TASMANIA TEMPTER Cancellations and amendments:

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1 The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Holiday Coast Tours reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure the alterations do not adversely effect the operation of the tour. Holiday Coast Tours will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue s discretion. Passengers are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance in case of cancellation or curtailment expenses, loss of luggage or illness etc. TASMANIA TEMPTER Cancellations and amendments: Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given: 42 days or more loss of deposit days: 50% of fare plus deposit 27 days before and Day of departure: 100% of fare. In case of concert or sporting tours, where admission tickets are purchased in advance, a minimum cancellation fee equivalent to the cost of admission tickets will apply. Some accommodation require prepayment and refund will be subject to their conditions. Please note: Passenger baggage to be a maximum of 20kg. per person FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: Port Macquarie Travel Licence No. 2TA days Saturday 6 Sunday 21 October 110 William Street PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444 PH: or Camden Haven Travel PH:

2 HOLIDAY COAST TOURS presents a 16 day tour TASSIE TEMPTERS Tasmania is an archipelago of more than 300 islands sitting just 240 kilometres (150 miles) south-east of mainland Australia. There are more than 1,000 mountain peaks, four mild seasons and more than 40 per cent of the Island is protected as national parks and reserves. The air is scientifically proven to be just about the world s cleanest; the soils are rich and fertile and Tasmania is home to some of the world s rarest animals. Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia. It grew out of the penal settlement on the island at Risdon Cove, eight kilometres up river, which was founded in 1803 and abandoned five months later for the present site of Hobart. The city has many beautiful historic buildings and precincts, especially in the area around the river. There are many fine examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, such as Salamanca Place, which has a terrace of warehouses dating back to the whaling days of the 1830s. On the western side of the Island - the Gordon River, Cradle Mountain National Park and the North-West form part of our Circle Tasmania experience. Highlights Spirit of Tasmania Port Hole Cabins Launceston & the Tamar Valley The East Coast Port Arthur Historic Site Hobart s Salamanca Markets Huon Valley Strahan and Gordon River Cradle Mountain National Park Stanley, Burnie & Devonport Many multi-night stays

3 Itinerary Detail Entry to the Don River Railway Museum and 30 minute return ride on the Rail Underground Rivers & Glow Worm tour at Mole Creek Tour and tastings at Ashgrove Cheeses, Elizabeth Town Afternoon tea at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, Elizabeth Town Tour at the House of Anvers Chocolate Factory, Latrobe Breakfast in Melbourne (Day 15) Lunch at Ourimbah RSL Club (Day 16) Day 1 (D): PORT MACQUARIE TO GOULBURN Saturday 6 October, Back by popular demand, join us for our 16 day circle tour of Tasmania. The Apple Isle should be looking magnificent in spring! We depart the Port Macquarie Coach Terminal at 8.00am.Today is a travel day so sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as we head south stopping enroute for our morning break. We now make our way around the outskirts of Sydney, stopping again at a suitable spot for lunch. Late afternoon, we arrive in Goulburn where we enjoy our first dinner together. (Own cost for lunch / dinner in Motel) Mercure Goulburn Day 2 (B): SPIRIT OF TASMANIA Sunday 7 October, Following a hearty breakfast, we re on the road again, crossing the border into Victoria. We stop for our lunch break at Benalla and then continue to Melbourne and onto Port Melbourne to connect with our departure on the Spirit of Tasmania which will take us overnight to Devonport. While the coach is being loaded onto the cargo deck, we can board. The cabins on the Spirit are very comfortable, with twin bed accommodation and ensuite bathroom. The facilities on the vessel are extensive with lounges, bars, shops and viewing areas. There are a number of options to purchase dinner then perhaps relax in the bar or lounge or take in a movie. (Breakfast in motel / own cost for lunch / dinner at own expense) Spirit of Tasmania Porthole Cabins Day 3 (BLD): DEVONPORT TO LAUNCESTON Monday 8 October, After a good night s sleep we are ready to begin our Tasmanian touring. On arrival in Devonport, our coach is unloaded and we head to our breakfast venue. Our touring this morning will take us through Railton - watch out for the topiaries, to Sheffield - a delightful village near Lake Barrington. Sheffield (named after the famous town in Yorkshire) has put itself on the tourist map through murals huge and fascinating ones, most of which depict the early history of the area. They are on

