DaY 1 -Perth HOBART D

Relax and enjoy your home pick up by private car. Transfer to the airport to meet your fellow travellers and board your flight to Launceston, via Melbourne. On arrival we transfer to our hotel near Hobart’s historic waterfront.

Hotel: 2 nights at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart

DAY 2 - HOBART CITY TOUR B / L

Start the day with a tour of Hobart followed by a stroll through Hobart's legendary and colourful Salamanca Market, before exploring the Huon Trail. Meander along waterways and secluded beaches, past the coastal towns of Margate, Kettering and Woodbridge, stopping at Grandvewe Sheep Cheesery to discover how our local cheeses are made. Lunch will be enjoyed at the Hartzview vineyard with its spectacular mountain views, and then continue this scenic route following the Huon River to Huonville. Complete the day with a drive to the alpine wilderness of Mt Wellington, the 1270m peak, which provides the dramatic backdrop to the city and offers stunning views over southern Tasmania (weather dependant). Free evening in Hobart with dinner reservations made by your local tour guide.

DAY 3 - HAMILTON LAKE > ST CLAIR > STRAHAN B / D

This day takes you into the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness. On our way we will stop at Curringa Farm in Hamilton for a demonstration of a working sheep farm. Next stop is at 'The Wall’, a unique art project where sculptor Greg Duncan is creating 100 m long wall of wooden relief sculpture depicting Tasmania’s stories. At Lake St. Clair it will be time to step out to enjoy the fresh alpine air during a short nature walk along the shores of Australia’s deepest lake. Before reaching Queenstown stop at stunning Nelson Waterfalls. These two stops will give you a lasting impression of Tasmania’s wilderness. The journey takes in the lunar landscape of Queenstown, a settlement where the hills were once denuded by the effects of copper mining. The evening is spent in picturesque Strahan, enjoying the buffet at the hotel.

HOTEL: 2 nights at the Strahan Village, Strahan

DAY 4 - GORDON RIVER > STRAHAN > OCEAN BEACH B / L / D

Today’s cruise across Macquarie Harbour to the tranquil reaches of the Gordon River is sure to be one of the highlights of your Tasmanian sojourn. First stop is Sarah Island, the site of Tasmania’s most remote and notorious convict settlement. Disembarking at Heritage Landing in the rainforest you will see an extraordinary natural attraction - a Huon Pine tree which has lived for 2000 years. Returning to Strahan after lunch aboard there will be time to relax in Strahan Village. In the late afternoon enjoy a walk and the sunset at the wild and stormy Ocean Beach.

DAY 5 - ZEEHAN > WARRATAH > STANLEY B / D

Leave Strahan after breakfast for the old mining town of Zeehan for a visit to the Heritage Museum. Continue along the scenic Murchison Highway, stopping at Warratah, on the edge of the Tarkine Wilderness, where the discovery of tin in the 1870’s was a major milestone in Tasmania’s history. This symbiotic relationship between mining and the pristine wilderness of the area is illustrated in Warratah where you see heritage buildings on one side of a street and a waterfall on the other. Continue along the North West coast to Stanley, a charming fishing village which has been classified as a Historic Town and has changed little since the early days. There may be time for a stroll in town before dinner at your hotel.

HOTEL: 2 nights at the Stanley Seaview Inn, Stanley

DAY 6 - STANLEY > THE NUT > ALLENDALE GARDENS > HIGHFIELD HOUSE
B / D

After breakfast, take the chairlift to the top of 'The Nut', which is the plug of an extinct volcano, which stands approximately 150 metres high. The views are breathtaking and the Nut is an important breeding site for short tailed shearwaters. Continue to the historic Highfield House which was the headquarters of the Van Diemen’s Land Company which administered vast sheep farms in this north west area under colonial rule. In the afternoon, visit Allendale Gardens near Smithon, with its rare and exotic trees and short walks amongst old growth rainforest. The rest of the day will be at your leisure – exploring Stanley. Dinner will be enjoyed at a local restaurant.

