8 Day Tasmania Tour in Circle (TIC8)

Arrive into Tasmania at your leisure and overnight at the elegant 4-Star Mövenpick Hotel. Check-in anytime from 2pm onwards. The Hobart waterfront and Salamanca areas are both within short walking distance.

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Hobart city. See beautiful Battery Point, Salamanca, the historic Female Factory & Cascade Brewery, including many of Australia’s oldest convict-built structures. Next head to the summit of Mt Wellington (1270m) which offers fantastic panoramic scenery in every direction.

Journey into the Coal River Valley for luch at a fantastic local winery, this is one of Tasmania’s premier wine regions so naturally wine tastings are included. See the historic township of Richmond, with its beautiful stone arch Richmond Bridge, built by convicts in 1823. Sample some hand made delights at the boutique Federation Chocolate Factory just outside of Richmond.

In the afternoon we explore the Tasman Peninsula including Pirates Bay, Eaglehawk Neck, the infamous Dogline, Tasman’s Arch & Devils Kitchen. Tonight our lodgings are on the cusp of the Port Arthur World Heritage Historic Site.

This morning experience a 2.5 fully hour guided tour of Tasmania's Port Arthur Historic Site. We explore the most interesting buildings and share stories of the convicts and their plight in the early days of settlement. Hear about the juvenile boys prison at Point Puer, the Isle of the Dead graveyard, the infamous Silent Prison and stories of the most notorious convict inmates.

We will also visit and discuss the memorial to the tragic events of 1996 on our site tour.

A 30min harbour cruise offers views to the outer areas of the site including the boat building yard and the harbour entrance to the Tasman Sea. This is a great opportunity to photograph th site from the top deck.

Next stop at the colourful Port Arthur Lavender Farm before lunching at award winning Bangor Vineyard. Heading north up the east coast of Tasmania, stop at Raspins Beach for a sandy stroll and views to Maria Island off the coast of Orford. See the unique convict built Spikey Bridge and the stunning coastline at Spikey Beach over tea, coffee & biscuits. Swansea and the Great Oyster Bay area are next. Arriving in Bicheno for our evening accommodation we will squeeze in one last feel good (optional) activity by spotting the cute little Fairy Penguins arriving ashore every evening.

Starting with the amazing Blow Hole in Bicheno. The multi-award winning East Coast Nature World wildlife park is often a tour highlight for many guests. See our native animals close up including Kangaroos, Wombats, Quolls, White Wallabies, Echidna's and of course the Tasmanian Devils. Get as close as you will ever experience during the 20min Devil feeding presentation, watch the Devil's in full feeding action! This is a memorable, interactive morning.

Enjoy Travelling Tasmania's most scenic coastal road to the truly stunning Bay of Fires. At Binalong Bay we stroll the white sandy beaches and sample fresh oysters from the Lease 65 Oyster Farm. The Pyengana Dairy is next for some delicious cheese tastings before journeying through an ancient Myrtle Rainforest and across the Blue Tiers mountains.

Coffee break at Legerwood amongst the elegant carved memorial trees, before a scenic drive into Launceston. Tonight we stay in the very centre of town, just minutes walk from the main restaurant strip. We will certainly brief the group on our favourite dining options on arrival.

Launceston is Australia’s 3rd oldest capital city and is well worth a mornings exploration. See the King Bridge, City Park and many classic, heritage listed buildings. We’ll also enjoy our personal favourite Launceston attraction which is a 40 minute stroll through the beautiful Cataract Gorge Reserve.

Heading west into the Meander Valley, our lunch stop is a hidden gem in the forest at 41º Degrees South Salmon Farm. Learn how they sustainable & responsibly farm Atlantic Salmon on location as we take a short tour of their property. Try locally made ice-cream and honey, with 50 flavours on offer at the renowned Melita Honey Farm in Chudleigh. Learn about Tasmania’s oldest and biggest Leatherwood Honey producer R. Stephens Honey in Mole Creek. A guided tour of Tasmania's stunning Marakoopa Caves is next. These ancient limestone caves boast many stunning features & crystal formations, they are also home to a resident population of glow worms!

This afternoon we journey up onto the central highlands plateau and the Cradle Mountain area. As we ascend the scenery dramatically changes to a landscape like nothing else seen up to this point. Enjoy some wild animal & wombat spotting at dusk - always a treat for visiting guests. Tonight we lodge at the luxurious 4-Star Cradle Mountain Hotel.

Start the day with a full buffet banquet breakfast at Cradle Mountain Hotel. Inside the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park - a photographers paradise - drive to the gorgeous Dove Lake for views of Cradle Mountain. Take a short walk to glacier rock and then on to the Enchanted Walk to see beautiful cascades and the Pencil Pine waterfall. Visit the old “Waldheim Cottage” of pioneer Gustav Weindorfer who made Cradle Mountain world famous.

En route to Strahan we pass through beautiful Lake Rosebery, old mining towns such as Zeehan and view the Southern Ocean from one of the best lookout points on the west coast - how far can you see - perhaps Argentina? This is some of the freshest air on Earth. Arriving in the historic settlement of Strahan we see the historical train station at Regatta Point, visit an old though still operational saw mill and the award winning Woodcraft Centre with beautifully designed woodworks on display. Continue on to our evening lodgings at the infamous west coast township of Queenstown where an evening meal is included in your 10 day tour of Tasmania itinerary.