Tasmania by Rail, Road and River 12 days: 8th 19th March 2018 With Chris Harding 18th- 29th October 2018 With Bob Daniel LAUNCESTON CRADLE MOUNTAIN STRAHAN TARRALEAH HOBART
OVERVIEW Tasmania s wild and magical natural beauty, its quirky and stimulating art scene, a living industrial and colonial heritage and a small collection of extraordinary railway journeys are the inspiration for this tour around Australia s special Holiday State. Autumn s changing colours, wine harvests, long days and warm temperatures are the backdrop for many interesting excursions including a special day at the award-winning Sheffield Steamfest in March, Tasmania s premier fair showcasing some of the best of the state s industrial and colonial heritage. Such a variety of experiences within easy reach make Tasmania an ideal holiday destination and our tour, circumnavigating the island, brings together a wonderful collection of iconic sights, scenery and interesting encounters. See yourself riding in the balcony coach of a hard-working steam train up the wild West Coast mountains, soaking up the wonders of modern art at MONA, sipping whisky in the atmosphere of a stone clad distillery or being in zone beside sublime Cradle Mountain Lake. You will also be treated to welcoming locals, gourmet foods and wines, quality accommodation and unique side trips on rail, road and river in the company of your experienced and knowledgeable hosts, bringing to life all the flavours and stories of our precious island state. WHY TRAVEL WITH US Small groups - less queuing, easier access to attractions, better chance to get to know your fellow travellers. Unique itineraries with authentic experiences - lovingly crafted tours with a focus on spectacular scenery, heritage and culture via private charters, VIP access and genuine cultural activities. Expert local guides - the inside story from the locals. Gently paced - plenty of time to smell the roses, go shopping, explore, and chill out Fully escorted tours - experienced, knowledgeable, caring and well-resourced tour leaders who will make sure your adventure is as stressfree as possible MEET YOUR TOUR LEADERS BOB DANIEL has been fascinated with trains all his life, his father having engineered the construction of many of the famous Australian trains during the 1950 s and 60 s such as the Southern Aurora and The Sunlander. Bob is also the founder and original owner of Guidepost Tours nearly 40 years ago, which now operates niche market tours to many destinations around the world. He regularly travels by rail on local trains throughout South East Asia and many other countries, discovering how the spread of rail routes has led to the development and enhancement of culture and life in rural communities and cities, even in undeveloped regions. Whilst still involved with the development of itineraries for Guidepost Tours and Railway Adventures, Bob is heavily involved with Heritage Rail Groups in New South Wales, is qualified in Rail Safety and Track Awareness, and travels regularly on steam and diesel tours as train manager or in other capacities. CHRIS HARDING is President of the Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division. As a child, he would walk from Belmore to watch trains in action at the Enfield Railway Yards, Sydney home to over 300 steam locomotives. He was employed for many years in the banking sector, working in international finance, lending, and administration; mainly in the Sydney CBD, but also in Wollongong and London. In his spare time, Chris continued an active interest in railway history as a tour guide and office bearer at the NSW Rail Transport Museum, Thirlmere. Eventually he had the opportunity to leave the world of banking and work for 3801 Limited, the operating company of the famous steam locomotive 3801. Later he managed the ARHS Railway Bookshop at Sydney s Central Station. He became the media contact for commentary on historic and current railway events, frequently appearing on talkback radio and television. Although retired, Chris still enjoys working with his mate, Scott, hosting many railway adventures in Australia and Europe, including the always popular Switzerland tour.
HIGHLIGHTS A full day at the iconic Steamfest 2018 (March tour only) Vintage train ride in Tullah and the Ida Bay Railway. West Coast Wilderness Railway adventure from Strahan to Queenstown with champagne, wine and feasting in the trains charming restaurant balcony car Special excursion by ferry to MONA in the Posh Pit Distilleries, wineries, museums, markets and nature tours and walks First night gala welcome dinner at legendary Stillwater in Launceston TOUR MAP Cradle Mountain Launceston Train Boat Strahan Tarraleah Hobart Ida Bay West Coast Wilderness Railway HOW YOU WILL TRAVEL The best train trips possible, private luxury coach for off-train travel and many other appealing ways to travel. Here s a selection: Lady Jane Franklin II Ida Bay Railway West Coast Wilderness Railway
Day 1 Thursday 8th March/18th October: Arrive Launceston On arrival in the fair city of Launceston, we check into the hotel. Meet you tour leader in the hotel lobby and transfer to Stillwater, Launceston s premier restaurant, where we will enjoy a delicious degustation dinner. Hotel: Clarion Hotel City Park Grand, Launceston (D) Day 2 Friday 9th March/19th October: Launceston This morning join Chris for a tour of the extensive Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Australia s largest regional gallery. Spread out over a number of precincts, part of which is housed in the refurbished railway yards and workshops, it includes the working tramway museum and blacksmith shop. Enjoy a tram ride at the Launceston Tramway Museum before boarding our coach in the late morning, making our way to our wine tasting and lunch stop at Josef Chromy Wines. We ll then visit Australia s grandest rural colonial estate, the Clarendon, a magnificent three-storey Georgian house set on 7 hectares. Explore here for a while, before returning to the city to enjoy an evening at leisure. Perhaps a spot of cider as a palate cleanser at the Red Brick Ciderhouse may be just the thing. Hotel: Clarion Hotel City Park Grand, Launceston, (B, L) Day 3 Saturday 10th March/20th October: Launceston Cradle Mountain March tour: After breakfast at leisure, we journey to Sheffield to enjoy a day at the SteamFest Festival. SteamFest brings history to life with one of the biggest collections of working steam machinery in Australia. Showcasing steam train rides, exhibitions of pioneering skills including blacksmithing, historic machinery such as steam powered threshers and rock crushers and vintage cars, all showcasing how things were done in yesteryear. In the late afternoon we continue on to Cradle Mountain and the beautiful Cradle Mountain Hotel. Dinner this evening will be at the hotels restaurant. October tour: After a breakfast at leisure, we journey to Devonport to enjoy a visit to Don River Railway. View the workshop and largest collection of steam locomotives in Tasmania dating from 1879 to 1951. Our coach then transfers us a short way down the road to Sheffield for a wine tasting and lunch at the multi award winning Barringwood Park Vineyard. Continue onto Cradle Mountain and the beautiful Cradle Mountain Hotel. Dinner this evening is at the hotel s restaurant. Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel, Cradle Mountain, (B, D) Day 4- Sunday 11th March/21st October: Cradle Mountain Enjoy a free day in Cradle Mountain today. You might want to wander the wonderful network of scenic boardwalks around the National Park, visit the famous Dove Lake and the King Billy forests, go horse-riding, visit the Devil s Cradle nursery, enjoy an ATV ride or even a relaxing spa session! Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel, Cradle Mountain, (B) Day 5 Monday 12th March/22nd October: Cradle Mountain Strahan After breakfast this morning we ll make our way across to the West Coast and the old seaport town of Strahan, with a stop to experience a living relic of the logging railways, Wee Georgie Wood. Dinner tonight will be at View 42 Restaurant and Bar upon the hill, overlooking Strahan s village and harbour. The restaurant is renowned for its seafood buffet and features a selection of beautiful Tasmanian wines. Hotel: Strahan Village, Strahan, (B, D) Day 6 Tuesday 13th March/23rd October: Strahan After breakfast this morning stroll down to the wharf to board the Lady Jane Franklin II, for a first class adventure around historic Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. The five and a half hour cruise will have you exploring the remains of Sarah island, adventuring through the notorious Hells Gate and navigating the calm waters of one of the world s last great untouched wilderness areas. A buffet lunch will be served on board the vessel. Late this afternoon enjoy the live performance of The Ship That Never Was, a play that tells the dramatic and hilarious true story of the Great Escape from Sarah Island. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. Hotel: Strahan Village, Strahan, (B, L) Cradle Mountain
