Tasmania 25

DAY 1

ALBURY - MELBOURNE - HOBART TUESDAY 7TH OCTOBER, 2025
Welcome aboard Martins Touring Coach as we depart Lavington Shopping Centre, Griffith Road Bus Stop at 8.45am, Albury Rail 9.00am, Wodonga Plaza Smythe St 9.15am and Wangaratta Coles Perry Street Bus Stop at 10.10am for our incredible Spring Tour to Tasmania.Make our way down the Hume Freeway to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport where we check in for our afternoon flight QF1295 departing 3.35pm to Hobart arriving 4.50pm. Upon arrival we are make our way to the Wrest Point Casino where we settle in for the evening.
Accommodation: Wrest Point Hotel Casino (2 Nights), Hobart Ph: (03) 6221 1888

DAY 2

EXPLORING HOBART AND RICHMOND WEDNESDAY 8TH OCTOBER
This morning, we take in the sites of Hobart. Set between the towering peak of Mount Wellington and the Derwent River, Hobart is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Founded in 1804, Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital and everywhere we go, the past steps out to meet us. We’ll conclude our sightseeing at the Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, the world's only full-scale copy of a building from the heroic era of Antarctic exploration. Australia’s greatest Polar explorer, Douglas Mawson, led two major expeditions to the Antarctic. Visit Hobart’s beautiful Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, with free time explore the gardens and enjoy lunch at the Succulent Café. The land for these gardens was set aside by Lady Jane Franklin in 1818 and it now hosts one of the most highly acclaimed gardens in the country. This afternoon head to the historic town of Richmond, where the streets are paved with history. Stop to capture the oldest bridge in Australia - the convict built Richmond Bridge - and take a little wander through the town. You may like to pop into Sweet & Treats or Tasmanian Lavender Company, before making our way back to Hobart.

DAY 3

WORLD HERITAGE TOURING THURSDAY 9TH OCTOBER
We have a big day planned as we make our way to Strahan, stopping at Curringa Farm, a property of 750 acres with rolling hills and country views. Tim and Jane Parsons are sixth generation farmers in the Derwent Valley of Tasmania. They and their staff extend the best of country hospitality as we enjoy a visit and morning tea including the now famous “Shearers Cake”. Continue to Derwent Bridge where we stop for lunch at the Wilderness Hotel.  Not too far away is the Wall in the Wilderness. The “wall” is a beautifully carved art piece, depicting the hardship and perseverance of the people in the Central Highlands. This afternoon drive through the pristine wilderness of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park through some of the state's most spectacular lakes and mountain areas before the steep drive into Queenstown, a town established because of the discovery of gold.  Queenstown is surrounded by mountains, which were once covered in vegetation, but are now strangely bare and stained a purple/grey by the sulphur fumes from mining processes. Bushfires and logging combined with heavy rain which washed the soil away, have stripped many of the hills of vegetation and created Queenstown’s famous “moonscape”. We continue through to Strahan arriving late afternoon.
Accommodation: Strahan Village (2 Nights), Strahan Ph: 1300 061 836

DAY 4

GORDON RIVER CRUISE FRIDAY 10TH OCTOBER
We have a stunning cruise to enjoy this morning. It takes us across Macquarie Harbour and into the Gordon River. We will see Huon Pine trees that are thousands of years old. In fact, the age of an ancient tree recently “discovered” is thought to be 10,000 years and, if verified, it will be recognised as the oldest on earth. We have the opportunity at Heritage Walk to see these and other trees of the dense forest up close. We will also come across the remains of the 3-story jail house on Sarah Island and take a first hand view of the only entrance to Macquarie Harbour, known as Hells Gates. It’s a great day topped off with a beautiful lunch. Return to Strahan mid afternoon for some free time to spend around the main wharf and the Esplanade.

