Itinerary
Day 1 Tue. Launceston, Freedom of Choice Touring, Welcome Dinner
On arrival into Launceston be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Then join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity - choose to visit either Platypus House, Seahorse World or the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at Welcome Drinks and Dinner.
Stay: Launceston, Hotel Grand Chancellor
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Day 2 Wed. Bicheno, Freycinet National Park
In lavender flowering season (Dec.-Jan.), visit Bridestowe Lavender Farm to admire the purple-hued fields. Continue to Bicheno and East Coast Natureworld to learn about Australia’s native animals, and see Delilah, APT’s sponsored Tasmanian Devil. In Freycinet National Park, walk along Cape Tourville, admiring the stunning east coast scenery. Later, arrive at Freycinet Lodge, where tonight you will enjoy a gourmet barbeque overlooking magnificent Coles Bay.
Stay: APT HIGHLIGHT! Freycinet Lodge, situated within picturesque Freycinet National Park
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Day 3 Thur. Freycinet National Park, Freedom of Choice Touring, Port Arthur, Crayfeast
Port Arthur, Crayfeast. This morning, you have some time at leisure to explore Freycinet National Park. If you’re feeling adventurous you may like to take a walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Or, if relaxing is more your style, you may prefer to take a swim in the turquoise blue waters of one of the many stunning beaches or simply relax and take in the surrounds of this amazing region. After spending some time as you please, rejoin your tour and travel through Swansea to the town of Richmond to see the convict-built bridge, then continue to Port Arthur. This evening, savour the flavours of a Tasmanian speciality - a delicious crayfish dinner, exclusive to APT.
Stay: Port Arthur, Comfort Inn, the only hotel in the historic site overlooking the ruins
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Day 4 Fri. Port Arthur Historic Site, Hobart, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, visit the Port Arthur Historic Site. See the penal colony ruins, explore the prison facilities and cruise on Mason Cove around the Isle of the Dead. Afterwards, travel through the Tasman National Park and see the Tessellated Pavement, Devil’s Kitchen and Tasman Arch enroute to Hobart, where tonight you have the opportunity to choose your dining experience. Perhaps sample mouth-watering cuisine at Restaurant Tasman, absorb the nautical atmosphere of The Drunken Admiral, or The Henry Jones Art Hotel.
Two Night Stay: APT EXCLUSIVE! Hobart, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Harbour View Rooms
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Day 5 Sat. Salamanca Market, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, enjoy free time to discover Hobart’s renowned Salamanca Market. With its nineteenth century sandstone village backdrop, wander past more than 300 stalls featuring local produce, arts and crafts. After picking up some bargains, you have an exciting range of Freedom of Choice Touring activities to choose from. You may like to take a serene walk among the tree tops on the Tahune AirWalk. Perhaps go on a cruise of the Derwent River, take a tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens or enjoy a traditional afternoon high tea at the historic Hadley’s Hotel.
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Day 5 Bruny Island Adventure Cruise Option
Replace Day 5 touring with a full day adventure to Bruny Island. This three hour eco-cruise aboard a custom-built speed boat is not for the faint hearted! Find yourself in awe as you sit at the bottom of towering sea cliffs, among the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. Drift up close and listen to the amazing Breathing Rock and feel the power of nature at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the might of the Southern Ocean. You may also see an array of wildlife - dolphins, fur seals, and bird life, including the albatross. Additional: AUD $126 per person. Lunch included. Conditions apply and must be pre-booked.
Day 6 Sun. Russell Falls, World Heritage Lake St Clair, West Coast Wilderness Railway
Follow the Derwent Valley to Mt Field National Park, where a short walk brings you to stunning Russell Falls. Stroll through a mixed rainforest of swamp gums, dogwood, musk and myrtle. From here, enter the awe-inspiring forests of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area to Lake St Clair. Admire views of the nation’s deepest lake before continuing to Queenstown. Join the restored West Coast Wilderness Railway for a ride through the forest. Tonight, enjoy views over Strahan’s beautiful harbour while savouring a delicious buffet meal.
Two Night Stay: APT EXCLUSIVE! Strahan Village, Harbour View Deluxe Rooms
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Day 7 Mon. World Heritage Wilderness, Gordon River Cruise, Dine Around Dinner
Explore breathtaking World Heritage wilderness aboard the Lady Jane Franklin II. Cruise along the mighty Gordon River with guaranteed window seating and enjoy a buffet lunch. Stop at Heritage Landing for a walk through ancient rainforest and a visit to the penal colony of Sarah Island. In the afternoon, return to Strahan and take your time exploring this picturesque town. Tonight, perhaps take in a local pantomime based on a convict’s escape from Sarah Island (own expense). Then choose to dine at either View 42º, Hamers Hotel or The Fish Café.
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Day 8 Tue. Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Freedom of Choice Touring
Journey to Cradle Mountain and explore Dove Lake with a local guide. View the jagged contours of Cradle Mountain and visit Waldheim Chalet, a forest home built in 1912. This afternoon, perhaps sample Tasmania’s finest wines and cheeses; take a guided Enchanted Walk; join a night wildlife spotlight tour in search of native animals (limited availability); pick up a Gourmet Picnic Hamper to enjoy in the magnificent surrounds of the national park; or pamper yourself at the Waldheim Alpine Spa.
Stay: Cradle Mountain Lodge, Pencil Pine Cabins, with views over the surrounding landscape
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Day 9 Wed. The Nut, Woolnorth, Cape Grim, Smithton
Visit the far north-west reaches of Tasmania and see The Nut at Stanley. Tour Woolnorth, the state’s largest wind farm, perched high on the windswept cliffs of a rugged but majestic coastline. At nearby Cape Grim, breathe in the cleanest air in the world, then arrive at the farming area of Smithton. Tonight, enjoy an exclusive Tasmanian Fare Feature Dinner.
Stay: Smithton, Tall Timbers Hotel
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Day 10 Thur. Sheffield, Ashgrove Cheese Factory, Woolmers Estate
Explore Devonport, one of the oceanic gateways to Tasmania, then continue on to Sheffield, a quaint town where over 30 murals have been painted on the building walls. This afternoon, sample handmade cheeses at Ashgrove Cheese Factory, then continue to historic Woolmers Estate where you will enjoy a guided tour and a stroll through the National Rose Garden.
Two Night Stay: Launceston, Hotel Grand Chancellor, right in the city centre
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Day 11 Fri. Ross, Farewell Dinner and Drinks
Travel around the Great Lake, Australia’s second largest freshwater lake, used for hydro-electricity production. Your journey will also take you over the Great Western Tiers to the quaint heritage township of Ross. Here, view the famous historical bridge, built by convicts and featuring more than 180 unique hand carvings, and take some time to explore the colonial township. On return to Launceston later this afternoon, spend your last evening with your fellow travellers and Tour Director at a Farewell Dinner and Drinks, with a menu exclusively chosen for APT guests. Throughout the evening you’ll also enjoy a presentation from the chef about the culinary secrets used in the preparation of the meal.
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Day 12 Sat. Depart Launceston, Cataract Gorge
Take some time to explore Cataract Gorge, a unique natural rock formation, before your tour concludes with an included airport transfer.
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