Day 7 Wednesday 14th March/24th October: Strahan - Tarraleah Today we ll experience a steam train journey on the famous West Coast Wilderness Railway in their first-class balcony carriage. The journey takes us along the harbour and through the King River Gorge, before the historic rack section of the railway track kicks in for the spectacular climb up the range. Magnificent rainforest vistas, wild rivers and many quaint stations along the way are all part of the character of this journey. Enjoy refreshments and sparkling wine as you travel, served en route. The train pulls into Queenstown where you ll have some time to explore the historic mining town and learn about the region s rich history, before continuing on to Tarraleah with a stop at The Wall In The Wilderness wood-carving. The stunning, work-in-progress carving depicts the history of the region, and when finished will reach 100 metres long. On arrival in Tarraleah, check in to our hotel where we ll enjoy dinner. Hotel: Tarraleah Lodge, Tarraleah (B, D) Day 8 Thursday 15th March/25th October: Tarraleah-Hobart Depart Tarraleah this morning and travel by coach to the town of Bothwell. Take some time to explore before making a stop at the nearby Redlands Distillery, Australia s only barley-to-barrel distillery, set on an expansive heritage property in the beautiful Derwent Valley. Our next stop is the scenic town of New Norfolk, where we ll take some time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own, before continuing on to arrive in Hobart in the early evening. Check into our hotel and enjoy a local dinner. Hotel: Grand Chancellor Hobart, (B, D) Day 9 Friday 16th March/26th October : Hobart Our gentle morning journey takes us through Richmond, a town abundant with historic convict buildings and famous for its Scallop Pies, before heading to Frogmore Creek for a wine tasting and lunch. The Frogmore Creek restaurant produces delicious dishes to match French winemaker Alain Rousseau s elegant modern wine styles. Life is good here, very good! We ll then make our way to Hobart and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. You might want to take a walk, or perhaps check out Mawson s Hut Museum, the Tasmanian Distillery Museum or the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, (B, L) Day 10 Saturday 17th March/27th October: Hobart Today you have the option of exploring the iconic waterside Salamanca Markets, with over 300 stalls showcasing Tasmanian food, handmade jewellery and clothing, timbers, vintage collectables and more. Later we drive down to Ida Bay Station and board a WWII Diesel locomotive for an unforgettable journey through bush plains alongside the water s edge. Enjoy an informative talk from your tour guide at the historic cemetery, and once we arrive at Deep Hole, disembark for a lovely bushwalk around Southport Lagoon. On our return, we stop at the delightful town of Geeveston for lunch in our own time, before taking a look at the wonderful statues that enhance it s streets. This evening, enjoy free time to relax and make the most of the hotel s charming setting in the heart of Hobart s historic Constitution Dock. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, (B) Day 11 Sunday 18th March/28th October: Hobart Ida Bay Hobart After breakfast, we make our way on foot to the ferry terminal where we ll enjoy the 30-minute Posh Pit experience on board the ferry to Moorilla winery. Once there, pay a visit to the astounding and acclaimed Museum of Old and New Art, (MONA), the largest privately funded museum in Australia. Today we will enjoy a lovely lunch at The Source. In the afternoon, take a tour of the fascinating and comprehensive Tasmanian Transport Museum at Glenorchy. Enjoy some free time to relax before our celebratory farewell dinner at a local favourite. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, (B, L, D) Day 12 Monday 19th March/29th October: Departures (B) After breakfast, farewell your fellow travellers and transfer to the airport, or take the opportunity to linger in Hobart to soak up its many offerings. Strahan
