6 Day Eastern Heritage (twin share room)

Tour Details

Operator

Groups Tasmania

Destinations

Hobart, Bicheno, Tasmania, Launceston, Port Arthur, Burnie, Tamar Valley, Richmond, New Norfolk, Mt Wellington, Salamanca Market, Dunally and Devil's Kitchen

Departs From

Launceston

Tour Description

6 Day Eastern Heritage
3 departure options: 11 November 2008, 10 February 2009 & 10 March 2009
Cost of tour: AUD$1405.00 per person twin share, AUD$1947.00 for a single room

Day 1 Arrival in Launceston (HD)

Your tour begins! Meet your experienced Tasmanian coach captain at reception at 2.00pm and board the comfortable coach for an afternoon visiting some of the sights of Launceston. Situated in the Tamar Valley, Launceston is a city of contrasts, blending history and scenery with a reputation for quality food and wine. This afternoon a tour of the city gives you the opportunity to see some of the graceful Victorian architecture.
• Cataract Gorge, Launceston. An expansive reserve minutes from the city centre, your coach will drop you off at Kings Bridge so you can stroll the walk way along the Cataract Gorge to the First Basin. Here the gardens filled with tree rhododendrons, spacious lawns and fern glades. Peacocks add to the colour. Cross the waters of the First Basin on the chairlift (own expense) that has the longest single span in the Southern Hemisphere or walk around the First Basin via the Alexandra Suspension Bridge. Your coach will meet you at the First Basin entrance.
• Dr Harry’s Hobby Farm, Launceston. Dr Harry’s Hobby Farm is situated in Relbia just outside Tasmania’s northern city of Launceston. For six years this was the home of the popular television show ‘Harry’s Practice.’ The farm boasts an ever expanding collection of animals including horses, Siamese and Burmese cats, Rex rabbits, guinea pigs, coloured sheep and their lambs. There are also dogs including Scarlet, Dr. Harry’s border collie. Wilma the pet pig can usually be found up to her elbows in mud. You can touch and feel all the babies in our animal nursery. After the guided tour you will enjoy dinner in the ‘Clucky Chook’ Café overlooking the scenic lake.

Stay: Olde Tudor Motor Inn, Launceston (2 nights)

Day 2 Tamar Valley (B D)

Today you visit the picturesque Tamar Valley. The Tamar River is Australia’s longest navigable tidal estuary, being 76km long with widths that vary from 400 metres to 4km’s. The scenery is a moving postcard; the fertile valley being home to a variety of orchards, berry farms and wineries.
• Batman Bridge. A uniquely shaped bridge crossing the Tamar River, it is named after John Batman who founded the city of Melbourne.
• The Grubb Shaft Gold and Heritage Museum, Beaconsfield. The Museum is located within two restored heritage buildings on the site of the 19th century Tasmanian Gold Mine. The rich Tasman reef was discovered here in 1877, and until its closure in 1914, the mine produced gold worth AUD450 million in today’s value. The Museum features an extensive collection of mining memorabilia, artifacts and machinery. Explore the Grubb Shaft Mine; see the iron smelter, water wheel and working model of the mine's dewatering pump, one of the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. You can also visit the miner's cottage, local store and the old Flowery Gully School.
The Grubb Shaft Gold and Heritage Museum is adjacent to the Beaconsfield Gold Mine, which you can see from a viewing platform. This is the site where, in April 2006, a rock fall trapped three miners one kilometre underground. Miner Larry Knight was tragically killed, and the subsequent rescue of Brant Webb and Todd Russell, who remained trapped for 14 days, became known worldwide as the ‘Great Escape’.
• Moores Hill Estate Vineyard. Moores Hill Estate Vineyard was established in 1997 on the gentle slopes of the Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania. The area is characterized by a cool climate, loamy soils and long ripening periods which are ideal conditions for high quality grapes and wines with distinctive flavours. The first grape harvest was in December 1999 with the first wine bottled in 2000. A fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay being produced. 2002 has seen the addition of a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a Reisling.
• Brady’s Lookout. Matthew Brady was an infamous bushranger and from this vantage point, would spy on unsuspecting victims on the river below. A scenic spot for the photographers.
• Grindelwald. Nestled atop a hill 15 minutes north of Launceston, this village captures the architecture and way of life of Switzerland. Visit the speciality shops, with the Chocolate Shop a favourite

