Tasmanian 10 Day Self Drive

Day 02 Southwest Wilderness Experience – See the untouched Tasmanian Southwest in a day (included) (B.L)

Discover the grandeur and spirit of the Tasmanian wilderness on our Southwest Wilderness Experience.
This new eight-hour tour explores the remote and harsh southern coasts and waterways of this rugged and beautiful region of Tasmania.
Landing at Melaleuca Airport, we take to the water and explore the pristine waterways of The Port Davey Marine Reserve taking in Waterfall Bay and the Breaksea Islands.
After a gourmet lunch featuring delicious Tasmanian produce, we disembark the vessel and explore the Melaleuca Museum and the Needwonnee Walk, a fantastic monument to the rich indigenous history of the area.
Returning to the skies, we head inland over The Arthur Range, arguably Tasmania’s most spectacular mountain range. Taking in Mount Picton and The Huon Valley, we return to Hobart via Mount Wellington for a birds-eye view of the beautiful capital of Tasmania before landing back at Cambridge.

Day 03 Bruny Island Traveller – Full Day Tour (included) (B.L)

Bruny Island Traveller is a full day tour from Hobart. Taste your way across Bruny Island, visiting some of our renowned artisan producers on an all inclusive gourmet wilderness adventure whilst discovering the spectacular scenery and cultural heritage of Tasmania’s favourite island.

Be prepared for a delicious day out where you will enjoy award winning cheeses, premium wines and beer, freshly shucked oysters, handcrafted fudge, local honey and a delicious lunch at Pennicott’s beachside restaurant with sweeping views of Adventure Bay.
Meet and hear the stories of island producers including an exclusive cheese and beer experience at Bruny Island Cheese company and sweet taste sensations from Bruny Island Chocolate Company and Bruny Island Honey.
Get Shucked’s famous Bruny oysters will be served alongside lunch. We recommend the premium Tasmanian fish, chips and salad to keep you fuelled as you continue exploring. Lunch is accompanied by two glasses of quality Tasmanian wine, beer, cider or juices.
7:45am Depart Hobart, 5:30pm/6:00pm Arrive in Hobart

Day 04 Hobart to Launceston via East Coast Wineglas Bay Freycinet National Park (B)

Richmond
Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the heart of the Coal River Valley wine region that tells the story of an early Australian colonial village. This is the perfect place to learn about Tasmania’s past and can be as easy as a stroll down the pretty nineteenth century streets.
Richmond has more than 50 Georgian buildings, many beautifully restored and now operating as cafes, restaurants, galleries and accommodation. The town’s most photographed landmark is the Richmond Bridge. Built by convicts in the 1820s, it’s the oldest bridge in Australia and offers a perfect picnic spot on the grassy banks of the Coal River.
Spiky Bridge
It’s just a bridge but it’s pretty cool. Built by convicts in 1843, this bridge abruptly pops out of the landscape to baffle passers-by with its odd design. The bridge was made from field stones laid without mortar or cement and the parapet features field stones laid vertically, giving the bridge a spiky appearance. It’s claimed that the spikes were designed to prevent cattle falling over the sides of the bridge, though it turns out the real reason is to help the bridge weather harsh winds. There are also the remains of the governor’s cottage on the hill overlooking the unusual bridge.

Wineglass Bay
When you first set eyes on Great Oyster Bay set against the backdrop of Freycinet National Park and the three pink-granite peaks of the Hazards mountain range – you know you’re somewhere different. This is a visual experience to remember.
Situated on Tasmania’s beautiful East Coast, Freycinet National Park occupies most of the Freycinet Peninsula. This long strip of land looks out to the Tasman Sea from the eastern side and back towards the Tasmanian coastline from the west. The park is loaded with natural assets, including the granite peaks of the Hazards that dominate the Peninsula, abundant birdlife and the iconic and much-photographed Wineglass Bay.
There are long and short walks across the park to secluded bays, clean beaches and bird-filled lagoons that walkers of all abilities will enjoy.

Devil’s Corner Winery – Free stop

The Devil’s Corner Cellar Door and Lookout is located by the edge of Moulting Lagoon on Tasmania’s beautiful East Coast and provides spectacular views across the Lagoon to the Hazards at Coles Bay. The architecturally designed Tower provides the perfect location to enjoy the view, while the recently opened cellar door provides tastings of the award-winning Devil’s Corner wines, many exclusive to the cellar door. The Fishers Seafood is located next to the cellar door and serves the freshest seafood, including oysters and mussels from the Lagoon and local fish straight off the boats. Tombolo Cafe sits on the other side of the cellar door and utilises local ingredients to produce a range of wood-fired pizzas along with freshly made gelato and espresso coffee.

*** Note: This venue is currently undergoing renovations, but is expected to be completed by summer 2021

Launceston Accommodation: 2 Nights

Hotel Grand Chancellor or Country Club Tasmania or Mantra Charles Hotel or similar

Day 05 Launceston   

Platypus House

Nestled on the water in the beautiful Tamar Valley, Platypus House offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch live Tasmanian Platypuses and Echidnas in daylight conditions and undercover! Wet and cold days are not a problem! Tasmanian Platypuses and Echidnas are unique and simply amazing. Both are must-see animals that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Join us on an unforgettable fun and educational tour suitable for all ages and watch them actively feeding and playing as you wander through the platypus ponds and echidna garden. Platypus House was established to advance public awareness and understanding about the magic of the monotremes. It is an ideal educational visit for school, family and community group visits. Photography is most welcome.

