Tasmania in Circle F6

Pick up from any Hobart CBD accommodations for the start of our 6 Day journey. Explore the Hobart waterfront area before heading to the summit of Mt Wellington (1270 m) boasting spectacular panoramic views in every direction. Further exploration through town sees us take in the historic Female Factory & Cascade Brewery while viewing many of Australia’s oldest convict built structures. Heading east we meander into the Coal River Valley, one of Tasmania’a premier wine regions. Naturally we will lunch at a lovely, family operated winery, sampling some of Tassie’s best wine & local produce before continuing on to the historic township of Richmond, one of Tasmania’s cleanest settlements. We will see the beautiful stone arch construction of the Richmond Bridge, built by the convicts in 1823 this is Australia’s oldest bridge still in operation. It’s then on to the Tasman Peninsula for our first taste of the east coast. The Tasman National Park boasts towering sea cliffs and a wealth of cultural history as we venture south. A beautiful lookout point over Pirates Bay provides the ideal location for a scenic, mid-afternoon tea/coffee break. Learn about Eaglehawk Neck – the site of the infamous Dogline – as we cross onto the Tasman Peninsula. We then explore some of nature’s true wonders with short, scenic walks at Tasman’s Arch & Devils Kitchen. Continuing on we squeeze in a stop at the colourful Port Arthur Lavender Farm before overnighting right on the cusp of the Port Arthur World Heritage Historic Site. Accommodation: Port Arthur Motor Inn or similar

Our day begins with a 2.5 hour fully guided tour around the Port Arthur Historic Site. Explore many of the original buildings as we learn about the early convicts and the role they played in Tasmania’s history. Learn about Point Puer (the juvenile boys prison), the Isle of the Dead graveyard and the Port Arthur timber industry while enjoying a short, scenic harbour cruise to view the site as incoming convicts would have. Much to everyone’s delight we stop at the boutique Federation Chocolate factory for some sampling of fresh, handmade chocolates. The flavours change depending on the season and the produce available! Next we leave the Tasman Peninsular for our journey up the very east coast of the island. At Raspins Beach we view the imposing Maria Island off the coast of Orford before stopping to see the unique convict built Spikey Bridge and the captivating coastline at Spikey Beach over tea, coffee & biscuits. Next up is Swansea – a beautiful East Coast town – and the Great Oyster Bay area. At Freycinet National Park we take one of Tasmania’s best and most scenic short walks to view the famous Wineglass Bay from Cape Tourville Lookout. Perhaps we will spot the Sea Eagle, Australian Fur seals, a pod of Dolphins or even whales migrating up & down the coast? Arriving in Bicheno for our evening accommodations we will squeeze in one last feel good activity by spotting the cute little Fairy Penguins arriving ashore right in Bicheno township. Accommodation: Beachfront Bicheno or similar

Start the day at the amazing Blow Hole on the rocky coastline of Bicheno. Visit the multi-award winning East Coast Nature World wildlife park to see many of our native animals and in particular – the feeding of the iconic Tasmanian Devil. Learn about this amazing animal and its recent struggle for survival. Pat wombats and hand-feed kangaroos, geese and ducks – this is a wonderful and interactive morning. Enjoy travelling Tasmania’s most scenic coastal road with breathtaking views of the east coast en route to one of Tasmania’s premier attractions – the Bay of Fires. At Binalong Bay we will stroll along the pure white sandy beaches and snap photos of possibly the most colourful spot on the island. Visit a working oyster farm, see their farming techniques and enjoy the freshest possible oysters. In the afternoon we proceed towards Launceston stopping at Pyengana, the award winning cheese factory and dairy. We then twist our way through an ancient Myrtle Rainforest and cross the trail of the dragon, an old mining area centred around the town of Derby. The carved memorial trees at Legerwood are one of Australia most unique & tasteful memorial sites, this will be our tea & coffee break for today before arriving in Launceston CBD for our evenings lodgings. Accommodation: Best Western Launceston CBD or similar

Today we will spend the morning exploring downtown Launceston – Australia’s 3rd oldest capital city behind Sydney & Hobart. We will see the King Bridge, City Park, inside the beautiful old Heritage listed Post Office and of course take a 40 minute stroll through a jewel in the city – Cataract Gorge Reserve. Soon after we head westward into the Meander Valley which is an absolutely stunning farming and pastural area. Try local made ice-cream and honey tastings of more than 50 flavours at the renowned Melita Honey Farm in Chudleigh before learning about Tasmania’a oldest and biggest Leatherwood Honey producer R. Stephens Honey in Mole Creek. Our lunch stop today is a true gem hidden in the forest at 41º Degrees South Salmon Farm. After lunch a truely unique attraction follows with a guided tour of the Marakoopa Caves, exhibiting limestone & crystal formations millions of years old, along with a completely natural population of resident glow worms! From here we will snake our way up onto the central highlands plateau to Cradle Mountain National Park to partake in some up close Wombat & animal spotting at dusk. Tonight we stay at the acclaimed and beautiful 4 Star Cradle Mountain Hotel. Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel or similar

Start the day with a full buffet hot and cold banquet breakfast at Cradle Mountain Hotel. Inside the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – a photographers paradise – drive to the gorgeous Dove Lake for breathtaking views of Cradle Mountain. Take a short walk to glacier rock and then on to the appropriately named Enchanted Walk to see beautiful cascades and the Pencil Pine waterfall. Visit the old “Waldheim Cottage” of pioneer Gustav Weindorfer who made Cradle Mountain world famous. En route to Strahan we pass through beautiful Lake Rosebery, old mining towns such as Zeehan and view the Southern Ocean from one of the best lookout points on the west coast – how far can you see – perhaps Argentina? This is some of the freshest air on Earth. Arriving in the historic settlement of Strahan we see the historical train station at Regatta Point, visit an old though still operational saw mill and the award winning Woodcraft Centre with beautifully designed woodworks on display. Continue on to our evenings lodgings at the infamous west coast township of Queenstown. Accommodation: Queenstown Motor Lodge or similar

Queenstown is an old mining town reflecting past glory and surrounded by colourful, mineral rich mountains. Start the day by seeing off the Wilderness steam engine for its trip across to Strahan. We will take in panoramic views over Queenstown from the Iron Blow lookout at the top of Mt Lyell before a lovely rainforest drive right through the World Heritage Franklin-Gordon National Park. Take a stroll into possibly Tasmania’s most photogenic waterfall – Nelson Falls, the 30 minute return walk is one of the west coasts best. We then travel through picturesque valleys and mountains, pristine forests, cross wild rivers before winding our way up Mt Arrowsmith to the geographical centre of Tasmania. Button grass plains, Eucalyptus forests, majestic mountains and spectacular lakes are in every direction here. Turn at Derwent Bridge to see Lake St Clair – Australia’s deepest freshwater lake and the inception of the mighty Derwent River. Next up is lunch at one of the states premier cultural experiences – The Wall, an amazing ongoing work by artist Greg Duncan, depicting stories of Tasmanian history hand carved in Huon pine – our most famous timber. Following lunch we have a close-up look at Tasmania’s Hydro-Electric Power scheme in the township of Tarraleah, before pushing further east into the Derwent Valley. A mid afternoon coffee stop is in order at Lake Meadowbank before detouring into Mt Field National Park to visit the delightful 3 tier Russell Falls. Our final drive leg wanders along side the Derwent River bringing us back to Hobart for the conclusion of our adventures. Drop off at your nominated CBD Hotel approximately 6pm.