Tasmanian Spectacular Tour

12 days - Hobart to Hobart

Premium Escorted Tour - Tour Code THLH

A full 12 day tour of Tasmania's most spectacular locations.

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Hobart

Transfer from Hobart Airport to your hotel, then we'll take an afternoon tour of Hobart. Our orientation tour takes in Battery Point, Salamanca Place, the Botanic Gardens and Constitution Dock. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow passengers.

Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, 2 nights. D

Day 2: 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. At lunchtime we head to Geeveston's Forest and Heritage Centre to learn about the history of Tasmanian wood, then travel to Mt. Nelson from which we'll see a spectacular view of Hobart and the Derwent River. B

Day 3: Russell Falls

This morning we 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 - 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 journey of exploration.

Hotel: The Strahan Village, Strahan, 2 nights. B D

Day 4: 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. Later we take the Gordon River Cruise, where the wilderness comes to the water's edge. You'll be awestruck by the beauty of the dark waters, stained amber by buttongrass tannins, 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. B D

Day 5: 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 6: The Nut, Stanley

This morning we travel through the rainforest of Hellyer Gorge State Reserve to Wynyard, on the North Coast, for 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. Visit Highfield Historic Site, which was built by the Van Diemen's Land Company, for a guided tour of the estate. 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. B D

Day 7: 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! Later we continue to Launceston.

Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston, 2 nights. B D

Day 8: Launceston

Explore Cataract Gorge - wilderness in the city. Just two minutes out of Launceston 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. Later discover the Tamar Valley and the Swiss village of Grindelwald, then try some Tasmanian wine at Rosevears Vineyard. You are Invited - tonight indulge in a bygone era with dinner at Quamby Estate. B D

Day 9: St. Helens

A guided tour at Bridestowe Lavender Farm (early December to early February) gets things rolling. We'll see Legerwood's WWI 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 Binalong Bay Lookout for spectacular 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 10: 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. Then onward to historic Richmond, site of Australia's oldest operational road bridge. This afternoon things get spectacular as we cross the 100 year old Denison Canal and make our way along the impressive cliff-lined coast. En route to Port Arthur we 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. Test your nerve on the optional lantern lit Ghost Tour of Port Arthur.

Hotel: Fox and Hounds Inn, Port Arthur. B D

Day 11: Port Arthur

Today, a fascinating guided walk of Port Arthur's infamous convicts prison and Historic Site, and a cruise around the Isle of the Dead. View the ruggedly spectacular sea cliffs from Pirate's Bay Lookout. On our way back to Hobart we stop at the Bonorong Wildlife Centre for an encounter with a Tassie Devil as well as other native animals.

Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart. B

Day 12: Depart Hobart

This morning you will be transferred to Hobart Airport for your onward flight. B

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