Itinerary

Day 1 Fri. Spirit of Tasmania Sailing

Travel overnight on the Spirit of Tasmania, from Melbourne to Devonport.
Accommodation: Spirit of Tasmania, comfortable Twin Inside Cabin.

Day 2 Sat. Arrive Devonport, Launceston, Seahorse World, Beaconsfield, Welcome Drinks (D)

Be welcomed on arrival in Devonport. This afternoon, tour Launceston on your way to Beauty Point. On arrival, visit Seahorse World, Grubb Shaft Mine and Heritage Museum in Beaconsfield. This evening enjoy complimentary Welcome Drinks and Dinner.
Accommodation: Launceston, Sandors on the Park. Stay in guaranteed City Park View rooms.

Day 3 Sun. Weldborough Pass, Freycinet National Park, East Coast Natureworld, Swansea Crayfish Feast (BD)

Travel through the pretty winegrowing area of northern Tasmania. During flowering season, visit the Bridestowe Lavender Farm (Dec. – Jan.). Proceed through the forested Weldborough Pass which is home to some of the oldest myrtles in Australia. Next, stop at East Coast Natureworld and meet Delilah, APT’s very own Tasmanian Devil. Later, we enter the beautiful Freycinet National Park. On arrival we are joined by a Naturalist Guide for a walking tour along the shores of Richardsons Beach, Coles Bay. Tonight enjoy a delicious Crayfish Dinner.
Accommodation: Swansea, Waterloo Inn.

Day 4 Mon. Ross, Richmond, Tasman Peninsula, Eaglehawk Neck, Port Arthur (BD)

We drive inland to Campbell Town and Ross, home to beautiful 19th century public buildings. Travel south to Richmond, a wonderfully preserved historical village where some of the buildings date back to the early 1830s. In Richmond see the famous Richmond Bridge, visit the oldest Roman Catholic church in Australia and browse the shops. Then traverse the stunning Tasman Peninsula stopping at the Tessellated Pavement, Devils Kitchen, Tasman’s Arch and see Doo Village.
Accommodation: Port Arthur, Fox and Hounds Inn.

Day 5 Tue. Port Arthur Historic Site, Harbour Cruise, Hobart, Mt Nelson, Evening Play (BD)

At Port Arthur Historic Site, call into the Visitor Centre and take the ‘Lottery of Life’, a unique way to learn of the life and times of a convict. Board the Marana for a cruise around the Isle of the Dead. Simple graves are a reminder of the number of prisoners who died here and carefully carved headstones mark the graves of soldiers, officers and settlers. Travel to Hobart, situated on the shores of the picturesque Derwent River. Enjoy panoramic views from atop Mt Nelson. 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 6 Wed. Cadbury Chocolate Factory, Salamanca Place, Botanical Gardens (B)

Take a morning tour of Hobart, including a guided tour through the Cadbury Chocolate Factory (seasonal closures occur, enquire at time of booking). Visit Salamanca Place, a terrace of Georgian warehouses dating back to the 1830s, and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, the state’s horticultural jewel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Cascade Brewery (own expense) or the Tasmanian Museum. Dinner tonight has not been included to let you explore the city’s culinary delights.

Day 7 Thur. Mt Field National Park, Russell Falls, Derwent Valley, Lake St Clair (BD)

Follow the Derwent River through the beautiful Derwent Valley. At New Norfolk see Australia’s oldest pub and hear stories about the local larrikins. The town has a distinctly English character about it and the area produces a large amount of the hops used by Australian breweries. Enter Mt Field National Park and take a short walk to view stunning Russell Falls. Stop by the shore of Lake St Clair and admire the beautiful scenery then visit the copper mining town of Queenstown before heading to the popular holiday town of Strahan, set on the shores of tranquil Macquarie Harbour. Tonight, perhaps choose to see a local pantomime on the area’s convict history, ‘The Ship That Never Was’ (own expense).
Accommodation: Strahan, Strahan Village Hilltop.

Day 8 Fri. Strahan, Gordon River Wilderness Cruise with Lunch, Sarah Island (BLD)

Today, board the luxury cruise vessel, the Lady Jane Franklin II at Strahan wharf for a cruise across Macquarie Harbour and along the World Heritage Gordon River. Guides will provide details of the area’s native flora and fauna. Cruise to notorious Sarah Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and step ashore at Heritage Landing where you will discover the magnificent beauty of the region. See a 2,000 year old Huon pine as we walk through one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Later cruise past Hell’s Gate, the entrance to the Great Southern Ocean, and so named by the convicts as they passed through them on their way to Sarah Island. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board before returning to Strahan. Depart Strahan for World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain Chateau – luxury in the wilderness.

Day 9 Sat. Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, Sheffield, Stanley and The Nut (BD)

Tour the wilderness region of World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Stop by the Visitor Information Centre before visiting Waldheim Chalet. The chalet is a replica of the original building created in 1912 by Austrian migrant Gustav Weindorfer. View Dove Lake, with the craggy peak of Cradle Mountain as its backdrop. Travel to Sheffield, the Town of Murals, where artists have immortalised pastoral scenes on local buildings. Then journey to the charming fishing village of Stanley, which is rich in maritime heritage. See The Nut, a striking rocky outcrop that is sheer on three sides and soars 150 metres from the sea.
Accommodation: Smithton, Tall Timbers Hotel.

Day 10 Sun. Ashgrove Cheese Factory, Great Lake, Launceston, Farewell Dinner (BD)

Enjoy a visit to Ashgrove Cheese Factory for a tour and a tasting of their handmade cheeses. Ascend to the Great Lakes Plateau and travel along the shores of the Great Lake. Continue on to Tasmania’s second largest city, Launceston. This evening, enjoy a special Farewell Dinner with new found friends.
Accommodation: Launceston, Sandors on the Park. Stay in guaranteed City Park View rooms.

Day 11 Mon. Cataract Gorge, Tamar River Cruise, Woolmers Estate, Home (B)

Visit picturesque Cataract Gorge and wander through the European style gardens and admire the views. Join a cruise on the beautiful Tamar River. Pass through the township of Longford to discover Woolmers Estate and the colourful National Rose Garden within. You’ll also have the opportunity to inspect some fascinating antique works. Then rejoin the coach for transfers to the airport, where the tour ends.

Departure Dates

TXTBA/TXTBB

2008: Sept. 19; Oct. 3, 10, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28; Dec. 12, 26.
2009: Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27; Apr. 3, 10, 17; May 1;
Sept. 18; Oct. 2, 9, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 20, 27; Dec. 11, 25.

*Seniors Card holders and Aust./NZ Pensioners deduct $30 pp.
*Save $100 per person on shaded departure dates

Key

B: Breakfast Included
L: Lunch Included
D: Dinner Included