Tasmania

xxx

TASMANIA THE ISLAND JEWEL

Day 1 ARRIVE HOBART (morning) – AFTERNOON CITY SIGHTS TOUR

Upon arrival in Hobart, you will be met and assisted with your transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, depart the hotel for a city sightseeing tour. Capture the peaceful views from the pinnacle of Mt Wellington, rising 1270 metres above sea level before passing the Cascade brewery, Australia's oldest brewery established in 1824. See Battery Point with its narrow streets and historic cottages before travelling through Salamanca Place with its thick-walled sandstone buildings which now house restaurants, antiques and galleries displaying superb Tasmanian Arts and Crafts. Travel past St David's Park, the original burial ground of old Hobart town, and the Theatre Royal, Australia's oldest operating performing theatre. Cross the Tasman Bridge and Derwent River to Rosny Lookout for a spectacular view of Hobart's historic harbour and beautiful city.

Day 2 FULL DAY PORT ARTHUR TOUR

(B) Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, travel to the Tasman Peninsula and visit the Blowhole, Devil's Kitchen and the Tasman Arch - all natural features of the Peninsula's rocky coastline. Continue on to the Bush Mill Pioneer Settlement and Narrow Gauge Steam Railway complex where a working blacksmith and many displays bring back the forgotten era of the early Tasmanian Timber Cutters. Ride the steam train to the Fox and Hounds Station. Take a guided tour of Port Arthur penal settlement - one of Australia's most significant historical sites - Walk through the solitary confinement cell, Church and Hospital, all now ruins and the fully restored administrators' cottages, providing and enthralling insight into the hardships endured by the convicts.

Day 3 HOBART TO STRAHAN (drive)

(B) Breakfast at your hotel. (Note: for 2 passengers, pick up your rental car this morning) Today, follow the picturesque Derwent Valley to the New Norfolk district (hop growing), passing through the towns of New Norfolk, Gretna, Hamilton, Ouse and Tarraleah. Continue to Derwent Bridge from where you can visit beautiful Lake St. Clair. Set amongst some of Tasmania's highest mountains, this glacial lake is the deepest natural fresh-water lake in Australian. Continue on through the mining township of Queenstown to Strahan. Strahan is the gateway to one of the most outstanding wilderness areas on Earth - a land of majestic mountains, ancient rainforest and famous wild rivers, the Franklin and the Gordon. Nestled on the edge of magnificent Macquarie Harbour, Strahan provides access to the Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Day 4 STRAHAN TO CRADLE MOUNTAIN (drive)

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning is free to explore Strahan at your leisure. This afternoon, travel through the mining town of Zeehan before entering the world heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park renowned for its pristine environment. Check in to your lodge and this evening make friends with the native animals including possums, wallabies and native cats as they gather by the lodge waiting to be fed.

Day 5 CRADLE MOUNTAIN TO LAUNCESTON (drive)

Breakfast at your hotel. Time is allowed for you to explore the area. This afternoon, depart Cradle Mountain and head north through Sheffield located at the foothills of the Great Western Tiers, where murals adorning the exterior walls of local buildings depict life of a bygone era. Continue through Stoodley, Elizabeth Town and Deloraine. At Deloriane you will find quaint buildings, cottages and homesteads which date from the 1830's, some of which house galleries, craft centres, museums and restaurants. The final leg of your drive will take you to Launceston, known as Tasmania's Living Heritage and renowned for it's beautiful public gardens and parks.

Day 6 DEPART

(B) Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Launceston airport. (Note: for 2 passengers, drop off your rental vehicle).

End of service

RATE VALID JUNE 2003

COSTS INCLUDE:

• Accommodation in 3½ - 4 star hotels with private facilities
• All transfers and touring by sole use chartered coach with experienced driver / guide for 15 + 1 passengers and upwards, providing an English speaking commentary.
• All transfers and touring by taxi / hotel courtesy coach and Scheduled day tours on a seat in coach basis for 2 pax.
• Mid size rental vehicle for 3 days for 2 Pax.
• Standard vehicle loss and damage insurance (subject to excess – terms & conditions apply)
• Meals only as indicated by (B) Breakfast
• Entrance fees to attractions listed in the itinerary
• Airport arrival assistance
• Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) @ 10%
• Hotel porterage
• Welcome kit and documentation upon arrival

COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:

• International and domestic Australia airfares
• Meals other than those indicated by (B) Breakfast
• Items of a personal nature i.e. telephone calls, liquor, laundry, beverages with meals etc.
• Use of hotel rooms before / after normal check in / out times
• Pre registration if early arrival in Hobart
• Optional touring
• Airport porterage
• Any other services not indicated in the itinerary
• Fuel / Collision Damage Waiver Insurance for rental vehicle

Back...