’s Bay Lookout. Cross
Eaglehawk Neck to the Tasman Peninsula and feast
our eyes on the amazing vistas of Tasman’s Arch,
Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole. B D
Day
5 Thu: Hobart
Today
we set a course for Hobart via Claremont, for
a tour of the Cadbury Factory (seasonal). Hobart
is all yours for the afternoon, explore it your
way – take a Derwent River Cruise or walk through
historic, quaint Battery Point exploring its
galleries, cafés and convict–built houses.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, 2
nights. B D
Day
6 Fri: Huon Valley
Over
the undulating hills of the apple– growing Huon
Valley, we make a beeline for the Tahune Forest
AirWalk, for a guided walk amongst the towering
treetops, out over the Huon and Picton Rivers
on a cantilevered, suspended walkway. The views
are brilliant. At lunchtime we head to Geeveston’s
Forest and Heritage Centre and a history of
Tasmanian wood. From Mt Nelson we’ll see a spectacular
view of Hobart and the Derwent River. Our Hobart
orientation tour takes in Battery Point, Salamanca
Place, Consitution Dock and the Botanic Gardens.
Then you’re free to dine wherever you like.
B
Day
7 Sat: Russell Falls
Take
a wander through the Salamanca Market then head
west to New Norfolk and the magnificent Mt Field
National Park, Tasmania’s oldest, and location
of the spectacular three–tiered Russell Falls.
After morning tea, we take the winding journey
up to Lake St Clair for our lunch break – amazing
vistas await us. Back down to Queenstown, along
the rainforest bordered road of World Heritage
protected Franklin– Gordon Wild Rivers National
Park to coastal Strahan – a unique ride!
Hotel: The Strahan Village, Strahan, 2 nights.
B D
Day
8 Sun: Gordon River Cruise
Start
the day your way – simply relax or explore the
fishing village of Strahan – enjoy an optional,
highly recommended, train ride on the West Coast
Wilderness Railway from Queenstown to Strahan
or maybe visit the Huon Pine Museum. This afternoon
we take the Gordon River Cruise, where the wilderness
comes to the water’s edge. You’ll be awestruck
by the beauty of the pristine, crystal clear
water reflecting the untouched wilderness. We
stop at Sarah Island and discover the ruins
of the brutal penal colony. See Hell’s Gate
and Heritage Landing, site of the 1,000 year
old Huon Pine. Dinner is onboard our cruiser.
B HD
Day
9 Mon: Cradle Mountain
Discover
the mining and Hydro Electric towns of Rosebery
and Tullah, as we travel to the sensational
Cradle Mountain National Park. After lunch we’ll
take you up to Waldheim and gorgeous Dove Lake
to see spectacular Cradle Mountain. The afternoon
is yours. Explore the Australian National Wilderness
and Landscape Gallery or just marvel at the
view and breathe in the fresh air.
Hotel: Cradle Mountain Chateau, Cradle Mountain.
B D
Day
10 Tue: The Nut - Stanley
This
morning we travel through the rainforest of
Hellyer Gorge State Reserve to Wynyard, on the
North Coast, and morning tea. En route to Table
Cape, home of tulips, you’ll think you’re in
a butter commercial on your drive through rolling
green hills with Friesian cows galore. Lunch
with a view – of the idiosyncratic landform
‘The Nut’. Then the hills keep rolling from
Irishtown to Allendale Gardens – our next guided
tour. We’ll arrive at Smithton for dinner.
Hotel: Tall Timbers Hotel, Smithton. D
Day
11 Wed: Sheffield – Launceston
We
travel east along the coast through Penguin,
Ulverstone and Devonport up to Braddon’s Lookout
for a view over the Forth Valley and Bass Strait.
Lunchtime, and a wander through town, is at
Sheffield, the town of murals. We then head
to Ashgrove Farm Cheese Factory for a presentation
on cheese making and some delicious product
tasting – yum! A guided tour of historic Entally
House and the chance to wander around the beautiful
grounds is next on the agenda. Then it’s back
to Launceston.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston. B
D
Day
12 Thu: Depart Launceston
Explore
Cataract Gorge – wilderness in the city – rivers,
a gorge, peacocks, two minutes from town! Cross
the suspension bridge or take the chairlift
for an aerial view of this urban wilderness
before we transfer you to Launceston Airport.
B
|
