Tour Tasmania for 5 days and witness great scenery, cultural experiences, World Heritage areas and quality food at an affordable price. Highlights include a cruise on the Gordon River, exploring the stunning Cradle Mountain National Park and sampling delicious handmade cheese at the Ashgrove Cheese Factory.
Day 1: Derwent Valley, Mt Field National Park, Lake St Clair
Leave Hobart and enter Mt Field National Park to view Russell Falls. Then enter some of Tasmania's highest country, Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park. Enjoy a stop on the shores of Lake St Clair to admire the view before travelling through World Heritage listed wilderness to Strahan, on Macquarie Harbour. West Coast Wilderness Railway Option - Choose to ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway from Queenstown to Strahan (own expense). Available during daylight savings time only.
Stay: Strahan Village Hilltop.
Day 2: Strahan, Gordon River Wilderness Cruise with Lunch, Sarah Island Tour
This morning board the luxury cruise vessel, the Lady Jane Franklin II, for a cruise across the tranquil Macquarie Harbour and along the World Heritage Gordon River. Cruise to the former penal settlement of Sarah Island. Enter the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and stop at Heritage Landing before enjoying lunch on board. Later, depart Strahan for World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park.
Stay: Cradle mountain Chateau.
Day 3: Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, Sheffield, Stanley and 'The Nut'
Tour Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park and explore the Visitor Centre before travelling out to Waldheim Chalet. Nestled among the myrtles and King Billy pines, the chalet is a replica of the original guest chalet built in 1912 by Austrian migrant Gustav Weindorfer. View Dove Lake, with the craggy peak of Cradle Mountain as its backdrop. Later, visit Sheffield where many of the town's buildings are decorated with murals depicting the region's history, while the local school children have painted mini murals on the town's garbage bins. Journey to the charming fishing village of Stanley, rich in maritime heritage. Stanley is set in the shadow of "The Nut" a striking rocky outcrop that soars 150 metres from the sea.
Stay: Smithton, Tall Timbers Hotel/Motel.
Day 4: Ashgrove Cheese Factory, Great Lakes Plateau, Crayfish Dinner
Visit Ashgrove Cheese Factory, makers of delicious handmade cheeses for a tour and tasting. Ashgrove uses traditional recipes and techniques to produce superior cheeses try their 'farmstyle' English cheeses, vintage cheddars or a unique cheese with Tasmanian native pepperberry flavours. Traverse the Great Lakes Plateau before passing through Poatina and continuing to Launceston. This evening, enjoy our farewell crayfish dinner with new found friends (fresh seafood outside cray season).
Stay: Launceston, Commodore Regent.
Day 5: Tamar River Cruise, Seahorse World, Home
Take a morning cruise up the Tamar River and enjoy morning tea. Arrive at Deviot and follow the Tamar River Valley to Beauty Point to visit Seahorse World then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
