This morning we depart Sydney and fly to Hobart, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, set between the towering peak of Mount Wellington and the Derwent River.   We will enjoy a city sights tour showcasing Hobart’s rich history and taking in Salamanca and Sullivans Cove, lined with sandstone warehouses dating back to the 1840’s, Battery Point and the fabulous Botanic Gardens established in 1818.  The gardens cover 14 delightful hectares overlooking the Derwent River. They are Australia’s cool climate garden with several unique collections including Australia’s only subantarctic plant house with many of its plants coming from Macquarie Island.  We will have time to explore the Conservatory, Lily Pond, the Tasmanian Plants Collection and Fernery, the Japanese Garden and Heritage Rose Garden. 

Later, we’ll check in to your accommodation and settle in before a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Wrest Point Hotel, Hobart
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Today we head to the Port Arthur Historic Site.  The penal settlement at Port Arthur is a stark reminder of the harsh conditions endured by the earliest European inhabitants of this one-time island gaol.  The ruins of Port Arthur are the greatest single tourist attraction in the state and the place where up to 12,000 prisoners were kept in an atmosphere of hopelessness and misery. Even though the Tasman Peninsula is spectacular, you can imagine the conditions, especially on a cold winter’s day, endured by the prisoners 150 years ago. This morning at the Visitor Interpretative Centre we take a journey, retracing the life of a convict from the time of his petty crime in England, to his transportation to Port Arthur and finally his life in the penal colony. Next is a guided tour through the Penal Settlement and a cruise on the harbour around Isle of the Dead.  It was here that around 1000 convicts and ex-convict paupers were buried, mostly in unmarked graves.

This afternoon we travel back through Eaglehawk Neck to the Forestier Peninsula.  Just south of Eaglehawk are two dramatic natural coastal attractions – the Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen. Even more dramatic when there is a rough sea running!  

If time and conditions permit, on our return to Hobart we will travel to the summit of Mount Wellington (Kunanyi) for truly spectacular views over Hobart and the Derwent. It is quite a climb to the peak which rises 1271 metres above sea level and we will see many interesting geological features such as the dolerite columns known as the Organ Pipes, as we ascend.  Dinner will be in house at 7.00pm.

Overnight: Wrest Point Hotel, Hobart
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, enjoy free time exploring the famous Salamanca Markets. Stroll through stalls showcasing local produce, handmade crafts, and gourmet treats. Later, we head into the Huon Valley which provides some of the most picturesque touring in Tasmania.  Apple orchards, lush dairy farms, towering forests along with a beautiful river make the Huon Valley such an appealing destination. We will have dinner in house again tonight at 7pm. 

 Overnight: Wrest Point Hotel, Hobart
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we follow the Derwent through New Norfolk to Mount Field National Park where we will enjoy the walk to the picturesque Russell Falls, an ideal spot for a group photo! After some time in the visitor’s centre and morning tea we will continue onto The Wall in the Wilderness, one of the highlights of our Tasmanian tour. The Gallery here features exquisitely carved panels that depict the history of the region.   The detail in Greg Duncan’s carvings simply has to be seen to be believed.  

Our next destination is Lake St Clair, the Southern end of the famous Overland Track and we may see some bushwalkers completing their trek from Cradle Mountain.  After lunch our journey across to Queenstown takes us through the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park – a stark contrast to the once Lunar Landscape that was the legacy of 100 years of mining around Queenstown. The final leg of our day sees us travel through picturesque forests down to Macquarie Harbour and the delightful village of Strahan, our home for the next two nights.  Our accommodation is in the excellent Hilltop Harbourview rooms and we will enjoy one of the best buffets on the island, along with spectacular views over the harbour from the restaurant.  (Ph: 03 6471 7191). 

Overnight: Strahan Village
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we join Heritage Cruises who will take us through Hells Gate, the narrow entry into the harbour from the Southern Ocean, a tour of the ruins of Sarah Island and a dramatic cruise on the Gordon River. This region which today produces magnificent Ocean Trout and Salmon, treats visitors to spectacular scenery and protects its ancient Huon Pines.  It was once known as “hell on earth” when Sarah Island was established as Tasmania’s first and most brutal penal settlement.  The Huon Pine which can be found in this area is commonly known to live for 2000 years. The age of an ancient tree recently “discovered” has been put at 10,000 years and if verified will be recognised as the oldest on earth. It’s a great day topped off with a beautiful buffet lunch.   We will have some time to explore the village on foot and enjoy the views over the Harbour from our motel this afternoon.   

This evening we will enjoy the performance of “The Ship that Never Was”, the longest continually running play in Australia.   It gives an entertaining account (with lots of opportunity for audience participation) of a notorious event in the regions history.   Dinner is again in house at 7.00pm after the show.

