Discover the breathtaking beauty of this spectacular island state, the second oldest site of European settlement in Australia.
Day 1
Both 7 and 10 day tours begin in Hobart with a visit to Battery Point, Salamanca Place and Constitution Dock before dinner with your travel companions. Head West to the magnificent Mt Field National Park and Russell Falls before visiting Lake St. Clair and the stunning Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Cruise the crystal clear waters of the Gordon River and admire the stunning views from Cradle Mountain National Park.
Day 2
First stop today is Sidling Lookout for photos. Continuing on we’ll see Legerwood’s WW1 memorial tree carvings, the old mining town of Derby and then drive through the lush Myrtle Rainforest at Weldborough Pass. We'll visit St. Helens, the largest town on the east coast, at lunchtime. Then get your camera ready for the spectacular and breathtaking – Freycinet National Park. We’ll take a guided walk with a National Park Ranger that will unveil astonishing views across brilliant blue water, forest and golden beach. Cape Tourville Lookout will astound.
Hotel: Beachfront at Bicheno. B
Day 3
En route to our morning tea destination of Copping we’ll travel through Swansea, Orford and Sorrell. Then chart a course for Port Arthur along an impressive cliff-lined coast. We’ll cross the 100 year old Denison Canal, and the historic once-guarded checkpoint of Eaglehawk Neck to infamous Port Arthur. Once there, we’ll cruise round the Isle of the Dead, then take a fascinating guided walk of the Historic Site and prison. This afternoon we'll head back over the Tasman Peninsula to Hobart. Along the way we’ll feast our eyes on the amazing vistas of Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole, travel the Sorrell Causeway and cross Pittwater into Hobart.
Hotel: Wrest Point, Hobart, 2 nights. B
Day 4
This morning we travel to Claremont for a guided tour of the Cadbury Chocolate Factory (seasonal). Crossing the Derwent River, we’ll get up close and personal with Tasmanian Devils and other native animals at Bonorong Wildlife Park. We travel through the Coal River Valley to the historic sandstone village of Richmond, site of Australia’s oldest operational road bridge and a perfect spot for lunch! Back to Hobart for a city tour, then it’s all yours for the afternoon and evening! Explore it as you wish – take a Derwent River Cruise, walk through Sandy Bay or wander around historic Battery Point exploring its galleries, cafés and convict-built houses. B
Day 5
A spectacular view of Hobart and the Derwent River from Mt. Nelson starts our day on a high. Then we head west, through New Norfolk to the magnificent Mt. Field National Park – Tasmania’s oldest and the site of spectacular Russell Falls. We’ll have morning tea then wind our way up to the sensational Lake St. Clair for our lunch break with a view. Back down to Queenstown, via the rainforest-bordered road of the World Heritage protected Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Hotel: Chancellor Inn, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
Day 6
Travel east to Launceston and the exotic Cataract Gorge; a hive of flora and fauna. The following day continue to Freycinet National Park via the mining town of Derby and the lush Myrtle Rainforest. Enjoy a spectacular guided walk through the forests and beaches of Freycinet before an overnight stop in Bicheno.
Day 7
We travel past Lake Plimsoll through Tullah to the sensational Cradle Mountain National Park. Once here we’ll take you up to Waldheim and gorgeous Dove Lake for spectacular views of Cradle Mountain – make sure the camera's loaded and the batteries charged, this is a scenic highlight, and the air – there’s none fresher! Next we travel to Sheffield, for a wander through this town of murals, en route to Burnie.
Hotel: Beachfront Voyager, Burnie, 2 nights. B
Day 8
On route to Hobart enjoy a full day at Port Arthur and learn about the region’s dark penal history including a cruise around the Isle of the Dead before returning to Hobart via the Bonorong Wildlife Park to see some Tasmanian Devils.
Day 9
We travel east along the coast through Penguin, stopping at Ulverstone for morning tea. Then we’re off to Ashgrove Farm Cheese Factory for a presentation on cheese making and some delicious product testing – yum! Deloraine is our lunch stop. Next we travel to historic Entally House for a guided tour, after which we can wander around the beautiful grounds. Then it’s back to Launceston, where we’ll visit Cataract Gorge – wilderness in the city. Just two minutes out of town and you’re surrounded by rivers, a gorge and exotic flora and fauna. Enjoy a walk across the suspension bridge, spot peacocks or take the chairlift for an aerial view of this fascinating urban wilderness, you decide.
Hotel: Mercure Hotel, Launceston. B
Day 10
This morning we'll transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. B
4 day escorted tour from Launceston to Hobart – from £510
7 day escorted tour from Hobart to Launceston – from £815
10 day escorted tour from Hobart to Hobart – from £1325
Tour Highlights
• Russell Fall & Lake St Clair
• Gordon River Cruise
• Cradle Mountain National Park
• Cataract Gorge
• Freycinet National Park guided walk
• Historic Port Arthur cruise
• Bonorong Wildlife Park
• Tasman Peninsula
