Tasmania - March

Thursday 07 March

Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand flight directly to Hobart. On arrival enjoy a city sights tour including a trip up Mt Wellington if weather allows.  Welcome dinner tonight. 

Founded in 1804, Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia after Sydney and the second-deepest natural port in the world. It hosts the finish of the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race, is set beneath the impressive Mt Wellington and retains much of its Georgian and Victorian architecture.

Friday 08 March

After breakfast we travel to the former penal settlement of Port Arthur with buildings and harsh stories of the mid-1800s. Take a tour of the township with a private guide and a boat trip out to the Isle of the Dead. Dinner tonight. 

Saturday 09 March

After breakfast, we visit the famous Salamanca Markets before a scenic drive to the east coast seaside town of Bicheno. 

Sunday 10 March

Our route today takes us north following the coastal route to St Helens. We then turn west and travel to Pyengana Cheese Factory for a tour and tasting before arriving at Legerwood to see the impressive wood carvings. We continue onto Launceston for a three-night stay.

Launceston – Tasmania’s second major city is set on the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers which then become the Tamar River. With its colonial and Victorian architecture and history, culture, nature, food and wine, the city is a major attraction for many visitors.

Monday 11 March

Our day tour of Launceston begins with a visit to Beaconsfield mine and Heritage Centre, scene of a mine collapse in 2006 from which most of the men were rescued. We continue on for lunch in the Swiss Village of Grindelwald before an afternoon at leisure. 

Tuesday 12 March

This morning we visit Cataract Gorge, a natural wilderness basin with wildlife, gardens and the longest single span chairlift in the world! There is time here to walk and enjoy the atmosphere, before returning to the hotel with the rest of the day free. 

Wednesday 13 March

This morning a scenic drive to Devonport to visit the local Maritime Museum before lunch in the coastal town of Bernie. Continue along the scenic coast to see the famous “nut”, before arriving in Smithton.

Thursday 14 March

After breakfast we have a full day tour to the north-west corner of the island including Woolnorth and nearby Cape Grim – reportedly home of the cleanest air and purest beef in the world.

Friday 15 March

A full day’s scenic drive to Strahan with stops along the way including a tour into Lake St Clair National Park to see Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain. Lunch at Peppers Tavern before continuing on to the picturesque village of Strahan where our accommodation for three nights overlooks Macquarie Harbour.

Saturday 16 March

Today’s highlight is a half-day train journey on the West Coast Wilderness Railway through rainforests, gorges and alongside rivers from coastal Strahan. 

Sunday 17 March

After breakfast enjoy a Gordon River Cruise across Macquarie Harbour and up the river through the Tasmanian wilderness. Return to Strahan.

Monday 18 March

Our coach journey begins with a scenic drive to Derwent Bridge to visit the Wall in the Wilderness and lunch at the local hotel. Continue on visiting Mt Field National Park on the way to Hobart. Farewell dinner tonight.

The Wall in the Wilderness – a timber sculpture depicting the history, hardship and perseverance of the Central Highland people and paying homage to those who settled and protected the area  

Tuesday 19 March

A morning transfer to the airport for a direct Air New Zealand flight to Auckland.