AUTUMN IN TASMANIA

Tour Departs: 15 March 2012   •   Tour Length: 15 Days

Over the years, we have operated many tours to Tasmania at different times and of varying lengths, but given the success of our recent tours, we have again opted for this in-depth and comprehensive tour capturing the history, beauty and the spectacular scenery of Australia’s southern most state.

Tasmania is a charming variety of historic elegance, alpine wilderness and stunning mountains that pierce the sky, spectacular coastal scenery, scenic coastal towns and quaint colonial villages, rare flora and fauna, bustling markets, mighty rivers rushing through rain-forested gorges, idyllic and isolated beaches, lush and fertile farmland and much, much more.  It is harvest time with the apple pickers busy and a great time to visit with generally settled weather – clear, calm and mild days with cooler evenings.

HIGHLIGHTS:
 • Launceston incuding the Swiss style village of Grindelwald, Cataract Gorge and Seahorse World
 • Scottsdale Eco Centre for morning tea, St. Helens, private Penguin Colony, Bicheno
 • Historic Swansea, Richmond 
 • The Tasman Peninsula, Eaglehawk Neck including Tasman Arch and The Devils Kitchen
 • Port Arthur Penal Settlement including walking tour and “Isle of the Dead” Cruise
 • Bonorong Wildlife Park with Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Echidnas, Quolls and Forster Kangaroos
 • Hobart for 3 nights, Royal Botanical Gardens, Peppermint Bay Cruise
 • Mt. Field National Park, Lake St. Clair, West Coast Wilderness Railway, Strahan Gordon River Cruise
 • Dove Lake – Cradle Mountain – Stanley – Woolworth – Cape Grim – Smithton – Allendale Gardens
 • Sheffield, Woolmers Estate and Rose Gardens, Ashgrove Cheese Factory
 • Launceston for the last 2 nights in Tasmania including Tamar River Luncheon Cruise
 • Melbourne for the final night of the tour and farewell dinner

TOUR COSTS:     
                 Per Person Share Twin Room              NZ$ 7,800.00               AUD$ 5,480
                 Supplement for Single Room               NZ$ 1,650.00               AUD$ 1,250

 COSTS INCLUDE:
 • International Economy Class air travel from Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington. Flights for our Australian travellers from domestic Australian cities can be arranged at additional cost upon request.
 • Prepaid airport/government/airline/security charges and taxes (as at 01 October 2011)
 • First Class or Superior Grade hotel or motor inn accommodation throughout
 • Meals as indicated in the itinerary B = Breakfasts, L = Lunches, D = Dinners
 • First Class air conditioned coach transportation for all touring
 • Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
 • Services of a tour manager, coach captain and local guides as appropriate
 • Baggage handling of one suitcase per person
 • Gratuities and tips to local guides and coach drivers

COSTS EXCLUDE:
 • Any meals and sightseeing tours not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
 • Travel Insurance (assistance and advice will be offered)
 • Items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, telephone charges etc
 • Flights for Australian travellers. These will arranged upon request.

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Thursday 15 March
Home – Launceston
Today we start the tour by flying to Launceston where we will be met and transferred to our hotel for a 2 night stay.

Friday 16 March
Launceston (B,D)
This morning, we enjoy a tour of Launceston and discover the charms of this lovely city. Very close to the city centre is Cataract Gorge Reserve with its tree rhododendrons and peacocks, fern glades and spacious lawns and the longest single span chair lift in the world offering magnificent views of the gorge. We travel to Seahorse Australia at Beauty Point, the only seahorse farm of its kind in the world. We also visit the Swiss-inspired picturesque village of Grindelwald with magnificent mountain and river views.

Saturday 17 March
Launceston – Bicheno (B,D)
Leaving Launceston, we travel North-East out through the green and fertile valleys to Scottsdale and the Forest Eco Centre for morning tea. We visit St Helens on Tasmania’s East Coast with the fishing fleet sitting snugly in Georges Bay before turning south to Bicheno for an overnight stay. We visit Freycinet National Park noted for its spectacular coastal scenery and join a guided tour to a Penguin Colony.

Sunday 18 March
Bicheno – Port Arthur (B,D)
We continue our journey south to the historic town of Swansea with its well preserved colonial buildings and see the Spikey Bridge built by the convicts around 1843. On down the East Coast to the fishing port of Triabunna and through the Wielanta State Forest to Eaglehawk Neck, gateway to the Tasman Peninsula.  We see the natural wonders including Pirates Bay Lookout, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen before continuing on to Port Arthur for an overnight stay.