DAY 5

CRADLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER
This morning head to Devils @ Cradle. This venue is a conservation sanctuary for Tasmania’s most iconic resident – the Tasmanian Devil.  The visit provides us with an understanding of their lifecycles and the current threats that confront them.  From here it’s not far to the Cradle Mountain National Park for lunch at the Cradle Mountain Hotel before a tour of the Cradle Mountain National Park including Waldheim and Dove Lake. From Cradle Mountain continue to Smithton and settle into our rooms.
Accommodation: Tall Timbers Hotel Motel (2 Nights), Smithton Ph: (03) 6452 9000

DAY 6

WOOLNORTH STATION SUNDAY 12TH OCTOBER
We have a great day planned at Woolnorth Station.  Woolnorth covers more than 22,000 hectares in the far northwest corner of Tasmania. This property is owned by the Van Diemans Land Company which began in 1825 from a Royal Charter from King George IV. It is the only company in the world still operating under such a charter. Most of Tasmania’s native animals abound on Woolnorth Station including bandicoots, platypi, quolls, Tasmanian Devils and many others. In fact the last four Tasmanian Tigers ever captured were caught at Woolnorth and sent to the Domain Zoo in Hobart. We will be accompanied by a Station Guide and have morning tea and lunch here. We will breathe the world’s freshest air at Cape Grim, visit the Wind Farm and enjoy a brief but spectacular coastline walk around Woolnorth Point – from the west coast to the point of the east coast! This afternoon, return to Smithton and visit the brand-new Smithton Visitor Centre. The centre is home to the Circular Head Heritage Centre, where we explore the unique colonial and indigenous history of the area through informative displays and intriguing exhibits. We also take a tour of the adjoining Duck River Meadows Robotic Dairy and have a cheese tasting provided by the La Cantara Artisan Cheese Factory.

DAY 7

SMITHTON TO LAUNCESTON MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER
Our first stop this morning is Table Cape Tulip Farm, the home of Van Diemen Quality Bulbs. This truly spectacular farm just explodes in colour!  We’ll enjoy morning tea and the fantastic show of tulips in the fields, one of which is open for us to walk in, rows and rows of beautiful bright colours - a perfect spot for a group photo. Next, we travel to just outside Devonport and stop for lovely lunch and a tour of the Anvers Chocolate Factory. We’ll see qualified confectionery staff tempering, moulding and enrobing fine couverture chocolates, truffles, pralines, fudges and more. From here we head to the Axeman’s Hall of Fame and Timberworks Museum. The Australian Axeman's Hall of Fame and Timberworks salutes both the pioneers of the industry and those who have triumphed in the competitive woodchopping. Travelling on and after a full day of touring, we arrive in Launceston before dinner.
Accommodation: Best Western Plus Launceston (2 Nights), Launceston Ph: (03) 6333 9999

DAY 8

LAUNCESTON & THE TAMAR RIVER TUESDAY 14TH OCTOBER
Our Launceston touring starts with Tamar River Cruises aboard the Lady Launceston this morning as we explore the Old Launceston Seaport before cruising to Kings Wharf viewing historic vessels and Launceston's delightful riverfront precinct. The highlight of the experience is cruising into the spectacular Cataract Gorge as we engage the Lady Launceston's unique and silent electric drive. After the cruise, there will be time to explore the gorge at your own pace - there are quite a few pleasant walks through landscaped gardens and for those who are interested there is a chairlift (own expense) which crosses the gorge. Of the overall length of 457 metres, the 308 metre central span is claimed to be the longest single span in the world! Enjoy lunch here at the Basin Café before following the Tamar River to Beauty Point, a small fishing town, sited where West Arm meets the Tamar Estuary. Here we visit Seahorse World – a truly unique facility - we enjoy a guided tour by one of their experts on an exclusive “behind the scenes” tour of this world’s first working seahorse farm. This is where you can see seahorses in all stages of life from tiny fingernail size babies to larger adults going about their day. After a magical afternoon uncovering the mysterious behaviours of the seahorse and we return to Launceston.

DAY 9

LAUNCESTON - ORFORD WEDNESDAY 15TH OCTOBER
Today enjoy delightful scenery as we drive through beautiful forested countryside towards Tasmania’s East Coast. Our first stop is the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm, Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm. With our guide leading the way, see the farm in action on a tour of the flower shed and distillery. Experience a tasting with hints of lavender, before having morning tea and time to browse their extensive gift shop. Continue through the pristine landscape to Legerwood to see some incredible tree carvings. Nine trees were planted to honour soldiers killed in World War I however in 2001 a report on the condition of the trees showed that they were no longer safe. The community was devastated that their memorials would be lost so it was suggested that the stumps be carved into a likeness of each soldier the trees represented. Eddie Freeman, a chainsaw carver from Ross, was employed to sculpt the masterpieces. Spend the rest of the day travelling the coastline, taking in the sights of quaint seaside towns and the spectacular coastal view before arriving at our accommodation in Orford.
Accommodation: Eastcoaster Resort (2 Nights) Orford Ph: (03) 6257 1172

