GRAND TASMANIA MARCH 2025

Embark on a sightseeing tour Hobart, where everywhere we go the past steps out to meet us. Discover Sullivan’s Cove and the tiny cottages of Battery Point with architecture that whispers stories of a bygone era. Thanking our guide, we conclude our tour at the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum. We’ll have time here to look through the museum before heading off to purchase lunch. This afternoon we visit the World Heritage listed Cascades Female Factory, tells the story of the displacement, mistreatment and forced migration of convict women and girls. From 1828 to 1856 approximately 7,000 convict women spent time at the Cascades Female Factory, each with their own story to tell. On the Convict Women’s Tour, our tour guide will provide insights of the Female Factory, the convict system of punishment and reform and offer a glimpse of what convict life was like for the thousands of women transported to Van Diemen’s Land.

Following a leisurely breakfast we head down to the water to board Peppermint Bay II embarking on a relaxing cruise. We take in the harbour and city views, the River Derwent and its magnificent estuary, slicing its way along the stunning d’Entrecasteaux Channel, arriving in the near-pristine waters of Peppermint Bay. The River Derwent and d’Entrecasteaux Channel teems with aquatic life and it is not uncommon to spot a pod of dolphins, a sunbathing seal or even migrating whales on this cruise down to the Bay. The Alum Cliffs, just south of Hobart, are home to rare sea eagles and as we drop our underwater camera over the side at Tinderbox we may see crayfish, squid and a host of other fish darting in and around the colourful sea gardens below. Overlooking the picturesque Bruny Island, the hotel boasts the perfect setting to enjoy your delicious lunch on the water’s edge. With a focus on fresh produce from our gardens and local producers, the food is as stunning as the views – welcome to Peppermint Bay Hotel. This afternoon sitback and enjoy the stunning scenery as we head back into Hobart later today. On return to Hobart, we have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy at leisure.

We say farewell to our hosts early this morning and begin our journey to the West Coast. The area to our immediate left is part of the huge South West National Park, which, combined with the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park makes up almost a full, one third, of the land mass of Tasmania. Of course much of this area is now World Heritage Listed. We stop at the beautiful Russell Falls in the Mt Field National Park for our morning tea at the Waterfalls Café – and a great photo opportunity. We then continue on to Derwent Bridge (the geographical centre of Tasmania) where we stop for lunch at the Wilderness Hotel. Not too faraway we visit the Wall in the Wilderness. The “wall” is a work in progress which will take several more years to complete. The panels, when complete, will measure 100 metres in length. In the reception area, there are many three dimensional sculptures to view. This afternoon, we drive through the pristine wilderness of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park through some of the state’s most spectacular lakes and mountain areas before the steep drive into Queenstown, a town which was established as a result of the discovery of gold and other minerals at Mount Lyell last century. Queenstown is surrounded by mountains, which were once covered in vegetation but which are now strangely bare and stained purple, grey and pink by from sulphur fumes from mining processes. Bushfires and logging, combined with heavy rain which washed the soil away, have stripped many of the hills of vegetation and created Queenstown’s famous “moonscape”. From here we continue through to Strahan where we can settle in for the next 2 nights.

Hotel: Strahan Village for 2 nights

Strahan, this region was once known as “hell on earth” when Sarah Island was established as Tasmania’s first and most brutal penal settlement. We board the West Coast Wilderness Rail for our spectacular River and Rainforest journey; you will enjoy a relaxing steam train journey that departs from the original harbourside Regatta Point Station in Strahan. You’ll take in the fabulous harbour views as the train follows the foreshore and then the river as you journey deep into the rainforest. Marvel at the engineering feats as the train crosses the many bridges, including the formidable iron bridge, one of the two major river crossings on the line. On return into Strahan we have free time this afternoon to explore the township. Tonight, before dinner we will enjoy a show called “The Ship that never was”, a highly entertaining performance that bring history to life as you learn the fate of Sarah Island convicts.

We have a fascinating day today. Our cruise takes us through Hells Gates, the narrow entry into the harbour from the Southern Ocean and a dramatic cruise on the Gordon River. 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” was put at 10,000 years and if verified will be recognized as the oldest on earth. We have the opportunity at Heritage Walk to see these and other trees of the dense forest close up. It’s a great day topped off with a beautiful lunch. This afternoon we head to Cradle Mountain for the next two nights.

Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel for 2 nights

Following breakfast we take a tour of the National Park including Waldheim Chalet, beautiful Weindorfers Walk and Dove Lake. We enjoy lunch at the Cradle Mountain Hotel. Our last stop in this area is a visit to Devils @ Cradle, a Tasmanian devil interpretation centre. Our guide will introduce us to the lifestyle of the alpine Tasmanian devil. We then enter a special viewing area for our encounter with the real thing. We may see the devils sunbaking, sleeping in the dens or running around in their enclosures. Our guide will gently handle some of the devils during our tour, and there may be an opportunity for us to touch one. This venture is totally committed to the conservation and protection of this now vulnerable species. The centre operates a successful captive breeding program, ensuring the ongoing survival of Tasmanian Devils in healthy numbers in the wild.

Weather permitting we head to historic Stanley. A village atmosphere with small craft shops, historic houses (including the cottage where Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons was born) and tea houses makes this an ideal stop. A chairlift operates to the summit of the Nut (optional, own expense). We then meander back along the North Coast with a stop in Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens, we have time to wander the gardens, enjoy the tranquility of this lush environment and enjoy lunch. We make our way to Elizabeth Town to visit the Ashgrove Cheese Factory. Here we can discover the range of award-winning cheeses from English county cheeses to a series of uniquely flavored cheeses including the famous Wild Wasabi cheese! As we travel through Sheffield, we experience a delightful township that features many murals depicting the history of the area. After a full day of touring we arrive into Launceston where we have the rest of the evening at leisure.

Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston for 2 nights

We have a leisurely start to the day before we travel through rich country to Beauty Point where we’ll visit Platypus House and Seahorse World are two very unique attractions that are right next to each other so we plan to visit both. Platypus are very shy and quite illusive in the wild but here we get a chance to see them face to face as they swim and go about their daily business in this indoor facility. Seahorse World is a working farm and the information we receive here shows us just what fascinating creatures they truly are. We enjoy lunch here overlooking the water. Returning to Launceston we have some free time at Cataract Gorge – a magnificent Reserve in the city centre. There are some pleasant walks through the landscaped gardens also we can enjoy a ride on the chairlift which crosses the gorge (optional cost).

This morning we make our way east towards Scottsdale, the main centre in this area, serving some of the richest agricultural and forest country in the State. Close by is the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm where we take a tour of the flower shed and distillery. Continuing our journey east, we veer off to a little place called Legerwood. There are some incredible tree carvings here and our lunch stop is at Pyengana. The Pub in the Paddock is one of Tasmania’s oldest pubs (Circa 1880) and is nestled in one of Tasmania’s most beautiful valleys. This afternoon we head to the East Coast of Tasmania and travel south through Scamander to our overnight stop in Bicheno, where our hotel overlooks the water.

Panorama St Helens – Eco Nature Resort for 1 night

Our travels today takes us through the pretty seaside holiday village of Coles Bay. Sitting beneath stunning, sheer pink granite mountains and overlooking the crystal clean waters of Oyster Bay it’s the ideal stop. We enter the Freycinet National Park and head to Cape Tourville Lighthouse to enjoy spectacular views across Lemon Rock and the Freycinet Peninsula. At the historic town of Richmond, where the streets are paved with history, we stop to capture the oldest bridge in Australia, the convict built, Richmond Bridge. On arrival we have time to purchase lunch before our visit to visit the Old Hobart Town Model Village. Set in stunning landscaped grounds we wander through time. We have arranged a visit to the Historic Richmond Gaol, this gaol predates Port Arthur by five years and is one of the best preserved of Australia’s colonial prisons. Dinner this evening is at the Point Revolving Restaurant in the hotel.

Hotel: Wrest Point Hotel Casino for 2 nights

Today, we head to the Tasman Peninsula and take a drive through “Do Town” to see some natural attractions such as the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. A little further along is the Port Arthur Historic Site. The penal settlement is a stark reminder of the harsh conditions endured by the earliest European inhabitants of this one-time island jail. The ruins are the greatest single tourist attraction in Tasmania 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. The first part of our tour involves time at the Visitor Interpretative Centre where we take a fascinating 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. We also take a guided walking tour through the Penal Settlement. There’s now some free time to further explore the settlement and purchase lunch. If we wish, we can also take a cruise around the harbour where we pass the Isle of Dead. It was here that around 1,000 convicts and ex-convict paupers were buried, mostly in unmarked graves. Leaving the site, we make our way back to Hobart where we can freshen up ready for dinner. Tonight, we dine out at the Hope and Anchor Tavern, which has been awarded Australia’s oldest continuously licensed Pub.

Following breakfast in the hotel we head to the Hobart airport for our return flight to Perth. Upon arrival into Perth, you will be met by your driver who will take you home completing a fantastic tour in Tasmania.