Day 1: Arrive to Hobart
Welcome to Hobart! Upon arrival to the airport you will be met by a driver who will transfer you to your centrally located hotel.
After settling in you will join an afternoon Grand Hobart Walk. This 3 hour walking tour provides you with the opportunity to discover Hobart, Salamanca and Battery Point by foot and hear the fascinating stories of how Tasmania’s capital city was established and how it became the vibrant waterfront city it now is. Your local guide will identify the heritage listed buildings and tell the stories of the early characters and issues that were major influences in the early days of Hobart. At the completion of the tour, make your own way to your Hobart accommodation.
Day 2: Hobart to Cradle Mountain
In the morning make your way to car hire depot where you collect your hired vehicle.
Travel north on the Midland Highway/National Highway 1 towards Campbell Town. Travel through the historic townships of Kempton, where St Mary’s Church of England tells the region’s early days, and Oatlands with more than 150 sandstone buildings, and Ross with its cobble style paths and grad old elm trees which line the main street.
Stop in Campbell Town, situated on the Elizabeth River. Campbell Town is full of colonial history and a self-guided walk that follows the Convict Brick Trail along High Street reveals the individual stories of Tasmania’s convicts. Visit the famous Red Bridge built by convicts in the 1830’s. Continue your journey north along the National Highway/Midland Highway towards Launceston.
On the way you might want to visit Perth, which was settled in 1821 and has more than 40 historic buildings, many dating back to the early 1800's. Stop in at the Post Office to pick up a National Trust brochure for a self-guided tour past the notable Baptist and Methodist churches, some private homes and historic shopfronts.
Continue to Sheffield, which 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 you reach Cradle Mountain National park, check in to your wilderness accommodation and relax after the full day of exploring.
Day 3: Cradle Mountain
Located at the northern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania's most visited natural attractions. Part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area, the surrounding landscape is diverse and includes grassland, rainforest and ancient plants such as the long-lived King Billy pine and the native 'fagus' or deciduous beech. The park also provides a rich habitat for wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna and several bird species. With a range of walks ranging from easy to difficult, there's plenty of opportunities to experience the beauty of Tasmania's wilderness first hand, and with all the comforts of home awaiting you at the end of your day.
In the late afternoon make your own way to Devils @ Cradle. View the Tasmanian Devil, Eastern and Spotted-tail Quoll, Tasmania’s three carnivorous marsupials, from the comfort of the Visitors Centre. The After Dark Night Feeding Tour commences with a DVD presentation followed by an explanation of the Centres conservation work and breeding programs. This is followed by a walk outside throughout the breeding facility observing the animals within their environment. Your guide will ensure that you get a close up encounter with these amazing animals. Devils are primarily a nocturnal species therefore far more active at night. Environmentally sensitive lighting and focus on the social interactions and feeding habits of these unique carnivores, allows visitors a rare up close opportunity of seeing Tasmanian devils in a group feeding situation - quite a spectacular sight.
Day 4: Cradle Mountain to Launceston
Depart Cradle Mountain and drive through Sheffield then continue to Elizabeth Town, where you can sample raspberries and cheeses at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and Ashgrove Milk and Cheese Factory. Continue east along National Highway 1 stopping at Deloraine, a classified historic town on the Meander River, located in the foothills of the Great Western Tiers. It is well known for its classic Tasmanian crafts, artwork and quality designs in fabric, glass, stoneware and jewellery, all available at local galleries.
If time permits, visit the historic towns of Westbury, Hagley, Carrick and Hadspen. Westbury is renowned for its English country character with wonderful colonial architecture. Near Westbury is Liffey Falls (1 hour return walk), a series of picturesque waterfalls in a beautiful rainforest setting, with easy walking tracks and good picnic facilities. At Hadspen, wander through Entally House, one of Tasmania’s oldest National Trust properties. Continue to Launceston, Tasmania’s second largest city and a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture and nature.
Launceston has one of the best preserved early cityscapes in Australia with its elegant Colonial and Victorian architecture and century old parks. Visit Cataract Gorge, a slice of wilderness right in the heart of town. Visit the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and take a tour of the historic Boag’s Brewery, founded in 1883.
Day 5: Launceston to Freycinet National Park
Travel south along the National Highway/Midland Highway towards Hobart.
Stop at the Leather Bottle Inn built in 1839 using handmade nails in its construction. Visit the Tasmanian Honey Company to enjoy free tastings of world class honey.
After passing Campbell Town turn onto Lake Leake Highway, then onto the Tasman Highway towards Bicheno before turning to Coles Bay. Coles Bay sits beneath sheer pink granite mountains on the edge of Oyster Bay. The uncrowded beaches and crystal clear water offer the ideal location for swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing. Continue onto Freycinet Drive and follow this road to Freycinet Lodge.
Day 6: Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park is home to dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches and abundant birdlife. The Park occupies most of the Freycinet Peninsula and looks out to the Tasman Sea from the eastern side and back towards the Tasmanian coastline from the west. Freycinet National Park is loaded with natural assets, including the pink granite peaks of the Hazards Range that dominate the Peninsula and the iconic Wineglass Bay. The short trek to Wineglass Bay lookout is a bit of a scramble, but it's well worth it for one of Tasmania's most photographed views.
Day 7: Freycinet National Park to Hobart
Leaving Freycinet National Park behind you will make your way back to Hobart. Visit Swansea, a seaside village overlooking Great Oyster Bay. The town is surrounded by beautiful beaches with the Freycinet Peninsula in the distance. Local cafes and restaurants serve Swansea’s fresh harvests including the town’s famous oysters. At Kate’s Berry Farm you can enjoy fresh berries, ice cream, jams and berry wines. Visit the quirky Spiky Bridge, constructed by convicts using field stones laid without mortar or cement.
Continue along the Tasman Highway towards Sorell. Stop in Sorell, one of Tasmania’s oldest farming towns and the last major town on the way to the Tasman Peninsula. A walk around town reveals pieces of history on and off the main street, with impressive historic churches like St George’s and Sorell’s oldest building, the Sorell Barracks, now colonial accommodation. Stop at the Sorell Fruit Farm, where you will have the opportunity to pick strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, boysenberries, loganberries, and blackcurrants. Enjoy a free self-guided tour of the diverse farm and then stop at the cafe for a Devonshire tea, gourmet lunch or berry ice cream.
Once in Hobart, check in to your hotel and explore the city on your own. Take a walk along Hobart’s iconic waterfront, explore the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, take a ferry up river to MONA for an out of this world modern art experience, and stop at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park for a close up encounter with a Tasmanian Devil. Dine at one of the many restaurants along Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, for flavours from around the world.
Day 8: Depart Hobart
Return your rental vehicle to the airport, allowing plenty of time to connect with your departing flight.
