Touring Tasmania - Launceston to Hobart

Unspoilt natural scenery mixed with fascinating convict history on a leisurely journey from Launceston to Hobart.

LAUNCESTON TO HOBART - Self Drive

DAY 1
LAUNCESTON

Pick up your HERTZ MEDIUM SEDAN (C car) rental car at the Launceston City Depot (or Launceston Airport Depot at additional cost) and commence the drive to your overnight accommodation at the QUALITY HOTEL COLONIAL LAUNCESTON.

LAUNCESTON is known as the 'garden city' because of its abundance of well established beautiful public and private gardens. Launceston nestles in a wide river valley amid lush green countryside. Attractions include The Penny Royal Gunpowder Mill, which is an imaginative man-made development. It depicts early nineteenth century with streams and waterfalls. Cataract Gorge is well worthwhile visiting, located only a few minutes drive from the city. A 1.6km walk along the face of the cliff ends in the Cataract Cliff Grounds Reserve from where a chairlift crosses the gorge.

DAY 2
LAUNCESTON – COLES BAY (170 kms)

Depart Launceston via the Midland Highway to Campbell Town, travelling towards the coast, and then the Tasman Highway. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be at the FREYCINET LODGE.

COLES BAY is nestled beside the world famous Freycinet National Park where spectacular red granite peaks plunge deep into the Ocean. The park itself has been long recognised and was proclaimed in 1916 as a flora and fauna reserve. Now it covers 11,000 hectares and boasts a variety of vegetation including wattles, Oyster Bay pines, grass trees and banksias with the predominant feature being its coastal heath lands.
Secluded swimming areas can be found on the east coast of the park such as Wineglass Bay with spectacular sandy beaches.

DAY 3
COLES BAY

Today is yours to explore the region at your leisure. The Coles Bay-Freycinet National Park area is noted for its spectacular coastal scenery and its emphasis on fishing, boating, bushwaking and swimming. Where else would you find granite mountains rising straight from the sea to form a magnificent sheltered waterway? Walk into the park and climb the Hazards or the mountains to the south, both of which offer marvellous views across the bay and out across the Tasman Sea. Or drive on the rough roads through the National Park stopping for a spectacular view or pulling off the road to go swimming in the clear safe waters of the bay.


DAY 4
COLES BAY - PORT ARTHUR (210 kms)

Depart Swansea and travel via the Tasman Highway through the town of Triabunna to Sorell, where you join the Arthur Highway and travel via Dunalley to Port Arthur for overnight at the FOX AND HOUNDS INN.

Port Arthur is a symbol of Australia's 19th century convict system. The settlement operated from 1830 to 1877 as a timber producing sawing station, and later as an industrial prison. After the closure, most of the land and buildings were auctioned off, with new residents renaming it Carnarvon township. Following bushfires in 1895, the old settlement has now been restored and is today, Tasmania's premier historic site. In the evening, you can attend "Ghost tours" where you walk around the settlement with a guide who tells of all the ghosts who still "live" in the area!

DAY 5
PORT ARTHUR - HOBART (100 kms)

Depart Port Arthur and travel via the Arthur Highway, through Sorell to Hobart where your overnight accommodation is at the THE OLD WOOLSTORE.

HOBART is the smallest of Australia's state capitals. It is situated on the Derwent River, one of the deepest harbours in the world. The old city centre, with its wealth of colonial buildings, clusters around Sullivans Cove, backed by wooded slopes rising to the often snow-capped peak of Mount Wellington. Its limited size, rich architectural heritage and beautiful setting make Hobart a delight to explore.

DAY 6
HOBART

Today you can set your car down at either the city depot or at the airport depot.


6 day self drive tour - from £515

Accommodation specified is subject to availability and may be substituted to a similar or higher standard if necessary.

For help, advice or to make a booking, call 0844 567 8050
 
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