Compare Tasmanian Experience by Senior Coach Tours

Day 1 (D) LAUNCESTON
Our tour commences in the charming city of Launceston. A short town tour before arriving at the famous Cataract Gorge. Time to enjoy the rugged cliffs of the gorge, with the opportunity to ride the world’s longest single-span chairlift, amazing views! Our home tonight, the Best Western Plus Launceston. Enjoy a welcome drink on us, prior to dinner together.

Day 2 (B,L,D) ROSS, BICHENO

Today we travel south to Ross, a beautifully preserved Georgian village with many ornate convict-built stone buildings. A town tour and visit to the Tasmanian Wool Centre, offering fine wool products and learn about the history in the museum. Lunch here today. During the afternoon we continue to the seaside town of Bicheno on the East Coast. Visit East Coast Natureworld, set amongst 150 acres of natural parklands and lagoons and featuring many of Tasmania’s unique wildlife. Our home tonight, the Beachfront Bicheno.

Day 3 (B,L,D) FREYCINET NP, SWANSEA, RICHMOND, HOBART

We make the short journey south to Coles Bay this morning, gateway to the magnificent Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania’s oldest National Park. Visit the Freycinet Visitor Centre before traveling to Cape Tourville lookout. Stroll to the Lighthouse for marvelous views of the Freycinet Peninsula, explore the edges of Wineglass Bay and the imposing Hazard Mountains. Lunch today at Swansea Bark Mill Museum. Explore the historic colonial village of Richmond prior to arriving in Hobart and our home for three nights, the Balmoral Motor Inn.

Day 4 (B, L, D ) SALAMANCA MARKET,  TAHUNA FOREST AIR WALK

For the “market lovers” we visit Hobart’s famous Salamanca market with more than 300 stalls selling fresh produce, arts and crafts. We follow the Huon Trail to the quaint Huon Valley Visitor Centre before arriving at Tahune Forest Air Walk. Stroll the Huon Pine Walk and experience the spectacular treetop walk, with breathtaking views of the forest canopy, up to 37 meters above the forest floor.

Day 5 (B, D ) TASMAN PENINSULA, PORTARTHUR, WREST POINT CASINO

Today we travel the Tasman Peninsula stopping to view the striking rock formations of the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen at Eaglehawk Neck, before arriving at the historic site of Port Arthur. Time to purchase lunch here and the afternoon is yours to explore the ruins of this infamous convict prison, stroll the grounds and enjoy a short cruise to Mason Cove. A picturesque setting with a tragic past. This evening dinner is at the famous Wrest Point Casino and a little time to try your luck! Enjoy the city lights as we return to our hotel.

Day 6 DERWENT VALLEY, LAKE ST CLAIR, STRAHAN

From Hobart we travel through the picturesque Derwent Valley stopping for a morning cuppa before arriving at Derwent Bridge. Visit the Wall in the Wilderness Gallery, an amazing story told in wooden sculpture. Time to purchase lunch at the Derwent Bridge Hotel. During the afternoon we visit Lake St Clair, the deepest natural glacial lake in the southern hemisphere, then continue to the harbour side village of Strahan. Our home for two nights is the Strahan Village Motel.

Day 7 GORDON RIVER CRUISE, THE SHIP THAT NEVER WAS

A highlight today as we board our cruise vessel MV Lady Jane Franklin II for a magnificent cruise across Macquarie Harbour viewing Hell’s Gate harbour entrance, commercial salmon farms and the amazing Gordon River. Sense the past with a rainforest walk through ancient forests (see a 2,000-year-old tree) and visit Sarah Island, a notorious convict settlement. On return to Strahan enjoy a stroll along the waterfront, visit the craft shops, cafes and the Huon Pine Mill. Prior to dinner at our hotel, enjoy the humorous live play “The Ship That Never Was”, based on a true story of the Great Escape from Sarah Island. A memorable day!

Day 8 STRAHAN, CRADLE MOUNTAIN, SMITHTON

An early start as we travel via Tullah to the picturesque Cradle Mountain National Park. Visit the Information Centre prior to our journey into beautiful Dove Lake. Enjoy a short walk along part of the shore of this pristine mountain lake. “Clouds permitting”, view the famous cradle from which the mountain surrounding the lake gained its name. Lunch today at the Cradle Mountain Hotel. In the afternoon we travel to the northern coastline and then Smithton. Spectacular scenery as we travel! Home for two nights is the Tall Timbers Hotel.

Day 9 DISMAL SWAMP TARKINE FOREST, STANLEY

We journey into the magnificent heritage listed Tarkine Forest to visit Dismal Swamp, believed to be the only Blackwood sinkhole in the world and formed over thousands of years. Take the slide to the bottom (if you dare!) or walk the pathway. Time here to discover this ancient environment and its unique forest habitats. Lunch at the historic Stanley Hotel. During the afternoon we ride the chairlift to the top of “The Nut”, a huge volcanic plug perched on a headland. Simply spectacular views!

Day 10 TABLE CAPE, BURNIE, LAUNCESTON

An early start as we return to Launceston this morning via Table Cape for amazing views, with a morning cuppa in the coastal town of Burnie. We arrive at the beautiful property of Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Co. which is home to some of Tasmania’s finest sauces and preserves. A short tour of the enchanting topiary nursery and Eric vale Gardens before our gourmet BBQ lunch in this delightful setting, a fitting way to end our tour! During the afternoon we transfer to Launceston airport to join homebound flights.