DAY 10

WINEGLASS BAY CRUISE THURSDAY 16TH OCTOBER
After an early start we take a spectacular drive to Coles Bay on the edge of the Freycinet National Park. Here we board our Wine Glass Bay Cruise which takes us along the Freycinet coastline. Discover a coast dotted with sparkling white sand beaches, including Cooks and Bryans beaches, only accessible by water or a full day bushwalk. Explore the inner passage of remote Schouten Island, home to little penguins and short tailed shearwaters, before heading into the Tasman Sea towards Wineglass Bay. Look out for various hidden sea caves, blowholes and waterfalls amongst the sheer granite cliffs. Take in the beauty of Wineglass Bay from the rarely seen perspective of the water, a shimmering crescent of white sand fringes spilling into glass turquoise waters. Back on dry land we return to Orford.

DAY 11

PORT ARTHUR FRIDAY 17TH OCTOBER
This morning make our way to the Port Arthur Historic Site. The penal settlement is a stark reminder of the harsh conditions endured by the earliest European inhabitants of this one-time island jail. The ruins are the greatest single tourist attraction in Tasmania and the place where up to 12,000 prisoners were kept in an atmosphere of hopelessness and misery. Even though the Tasman Peninsula is spectacular, you can imagine the conditions, especially on a cold winter’s day, endured by the prisoners 150 years ago. We look through the Visitor Centre, then take a guided walking tour through the Penal Settlement followed by a Harbour Cruise. Leaving Port Arthur, we begin our afternoon touring, stopping to see some natural attractions on the Tasman Peninsula, such as the Tesselated Pavement, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen.
Accommodation: Wrest Point Hotel Casino (3 Nights), Hobart Ph: (03) 6221 1888

DAY 12

HOBART AND THE SALAMANCA MARKETS SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER
We are lucky enough to be in Hobart on a Saturday, so later this morning we visit the famous Salamanca Markets. Over 300 stallholders sell fresh and gourmet produce, arts, and handiwork crafts from all over Tasmania, interstate and overseas. Enjoy some free time here to purchase our lunch and this afternoon we visit The Cascades Female Factory. This Factory was a self-contained, purpose-built institution intended to reform female convicts, where the inmates did laundry and needlework services, offsetting some of the colony's penal costs. Dinner tonight is at the Point Revolving Restaurant where we can take in the stunning views as the sun sets over Hobart and the Derwent River

DAY 13

BRUNY ISLAND SUNDAY 19TH OCTOBER
Today we are in for a fantastic experience with Rob Pennicott's multi-award-winning Bruny Island Traveller tour. It will be a slightly earlier start to the day as we travel through Hobart’s southern suburbs and then cross via ferry to Adventure Bay, Bruny Island. On our tour we enjoy a true gourmet experience as we visit the home of Bruny Island's Cheese, Oysters, Fudge, Berries, Wine and Whisky to savour their produce and hear the stories behind the harvest. Throughout the day we take in some incredible scenery. The light bush of the northern island gives way to the dense rainforest of the south - this pristine wilderness is home to diverse wildlife including rare white wallabies. After a memorable day we head back to Hobart.

DAY 14

HOBART, MELBOURNE - ALBURY MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER
After a spectacular Spring tour to Tasmania discovering rugged coastlines, lush forests and meeting wonderful locals we make our way to the Hobart Airport for our flight QF1292 departing 10.25am, and arriving in Melbourne at 11.45am. Upon arrival, our Martins coach will be waiting to transfer us to Wodonga / Albury, stopping enroute for a lunch break completing a fantastic holiday away!

TOUR COST

$7825.00 Per Person Twin / Double Share
$9140.00 Single Supplement

INCLUDES

Luxury touring coach from Albury to Melbourne and return
Economy Class Air Fares Melbourne - Hobart and return
Coach touring for duration of tour in Tasmania
Accommodation on basis as booked
Meals as indicated on itinerary
Entrances to attractions and cruises as per itinerary
Goods & Services Tax

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner