HIGHLIGHTS OF TASMANIA

This morning we embark on a city sightseeing tour of Hobart and take a drive to the top of Mt Wellington which is the summit of the Wellington range and is within the Wellington Park Reserve. The 4,170-foot (1,270-meter) peak of Mt Wellington is Hobart’s most famous landmark and lies just west of the city. With our city tour complete we head back into Hobart where we enjoy high tea at Hadleys Orient Hotel.

Today, we head to the Tasman Peninsula and take a drive through “Doo 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 have time to freshen up and then enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Midmorning we depart on a Hobart Historic Cruise, traveling up the river going inland, passing Botanical Gardens, Government House, under Tasman Bridge, crossing over the river to Rose Bay, then coming back from Montagu Bay. We then head south to the Huon Valley, well known for its long history of apple growing, craft cider makers, boutique winemakers, quality salmon producers, and other homegrown produce. Tonight, we head to the Revolving restaurant where we enjoy dinner.

This morning after breakfast we complete check out procedures and make our way to Launceston. Enroute, we visit the historic town of Richmond where the streets are paved with history and view the oldest bridge in Australia, the convict built, Richmond Bridge. It is here we also visit the Old Hobart Town Model Village. Enjoy some free time to purchase lunch and explore the town before heading to Launceston.

Hotel: 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 which 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).

After breakfast we embark on the Batman Bridge Luncheon Cruise. View picturesque landscapes that display some of Tasmania’s finest vineyards and hear the tales of Launceston’s colourful beginnings. The cruise highlights the history, birdlife and riverside culture of the Tamar River and travels in to the stunning Cataract Gorge. Back on dry land, we proceed to Cradle Mountain and settle in. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

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. After lunch enjoy some leisure time before our visit to Devils @ Cradle, a Tasmanian devil interpretation centre. The After Dark Feeding Tour provides an unforgettable experience, seeing these extraordinary animals in ‘action’ each evening. Keepers will discuss biology, behaviour, threats and the important conservation work being undertaken for these species within the sanctuary. We return to the hotel for dinner.

After breakfast we head to the town of Sheffield for a walk around to observe the murals with the option to purchase morning tea at the local bakery. 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 tranquillity of this lush environment and enjoy lunch. Finishing lunch, we head back to Launceston before transferring to the airport for our flight home to Perth. On arrival in Perth your driver will be waiting to take you safely home.