8 Day Hobart to Launceston Western Wonders Tour
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Welcome to Tasmania. Travelling from Hobart to Launceston on this privately guided or self drive tour you will discover the majestic sites that this Australian State has to offer on a 7 night/8 day excursion. Highlights include Hobart and the spectacular views from Mount Wellington, Bruny Island with its vast array of wildlife and coastal views, Lake Saint Claire and a visit to Mt Field, Cradle Mountain and many more. The best part is that this is your private tour on your terms, allowing you to discover Tasmania like a local. Welcome to The Road Trip – Where Your Journey Begins.
Day 1 – Hobart Arrival
Welcome to Tasmania. Upon arrival and being met by your private driver for the tour (or collection of your rental vehicle if taking the self drive option), you will spend the day exploring Hobart and its incredible surrounds. Today’s tour includes a visit to Bonorong Wildlife Park. Here you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal to some of Australia’s incredible wildlife including kangaroos, Cockatoos, Koalas and of course the Tasmanian devil. From here it is off to Richmond Historic Village famous for its Georgian Architecture. This afternoon you will take a trip to the top of Mount Wellington for incredible views. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner in Hobart where you will spend the night.
Day 2 – Bruny Island Cruise and Huon Valley
Today you will get the chance to explore Bruny Island. Cruise alongside some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs, beneath towering crags and drift up close to listen to the awesome ‘Breathing Rock’. Enter deep sea caves, pass through the narrow gap between the coast and ‘The Monument’ and feel the power of nature at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the might of the Southern Ocean.
Join in the search for the abundant coastal wildlife such as seals, dolphins, migrating whales and sea birds. The highly trained interpretive guides love what they do – they work hard to ensure that the experience is fun, enjoyable, entertaining and informative. Enjoy lunch on the island.
This afternoon explore the incredible Huon Valley and explore this scenic drive through valleys covered in thick forests and breathtaking vistas. Return to Hobart in the evening.
Day 3 – Port Arthur Day Tour
Today you will head to Port Arthur and get a chance to explore the historic Port Arthur Site. Port Arthur Historic Site is a large site holding a great many stories and is famous for the first convict settlers to Australia. Now it is one of Australia’s most important heritage destinations, where the story of Australia’s colonial history is written in stone and brick. From here visit the Remarkable Cave. A viewing platform at the bottom of 115 steps offer a tremendous view of the opening, which has been compared to the shape of Tasmania itself. Following this you will get the opportunity to visit Port Arthur Lavender Farm. Return to Hobart later in the afternoon where you will spend a further night.
Day 4 – Hobart to Lake St Clair (204km – 3 hours driving time)
This morning we will depart Hobart and head North West. Our first stop today is New Norfolk. New Norfolk is a small town that has held on to its heritage past but also moved firmly with the times into an expanding regional hub. Dotted with eclectic antique stores, and historic buildings we will spend some time getting acquainted with the village. From here we will head through to the Salmon Ponds for lunch and the opportunity to view fish breeding in all its stages including Salmon and Rainbow Trout. From here we will head to Mount Field and a chance to check out the incredible Russell Falls. Following this we will venture to ‘The Wall’. A work in progress, The Wall is being carved from three-metre high wooden panels. The carved panels will tell the history of the harsh Central Highlands region – beginning with the indigenous people, then to the pioneering timber harvesters, pastoralists, miners and Hydro workers. From here we will head through to the scenic Lake St Clair where we will spend the night.
Day 5 – Lake St Clair to Cradle Mountain (267km – 4 hours driving time)
This morning we will take the 90 minute drive through to Strahan where we will embark on a cruise down the Gordon River. You will experience quiet cruising with electric motors while taking in the tranquil surrounds of the Gordon River. Your cruise 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. You will enjoy lunch on board. From here upon return to Strahan you will take the drive through to Cradle Mountain, one of Tasmania’s iconic locations where you will overnight.
Day 6 – Cradle Mountain to Stanley (184km – 2 hours 38 minutes driving time)
This morning you will have the opportunity to take a walk on spectacular Cradle Mountain. We will suggest walks varying in length. From here head through to the coast and the township of Burnie. you will get the chance top view perfect art deco and federation homes and public spaces featuring buildings by contemporary Tasmanian architects and designers. Burnie also has spectacular coastline and a good stop for lunch. From here head through to the Rocky Cape National Park. The Rocky Cape area contains many significant Tasmanian Aboriginal sites, dating back thousands of years. Vast cave middens, artifacts and rock shelters reveal much about the lifestyle of coastal Aboriginal people. Enjoy a short walk here if time permits. From here you will head through to the township of Stanley, where you will overnight with incredible views of ‘The Nut’
Day 7 – Stanley to Launceston (215km – 3 hours driving time)
This morning you will get the chance to take a walking track to climb to the summit of the Nut, or you can take the chairlift, with its spectacular views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town. From here you will take the drive back along the Northern Coast and through Devonport to Launceston where there rest of the day is free to check out the township.
Day 8 – Launceston Departure Day
After checking out of your accommodation you will transfer to Hobart Airport and your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you have enjoyed a memorable trip with us.
