Atour of the most beautiful state of Australia with its many variations of history, landscape, people, industry.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
DAY 1: Tuesday 9.5.00
MACARTHUR REGION TO SHEPPARTON
Bright and early we are up and away on our exciting Tasmanian Tour , travelling via Hume Highway passed Mittagong, Goulburn on to Gundagai, from there on the Sturt Highway to Wagga and then Lockhart, Urana & Jerilderie situated on the Newell Highway, then Finley, Tocumwal then the Murray Valley Highway to Numurkah and then to the fruit growing township of Shepparton, which is situated in the Goulburn Valley where we stay overnight before travelling to Melbourne the following day
Day 2:
DAY 2: Wednesday 10..5.00
SHEPPARTON TO PORT MELBOURNE - SPIRIT OF TASMANIA
Today we take the Midland Highway to Bendigo through the centre of Victoria’s fruit and dairy farming and then into Melbourne from the northwest on the Calder road for a tour of the cities, parks and gardens, before travelling to Pt. Melbourne to board the Spirit of Tasmania for the overnight voyage to Devonport. Please explore the many interesting features of this large vessel, EG. sauna, swimming pool, Tiger bar, Leatherwood lounge, Alders shop, Admiral pokies,before enjoying a delicious buffet dinner and settling into your 2-bunk cabin with private facilities, or if you wish (at extra cost and availability) a suite.
Day 3:
DAY 3: Thursday 11.5.00
DEVONPORT-SHEFFIELD MURALS- CATARACT GORGE-LAUNCESTON
On arrival into the Mersey River at Devonport, disembark to rejoin your coach. Tour the hinterland dominated by beautiful Mt.Roland to the murals town of Sheffield where a tiny community has proudly depicted its history and honoured its pioneers in numerous life-like wall paintings. Joining the Bass Highway, continue to the northern city of Launceston where highlights include Cataract Gorge with its cliff side gardens, peacocks, pools, a suspension foot bridge and the longest single-span chair-lift in the world (ride optional-own expense). Entertain the monkeys in City Park and visit the Mall before settling into overnight accommodation at Abel Tasman Motor Inn Kings Meadow.
Day 4:
DAY 4: Friday 12.5.00 TAMAR VALLEY-“THE GROVE”- NORTH EAST - SCAMANDER
Departing Launceston this morning we follow the Tamar River to its mouth at Georgetown. En route, enjoy views of the Valley from Bush-ranger Brady’s Lookout and Grindelwald Swiss Village with its alpine style houses and unusual wood carvings. Cross spectacular Batman Bridge above Whirlpool Reach and travel via the industrial area of Bell Bay .to a special welcome from the Maid at “The Grove” historic home. Explore the home and wander among the lovely old-fashioned garden before continuing through the rich agricultural region of Scottsdale St.Helens on George Bay . Afternoon travel is beside the Tasman Sea through fishing and holiday villages to Scamander for overnight accommodation at Scamander Beach Resort.
Day 5:
DAY 5: Saturday 13.5.00
TASSIE DEVIL-BARK MILL-RICHMOND-HOBART
This morning we may be in time to feed the pelicans and meet a Tasmanian Devil before he goes to bed at the East Coast Bird life & Animal Park. Swansea is the centre of Australia’s first proclaimed rural municipality and the original Council Chambers are still in use. Visit the Bark Mill to learn how Black Wattle-bark was used for the tanning of leather. Pause at the convict built, enigmatic Spiky Bridge. Gain views of the granite peaks of Freycinet Peninsula and Maria Island during travel south through fishing and holiday villages to Orford. Follow the Prosser River to Buckland and ponder the story of the stained glass window in the Church of St. John the Baptist. Early afternoon enter historic Richmond Village, where you may view Australia’s oldest Catholic Church from beneath the arches of our oldest stone bridge sill in use, and explore the many beautifully restored stone buildings now housing art and craft displays, bakeries and tea rooms. Cross the Derwent River into the southern city of Hobart and settle into accommodation for the next three nights at Fountainside Motor Inn.
