Perfect Tasmania

Day 1-2 Welcome to Hobart

Day 1: Welcome to Hobart

Welcome to Hobart! Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers to kick off your spectacular trip around Tasmania. Start with a tour to view the capital's city sights. Hear about the first settlers, see original sandstone buildings still bearing the signature markings from the original convict labourers and visit the Botanic Gardens, see Battery Point and the original customs building, Constitution Dock, Brooke St Pier and more. Visit Mt. Nelson for amazing views over Hobart and the Derwent River. Tonight you’ll get to know everyone at a Welcome Reception and delicious meal at Tasman Restaurant.

Day 2: Salamanca Market

A free day to enjoy the sights, sounds, flavours, colour and action of Salamanca Market. Explore the market stalls, wander through the historic sandstone warehouses discovering innovative Tasmanian arts and crafts and delight in the taste and aroma of freshly baked goods and local produce, meeting the friendly people who make or grow what they sell. Take a moment to sit back and relax at one of Salamanca's cafes and watch the world pass you by with cooling ale or locally produced cider.

Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart , 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 1: Dinner with wine. Day 2: Breakfast

Day 3 Hobart – Strahan

Journey west to magnificent Mt. Field National Park to see picturesque Russell Falls. Breath in the fresh moist air when you join your Travel Director for a stroll to the tiered falls through luscious green rainforest. Later take the winding journey to Lake St. Clair and the Wall in the Wilderness, a fascinating sculpture that artist Greg Duncan has hand-carved, depicting a series of scenes that commemorate those who have shaped the area’s past and present. Continue along the rainforest bordered road of World Heritage protected Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park through eerie Queenstown to coastal Strahan. Enjoy views of Macquarie Harbour from your hotel perched on the hillside.

Hotel: Strahan Village

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Day 4-5 Strahan - Cradle Mountain

Day 4: Strahan - Cradle Mountain

A spectacular Gordon River Cruise, where the wilderness comes to the water’s edge, is the highlight of today. You’ll be awestruck by the beauty of the dark waters, stained amber by buttongrass tannins, reflecting the untouched wilderness. Stop at Sarah Island for insight into Tasmania's lesser known convict history, the Macquarie Harbour Penal Settlement. See Hell’s Gate and Heritage Landing, site of the 2,000 year old Huon Pine. Pass the towns of Rosebery and Tullah as you travel to your hotel on the boundary of sensational Cradle Mountain National Park.

Day 5: Cradle Mountain

This morning it’s time to explore the inspiring beauty of Cradle Mountain National Park on a guided tour, then join your Travel Director for a guided walk in the National Park. For the more adventurous, take a little more time to stretch your legs and meander back to the visitors centre through the wild ancient forests and alpine heathlands on the purpose-built boardwalk. You may spot Bennetts wallabies, echidnas and pademelons grazing along the way. For a more challenging hike, head to Marion’s Lookout and return via Wombat Pool.

Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel, 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine. Day 5: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Day 6-7 Cradle Mountain – Launceston

Day 6: Cradle Mountain – Launceston

Did you know that Tasmanian whisky distillation was outlawed in 1838 and remained so for 154 years until the creation of a new law in 1992? This morning you’ll visit Hellyers Road Distillery for a guided walk through the working distillery to be shown the ingredients and processes that deliver one of the finest single malt whiskys in the world. Next up visit Sheffield, town of the murals before heading on to sample the delights on offer at the award winning Ashgrove Cheese Factory.

Day 7: Launceston

This morning you’ll visit Cataract Gorge before you take a scenic country drive through the Tamar Valley's rolling hills. Be my guest dining experience Following this you are welcome to ‘Be My Guest’ at Josef Chromy Wines for a delicious lunch.The views from the surrounding vineyards and lakes provide an idyllic location to enjoy tasting some of the estate-grown cool climate wines and tucking in to some fresh local Tasmanian produce. This afternoon is free for you to relax or explore on your own. You may like to take an optional cruise on the Tamar River or even wander through town.

Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston, 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 6: Breakfast, Dinner with wine. Day 7: Breakfast, Be My Guest Lunch

Day 8-9 Launceston – Freycinet National Park

Day 8: Launceston – Freycinet

Bridestowe Lavender Estate is your first stop today. Bridestowe has been growing lavender since 1922 when a London perfumer planted lavender seeds from the French Alps on his family estate which he named after his wife's birthplace in England. Try some of Bridestowe's lavender products and treat yourself to their famous lavender ice-cream! Later make a stop at the Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, planted in honour of fallen WWI soldiers. After your lunch time stop at St Helens, follow the picturesque East Coast south to Freycinet National Park, for your accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 9: Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay

Another highlight day awaits you! Start the day with a drive through dry eucalypt forests to Cape Tourville for a walk that will award you with stunning views of brilliant blue water, forest and golden beach as far as the eye can see. Experience the exquisite beauty of Wineglass Bay on a four hour lunch cruise of the Freycinet Peninsula. The cruise will take you from the gentle shores of Coles Bay along the Freycinet coast beneath towering pink granite cliffs to one of the world’s best beaches. Anchored at Wineglass Bay, you'll have the chance to absorb the beaty of the National Park and enjoy a gourmet Ploughman's lunch.

Hotel: Freycinet Lodge, 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 8: Breakfast, Dinner with wine. Day 9: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine

Day 10-11 Freycinet – Hobart

Day 10: Freycinet – Hobart

Journey to historic Ross, considered the finest nineteenth century village in Australia.You must treat yourself to the self-proclaimed best scallop pie in Tasmania from one of the town's two local bakeries, or if you've got more of a sweet tooth, visit the town's other bakery for their famous vanilla slice! Be my guest dining experience As you travel south through rich pastoral land towards Hobart, Anne Kernke custodian of Shene Estate welcomes you to 'Be My Guest', where you're treated to a walking tour through the property's stunning original buildings including the barn and stables, both a true reflection of early Australian architecture and the colonial era. Anne will also invite you in to her private family home where you'll see an incredible collection of fine wares and admire intricate ceilings and original decor. Afterwards, sit down to a morning tea with a selection of home baked goodies.

Included ChoiceThis afternoon your have an Included Choice sightseeing experience to select; On the way to Hobart you may choose to visit Australia’s largest privately funded museum, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The eclectic mix of ancient, modern and contemporary art will blow you away. From the museum, you will cruise back to Hobart on the MONA ferry. Alternately, spend your afternoon exploring the Mawson's Huts Replica Museum or enjoy a guided walking tour of Hobart and learn about its rugged history, people and places.

Day 11: Port Arthur

Explore Port Arthur Historic Site today. Cross Eaglehawk Neck to the Tasman Peninsula and enjoy a cruise around the Isle of the Dead and a fascinating guided walk of Port Arthur's infamous convict prison. You'll have time to wander the site at your leisure before you leave. See rugged sea cliffs from Pirate’s Bay Lookout, and feast your eyes on the amazing vistas of Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole on the drive back to Hobart. This evening celebrate your holiday with your fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner in one of Hobart's best restaurants!

Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart , 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 10: Breakfast, Be My Guest morning tea. Day 11: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 12 Farewell from Hobart

This morning after breakfast, say farewell to your new friends when your indulgent holiday comes to an end.

Included Meals: Breakfast