Tasmania Holiday Extension

After breakfast, we leave for Sydney Airport and our flight to Launceston, Tasmania. On arrival, we are met by our local Tour Manager, who will be our driver and guide throughout our time in Tasmania. Our journey west will meander through farmland and historic towns, before turning inland and climbing onto the Alpine Plateau to the gates of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park. We arrive the Cradle Mountain Hotel, our home for the next two nights. Before dinner, we highly recommend exploring the hotel’s beautiful grounds in search of wombats, which roam freely.

This morning, we make a short journey to Dove Lake, a glacially-carved tarn in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Enjoy a walk around the lake, which has epic views of Cradle Mountain, taking us through Tasmania’s unique vegetation, including sassafras and buttongrass. Our afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps visit the Wilderness Gallery, in the grounds of the hotel, showcasing the work of Tasmanian artists and craftspeople, and enjoy a free tasting of delicious local honey.

We journey west today, stopping at the Vale of Belvoir lookout for a different view of Cradle Mountain, en route to Zeehan, a historic mining town named after explorer Abel Tasman’s sailing brig. Next, we discover the Henty Sand Dunes, a series of giant dunes behind Ocean Beach, formed by the wild winds of the Roaring Forties. Watch the huge breakers crash down onto Ocean Beach. Later, we arrive at the small town of Strahan and the Strahan Village Hotel. After settling in we enjoy dinner together.

Tour Highlight

After breakfast we board the ‘Spirit of the Wild’ for a wonderful cruise along the Gordon River. We cruise through the notorious Hells Gates, where Macquarie Harbour and the Southern Ocean meet, before entering the beautiful Gordon River. Our vessel is purpose-built for cruising in the sensitive environment of the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and we cruise in ‘whisper mode’, enjoying the serenity. Stopping at Heritage Landing, we walk through the temperate rainforest and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on board. To finish, we explore the ruins of Sarah Island, a former penal colony, where our guide will regale us with chilling tales of its convict history. We return to Strahan mid-afternoon, and this evening we gather again to enjoy dinner.

This morning, we board the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a trip into cool, remote rainforest, before travelling east to stop and view Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. On arrival in Hobart, we take a short orientation tour of the city. Later, we reach the Crowne Plaza Hobart, where we stay for two nights.

Our morning begins with a spectacular drive along the Tasman Peninsula to the Port Arthur Historic site. Port Arthur began life as a penal settlement in 1830 and quickly grew in importance within the colonies. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our visit we explore the grounds to learn about its fascinating history and enjoy a short harbour cruise. After lunch, we return to Hobart where the rest of the day is free to enjoy as we please.

We say a fond farewell to Tasmania as we head to Hobart Airport for our flights to the UK. Flight routing and timings will be dependent on your choice of stopover and UK airport.