| Launceston, Grindelwald Swiss Village, Tamar Valley, Ross, Richmond, Hobart, Port Arthur, Huon Valley, Queenstown, Strahan, Sheffield, Stanley, The Nut |
| Price |
$3,485pp Twin Share | $3,999 Sole Use | includes Air Ex Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne
This package is subject to a fuel levy excise or surcharge without notice. |
Departure
dates 2010 |
11th October, 8th November
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| Tour overview |
· Tamar Valley & Grindelwald Swiss Village
· Exclusive Crayfish Dinner
· Beaconsfield & Beauty Point
· Seahorse World/Platypus House
· Legerwood Carvings, St Helens
· East Coast Nature World
· Historic towns of Ross & Richmond
· Hobart & Salamanca Markets
· Cadbury's Chocolate Factory
· Port Arthur & Isle of the Dead Cruise
· Huon Valley, Tahune Airwalk
· Queenstown, Strahan
· Gordon River Cruise with Premium Seating
· Wilderness Railway Adventure & Cradle Mountain
· Sheffield, Devonport & Stanley
· Sea Lion Cruise at The Nut
· Ashgrove Cheese
· Woolmers Estate & National Rose Garden
· Quality hotels, fine food and flights
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Tasmania Gardens
Seahorse Farm
Batman Bridge, Richmond
East Coast Nature World
Port Arthur ruins
Hobart
East Coast Wilderness Railway
Cradle Mountain
The Nut at Stanley
Anvers Chocolate
Woolmers Estate & National Rose Garden
On arrival into Launceston we head out to Cataract Gorge to take a ride on the world's longest single span chair lift. We then check-in to our accommodation at the Tamar Valley Resort.
Day 2 - Tuesday (B,L,D)Today we explore Grindelwald Swiss Village, with its alpine-style houses and roadside wooden carvings. Our next stop is Brady's Lookout which offers panoramic views of the Tamar Valley and eastern mountains. We then make our way through the gold mining town of Beaconsfield to Beauty Point and HERE THE CHOICE IS YOURS - inspect the only Seahorse Farm in the world or visit Platypus House to see the world's strangest animals, live, up close and personal. Travelling to East Tamar via the unique A-frame Batman Bridge we visit the Legerwood Carvings. We then travel down through Wellsborough Pass to the seaside village of St Helens for our overnight stay. This evening we are treated to a Tasmanian delicacy! Enjoy a fresh Crayfish dinner exclusively arranged for FUN OVER 50 patrons only. Overnight at Tidal Waters Resort, St Helens.
Day 3 - Wednesday (B,L,D)This morning we visit East Coast Nature World and meet the Tasmanian Devil then travel into the midlands towards the historic town of Ross for lunch. Marvel at the convict style buildings and unique sandstone buildings, and learn more about its turbulent past before heading to the historical town of Richmond. View the spire of Australia's oldest Catholic Church from beneath the arches of the oldest stone bridge in Australia. Cross the Derwent River to Hobart. Overnight at Fountainside Motel or Mercure Hotel, Hobart.
Day 4 - Thursday (B,L,D)This morning we visit a collection of trash and treasure at the Copping Colonial Museum before arriving at the penal settlement of Port Arthur. We join a guided tour and learn how hundreds of convicts lived, worked and died under threats of the lash and on an experimental isolation system that drove many to madness. Take a guided tour across Carnarvon Harbour and around the Isle of The Dead. This was the burial ground for the soldiers and convicts. Later this afternoon we visit some natural rock formations on the south-east coastline at Eagle Hawk Neck, namely the Blow Hole, Tasmans Arch and Devils Kitchen. Overnight at Hobart.
Day 5 - Friday (B,L,D)A must-do stop at Cadbury's Chocolate Factory this morning, before travelling through the picturesque Huon Valley. We arrive at the Tahune Air Walk before a BBQ lunch is served, then take a guided walk through the tree tops. On our return enjoy the panoramic views from Mt Nelson. Overnight in Hobart.
Day 6 - Saturday (B,L,D)Saturday morning at Salamanca Place offers colourful stalls at the famous openair Salamanca Markets, where you can browse at your leisure. The rest of the day is free, perhaps a visit to the Botanic Gardens, Museum or a stroll around Battery Point - the choice is yours. Overnight Hobart.
Day 7 - Sunday (B,L,D)Today we follow the Derwent Valley through hop fields to historic New Norfolk, gem of the Derwent. We continue on through Hamilton, before taking a step into history at 'The Wall in the Wilderness', a magnificent commemoration of Tasmania's past, carved in three-metre high wooden panels. Lunch today, at the Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel, is followed by a short rainforest walk in the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, to Nelson Waterfalls. We make our way further west, and the scenery changes dramatically as we head for our accommodation at the copper mining town of Queenstown, staying 2 nights at Chancellor Inn Queenstown.
Day 8 - Monday (B,L,D)This morning we make our way to the port of Strahan to explore Tasmania's breathtaking wilderness. We cruise along the mighty Gordon River in RESERVED PREMIUM SEATING past infamous Sarah Island, the harshest convict settlement of all. Step ashore at Heritage Landing and see the 2000 year old Huon Pine. Sail on through Hells Gates where many early ships were destroyed by severe tidal swells. Enjoy a smorgasbord lunch on-board before cruising back to Strahan. Late afternoon we return to Queenstown via the West Coast Wilderness Railway, discovering the inspiring story of the pioneers who built the railway more than 100 years ago.
Day 9 - Tuesday (B,L,D)This morning we travel north through spectacular rainforest and mineral rich mountains to the Cradle Mountain National Park. Here we have our own mini bus and a guided tour of pioneer Gustav Weindorffer's Chalet and Dove Lake at the foot of Cradle Mountain. Enjoy lunch at Cradle Mountain Chateau, then browse the Wilderness and Landscape Photograph Gallery. We travel on through Sheffield, the town of murals, before arriving at Devonport, for 2 nights at Gateway Inn Devonport.
Day 10 - Wednesday (B,L,D)This morning we visit the historic village of Stanley, nestled at the foot of The Nut, an ancient exposed lava plug. Board the 'Sylvia C' for your scenic cruise to Bull Rock, home to up to 500 seals basking in the sunshine or frolicking in the crystal clear waters of Bass Strait. We continue east via Table Cape, Wynyard, Burnie and Penguin, a scenic coastal route travelling through deer and tulip farms, and some of Australia's richest agricultural country, enjoying the diversity of crops including opium poppies, pyrethrum daisies, potatoes, carrots and onions.
Day 11 - Thursday (B,L,D)Today our first stop is Ashgrove Cheese for a presentation about cheese making, followed by tasting and purchases if you so choose. Travelling onto Deloraine for lunch, we have time to view the many sculptures that enrich the streets before continuing on to Launceston. Overnight at Mercure Hotel Launceston.
Day 12 - Friday (B)This morning we travel to Longford to the historic Woolmers Estate for a guided tour. We also take a self guided tour of the outbuildings and the National Rose Garden before heading to the airport, where we bid farewell to our Coach Captain and board our scheduled return flight.
Deposit required to secure this booking $600pp.
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