10 Day Tasmania Small Group Tour FTIC10

• 1 Hobart

  Arrive in Hobart at your leisure today for 3 nights stay at the lovely 4-star Movenpick Hotel. Located right in the city centre it is walking distance to everything including the Hobart waterfront & Salamanca areas. For those traveling between November – April a great Friday night activity option is the Franco Eat Street Markets with great food, drink and live music in beautiful Franklin Square only 2 minutes walk from your city hotel.

  Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Hobart or similar

• 2 Salamanca Markets & MONA or Hobart Historic Cruise (B)

  No need to hurry or pack your things for checkout this morning as there is another 2 nights stay included at these lodgings. After a delicious hot breakfast we have some great activities organised for your Saturday… but being self guided you are on your own time schedule and can move at your own pace!

  Lets begin with a morning at the famous Salamanca markets only a 5 minute stroll from your hotel. Wander the rows of market stalls displaying woodwork, arts & craft, fresh produce, coffee, wine, cooked foods and more. This is Tasmania’s most famous market and operates every Saturday for the entire year. Salamanca also has a fantastic collection of convict built sandstone buildings connected by narrow laneways, staircases and interesting little spaces. In addition to the markets Salamanca area has fantastic art galleries, cafes and retail stores. You are free to wander the markets & surrounds at your leisure… perhaps a wander across the dock area or up into the quaint suburb of Battery Point? When feels appropriate for you a short wander to Brooke Street Pier will lead to the departure terminal for your choice of 2 afternoon activities:

  Option 1) MONA Museum. The Museum of Old & New Art has become one of Tasmania’s premier attractions over the last 10 years and is a real cultural adventure. The MONA ferry will transport you via a comfortable and scenic 25 minute fast boat cruise up the Derwent River to the museum. There is some fantastic viewing of Hobart and the harbour area along the ferry journey.

  At MONA you will encounter one of the most unique and fascinating buildings in Australia. The MONA complex features beautiful vineyards, 2 restaurants, a hotel and lovely garden areas adorned with sculptures above ground. The majority of the gallery however is actually below the surface – excavated into the sandstone rock. As you wander the quirky tunnels and pathways of the museum you can spot many areas of exposed sandstone suggesting you are underground. It is certainly one of the unique cultural experiences in Tasmania.

  One can very easily spend an entire afternoon at the MONA complex and we’d suggest allowing plenty of time to absorb the vibes and stop for a snack or drinks at one of the cafe’s/bars on location. The ferries depart for Hobart hourly so you can return to your city lodgings whenever you feel so inclined.

  Option 2) A 60min afternoon river cruise with the reputed Hobart Historic Cruises. Departing at 1.45 pm this lovely scenic cruise will take you in a southerly direction on the river passing famous locations such as Battery Point, Sandy Bay, the Wrest Point Casino, and over to Bellrieve and the eastern Shore area. It’s a fantastic way to see Hobart’s stunning harbour while providing some great photo opportunities. Entertaining commentary along the way will educate you on some interesting facts about Hobart city and the landmarks you are passing.

  Being Saturday, tonight is a great opportunity to wander down into the dock or Salamanca areas for dinner and evening entertainment. There are dozens of restaurants within comfortable walking distance including some very indulgent dessert options for those with a sweet tooth.

  Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Hobart or similar

• 3 Bruny Island (B)

  Today is an adventure to Bruny Island – Hobart’s most famous day trip option. Guests have the choice of 2 different itineraries depending on how adventurous you feel or if you prefer land or water based activities. Both will offer a memorable excursion to this stunning little island. The departure point for both options is a short 5 minute walk from the Movenpick hotel.

  Option 1. Bruny Island sightseeing – A spectacular tour with nature, wilderness, coast & heritage on Bruny Island. Travelling with one of Tasmania’s most authentic tour companies your tour will include morning tea & lunch. Your adventure highlights the unique natural environment of Bruny Island. Take in the glorious views from the iconic Neck Lookout, climbing the 240 wooden steps to take in the narrow isthmus between north and south Bruny Island. Step back in time with a walk through the ancient Mavista Rainforest and breathe in the cleanest air as you stroll under the towering canopy. Keep an eye out for the rare white wallabies that thrive on our private reserve.

  Option 2. Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise – For the more adventurous a full day tour of Bruny Island includes the amazing 3 hour fast boat cruise around rugged Tassie coastline. Experience the awesome power of the mighty Southern Ocean, towering cliffs and deep sea caves.

  Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Hobart or similar

• 4 Hobart to Port Arthur (B, L)

  Pick up from the Movenpick hotel for the start of your fully guided tour around the island. Another short stroll around the Hobart waterfront area will highlight several subtle attractions & significant spots you may have missed over the weekend. This is also a great opportunity to meet your tour companions for the rest of the week. Soon we head 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’s 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 

• 5 Port Arthur to Bicheno (B, L)

  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, hand made 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. 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 

• 6 Bicheno & Bay of Fires to Launceston (B, L)

  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 

• 7 Launceston & surrounds to Cradle Mountain (B, L, D)

  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 truly 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 where a delicious buffet dinner is included in your tour package.

  Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel or similar 

• 8 Cradle Mountain to Queenstown (B, L, D)

  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 breath-taking 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 where tonight’s dinner & dessert is included in your tour package.

  Accommodation: Goldrush Queenstown or similar

• 9 Queenstown to Hobart (B, L)

  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 the luxury Movenpick Hotel in Hobart city for 1 final night’s relaxation.

  Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Hobart or similar

• 10 Hobart (B)

  A delicious hot breakfast is included in your hotel package this morning with checkout time by 11am. We thank you for joining us on our Tasmanian adventure and hope you leave with lasting memories and some wonderful stories & photographs. For those seeking additional Sunday activities you might consider any of the following:
  – Cascade Brewery tour
  – Stroll through the delightful Royal Hobart Botanical Gardens
  – Sunday morning Hobart Farm Gate market
  – Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery on Hobart’s waterfront (free entry)

• Please book flights arriving into Hobart Airport anytime on Day 1
• Please book flights departing from Hobart Airport anytime after breakfast on Day 10

*We reserve the right to alter tour itineraries without notice due to climatic conditions and other circumstances outside our control.