Cataract Gorge Chairlift

In 1972, a magnificent chairlift was built spanning the huge natural basin often filled by the surging waters of the South Esk River. The chairlift covers some 457 metres, with terminal buildings at the First Basin (West Launceston) end and idling station at the Cliff Grounds side (Trevallyn). The central span of 308 metres is believed to be the longest single chairlift span in the world. Seating is designed for complete safety and includes a safety bar which can be operated by either the passenger or attendant. The slow speed of the chairlift enables passengers to appreciate fully and photograph the spectacular views of this ancient rock gorge.

Josef Chromy

Josef Chromy Wines has a state-of-the-art winery at the base of the vineyard at Relbia, just south of Launceston.  The modern and minimalist exterior provides a home for some of the best winemaking equipment available.  Fruit reception begins with a vibrating hopper that gently shakes the grapes into the destemmer.  The grapes are pumped gently into the press through a peristaltic pump, using the same technology that transfers live fish or pumps blood during heart bypass surgery. A high-tech German press enables juice extraction at low pressures, giving more delicate aromatic juices.  All Pinot Noir is fermented in small batch open top fermenters and a pneumatic plunging device, co-developed by Josef, is used to gently plunge the cap and manage the extraction of colour and tannin during the fermentation.  All the equipment and processes in the winery are designed to respect the delicate varietal flavours of the high quality, cool-climate Tasmanian fruit. Head Chef Nick Raitt hones in on great local produce, cared for and cooked with heart and honesty. Our service staff are intent on bringing you a warm and welcoming service of the highest standard.

Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company

The Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company is a production and tasting centre near Evandale, 17 km south of Launceston. Surrounding the centre is the renowned open garden and topiary nursery. Enjoy a picnic while relaxing in the garden gazing at the views of the Eastern Highlands.

Day 06 Launceston / Mole Creek Caves / Sheffield Town / Cradle Mountain (B)

Mole Creek Caves
You can choose from three different Mole Creek Caves tours, each lasting 45 minutes. Enjoy the wonderful scenery and learn all about this fascinating and uniquely fragile world – an experience the whole family will enjoy.
You will see amazing creatures, such as the Tasmanian Cave Spider, that have evolved and adapted to living and surviving in this incredible place without light, many unique to Mole Creek Caves and not found anywhere else in the world.
Marakoopa Cave or King Solomons Cave http://molecreek.info/natures-wonders/mole-creek-caves/

Sheffield
Sheffield, in the foothills of majestic Mount Roland, is the gateway to Cradle Mountain and a friendly, quirky rural town where history and art merge to create an entire town of murals.
Once a centre for industry, the town has reinvented itself as an arts community. Featuring more than 140 murals, Sheffield is Tasmania’s own outdoor art gallery and art abounds all around with several galleries, studios and museums to visit. The murals trace the history of the area and feature Cradle Mountain pioneer Gustav Weindorfer, Tasmanian Tigers, and pictorial representations of characters and stories of the past.Cradle Mountain Hotel Accommodation: 1 Night
Cradle Mountain Hotel or similar

Day 07 Cradle Mountain / Dove Lake / Strahan (B)

Cradle Mountain National Park
The mountain itself is part of the Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park in Tasmania’s Central Highlands — one of 5 parks that form a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, spanning over 1 million hectares.
The unique shape of Cradle Mountain creates a dramatic vista that’s impossible to miss as visitors walk along the shores of the many lakes, river gorges and waterfalls that decorate the surrounding areas.

This is one of Tasmania’s premier nature walks. The Trail circles Dove Lake while taking you beneath the craggy spires of the indomitable Cradle Mountain. This two-hour circuit is boardwalk for much of the way and is suitable for most which makes it a family-friendly adventure.

After visiting Dove Lake drive to Strahan accommodation for check in .

Strahan Accommodation: 3 Nights
Strahan Village Hilltop Executive Harbour View

Day 08 Gordon River Cruises – Main Deck Window Seating (included) (B.L)
Cruising aboard Spirit of the Wild on our national award-winning Gordon River Cruise, you will experience quiet cruising with electric motors while taking in the tranquil surrounds of the Gordon River. Our dedicated guides and character-based interpretation will take you through the history of this remarkable place as you cruise across Macquarie Harbour to Hells Gates and then on to the Gordon River. Package includes:
• Cold buffet lunch
• Two walking tours at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island

Gordon River Cruise | West Coast Tasmania (gordonrivercruises.com.au)

Day 09 West Coast Wilderness Railway (included) (B)

West Coast Wilderness Railway Queenstown Explorer Wilderness Carriage
On this full day steam train journey, you will travel the length of the West Coast Wilderness Railway in both directions, stopping at every station along the line and hearing the many stories of the resilient people and extraordinary events that brought the railway to life. As you travel through impenetrable rainforest, climb rugged mountains and pass deep gorges, you will understand the huge challenges that were overcome to build the line that would eventually connect the region’s rich copper mines to the port at Strahan. The railway also connected people and communities, and throughout the day, you will pass through the camps, settlements, towns and farms that once thrived here.

Wilderness Carriage enjoy a welcoming glass of sparkling wine on boarding, canapés, morning tea, lunch at Tracks Cafe in Queenstown, a selection of Tasmanian cheese and complimentary tea and coffee throughout, along with access to the open balcony to get up close to the rain forest and take those magic images.

Today after breakfast drive the 4 hour trip to Hobart airport to connect with your flight.