Grand Tasman (5/6/10 days)

Ask our expert Chris Hawkins about the Grand Tasman (5/6/10 days)

Day 1 Sat. Launceston, Woolmers Estate, Cataract Gorge

Join a morning flight to Launceston, arriving before 12.40 p.m. This afternoon, take a guided tour of Launceston. Inspect the fine collection of antiques at historical Woolmers Estate, and enjoy some time to explore the National Rose Garden. Later in the afternoon visit spectacular Cataract Gorge. This evening, enjoy complimentary pre-dinner welcome drinks followed by a Welcome Dinner. Get to know your fellow travellers and crew.
Stay: Launceston, Commodore Regent. Overlooking central city parklands. (dinner)

Day 2 Sun. Weldborough Pass, East Coast Natureworld, Freycinet National (Breakfast  Dinner)

This morning we continue through the winegrowing area of northern Tasmania. During flowering season, visit the Bridestowe Lavender Farm (Dec.-Jan.). Stop at the East Coast Natureworld and meet a Tasmanian Devil, so called by early European settlers because of its spine-chilling screeches, black colour, and reputed bad temper. Although only the size of a small dog, it can look and sound incredibly fierce. Travel along beautiful Tasmanian coastline and into the stunning Freycinet National Park. Join a guided walk along Richardsons Beach at Coles Bay.
Stay: Swansea, Waterloo Inn, overlooking Oyster Bay.

Day 3 Mon. Ross, Richmond, Tasman Peninsula, Eaglehawk Neck(Breakfast  Dinner)

Journey inland to Campbell Town and Ross. Travel south to the charming Georgian village of Richmond. Between 1824 and 1872, it was a busy town. When a bridge was built at Sorell, traffic rarely passed through which is why Richmond remains much as it did 100 years ago. See the famous Richmond Bridge.Proceed to Eaglehawk Neck, with its rugged coastline which you can enjoy from Pirates Bay Lookout. Continue on to Port Arthur.
Stay: Port Arthur, Fox and Hounds Inn.

Day 4 Tue. Port Arthur Historic Site, Harbour Cruise, Hobart, Mt Nelson (Breakfast  Dinner)

Port Arthur is Australia's most notorious convict prison, having been called 'hell on earth' by its 12,500 convict prisoners. Many of the sandstone prison buildings remain and have been preserved. At the Port Arthur Historic Site, call into the Visitor Centre and play the ‘Lottery of Life’ game. Take a guided tour through the chapel and penitentiary ruins and join the Marana for a cruise around the ‘Isle of the Dead’. Travel to Tasmania’s capital of Hobart, situated along the shores of the Derwent River. Journey to the top of Mt Nelson for magnificent views.
Two Night Stay: Hobart, Hadleys Hotel, situated in the heart of Hobart.
 

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

Tour the sights of Hobart, including a guided tour through the Cadbury Chocolate Factory and sample some well-known favourites (seasonal closures occur, please enquire at time of booking). Wander through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and see the historic sandstone buildings of Salamanca Place. The remainder of the day is at leisure, perhaps visit the Cascade Brewery (own expense). Dinner this evening has not been included to allow you to discover the culinary delights of Hobart for yourself.

Day 6 Thur. Derwent Valley, Mt Field National Park, Lake St Clair (Breakfast  Dinner)

Leave Hobart and enter Mt Field National Park to view Russell Falls. Then enter 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 through World Heritage-listed wilderness to Strahan, on Macquarie Harbour. WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY OPTION Choose to ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway from Queenstown to Strahan (own expense). Available during daylight savings time only.
Stay: Strahan Village Hilltop
 

Day 7 Fri. Strahan, Gordon River Wilderness Cruise with Lunch(Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner)

This morning board the luxury cruise vessel, the Lady Jane Franklin II, for a cruise across the tranquil Macquarie Harbour and along the World Heritage Gordon River. Cruise to the former penal settlement of Sarah Island. Enter the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and stop at Heritage Landing before enjoying lunch on board. Later, depart Strahan for World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park.
Stay: Cradle Mountain Chateau.
 

Day 8 Sat. Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, Sheffield, Stanley and ‘The Nut’ (Breakfast  Dinner)

Tour Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and explore the Visitor Centre before travelling out to Waldheim Chalet. Nestled among the myrtles and King Billy pines, the chalet is a replica of the original guest chalet built in 1912 by Austrian migrant Gustav Weindorfer. View Dove Lake, with the craggy peak of Cradle Mountain as its backdrop. Later, visit Sheffield where many of the town’s buildings are decorated with murals depicting the region’s history, while the local school children have painted mini-murals on the town's garbage bins. Journey to the charming fishing village of Stanley, rich in maritime heritage. Stanley is set in the shadow of ‘The Nut’ – a striking rocky outcrop that soars 150 metres from the sea.
Stay: Smithton, Tall Timbers Hotel/Motel
 

Day 9 Sun. Ashgrove Cheese Factory, Great Lakes Plateau, Crayfish (Breakfast  Dinner)

Visit Ashgrove Cheese Factory, makers of delicious handmade cheeses for a tour and tasting. Ashgrove uses traditional recipes and techniques to produce superior cheeses – try their 'farmstyle' English cheeses, vintage cheddars or a unique cheese with Tasmanian native pepperberry flavours. Traverse the Great Lakes Plateau before passing through Poatina and continuing to Launceston. This evening, enjoy our farewell crayfish dinner with new-found friends (fresh seafood outside cray season).
Stay: Launceston, Commodore Regent, in the centre of the city.

Day 10 Tamar River Cruise, Seahorse World, Home (Breakfast)

Take a morning cruise up the Tamar River and enjoy morning tea. Arrive at Deviot and follow the Tamar River Valley to Beauty Point to visit Seahorse World then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
SPIRIT OF TASMANIA RETURN CRUISE OPTION Tour Code: TXTAB Return from Devonport to Melbourne overnight aboard the Spirit of Tasmania. The boat sails from Devonport at 8.00 p.m., arriving in Melbourne at 7.00 a.m. the next morning. And when you retire, you can relax in your twin inside cabin with private facilities.

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