12 days Royal Tasman, Accommodated Tour

Tour Code: RT12

Departure Dates
2000: 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 & 25jan, 1, 8, 15, 19, 22, 29feb, 7, 11, 14, 21 & 28mar, 4, 11, 18 & 25apr, 2, 9 & 16may, 19sep, 10, 24 & 31oct, 7, 21 & 28nov, 19 & 26dec
2001: 2, 9, 16 & 30jan, 6, 13, 20 & 27feb, 6 & 20mar, 3 & 17apr, 1may

Legend: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Price: au$ 2880 Twinshare pp / au$ 3540 Sole Tent use

Day 1 Tue. Launceston - George Town - The Grove - Welcome Dinner (D): Join morning flight to Launceston, arriving midday. Welcomed on arrival by your coach captain and tour director for transfer to hotel. (Perth, Cairns and Townsville passengers fly day prior). This afternoon, enjoy the sights as we follow the Tamar River out of Launceston, to the unique Swiss-style village of Grindelwald. Free time before continuing across the towering Batman Bridge to George Town. Visit The Grove, a grand historic home and gardens, dating back to the 1830s. Tours departing mid December to the end of January enjoy a tour of Bridestowe Lavender Farm in lieu of The Gove. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for pre-dinner welcome drinks and canapes, hosted by your crew, with our compliments. Overnight: Novotel Launceston, the city's premier hotel in the heart of Launceston.

Day 2 Wed. Bicheno Animal Park - Freycinet National Park - Orford - Crayfish Dinner (BD): Travel to Scottsdale, located in the centre of a rich agricultural and forestry area. Continue via the former tin-mining town of Derby, then through the magnificent mountain forest scenery of Weldborough Pass. At St. Helens, turn south along the coast to Bicheno, and visit the Birdlife and Animal Park. 

• Exclusive! Special Dinner featuring local Tasmanian fare
• Exclusive! Arthur River wilderness cruise
• Stay Cradle Mountain Lodge, World Heritage Area
• Delicious crayfeast on the East Coast
• Special 'Dine Around Dinner' Hobart
• Tour Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory
• Farewell Dinner in exclusive “Camerons” at Novotel Launceston
• Visit The Grove historical home
• Leven Canyon Wilderness
• Browse the stalls of Salamanca Markets
• Cross the Great Lakes Plateau
• Tour the picturesque Huon Valley
• Explore historic Ross
• Tour historic Port Arthur Ruins
• Visit National Trust’s Entally House
• Explore Freycinet National Park - escorted beach walk
• Stay 2 nights at unique Tall Timbers
• Visit the Georgian village of Richmond
• Russell Falls - Mt. Field National Park
• Cruise the ‘Isle of the Dead’ Port Arthur
• Gordon River wilderness cruise
• Stay 2 nights Hobart, Hotel Grand Chancellor Ð 5-star elegance
• Meet a Tasmanian Devil, Bicheno
• Visit Grindelwald Swiss Village
• Visit Antarctic Adventure, Hobart
• Historic Stanley and “The Nut”
• Explore beautiful Allendale Gardens
• Visit famous Bridestowe Lavender Farm (in season)

Day 3 Thur.Tasman Peninsula - Port Arthur Historic Site (BD): Follow the coastal road with views of Maria Island, then through the lush Wielangta Forest to Eaglehawk Neck on the Forestier Peninsula. Visit the natural features of the Tessellated Pavement, Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen as we tour the Tasman Peninsula passing the colonial township of Koonya, and through Nubeena to Port Arthur Historic Site. Enjoy a guided tour through the ruins visiting some of the most notable structures including the church, guard tower and penitentiary. Cruise around the Isle of the Dead and see gravestones of hundreds of people who were buried here during the convict era. After dinner, opportunity to join a guided Ghost Tour (own expense). Overnight: Port Arthur Motor Inn, in the Historic Site overlooking the convict ruins.

Day 4 Fri. Historic Richmond - Hobart - Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory (BD): Visit the delightful Georgian village of Richmond classified by the National Trust. See the two prominent landmarks of St. John’s Church and Richmond Bridge, and enjoy free time to stroll the quaint streets lined with sandstone buildings. Continue into Hobart where we visit Cadbury’s famous Chocolate Factory. Enjoy free tastings, and see the making of all your favourites during our guided tour (factory closed to tours from mid Dec. to mid Jan. and during Easter - visit Fudge Factory in lieu). Visit the Antarctic Adventure Centre, providing a rare journey into the isolated land of Antarctica. Opportunity to snow-ski down an ice-covered mountain in “The Blizzard” simulator, gaze at the Antarctic stars, and talk to explorers and scientists via interactive video screens. Enjoy the flexibility of our “Dine Around Dinner” - you choose the restaurant, we pay! Choose from the Cove Restaurant, Mures on the Deck or Sisco’s on the Pier.
Overnight: Hobart, Hotel Grand Chancellor for 2 nights, the only hotel on Hobart’s waterfront, close to the main shopping area.