Overnight: Strahan Village
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We depart Strahan for Launceston driving through one of the most picturesque and varied landscapes Tasmania has to offer. We will pass through rugged wilderness, lush rainforests and small mining towns, pausing in Tullah for morning tea by lake Rosebery. Lunch today will be at the town of Sheffield, known as the “Town of Murals,” and is famous for its outdoor art. The murals depict the area’s history and community life. On arrival in Launceston we will have time for a brief city sights tour, taking in many of the buildings that give the city its distinctly 19th century appearance, including the Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery.    

Overnight: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We commence the day with a visit to Cataract Gorge where there will be time for a short walk into the Gorge across the suspension bridge or perhaps a chair lift ride.  We continue on to the western side of the Tamar Valley through Beaconsfield (pausing at the Gold Mine) to Beauty Point.   Here we will visit Sea Horse World, touring the aquarium dedicated to the preservation and conservation of this unique animal.   We will also visit Platypus House where we will see these fascinating animals close up as well as meeting the resident echidnas.

After our lunch at Tamar Cove we will cross the River and visit one of the many award winning Tamar Valley Vineyards. The region has achieved great results with its cool climate wines, especially the world class sparkling range and their excellent sauvignon blancs and pinot noirs.   Following our tasting we return to Launceston and we will have some time to explore its interesting streetscape or perhaps stroll through the delightful City Park prior to dinner at 7.00pm.

Overnight: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast and check-out, we enjoy a relaxed start to the day before departing Launceston. Our journey takes us northeast through rolling farmlands and lush countryside toward Scottsdale, a welcoming rural town known for its scenic beauty and friendly community.

We pause here for lunch, with time to stretch our legs and perhaps browse the local shops or art galleries if time permits.

In the afternoon, we travel on to Ledgerwood Park, home to the extraordinary Carved Memorial Trees — beautifully sculpted tributes that honour the local soldiers who served in World War I.

From here, we continue our scenic drive toward the coast, arriving in St Helens, gateway to the world-famous Bay of Fires. After settling into our accommodation, we come together for a delicious two-course dinner, celebrating another memorable day in Tasmania.

Overnight: The Panorama St Helens (03 6376 1999)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we have an early start as we will head through Coles Bay to the spectacular Freycinet Peninsula.  The park is dominated by the Hazards, 4 pink granite peaks overlooking Great Oyster Bay to the west and the Tasman to the east.  

We then commence an unforgettable day cruising the Freycinet Coast with Wine Glass Bay cruises. Our four-and-a-half-hour cruise on the luxurious Schouten Passage 2 (a Tasmanian built catamaran) promises to be another of the tour highlights. The waters around Freycinet are home to a diverse and remarkable range of wildlife. 

Sea Eagles soaring above the granite cliffs, pods of dolphins surfing the bow wave of our boat, cormorants and fur seals along the crags of Schouten Passage are all frequently sighted, as are albatross, shearwaters, diving gannets and little penguins. We will enjoy morning tea, an excellent commentary and lunch in the sheltered waters of Wine Glass Bay. We will return to St Helens with some free time before another excellent dinner.

Overnight: The Panorama St Helens
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we depart for Bicheno where we will visit East Coast Nature world.  Its dedicated and enthusiastic staff have ensured it is one of Tasmania’s premier natural wildlife parks. Set on 162 acres of natural parkland we will see Tasmanian devils, koalas, tiger snakes, eagles, wombats, owls, cape barron geese, kangaroos, wallabies and lots more on our guided tour. After exploring the delightful coastline we will enjoy Lunch in the town of Bicheno before making our way to Devil’s Corner Winery where we will enjoy tasting some of Tasmania’s finest wines. Our return to Hobart takes us through Swansea where we will gain a different perspective of the Great Oyster Bay.  We will continue through Triabunna, Orford and Sorell on our way back to the familiar surroundings of Wrest Point Casino.

Overnight: Wrest Point Hotel, Hobart
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we will commence with another of the highlights of the tour, our cruise on the beautiful Derwent River.  We will enjoy morning tea as we cruise around the Derwent taking in this striking city from its beautiful harbour.  We will then travel to the historic town of Richmond which was proclaimed a township in 1824 and is probably Tasmania’s best known man made tourist attraction. Its streets are paved with history and many of the fine colonial buildings have been adapted for use as art galleries, craft shops and restaurants. We will spend some time exploring this lovely village whose gaol predates Port Arthur by five years and is one of the best preserved of Australia’s colonial prisons. The convict-built Richmond Bridge over the Coal River is the oldest in Australia.  After lunch we will return to Hobart airport to board our direct flight back to Sydney.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch