Tasmania 26

DAY 1

ALBURY / WODONGA - SPIRIT OF TASMANIA SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER, 2026
Welcome aboard our coach for departure from Lavington Shopping Centre Griffith Road Bus Stop at 10.00am, Albury Railway Station 10.15am, Wodonga Plaza Smythe Street 10.30am and Wangaratta Coles Perry Street at 11.25am for our special spring tour to Tasmania. Our program takes us on an anti clockwise tour of the Island State and includes all the iconic attractions of Tasmania and lot more.Travel via the Hume and Princes Freeways to North Geelong, (lunch enroute at own expense) to connect with our 6.45pm departure on the Spirit of Tasmania. Following check in we enjoy dinner in the Tasmanian Marketplace Kitchen restaurant. The cabins on the ‘Spirit’ are quite small but very comfortable, with a porthole, twin bed accommodation and en-suite bathroom. The facilities on the vessel are extensive with lounges, bars, shops and viewing areas.
Overnight: Spirit of Tasmania, Port Hole Cabins

DAY 2

DEVONPORT - SMITHTON MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER
We arrive early morning in East Devonport on the North Coast of Tasmania and head straight for breakfast at the nearby Argossy Motor Inn. From here we make our way along the coast road to Stanley, discovering towns like Ulverstone and Penguin – yes, there is a 3m-high giant penguin for photo opportunities, penguins featured artistically on rubbish bins, and other penguin signage scattered about this quaint town and Burnie along the way.Our first stop this morning is at the Table Cape Tulip Farm, the home of Van Diemen Quality Bulbs. This truly spectacular farm just explodes in colour!  There will be a 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. For lunch we head to Stanley and the Stanley Hotel before some free time to possibly take the “Nut” chairlift (passengers’ own expense). Prior to leaving Stanley we enjoy a self-guided tour of Highfield House, the mansion which many regard as the birthplace of European settlement in the North-West of Tasmania. Built from 1832 to 1835 as a residence for the chief agent of the Van Diemens Land Company, Edward Curr, itrepresents an important part of Tasmanian historic heritage. With outstanding views of Stanley and The Nut, it is hard to believe this area was once a convict enclave, but the proof is all around us in the convict barracks, cottages, chapel, pig sties and barns. Finally, we arrive in Smithton and check into our hotel.
Accommodation: Tall Timbers Hotel (2 Nights), Smithton Ph: 03) 6452 9000

DAY 3

WOOLNORTH STATION TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER
We have a great day planned. This morning, we visit Woolnorth Station which 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 wallaby, wombat, echidna, bandicoot, platypus, sugar gliders, quolls, Tasmanian Devils and 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 while we are here.At Cape Grim we breathe the world’s freshest air, visit the Wind Farm and enjoy a brief but spectacular coastline walk around Woolnorth Point – from the west coast around the point to the east coast! This afternoon, we return to Smithton and visit the Smithton Visitor Centre - home to the Circular Head Heritage Centre, where we can 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 4

CRADLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK – STRAHAN WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
This morning we head to Devils@Cradle.  This venue is a conservation sanctuary for Tasmania’s most iconic resident – the Tasmanian Devil.  The visit will provide us with an understanding of their lifecycles and the current threats that confront them. Lunch today is at the Cradle Mountain Hotel before we take a tour of the Cradle Mountain National Park including Waldheim and Dove Lake. From Cradle Mountain we make our way via Tullah and Zeehan to arrive in Strahan and settle into our room .
Accommodation:The Strahan Village (2 Nights), Strahan Ph: (03) 6471 420

DAY 5

GORDON RIVER CRUISE THURSDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
We have a stunning cruise to enjoy this morning with World Heritage Cruises on the local family-owned vessel the Harbour Master II. It leaves at 9.00am and takes us right across Macquarie Harbour and approximately 12 kilometres into the Gordon River. See Huon Pine trees that are thousands of years old. In fact, the age of an ancient tree recently “discovered” was put at 10,000 years and - if verified - 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 close up. We will also come across the remains of the three-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 buffet lunch. We return to Strahan mid afternoon for some free time to spend around the main wharf and the Esplanade before returning to our accommodation.

DAY 6

WORLD HERITAGE TOURING FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER
Leaving Strahan, we head to Derwent Bridge (the geographical centre of Tasmania) where we stop to view  The Wall in the Wilderness. Measuring 100 metres in length the sculpture is largely complete, though some sections intentionally remain unfinished to show the carving process.  In the reception area, there are many three-dimensional sculptures to view. From Derwent Bridge we head to Curringa Farm, located just outside Hamilton. Tim and Jane Parsons are sixth generation farmers in the Derwent Valley of Tasmania. They and their staff extend the best of country hospitality to all guests. The property covers 750 acres of rolling hills and country views, lake frontage with natural bush patches and a strong landcare focus.  It’s also our lunch stop for today. Later this afternoon we arrive in Hobart and make our way to our hotel.
Accommodation: Wrest Point Hotel & Casino (3 Nights), Hobart Ph: (03) 6221 1888

DAY 7

HOBART & THE SALAMANCA MARKETS SATURDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
Set between the towering peak of Mount Wellington and the Derwent River, Hobart is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and this morning we take a sightseeing tour. 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, crafts and handiwork crafts from all over Tasmania, interstate and overseas. We have some free time here to purchase our lunch and this afternoon we visit The Cascades Female Factory. The 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 in the Point Revolving Restaurant where we can take in the stunning views, as the sun sets over Hobart and the Derwent River.

DAY 8

BRUNY ISLAND EXPERIENCE SUNDAY 15TH NOVEMBER
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 various attractions that are home to 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 9

RICHMOND & PORT ARTHUR MONDAY 16TH NOVEMBER
We have an early start today, as we make our way to the historic town of Richmond which was proclaimed a township in 1824 and is probably Tasmania's best-known man-made tourist attraction.  Its streets are paved with history and many of the fine colonial buildings have been adapted for use as art galleries, craft shops and restaurants and a gaol that predates Port Arthur by five years and is one of the best preserved of Australia's colonial prisons.  The convict-built Richmond Bridge over the Coal River is the oldest bridge in Australia. Mid-morning, we arrive at 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 take a 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 Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. Our day concludes as we arrive in Orford at our accommodation overlooking Maria Island.
Accommodation: East Coaster Resort, Orford Ph: (03) 6257 1172

DAY 10

WINEGLASS BAY CRUISE TUESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER
We take a spectacular drive to Coles Bay on the edge of the Freycinet National Park today. 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 granite cliffs. Take in the sheer beauty of Wineglass Bay from the rarely seen perspective of the water, a shimmering crescent of white sand fringes spilling into glass turquoise waters. Our cruise includes a ploughman’s style lunch featuring smoked meats, salad, cheeses served alongside a locally baked bread roll, fruit and a sweet treat. Back at Coles Bay we follow the coast through Bicheno to St Helens for our overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Panorama Hotel
St Helens Ph: (03) 6235 4535

DAY 11

ST HELENS – LAUNCESTON WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER
Following breakfast, we begin our journey to Launceston, travelling via the small township of Legerwood, to see the incredible tree carvings. Near here located in Nabowla is the Bridestowe Lavender Farm. We have lunch on arrival and take a tour of the farm – one of the world's largest single commercial lavender farms, producing the finest quality lavender flowers and lavender oil. Later this afternoon, we make our way into Launceston. Our afternoon here is spent exploring Cataract Gorge at our own pace. Stroll along the pleasant walks through the landscaped gardens to the tea rooms or take a ride on the chairlift (own expense) which lets you view the Cataract Gorge from above. The slow speed enables you to appreciate fully and photograph the spectacular views, making you feel like you are a million miles away. After a magnificent experience at Cataract Gorge, we head to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor (2 Nights), launceston

DAY 12

DAY 12 LAUNCESTON & THE TAMAR RIVER THURSDAY 19TH NOVEMBER
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 then cruising into the spectacular Cataract Gorge as we engage the Lady Launceston's unique and silent electric drive. From Launceston we now follow the Tamar River to Beauty Point where we take a tour and have lunch at Seahorse World. On our return to Launceston, we stop in Beaconsfield. This area is the site of Tasmania's largest gold discoveries. Visit the Beaconsfield Gold Mine and Heritage Museum, home to Australia's only waterwheel-driven stamp battery, featuring an extensive collection of memorabilia and artefacts.

DAY 13

LAUNCESTON via DEVONPORT – GEELONG FRIDAY 20TH NOVEMBER
This morning we’ll head to nearby Deloraine where we visit Yarns: Artwork in Silk.  The main highlight of this attraction is the light and sound show presentation in the auditorium. We explore the indoor and outdoor museum at leisure, then it’s off to Ashgrove Cheese for a cheese tasting and talk followed by lunch here. On our way to Devonport we pass through Sheffield, a delightful township which sits in the shadows of Mt Roland and the Western Tiers. The town centre features many murals depicting the history of the area. From here continue to the Axeman’s Hall of Fame and Timberworks Museum which salutes both the pioneers of the industry and those who have triumphed in competitive woodchopping. We have afternoon tea just outside Devonport at the Anvers Chocolate Factory, located in the property formerly known as “Wyndarra Lodge” – a stylish 1931 Californian Bungalow set on 1.12 hectares of gardens. Late afternoon we board the “Spirit of Tasmania” for the service back to North Geelong with dinner served on board after checking into our cabins.
Overnight: Spirit of Tasmania, Port Hole Cabins

DAY 14

NORTH GEELONG – WODONGA / ALBURY SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
The Spirit of Tasmania arrives back in North Geelong at 6.30am. Rejoin our coach as we head to Wyndham Cache in Werribee for an 8.00am breakfast. Commence our travel home back to our home destination arriving Albury approximately 2.00pm.

TOUR COST

$7748.00 Per Person Twin / Double Share
$9214.00 Single Supplement

INCLUDES

Luxury touring coach from Albury to Melbourne and return
Port Hole Cabins with Private Facilities on Spirit of Tasmania
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