Hobart PRICE Per person twin share... $6,445 Single supplement... $1,345 Deposit (per person)...$1000 at time of booking Final payment due by... 1 January / 1 September 2018 INCLUSIONS 11 nights accommodation in comfortable, centrally located 3-5 star hotels Many meals as specified in the program Drinks included with welcome and farewell dinners Luxury chartered coach, with luggage transport throughout the tour Comprehensive sightseeing with expert local guides All excursions and entrance fees to attractions, as listed in the itinerary Hobart Docks MONA on the Derwent River EXCLUSIONS Flights Airport transfers on arrival and departure Meals and services not mentioned in itinerary All other personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, laundry services, camera fees where applicable Excursions listed as optional and extra in the brochure
SUGGESTED FLIGHTS We have recommended flights for this itinerary depending on your departure point from Australia and your pre and post tour activities and/or stopovers en route. We can investigate your preferred airline and offer you a solution based on connection times and price. Contact 1300 733 323 to discuss your options. HOW TO BOOK Contact Guidepost Tours on 1300 733 323 or enquiries@guidepost-travel.com for a booking form. Submit the booking form along with your deposit of $1000 per person to secure your place on tour. DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE We endeavour to have all the details of our tours correct at the time of printing however sometimes factors beyond our control such as the availability of requested hotels, the operation of trains and other services may affect the final inclusions and price. Therefore, items mentioned in the brochure such as quoted prices, hotels, tour leaders and inclusions are subject to change. Although it is rare and we will only do it as a last resort, tours can sometimes be cancelled if minimum numbers aren t reached. TOUR PACE / LEVEL OF FITNESS: Our itineraries are designed to make the most of what is available along the way so a reasonable amount of activity is built into most days, which is why we call them adventures. Our philosophy is to offer the most of a destination leaving you, the guests, to pace yourselves and choose how much or how little you may like to do. We do however incorporate some free time for exploration and relaxation on your own and time at leisure is peppered throughout the tour. A reasonable level of fitness is required for most of our tours. Being able to manage your own luggage, get on and off all manner of trains, various amounts of walking, standing and climbing steps and stairs are all part of our adventures. Our Tasmania Tour is a Luxury Adventure, please talk to the team if you are unsure of your ability to participate or need more detail about what is involved. ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS We can assist you with your flights, pre- and post-travel including extended stays and travel insurance. Call our office on 1300 733 323 if you would like to discuss options. TERMS AND CONDITIONS For more information on factors that may affect your ability to participate in the tour such as fitness levels, fees and charges, payment schedules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions that accompany the booking form. Terms and Conditions can also be requested at any time. WHERE YOU WILL STAY Hand-picked hotels and resorts based on location, customer feedback, value and atmosphere. Here s a selection; Clarion Hotel City Park Grand, Launceston Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart Strahan Village, Strahan Cradle Mountain Hotel, Cradle Mountain
West Coast Wilderness Railway THE RAILWAY ADVENTURES STORY Railway Adventures was Launched in 2012 by well-known Australian TV personality and self-declared rail aficionado Scott McGregor. A lifelong passion for travel has taken Scott to scores of countries and his preference for rail has seen him exploring many of the world s great train journeys, confirming his belief that the most relaxing and engaging way to see a country is by rail. Since 2012 more than 50 tours from Sweden to Sri Lanka, Tasmania to Transylvania, Britain to Burma and Venice to Vietnam have thrilled and delighted over 700 travellers. Scott s numerous rail-themed TV documentaries, his ongoing involvement in rail heritage and his extensive connections with private train owners around the world guarantee that a Railway Adventures tour is exclusive, entertaining and authentic. New tours are launched regularly, inspired by new trains, new routes and the growing interest in taking a train to some of the world s most fascinating places. This tour is operated by Platinum Travel Corp in association with Scott McGregor s Railway Adventures. ATAS Accreditation No: A10597 Just toured Tasmania with Scott McGregor s Railway Adventures. Fantastic! These guys really know how to do it. Small group, good company, informative, great variety, great fun. Couldn t ask for more. - Paul and Lindie Davey, Chatswood, Tasmania March 2017 tour