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Day 6:
DAY 6: Sunday 14.5.00
COASTAL FEATURES - TASMAN PENINSULA - PORT ARTHUR
( HAPPY MOTHERS DAY)
Travel via Sorell Causeway and Midway Point for our full day tour to Tasman Peninsula with its beautiful rugged coast-line and historical importance. View coastal geological features, the Devils Kitchen, and Tasman Arch and admire the wit of “Doo Town” residents before crossing the Isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck to the infamous Port Arthur Historic Site. During a guided tour of the ruins, learn how over twelve hundred convicts lived, worked and died under threat of the lash and an experimental isolation system that often drove them to madness. There will be time to do your own exploring among the many restored buildings and gardens, and take a short Harbour Cruise around the Isle of the Dead, before boarding the coach for return to Hobart.
Day 7:
DAY 7: Monday 15.5.00
CADBURY’S - Mt. WELLINGTON - HOBART CITY - CASINO
Our day around the city of Hobart includes historic Battery Point , Salamanca Place, Constitution Dock, and the city with it’s Malls and the Cat ‘n’ Fiddle arcade. Join a guided tour of Cadbury,s Chocolate Factory, for sweet samples and an opportunity topurchase at factory prices from the chocolate shop. (note Regulations require that visitors must wear fully enclosed footwear for the tour.)
Tour Mt. Wellington for a panoramic view of the Derwent Estuary and surrounding countryside returning to the city via Kingston, Tarona and Sandy Bay. This evening the coach will, be available for transfer to Wrest point Casino and viewing the city lights.
Day 8:
8: Tuesday 16.5.00
NEW NORFOLK - HIGHLANDS - WATERFALLS - QUEENSTOWN
Say farewell to Hobart this morning as we follow the Derwent Valley through hop fields and hills to New Norfolk, settled by Norfolk Islanders in 1815. Visit St. Matthews Church with its beautiful stained glass window and Craft Close near by........ Continuing westward climb the Central Plateau through highland trout-lakes country to Tarraleah
Gorge and visit an early Hydroelectric Power Station. Experience the wonders of Gondwanaland during a short rain forest walk in the Wild Rivers National Park to Nelson waterfalls. Approaching the copper mining town of Queenstown, observe the altered landscape of bare, colourful hills as we wind down the face of Mt. Owen and overnight accommodation at the Gold Rush Motor Inn.
Day 9:
DAY 9: Wednesday 17.5.00
STRAHAN-GORDON RIVER CRUISE- ZEEHAN - NW COAST
Early departure for the port of Strahan this morning to cruise the incomparable Gordon River into the heart of Tasmania’s wilderness and the edge of World Heritage. Cross vast Macquarie Harbour, past Sarah Island, worst convict settlement of all - and follow the Gordon through stands of ancient Huon pine, sassafras and myrtle rain-forest to step ashore for a wilderness board-walk at Heritage Landing. Voyage to Hell’s Gates, the aptly named harbour entrance where many early ships were destroyed by ferocious ocean swells. On return to Strahan, follow the former rail route past Henly Sand Dunes to the one-time ‘Silver City’ of Zeehan and visit the Pioneer & Locomotive Museum with its outstanding collection of minerals and historical locos. Continue north through raw mining towns, mineral rich mountains and button grass plains to accommodation on the north west coast at Murchison Lodge.
Day 10:
DAY 10: Thursday 18.5.00
TABLE CAPE - CHEESE - SCENIC COAST - SPIRIT OF TASMANIA
Touring today includes breathtaking views from the rich agricultural Table Cape with its amazing diversity of crops and farms including poppies, pyrethrum daisies, onions, potatoes, deer and tulip farms. Tour the industrial city of Burnie and enjoy the best of Tasmanian dairy produce as we sample the range of Lactos Cheeses with opportunity to purchase. Follow the Bass Highway and scenic coastal route through Penguin and Ulverstone to Devonport.
Visit the Mall and “Showcase” art and craft gallery for some last minute shopping before boarding the Spirit of Tasmania for overnight crossing of Bass Strait to Melbourne.
Day 11:
DAY 11: Friday 19.5.00
“THE HEADS” - PORT PHILLIP BAY - MELBOURNE
Early risers may witness the entry through the Heads into Port Phillip Bay, and whilst enjoying a breakfast cruise watch the Melbourne City skyline come into view. On arrival at Station Pier around 8.30am disembark to rejoin your coach for our return journey via the Hume Highway-Albury-Gundagai-Yass-Goulburn-and home.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The prices are for land content only on the days indicated. Airfares and additional hotel accommodation will be considered extra. All dollar amounts are in Australian currancy
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Archeology/History
Motorcoach Tours
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