DAY 7 - EMU VALLEY GARDEN > TASMANIAN ARBORETUM > NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK > DEVONPORT
B / D

Depart Stanley along the coast towards Burnie for a day of visiting gardens. First stop is Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens with its unique design which is considered one of the major rhododendron gardens in Australia. Spend a few hours enjoying this oasis. Continue east to The Tasmanian Arboretum which is a botanical park with trees from temperate climates from all over the world. After a tour of this interesting project, check into your accommodation in Devonport. After a break depart for Narawntapu National Park, for an opportunity to view Tasmanian wild animals as they come out at dusk including kangaroos, pademelons, wallabies and wombats. Return to Devonport for dinner and the night.

Hotel: Gateway Inn, Devonport

DAY 8 - SHEFFIELD > ELIZABETH TOWN > LAUNCESTON B / D

Leave Devonport to Sheffield for a walk through this village where local artists have created large murals depicting Tasmanian life. Continue to Elizabeth Town for a morning of indulgence- sampling decadent chocolate at the Anvers Chocolate Factory, a fine array of cheeses at Ashgrove and juicy sweet raspberries at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm. Drive to Launceston after lunch and check into your accommodation. Enjoy a free afternoon in Launceston which is Australia's third oldest city and Tasmania's second largest city. Its history is seen in the magnificent Victorian, Georgian and Regency street scenes and architecture. Before dinner, take a stroll through the scenic Cataract Gorge where the Tamar River forces its way through sheer rocky cliffs.

DAY 9 - TAMAR VALLEY > BEAUTY POINT > WOOLMER ESTATE B

This morning is dedicated to exploring the Tamar Valley with its fine wines and food and other attractions. Visit Pipers Brook Vineyard for a wine tasting in the morning before crossing the river for a drive to Beauty Point. Here you have the opportunity to see Platypus House, where this shy animal is being showcased. Continue to Beaconsfield for a visit of the gold mine. Complete the afternoon with a visit to the colonial Woolmer’s Estate for a guided tour of this uniquely preserved part of Tasmania’s European settlement history.

DAY 10 - LAUNCESTON > WINEGLASS BAY > BICHENO B / D

Depart Launceston and tour through the historic midlands to the sunny east coast of the Island. On arrival there will be ample time to explore the unsurpassed beauty of the Freycinet National Park’s white beaches and to admire the famous curve of Wineglass Bay. A return walk to Wineglass Bay lookout is on offer as well as a shorter cliff top walk around the lighthouse at Cape Tourville. If Wineglass Bay is too strenuous the expansive Friendly Beaches offer a pleasant alternative. Continue to your accommodation in the fishing village of Bicheno. Dinner will be taken in the hotel. Later in the evening, in close proximity to the hotel, we will be offering a Penguin Tour, where you will view Little Penguins arriving from their day at sea.

Hotel: Diamond island resort

DAY 11 - PORT AARTHUR HISTORIC SITE > HOBART VALLEY B / D

After breakfast, tour along the cliff tops and pastures of the east coast before arriving at Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula. Your guide will bring the history of this penal settlement alive during your private tour. We have selected particular buildings on your personal route which enable you to experience the breadth of the Port Arthur story. Continue to Hobart via Richmond, a charming historic village with beautiful colonial sandstone architecture and the oldest bridge in Australia. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner with our local Tour Manager.

Hotel: The Grand Chancellor

DAY 12 - hobart > Perth B / D

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight home. On arrival in Perth your driver will be waiting to take you home.

TOUR PRICE

• Twin Share $4290.00
• Single Supplement $900.00

Includes:
• Home pick up and return
• Kings Tour Manager
• Local Tour Manager
• Return economy airfares and taxes
• Travel insurance (age loading additional)
• 11 nights accommodation with private facilities
• Breakfast daily 8 Dinners and 2 lunches
• Cheese and wine tastings
• Sightseeing and entry fees as per the itinerary