Day 5 Sat. Huon Valley - Salamanca Market - Royal Botanical Gardens (B): Tour south through the beautiful Huon Valley, gateway to Tasmania’s south-west, where apple orchards dot the countryside. Returning to Hobart, travel to the summit of Mt. Wellington and capture superb views of this beautiful city and yacht studded harbour. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Battery Point and Salamanca Place, boasting a terrace of Georgian warehouses. On Saturdays, Salamanca Place becomes the setting for one of Australia’s most colourful markets, the perfect place to find a bargain! Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the delights of Hobart on your own.

Day 6 Sun. Russell Falls - Lake St. Clair - Queenstown - Strahan (BD): Follow the Derwent Valley to historic New Norfolk, centre of Tasmania’s hop-growing district, a main supplier of hops for Australian beer. Enter Mt. Field National Park where a short walk will bring you to the spectacular sight of Russell Falls. Travel deep into the World Heritage wilderness region and visit Lake St. Clair, encircled by majestic mountain peaks, where wildlife abounds. In contrast, as we approach Queenstown, the vegetation suddenly diminishes, providing bizzare testimony to the copper smelting process of years gone by. Overnight: Strahan Village Hilltop, guaranteed Harbour View rooms from January 2000, overlooking picturesque Macquarie Harbour.

Day 7 Mon. Gordon River Wilderness Cruise - Cradle Mountain Lodge (BD): Join a cruise across Macquarie Harbour to the wilderness of the Gordon River. Stop at Heritage Landing for a walk through untouched rainforest of sassafras, myrtles and a 2000 year old Huon Pine. Hear stories of the past bring the convict era and early pioneer days to life, as we pass the infamous penal colony of Sarah Island. Journey out to the wild and often treacherous Hells Gates, entrance to the Great Southern Ocean, before viewing the Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms. See the pens and learn of the farming techniques involved. Rejoin the coach and travel via the Pioneer Museum in Zeehan, to Cradle Valley. Following dinner, relax by the fire in the Weindorfer Lounge with a glass of port and hand-made chocolate, compliments of Australian Pacific. Afterwards, witness the native animals as they come up to the lodge to be fed, or watch a fascinating slide presentation of the fauna and flora found within this magnificent World Heritage Area. Overnight: Cradle Mountain Lodge, individual Pencil Pine cabins, with cosy log fires.

Day 8 Tue. Cradle Mountain - Dove Lake - Stanley & “The Nut” - Smithton (BD): Visit the Information Centre before taking a leisurely boardwalk to Pencil Pine Falls. Journey out to Cradle Mountain towering high above Dove Lake, and visit Waldheim Chalet, once home of pioneer Gustav Weindorfer. Leaving this spectacular wilderness, pass peaceful farmlands and rugged mountain gorges, to arrive at Leven Canyon. Enjoy a short walk to the lookout, affording majestic views of the canyon and surrounding forest. Continue to the north coast and visit the historical town of Stanley. See the striking feature of “The Nut”, a huge rocky outcrop rising from the sea. Opportunity to ride the chairlift to the top (own expense). Overnight: Smithton, Tall Timbers Hotel/Motel for 2 nights, constructed with the finest selection of native Tasmanian timbers.

Day 9 Wed. Rugged West Coast - Arthur River Cruise - Allendale Gardens (BLD): Witness the isolated beauty of the west coast as we pass through State Forests and rich farmlands, to the coastal settlement of Marrawah. Continue south to Arthur River where we board our cruise through the untouched wilderness of the Arthur River. Arrive Turks Landing at the junction of the Frankland River and enjoy lunch followed by a guided walk through the rainforest. Upon our return, watch the rare white bellied sea eagles being fed as we cruise these peaceful waters. This afternoon, visit the private gardens of Allendale and enjoy a stroll through the exotic gardens and adjoining rainforest. Tonight your crew will host pre-dinner drinks including champagne, followed by an exclusive dinner of local Tasmanian fare, to celebrate the “Turn of the Century”.

Day 10 Thur. Sheffield Murals - Launceston (BD): Head back along the coastal road passing the lush pastures surrounding Table Cape before turning inland to Sheffield. Free time to explore this quaint town where over 30 murals have been painted on many walls of the towns buildings. Overnight: Novotel Launceston for 2 nights.

Day 11 Fri. Historic Ross - Great Lake - Entally House - Cataract Gorge (BD): Travel south to historic Ross and view the famous bridge, featuring over 180 unique hand carvings. Wander the quiet streets lined with quaint cottages before skirting the immense Great Lake. Travel across the Great Western Tiers, through Westbury to the National Trust’s Entally House. See the beautifully landscaped gardens, and fine antiques filling this historic building. Returning to Launceston, visit Cataract Gorge where you have an opportunity to ride the chairlift over the deep river gorge (own expense) or walk through the delightful gardens dotted with rhododendrons. This evening you are invited to a special farewell dinner in exclusive “Camerons” at the Novotel.

Day 12 Sat. Launceston - Home (B): Enjoy your morning free. Perhaps visit the Queen Victoria Museum, housing unique exhibits including a Chinese Joss House and planetarium. Afternoon transfer to Launceston Airport for flight home.