TASMANIA Friday 8 Tuesday 19 February, 2019 Day 1 COFFS HARBOUR TO LAUNCESTON Fri 8 Feb (D) Welcome to our tour to Tasmania. Our transfer this morning is to Coffs Harbour Airport to connect with our flight, via Sydney, to Launceston. (Virgin Australia Flight VA1164/1092 departs Coffs Harbour at 1220/Arrives Launceston via Sydney at 4.15pm) 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. On our way in from the airport we take a brief tour of the city including 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 and a chairlift 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. Our motel awaits along with a welcome dinner! (Included today Welcome dinner in the motel). Best Western Plus Launceston - ph 1800 030 567 (2 nights) Day 2 THE TAMAR VALLEY Sat 9 Feb (BD) 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, who 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. 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 days after being trapped almost 1 kilometre underground. Back in Launceston, we have some free time prior to dinner (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel). Day 3 THE NORTHEAST Sun 10 Feb (BD) 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 Legerwood. There are some incredible tree carvings to see here. Nine trees were planted to honour soldiers killed in World War I however in 2001 a report on the condition of the trees showed that they were no longer safe. The community was devastated that their memorials would be lost so 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. Continuing on, we ll find some lunch at St Helens and then drive through to Bicheno for our overnight stay (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel). Beachfront at Bicheno ph 03 6375 1111 (1 night) Day 4 EASTERN TASMANIA Mon 11 Feb (BD) This morning we travel inland to Campbell Town, along the route that links Hobart and Launceston. Campbell Town began as a staging town 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 one of the most beautiful 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 (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel). Port Arthur Motor Inn ph 03 6250 2101/ 1800 030 747 (1 night) Day 5 PORT ARTHUR Tue 12 Feb (BD) The penal settlement of Port Arthur 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. 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. 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 convictbuilt Richmond Bridge over the Coal River is the oldest in Australia! We now head into Hobart (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel). Wrest Point Casino Hotel, Hobart - 1800 130 002 ( 2 nights) Day 6 HOBART Wed 13 Feb (BLD) We spend the morning having a local at the sights of this historic city and share its stories old and new. Heading to Mount Nelson we ll have great views of the city and harbour. The afternoon plan is for a visit to Cascade Brewery for a tour, tastings and lunch. We ll be given an insight into Australia s oldest brewery, its finest beers and the brewery process. The remainder of our day is free to relax and enjoy as we wish (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel/ lunch on tour). Day 7 THE WEST COAST Thu 14 Feb (BD) Farewelling Hobart, we are off 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. Our morning stop is at the Salmon Ponds - the oldest Salmon & Trout Hatchery in the southern hemisphere, established in 1860. 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 and when finished will have an array of panels measuring 100 metres in length. In the reception area, there are many three dimensional 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, home to some of the state's most spectacular lakes and mountain areas. The steep drive into Queenstown shows mountains starting to regrow their vegetation after becoming bare and stained purple, grey and pink from sulphur fumes from mining processes. We drive through to Strahan, a pretty seaside town on Macquarie Harbour (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel). Hilltop Motor Inn, Strahan Village - 03 6471 7160 (2 nights) Day 8 STRAHAN & THE GORDON RIVER Friday 15 Feb (BLD) We join a cruise on the Gordon River this morning 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. We ll visit Sarah Island, once known as hell on earth as Tasmania s first and most brutal penal settlement. We ll hear about the points of interest including the Huon Pines found in this area, commonly known to live for 2000 years. We return to Strahan for some free time to enjoy the village and perhaps take in the option of seeing The Ship That Never Was (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel/ lunch on cruise). Day 9 CRADLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Sat 16 Feb (BLD) 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. 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 Devils @ 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. 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 to Wynyard (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel/lunch at Cradle Mountain). The Waterfront Wynyard Motor Inn ph 03 6442 2351 (2 nights) Day 10 STANLEY & WYNYARD Sun 17 Feb (BLD) Further along the coast is 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. We ll take a look at 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, it represents an important part of Tasmanian historic heritage. 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, pigsties and barns. Stanley sits at the base of The Nut which we can access by way of a chairlift (weather permitting) to the summit. From the top we get magnificent views of the area (own expense). We enjoy lunch at the Seaview Inn before retracing our steps to Table Cape an unusual geological structure perched above the ocean about 190 meters above sea level. The remainder of our day is free to look around Wynyard (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel/ lunch in Stanley). Day 11 BURNIE/DEVONPORT/LAUNCESTON Mon 18 Feb (BLD) Arriving in Burnie we visit the Makers Workshop, a new facility with interpretive displays and studios for working artists. We enjoy a papermaking
tour with Creative Paper and learn how materials such as recycled denim jeans, natural plant fibres, apples and even Roo Poo is used to make paper. Plus, we have the opportunity to make our own sheet of paper! Next is a visit to the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden. It is widely known internationally and its unique design makes it one of Australia's major rhododendron gardens. We have lunch then continue along the coast via Penguin, a small town named after the fairy penguin colonies that dot the coast in this area. Our last visit is in Devonport at the Anvers Chocolate Factory. The House of Anvers is a stylish 1931 Californian Bungalow with a lovely garden setting filled with mature trees and plants from all over the world. Inside we ll be tempted by truffles, fudge and other delicious treats. From here we return to Launceston for our final night on tour. (Included today Full breakfast & dinner in the motel/light lunch) Best Western Plus Launceston - ph 1800 030 567 (1 night) Day 12 HOME TO NAMBUCCA HEADS Tue 19 Feb (B) Breakfast and then our airport transfer to connect with our flights home again via Sydney. (Virgin Australia Flight VA1089/1167 departs Launceston at 10.25am/Arrives Coffs Harbour, via Sydney, at 3.40pm).On arrival at Coffs Harbour there will be a local transfer back to Nambucca Heads to complete our fabulous 12 day tour to Tasmania (Included today Full breakfast in the hotel) All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather. COST: $3720.00 per person (Based on twin/double share accommodation) Single supplement $840.00 A deposit of $800.00 per person is required upon booking With final payment due 10 January 2019 TOUR INCLUSIONS: Economy flights Coffs Harbour/Sydney/Launceston Launceston/Sydney/Coffs Harbour Air conditioned coach travel including transfers from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour and return All accommodation and meals as stipulated All attractions/visits as stipulated 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. Cancellations and amendments: Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given: 42 days or more loss of deposit 29-41 days: 50% of fare plus deposit 30 day 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. Please note: Passenger baggage to be a maximum of 20kg. per person FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: Port Macquarie Travel Licence No. 2TA 000831 110 William Street PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444 PH: 6583 1422 or Camden Haven Travel PH: 6559 9048 Holiday Coast Tours Pty Ltd ABN: 28 099 188 986 www.holidaycoasttours.com.au