4 every available blank wall in town! We have time to explore then we drive through pretty Deloraine and onto Hadspen home to Entally House, one of Tasmania s most historic Trust houses, thought to have been built in Entally House was opened to the public in 1950 and is justly proud of its magnificent collection of Regency furniture and fine silverware. Set in superb grounds and gardens, Entally has a green house, chapel, coach house and stables. Lunch today is at the Carrick Inn Hotel before we drive into Launceston. Lonnie is the second largest city in Tasmania. It s the centre of Tasmania's north and is situated at the point where the South and North Esk Rivers meet to become the Tamar River, which then flows away to Bass Strait. The city nestles in the wide valleys formed by the river systems and is surrounded by mountains. Before checking into our next two nights accommodation, we can spend some time in Cataract Gorge - a magnificent Reserve in the city Centre. These gardens have evolved for over a century and are still one of the most popular places in the city to relax in and enjoy the nature. There are some pleasant walks through the landscaped gardens to the tea rooms, or those who are interested can take a ride on the 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. (Breakfast in Devonport / lunch supplied / dinner in hotel) Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston Day 4 (BLD): THE TAMAR VALLEY Tuesday 9 October, We spend most of the day in the Tamar Valley just to the north of Launceston. There are three very interesting attractions here that we want to take a look at. The first is the Low Head area at the mouth of the Tamar. We then cross to the western side of the river via the Batman Bridge to Seahorse World. The seahorse a mythical creature of legend, that Greek poets once spoke of as half fish on which the sea gods rode! Over fishing and habitat destruction has led to the numbers of seahorses dwindling significantly throughout the world. Seahorse World is a high tech working seahorse farm. There is a boutique, first class aquarium featuring seahorses, leafy sea dragons, pipefish and fresh water lobsters. This is also our lunch venue. At Beaconsfield we visit the Gold and Heritage Museum. Who can forget those dramatic television pictures on the morning of Tuesday May 09, 2006 when Todd Russell and Brant Webb emerged from the mine 14 Tamar River Cruises 50 minutes cruise on the Lady Launceston Entry and tour to the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm, Nabowla (Ledgerwood - 30 minute stop) Lunch at Pub In the Paddock, Pyengana (Day 5) Buckland Anglican Church FOC Entry to Port Arthur Historic Site including guided walk and cruise around the Isle of the Dead Entry, tastings and talk at the Apple Shed Museum & Willie Smith Cider, Huon Valley Tahune Forest Airwalk Entry at the Salmon Ponds, Plenty (morning tea from the coach afterwards) Entry to Wall in the Wilderness, Derwent Bridge Lunch at the Wilderness Hotel, Derwent Bridge (Day 9) Gold class on World Heritage Cruise with lunch, Strahan (Day 10) Lunch at Cradle Mountain Hotel including entry to the Wilderness Gallery (Day 11) 90 minute Lake Dove Tour and Cradle Mountain National Park fee with McDermotts Entry to Devils at Cradle for the Daykeepers Tour Tour and tasting at the Hellyers Road Distillery, Burnie Tasting plate (lunch) at Hellyers Road Distillery, Burnie (Day 12) Visit to the Makers Workshop, Burnie for Creative Paper tour

5 COST: $ per person (based on twin/double share accommodation) Single Supplement $ days after being trapped almost 1 kilometre underground. Back in Launceston, we join Tamar River Cruises for a cruise into Cataract Gorge for a different perspective. It will be a most interesting day! (Breakfast& dinner in hotel/lunch at Seahorse World) Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston A deposit of $ per person is required upon booking with final TOUR INCLUSIONS: Air conditioned coach travel payment due 2 September 13 nights motel accommodation 2 nights outside cabins on the Spirit of Tasmania (return passage) Coach space for return passage on the Spirit of Tasmania (12-13 metres) 13 cooked motel breakfasts and two others see below 13 motel dinners (two dinners at own expense on the Spirit of Tasmania) Breakfast at the Argosy Motor Inn, Devonport Entry and talk at Entally House, Hadspen Lunch at Carrick Inn Hotel (Day 3) Entry to Low Head Pilot Station, George Town Tour at Seahorse World, Beauty Point followed by lunch (Day 4) Entry and 1 hour guided tour at the Beaconsfield Gold & Heritage Museum Day 5 (BLD): THE NORTH EAST Wednesday 10 October, We farewell Launceston this morning and make our way east towards Scottsdale, the main centre in this area, serving some of the richest agricultural and forest country in the State. Near here, located in Nabowla, is the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm. We 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. Continuing our journey, we veer off to a little place called Ledgerwood. There are some incredible tree carvings here. On 15th October 1918 a ceremony was held in the railway reserve at Ringarooma Road (renamed Legerwood in Dec.1918). Nine trees were planted to honour soldiers killed in World War I. In 2001 a report on the condition of the trees showed that they were no longer safe and the community was devastated that their memorials would be lost. In 2004 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 we will see today. Lunch today is at the Pub in the Paddock before we reach the coast near St Helens and then drive through to Scamander for our overnight stay. (Breakfast & dinner in hotel/pub lunch) Scamander Beach Hotel, Scamander Day 6 (BD): EASTERN TASMANIA Thursday 11 October, This morning we travel inland to Campbell Town on the Heritage Highway. This was once the finest highway in Australia originally known as the Main Road through Van Diemen s Land, linking Hobart and Launceston. Campbell Town began as a staging town

6 on the Elizabeth River. Here there are over 100 buildings, all more than a century old. Then it s onto Ross, a garrison town with a Government Stock Run, a race course and the four corners: Temptation, Salvation, Damnation and Recreation and the most beautiful of the remaining old bridges in Australia. From here we travel back to the coast at Swansea, a classified historic town, nestled on the magnificent blue waters of Great Oyster Bay, overlooking the Freycinet National Park. We stop this afternoon at Buckland to see the Buckland Anglican Church a beautiful sandstone building with magnificent stained glass windows. From here we head to Port Arthur. (Breakfast & dinner in hotel/lunch own cost) Fox & Hounds Inn, Port Arthur Day 7 (BD) PORT ARTHUR Friday 12 October, We have a fabulous day in store today. This morning we visit 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 the 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 winters day, endured by the prisoners 150 years ago. The first part of our tour involves time at the Visitor Interpretative Centre where we take a fascinating journey, retracing the life of a convict from the time of his petty crime in England, to his transportation to Port Arthur and finally his life in the penal colony. We then take a guided walking tour through the Penal Settlement before plenty of time to explore. We can cruise around the Isle of the Dead before buying our own lunch. We now begin our journey into Hobart with stop at historic Richmond for our afternoon break. Richmond is one of Tasmania s best known man made tourist attractions. 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. The gaol here 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 in Australia! We now head into Hobart and board the Spirit of Tasmania for our departure this evening back to Melbourne. Once again, we can purchase dinner ourselves then the evening is ours to enjoy a drink in the bar or watch a movie. (Breakfast in hotel / own cost for lunch and dinner) Spirit of Tasmania Porthole Cabins Day 15 (BD): MELBOURNE TO GOULBURN Saturday 20 October, The Spirit of Tasmania arrives at Melbourne s Station Pier this morning. After the coach has been unloaded we ll head off for our breakfast and then commence our travel home, stopping once again in Goulburn. (Breakfast supplied/lunch own cost/dinner in hotel) Goulburn Heritage Motel Day 16 (BL): GOULBURN TO NAMBUCCA HEADS Sunday 21 October, This morning we head north on our way back to Nambucca Heads. We bypass Sydney and stop for lunch at the Ourimbah RSL Club before joining the Pacific Highway and arriving home late afternoon to complete a sensational 16 day holiday to Tasmania. (Breakfast in motel/lunch in Ourimbah) All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather etc