Monday 19 March
Port Arthur – Hobart (B,D)
This morning we tour the historic site of the penal settlement which was once home to 12,500 convicts. There is time to wander among the buildings and gardens to soak up the atmosphere and scenic beauty of this once horrific place. We take a cruise around the “Isle of the Dead”, final resting place for over 1000 people who died between 1840-1870. Leaving the peninsula, we travel to the historic National Trust classified town of Richmond before visiting Bonorong Wildlife Park where we will see Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Quolls, Echidnas and other Australian Wildlife. Late this afternoon, we arrive into the state capital Hobart, for a 3 night stay.

Tuesday 20 March
Hobart (B)
Tasmania’s capital city is an intriguing blend of heritage, lifestyle, scenery and vibrant culture. This morning, there is time for a tour of Hobart as we travel to Mt Wellington to enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounds. We also visit Mt Field, Tasmania’s oldest National Park. A short walk through the ferns and the rainforest sees us at the much photographed Russell Falls. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy time in the shops or just relax and enjoy the city from our waterside hotel.

Wednesday 21 March
Hobart (B,L)
In the morning we visit the Botanic Gardens and then we board a luxury catamaran for a cruise through Hobart’s magnificent sheltered waterways to Peppermint Bay. Cruise the Derwent River and Déntrecasteaux Channel enjoying a delicious lunch on board while cruising around Bruny Island. We see an island bird sanctuary, an Atlantic salmon farm and step ashore at Peppermint Bay. A lovely relaxing day.

Thursday 22 March
Hobart – Strahan (B,D)
A scenic spectacular today as we travel to the beautiful glacial Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest lake located at the southern end of Lake St Clair-Cradle Mountain National Park. We continue on our journey and join the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a wonderful 35km journey through rugged wilderness, steep gorges and rainforest from Queenstown to Strahan where we enjoy a 2 night stay.

Friday 23 March
Strahan (B,L,D)
This morning, we board our luxury cruise vessel for the cruise across Macquarie Harbour to Hells Gate where the harbour meets the ocean. As we cruise along the mighty Gordon River, our guide will detail the areas unique native flora and fauna. Visit Heritage Landing and view an ancient 2000 year old Huon Pine. We enjoy a superb buffet lunch on board and then explore Sarah Island, Tasmania’s first and most brutal penal settlement.  Schedules permitting, we may see a local theatre group perform the dramatic and true story of escape from Sarah Island in a “Ship That Never Was”. Another great day today.

Saturday 24 March
Strahan – Cradle Mountain (B,L,D)
Leaving Strahan, we journey north through the rugged wilderness of this wild and exquisite part of the country. We re-enter Lake St Clair-Cradle Mountain National Park and explore this World Heritage region, including idyllic Dove Lake and the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain.  Overnight in the Cradle Mountain area. After dinner, enjoy a video presentation or sit back and relax in our rural retreat.

Sunday 25 March
Cradle Mountain – Smithton (B,D)
Leaving the mountain region, we travel through the patchwork farmlands of Table Cape enjoying the scenic drive to Stanley, nestled at the foot of the towering volcanic core. We visit the historic grazing property of Woolnorth which is still owned by the Van Diemans Company and is the last Royal Charter Company in the world. We visit Tasmania’s major wind farm producing electricity for the region. We stop at Cape Grim on the tip of the West Coast and sample the clean fresh air before settling in for our overnight stay at Smithton.

Monday 26 March
Smithton – Launceston (B,D)
Leaving Smithton, we travel across the lush fertile country to Sheffield where over 30 murals decorating the town buildings depict the local history of the area. On to Elizabeth Town for a visit to the Ashgrove Cheese Factory specialising in the hand-making of the hard English style of cheeses. Our last stop of the day is at Woolmer’s Estate, an outstanding example of 19^th century Australian rural settlement and home to the National Rose Gardens. Then on to Launceston for a 2 night stay.

Tuesday 27 March
Launceston (B,L)
A leisurely day today for our final day in Tasmania. We enjoy a luncheon cruise of the Tamar River as we cruise into spectacular Cataract Gorge and travel past Tamar Island, Freshwater Point, the vineyards and under the Batman Bridge before turning for home at Devils Elbow. 

Wednesday 28 March
Launceston – Melbourne (B,D)
Time to farewell Tasmania today as we are transferred to the airport for the short flight to Melbourne. The rest of the day is free, time for a tour or some shopping or just a stroll in the park. This evening, we enjoy dinner together on the final night of our tour.

Thursday 29 March
Melbourne – Home (B)
Time to head for home as we are transferred back to the airport in time to join our flights.