Itinerary

Day 1 Sat. Launceston, Seahorse World, Beaconsfield, Welcome Drinks & Dinner (D)

Travel north from Launceston to Beauty Point. Take in the aquatic splendour of Seahorse World and learn about these fascinating animals of the sea. Afterwards, visit the country town of Beaconsfield and Grubb Shaft Mine and Heritage Museum where you can learn about the mining history of the area. On the trip back to the hotel, take in an informative on board commentary about Launceston. This evening, enjoy complimentary pre-dinner Welcome Drinks followed by a Welcome Dinner and get to know your fellow travellers and Travelmarvel crew.
Accommodation: Launceston, Sandors on the Park. Stay in guaranteed City Park View rooms.

Day 2 Sun. Freycinet National Park, Natureworld, Swansea, Tasmanian Crayfish Dinner (BD)

This morning we continue through the winegrowing area of northern Tasmania. During flowering season, visit the Bridestowe Lavender Farm (Dec.-Jan.). We then traverse Weldborough Pass, before stopping at East Coast Natureworld to meet Delilah, APT’s sponsored Tasmanian Devil. Travel along the beautiful coastline and into the stunning Freycinet National Park. Join a guided walk along Richardsons Beach at Coles Bay. Tonight enjoy a delicious crayfish dinner in Swansea.
Accommodation: Swansea, Waterloo Inn.

Day 3 Mon. Ross, Richmond, Tasman Peninsula, Eaglehawk Neck, Port Arthur (BD)

Journey inland to Campbell Town and Ross. Travel south to the charming Richmond village. Here, see the famous Richmond Bridge and an historic Catholic church, before browsing through local craft and gift shops or perhaps enjoy a Devonshire tea. Proceed through the town of Sorell to Eaglehawk Neck with its rugged coastline, which you can enjoy from Pirates Bay Lookout. We then continue on to Port Arthur.
Accommodation: Port Arthur, Fox and Hounds Inn.

Day 4 Tue. Port Arthur Historic Site, Harbour Cruise, Hobart, Mt Nelson, Evening Historical Play (BD)

At the Port Arthur Historic Site, call into the Visitor Centre and play the ‘Lottery of Life’ game, a unique way to trace the life of a former convict. Take a guided tour through the chapel and penitentiary ruins. Join the Marana for a cruise around the Isle of the Dead, resting place for some 2,000 people who died during convict times. Travel to Tasmania’s capital of Hobart, situated along the shores of the Derwent River. Journey to the top of Mt Nelson and take in magnificent panoramic views. After dinner tonight, enjoy a performance with Lady Jane Franklin, a famous figure of the colony during her husband’s governorship between 1837-43.
Accommodation: Hobart, Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel (2 nights).

Day 5 Wed. Cadbury Chocolate Factory, Salamanca Place, Botanical Gardens (B)

Tour the sights of Hobart this morning, including a guided tour through the Cadbury Chocolate Factory with the opportunity to sample some well-known favourites (seasonal closures occur, please enquire at time of booking). See Salamanca Place, a terrace of Georgian warehouses dating back to the 1830s, and the historic Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure. You may choose to visit Cascade Brewery (own expense) or the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (free afternoon tour). In the evening, discover the culinary delights of Hobart for yourself.

Day 6 Thur. Derwent Valley, New Norfolk, Mt Field National Park, Lake St Clair (BD)

Leave the city of Hobart and follow the Derwent River through the hop fields of the New Norfolk region. See Australia’s oldest pub and Tasmania’s oldest church, St Matthews. Afterwards we enter picturesque Mt Field National Park on the way to some of Tasmania’s highest country, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Enjoy a stop on the shores of Lake St Clair to admire the view before travelling deep into Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness. Approaching Queenstown, the vegetation suddenly diminishes and the famous eroded hills appear, left to us as a legacy of almost a century of copper mining. Continue to Strahan, a former Huon pine timber-milling town set on the shores of Macquarie Harbour. This charming port town is the gateway for our exploration into the wilderness of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Tonight, you have the opportunity to see a local play on the area’s convict history (own expense).
Accommodation: Strahan, Strahan Village Hilltop.

Day 7 Fri. Strahan, Gordon River Wilderness Cruise with Lunch, Sarah Island Tour (BLD)

This morning board the luxury cruise vessel, the Lady Jane Franklin II, for a unique cruising experience that will take you gliding across the tranquil Macquarie Harbour and along the World Heritage Gordon River. Along the way, guides will detail the area’s unique native flora and fauna. Cruise to the former penal settlement of Sarah Island. Enter the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and stop at magnificent Heritage Landing, where you will discover the beauty of the region. See a 2,000 year old Huon pine as we walk through one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Pass by Hell’s Gate, the entrance to the Great Southern Ocean. Enjoy lunch on board. Later, depart Strahan for Cradle Mountain.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain Chateau – luxury in the wilderness.

Day 8 Sat. Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, Sheffield, Stanley and The Nut (BD)

Tour Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, home to an array of alpine flora and fauna. The Visitor Centre provides information on the history and present status of this wild and exquisite part of the country. Travel out to Waldheim Chalet and stop on the tranquil shores of Dove Lake at the foot of Cradle Mountain. Later, travel to Sheffield where the town’s buildings are decorated with murals depicting the region’s history. Journey to the fishing village of Stanley, set in the shadow of The Nut.
Accommodation: Smithton, Tall Timbers Hotel.

Day 9 Sun. Ashgrove Cheese Factory Tour,Great Lakes Plateau, Farewell Dinner (BD)

Visit Ashgrove Cheese Factory for a tour before passing through Deloraine, at the foot of the Great Western Tiers. Ascend to the Great Lakes Plateau and travel along the shores of the Great Lake, a popular spot for freshwater fishing. Pass through Poatina, Tasmania’s first underground hydro-electric power station. Continue to Launceston. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner and Drinks.
Accommodation: Launceston, Sandors on the Park.

Day 10 Mon. Cataract Gorge, Tamar River
Cruise, Woolmers Estate, Home (B)

Visit beautiful Cataract Gorge for a stroll through the European-style gardens. Afterwards, take a morning cruise along the Tamar River. We then head out to Woolmers Estate for the opportunity to inspect some fascinating antique works in the historical homestead on site. Wander through beautiful rose gardens before rejoining the coach for a transfer back to the airport.