7 to Burnie and onto Penguin a small town named after the fairy penguin colonies that dot the coast in this area. We ll visit here tomorrow, but for now, we continue to Burnie where our lunch venue is a distillery! Hellyers Road Distillery is a fascinating local whiskey maker. We ll enjoy a tour, a tasting of the single malt whiskey and hear the story of how it all began. Before returning to Stanley, we visit Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden. It is widely known internationally and its unique design makes it one of Australia's major rhododendron gardens. After a fabulous day, we return to our accommodation with some time to relax before dinner. (Breakfast and dinner in motel/light lunch at Hellyers) Stanley Seaview Inn Day 13 (BD): TO DEVONPORT Thursday 18 October, Today s touring is along the North West Coast as we make our way back towards Devonport. Returning to Burnie, we enjoy a hands-on paper making tour at Creative Paper. We now take the coastal road to Penguin where we have our lunch break. Later this afternoon, we visit the Don River Railway Museum before enjoying a 30 minute train ride along the picturesque river bank of the Don River. The railway is run by volunteers and is recreating living Tasmanian railway history for the benefit of the region. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel / own cost for lunch) Quality Hotel Gateway, Devonport Day 14 (B): CHOCOLATES, CHEESE & MORE Friday 19 October, This morning we head south to a place called Mole Creek. There are some fabulous caves, underground rivers and glow worms here which we will explore. After our visit we drive to the Elizabeth Town Bakery an icon in the area for locals and visitors alike where we can buy our lunch. This afternoon we visit three interesting foodie attractions Ashgrove Cheeses near Elizabeth Town, the Raspberry Farm and finally a delightful stop just out of Devonport - Anvers Chocolate Factory. The House of Anvers is located in the property formerly known as Wyndarra Lodge a stylish 1931 Californian Bungalow which is set on 1.12 hectares of gardens with mature trees and plants from all over the world. And the retail sales shop is tempting, featuring Truffle D Anvers, Fudge D Anvers, Praline D Anvers and the Stefano Pieri range. Well travelled and well fed we before checking in to our next two night s accommodation, we take a brief city sights tour including Mt Nelson for some great views of the city. (Breakfast& dinner in hotel/own cost for lunch) Wrest Point Casino Hotel, Hobart Day 8 (BD): HOBART & THE HUON VALLEY Saturday 13 October, We re lucky enough to be in Hobart on a Saturday so this morning we head to the famous Salamanca Markets. We have some free time here to wander and perhaps buy a souvenir of our holiday. A pleasant drive later this morning takes us into the Huon Valley, an area to the south of Hobart. The Huon Valley and D'Entrecasteaux Channel provide some of the most picturesque touring in Tasmania. Our first stop is at Grove home to the Apple Shed Museum & Willie Smith Organic Cider! We will experience a guided tour and cider tasting! We can purchase our own lunch in Geeveston before we make our way into the Tahune Forest and the Tahune Forest Airwalk. What an exhilarating experience it is to take a walk high in the tree top canopy. We return to Hobart where we freshen up for dinner. (Breakfast& dinner in hotel/own cost for lunch) Wrest Point Casino Hotel, Hobart Day 9 (BLD): THE WEST COAST Sunday 14 October, We farewell Hobart this morning and begin our journey to the West Coast. The area to our immediate left is part of the huge South West National Park, which, combined with the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park makes up almost a full, one third, of the land mass of Tasmania. Of course much of this area is now World Heritage Listed. Our morning stop is at the Salmon Ponds - the oldest Salmon & Trout Hatchery in the southern hemisphere, established in We can experience the serenity of the grounds and visit the Trout Fishery Museum, working Fish Hatchery & Salmon Ponds. We then continue on to Derwent Bridge (the geographical centre of Tasmania) to see the Wall in the Wilderness. The wall is a work in progress which when finished will have an array of panels measuring 100 metres in length. In the reception area, there are many three dimensional

