Tassie's Wilderness Icons

Your Tasmanian holiday begins with an afternoon tour of Hobart. You’ll see historic Battery Point, Salamanca Place, the Botanic Gardens, Constitution Dock, the destination of yachts participating in the Sydney to Hobart race each year, and Mt. Nelson, which affords panoramic views over Australia’s southernmost city. Enjoy the company of your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner.

This morning you’ll head west to New Norfolk and magnificent Mt. Field National Park and take a walk through lush rainforest to the manytiered cascade of picturesque Russell Falls. Then enjoy the scenic drive to iconic Lake St. Clair, the deepest freshwater lake in Australia, and continue through the rainforest to the coastal town of Strahan. Nestled on the shores of massive Macquarie Harbour, Strahan is the gateway to the World Heritage listed Franklin- Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Today's highlight is a lunch cruise on the Gordon River. You’ll be awestruck by the beauty of the dark waters: stained amber by buttongrass tannins, they reflect the untouched wilderness that surrounds them. Stop at Sarah Island for an insight into a relic of Tasmania’s lesser-known convict history, the Macquarie Harbour Penal Settlement. See Hells Gates, the treacherous entrance to the harbour, and Heritage Landing, site of a 2,000-year-old Huon Pine. Travel through the mining towns of Rosebery and Tullah on your way to your hotel. After dinner tonight, you may choose to do an optional experience animal night spotting tour or perhaps take advantage of a rare opportunity to see Tasmanian Devils feeding after dark.

This morning, marvel at the inspiring beauty of Cradle Mountain National Park. Join your Travel Director for a walk by Dove Lake, where you may spot Bennetts wallabies, echidnas and pademelons grazing along the way. Travel on through rolling green hills to Table Cape for spectacular views of Bass Strait. Picturesque Stanley is in your sights as you head west. Enjoy views of the sheer-sided Stanley bluff known as ‘The Nut’ and take some time to explore. Your destination today is Smithton.

Travel through the picturesque coastal townships of Burnie, Penguin and Ulverstone before heading inland to Sheffield, home to over 60 murals depicting the area’s rich history. You’ll learn about dairy production methods and indulge in a cheese tasting at the award-winning Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm on your way to Launceston, Tasmania’s ‘northern capital’.

This morning, visit the unique natural formation of the Cataract Gorge, home to the longest single-span chairlift in the world, followed by an orientation tour of the city. Say farewell to your new-found friends as your exploration of Tasmania's wilderness comes to an end at midday.