Tour Details
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Starts any day. January to December
7 days from $5995.00Launceston to Strahan, Australia
Welcome to Tasmania, a land lush with vibrant natural beauty and exotic wildlife. Your private guide meets you in Launceston, and together you depart on your journey into the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness.
Your first stop is in Derwent Bridge to view ‘The Wall.’ This unique in-progress art project by sculptor Greg Duncan, is a 325-foot long wall of wooden relief sculpture depicting Tasmania’s history. Continue through the fresh alpine region of Lake St. Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. Enjoy the fresh alpine air and a stroll along the lake shore. Lake St Clair forms the southern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, and constitutes an essential element of the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Make stops to enjoy a walk along the Franklin River and view the stunning Nelson Waterfalls.
Late afternoon, arrive at picturesque Strahan on Tasmania’s west coast. (L)
Gordon River Cruise & Cradle Mountain
Today begins with a cruise on the Gordon River. Traverse through Hell’s Gates into pristine ancient wilderness, while watching for White-bellied Sea Eagles and the curious dolphins. Stop at Heritage Landing for a walk among ancient temperate rainforest trees, and then explore Sarah Island, site of Tasmania’s most remote and notorious convict settlement.
After a buffet lunch on board, disembark, and drive into Tasmania’s high alpine region and impressive Cradle Mountain National Park. (B,L)
Cradle Mountain
Spend the day exploring the glacial peaks and lakes at Cradle Mountain National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk around glacial Dove Lake, and observe the park’s diverse alpine terrain and notable birdlife, including Currawongs and Wedge-tailed Eagles.
Visit the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery, home to an international collection of dramatic nature photography. (B,L)
Cradle Mountain to Freycinet National Park
Depart Cradle Mountain and tour through rolling hills and historic midlands to the sunny east coast, and the renowned Freycinet Peninsula.
Explore the expansive and incredibly white “Friendly Beaches” before arriving at your accommodation set in the heart of Freycinet National Park.
This evening, take in the magnificent views of the rugged “Hazards” granite boulder range from Richardson’s Beach. (B,L)
Freycinet National Park
Enjoy guided walks though the park’s coastal coves and cliff-tops trails and white sand beaches.
Visit the Cape Tourville Lighthouse, and watch for the White-bellied sea-eagles and Australian gannets that forage for food along the cliff-tops. Take a walk to magnificent Wineglass Bay while your guide introduces you to the unique flora and fauna of the Peninsula, including the frequently spotted marsupials such as possums, wallabies, and wombats. (B,L)
Freycinet to Port Arthur
This morning, drive beside cliff tops and pastures en route to the Tasman Peninsula and the Port Arthur Historic Site. This former convict settlement is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and an open air museum. Enjoy a personalized tour of this historic old penal site.
Next, visit some of the region’s noted natural sites, learning about the fascinating coastal geology of the area.
Late afternoon arrive in Hobart, Tasmania’s scenic capital city. (B,L)
Port Arthur to Hobart & Depart
Start the day with a private tour of Bonorong Wildlife Park, where you can meet Tasmania’s iconic animals, including wombats, wallabies, and the Tasmanian Devil. (Alternatively, you may choose to visit the Museum of Old & New Art, “MONA,” a unique and controversial art museum, as well as the largest privately funded museum in Australia.)
Drive to the Coal River Valley, an area of small heritage towns and boutique vineyards, and stop to sample some of the region’s award-winning wines. Then continue to Richmond, a charming historic village with picturesque colonial sandstone architecture, and the oldest bridge in Australia.
Return to Hobart, arriving at the airport in time for your departing flight home or onwards to your next destination. (B,L)
Strahan Village, Strahan
Strahan Village is a quaint and picturesque Tasmanian West Coast fishing village, providing a variety of unique accommodations. It is the perfect base for exploring Tasmania's wilderness, with Gordon River Cruises and the West Coast Wilderness Railway right at your doorstep. Watch birds swirling above the waters of Macquarie Harbor, sip fine Tasmanian wine as you watch the sunset from your private deck, then try some of the regions finest cuisine at the View 42° Restaurant & Bar. There are 141 deluxe rooms designed to complement the seaside atmosphere. Travcoa has reserved the spacious and luxuriously appointed Hilltop Harbor View rooms. Room features include cable TV, internet access, coffee/tea maker, fridge, iron, ironing board and a hairdryer.
Cradle Mountain Lodge, Cradle Mountain National Park
The Cradle Mountain Lodge is located at the entrance of Tasmanias spectacular Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. It offers breathtaking scenery in a serene wilderness setting, with a plethora of nature activities. Around the lodge are more than 20 walking trails enabling you to wander through towering forests with trees older than mankind, and to discover animal and plant varieties found nowhere else on earth. A variety of casual to formal dining options are available make sure to sample the delectable local Tasmanian cheeses and wines. The lodges 86 private timber cabins are set discreetly in the wilderness, are. Your Spa Suite is styled with hand-made Tasmanian wood furnishings and feature king-sized beds piled with feather pillows and soft goose-down duvets. Of course a log fire and a deep spa are part of the attraction. You will also be Guests are treated to complimentary fire-side port and each evening a different selection of gourmet surprises arrives to delight your senses - a selection of canapés or a cheese and fruit platter. Your suite is complete with fireplace, spacious bathroom, coffee/tea maker, and a private verandah with a view through the treetops.
Freycinet Lodge, Freycinet Peninsula
Freycinet Lodge offers four-star accommodation within Freycinet National Park on Tasmanias east coast. The Lodge overlooks Great Oyster Bay at the foot of pink granite peaks of the Hazard mountain range. To protect the delicate environment, the 60 timber cabins, hidden in the casaurina and tea tree forest, are linked by raised boardwalks. Staying here gives you the rare privilege of staying inside a national park - the focus here is on the landscape, so there are no televisions or telephones in the cabins. The Lodge offers two dining options: The Bay à la carte restaurant and Richardsons Bistro, serving cafe-style food. Both offer the finest regional food and wine. Your Wineglass Premier Cabin is the top-of-the-range, with a spacious open-plan, and a private balcony. Amenities include a minibar, coffee/tea maker, double-spa bathtub, separate shower and a hairdryer.
Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart
Henry Jones Art Hotel on Hobart's waterfront, combines 19th century sandstone warehouse with stylish modern design. The site, a jam factory dating back to 1804, has been transformed into a first class hotel and is Australia's first dedicated art hotel. Furnished with more than 300 artworks in a continuously changing exhibition, the hotel is a fusion of art, heritage, tradition and nature. There is a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a coffee shop/café, as well as a fitness area and laundry facilities. The restaurants and bars highlight the best of Tasmania's fine food and beverage produce for a truly unique experience. The hotel houses 56 rooms and suites, all uniquely different and furnished with the hotel's history and contemporary art as the forefront of each space. Your Deluxe Spa Harbor View room overlooks Hobart harbor, framed by the cityscape and Mount Wellington. The room features original walls of stone and timber trusses, columns and beams that soar upwards to just beneath the roofline. Room amenities include a flat screen TV, high-speed internet access, and a minibar.