8 sculptures to view. We enjoy a late lunch at the Wilderness Hotel. This afternoon, we 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 which was established as a result of the discovery of gold and other minerals at Mount Lyell last century. Queenstown is surrounded by mountains, which were once covered in vegetation but which are now strangely bare and stained purple, grey and pink from sulphur fumes from mining processes. Bushfires and logging, combined with heavy rain which washed the soil away, had stripped many of the hills of vegetation and created Queenstown s famous moonscape. The vegetation is starting to recover. We drive through to Strahan for our two night stay. (Breakfast& dinner in hotel/ lunch in Derwent) Hilltop Motor Inn, Strahan Village Day 10 (BLD): STRAHAN & THE GORDON RIVER Monday 15 October, We have another fantastic day planned today! Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River area which today produces magnificent Ocean Trout, treats visitors to spectacular scenery and protects its ancient Huon Pines was once known as hell on earth when Sarah Island was established as Tasmania s first and most brutal penal settlement. We depart from Strahan and head across Macquarie Harbour a vast body of water that measures six times the size of Sydney Harbour. First navigated by Captain James Kelly and four companions in 1815, these wild and remote waters offer the only safe harbour on Tasmania s west coast. Our cruise includes a dramatic cruise on the Gordon River. The Huon Pine, which can be found in this area, is commonly known to live for 2000 years. 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 return to Strahan mid-afternoon for some free time to enjoy the village. (Breakfast& dinner in hotel/lunch on cruise) Hilltop Motor Inn, Strahan Village Day 11 (BLD): CRADLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Tuesday 16 October, We leave the coast this morning to travel north through the mineral rich mountains, crossing the Vale of Belvoir and alpine cattle country to reach the jagged contours of Cradle Mountain National Park. At the Transit Station, we join local touring company McDermotts who will take us into the National Park on a 90 minute tour. We will visit Dove Lake a beautiful glacial lake situated at the base of Cradle Mountain and located about 7 kms from the Park Headquarters. Our lunch venue is the Cradle Mountain Hotel with time to look at the stunning Wilderness Gallery. Our last stop in this area is a visit to Cradle, a Tasmanian devil interpretation centre. Our guide will introduce us to the lifestyle of the alpine Tasmanian devil. We then enter a special viewing area for our encounter with the real thing. We may see the devils sunbaking, sleeping in the dens or running around in their enclosures. Our guide will gently handle some of the devils during our tour, and there may be an opportunity for us to touch one. This venture is totally committed to the conservation and protection of this now vulnerable species. The centre operates a successful captive breeding program, ensuring the ongoing survival of Tasmanian Devils in healthy numbers in the wild. We make our way out of the Park and up to the north coast. Our next two nights accommodation is in Stanley, a good base for our North West touring. (Breakfast& dinner in hotel/lunch supplied) Stanley Seaview Inn Day 12 (BLD): THE NORTH WEST COAST Wednesday 17 October, We have a leisurely start to the day before spending some time in the lovely village of Stanley it has a picturesque streetscape with small craft shops, historic houses (including the cottage where Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons was born) and tea houses. A chairlift operates to the summit of the Nut (optional), which offers great views and a good opportunity for a walk! We then drive along the coast, stopping at Table Cape an unusual geological structure perched above the ocean about 190 meters above sea level. This area will look stunning at this time of the year! We take in the views along the coast