Day 3 Fingal Valley (B D)

Leaving Launceston today you visit some attractions to satisfy both gourmet and history lovers, before travelling through the Fingal Valley, towards the sunny east coast.
• Woolmer’s Estate, Longford. This privately owned historical estate has been owned by the Archer family since 1816 and is a genuine example of living history. The house features many antiques, silverware and paintings. Woolmer’s walled garden was established by Thomas Archer in the 1840s, and is now being restored by the Woolmer’s Historical Foundation, replanting suitable trees, shrubs, roses and perennials. Also on sight is the National Rose Garden of Tasmania. This 2 hectare garden provides visitors with a unique journey through the evolution of the rose. It represents one of the finest collections of historic roses in the southern hemisphere.
• Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company, Evandale. Situated near historic Evandale on the banks of the South Esk River you will find the production and tasting centre of the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company. Using only the finest Tasmanian produce, Julie Barbour and her staff create a widely acclaimed range of sauces, relishes, chutneys and gift packs.
• Historic Village of Evandale. Evandale is a Georgian Village south of Launceston, best known for its 19th century buildings and relatively untouched streetscape. The region was discovered in 1811 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie but the town was not settled until 1816. It was named after George William Evans, a painter and surveyor, and was home to John Kelly, whose son was the bushranger Ned Kelly.

Stay: Scamander Beach Resort, Scamander (1 night)

Day 4 East Coast (B D)

Leaving Scamander this morning travel along the picturesque coastline to Bicheno where you will enjoy a visit to a local wildlife park. From here journey down the scenic east coast to the township of Richmond before making your way to the state’s capital, Hobart.
• East Coast Natureworld, Bicheno. Surrounded by 30,000 hectares of National Forestry Parkland, breathtaking white sandy beaches and a ‘Sunshine Coast’ climate East Coast Natureworld is Tasmania’s premier natural Wildlife Park. Join the ‘Pelican Express’ for a guided tour full of running commentary and a Pelican and Wildfowl feeding. There is also a walk through the aviaries and a chance to view the Devils and cuddle a Wombat.
• Buckland Church, Buckland. In the church of St John the Baptist in Buckland, there is a stained glass window depicting the life of John the Baptist and is said to date from the 14th century. The story is that the window came originally from the Battle Abbey in England. When Oliver Cromwell was sacking the Abbeys in the 14th century the window was hidden before it could be destroyed. Two centuries later Lord Robert Cecil, then secretary of state for the colonies, gave it to Dean J.H Fosc, Buckland's Rectory. It is now set into the East wall of the church. The church was built in 1846. The Old Post Office was built at the same time and about the same time as the Old Shop House. There have been 30 Reverends at the Buckland church up to 1994.
• Richmond. See Australia’s oldest freestone bridge, Australia’s oldest Catholic Church as well as many specialty shops that line the narrow streets of this historic village (the lolly shop is a favourite).

Stay: Wrest Point Hotel, Hobart (3 nights)

Day 5 Hobart (B)

This morning explore the famous Salamanca Market as you enjoy some free time to shop and explore for yourself what Hobart has to offer. This afternoon visit the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens for a walk around these picturesque and beautifully designed gardens. Tonight dinner is at your own expense. You may choose to stay at Wrest Point or experience one of Hobart’s many fine restaurants.
• Salamanca Market, Hobart. Every Saturday morning the Salamanca district is taken over by throngs of stalls offering assorted goods and crafts. Truly a draw card that is inviting to locals and visitors alike.
• Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart. These gardens were established on slopes beside the River Derwent in 1818. Now in the 13.5 hectare site there are 6500 species and varieties of plants, including the largest public conifer collection in the southern hemisphere. There are more than 400 Tasmanian plant species on display, Peter Cundall's vegie patch, a stunning conservatory and a Japanese garden. Beds of annuals provide a changing display four times a year - in late September the Tasmanian Tulip Festival is held in the gardens. The Arthur Wall, near the main gate, could be internally heated so that exotic trees and plants could be grown for the kitchen garden. Although it's many years since the fires have been lit, the wall retains the suns warmth for days. Now it supports flowering creepers. Near the wall is a traditional herb garden. A new attraction is the sub Antarctic plant house featuring plants from Macquarie Island. Although 330,000 people a year visit the gardens, the impression of peace and solitude, not crowds, is the one that remains with the visitor. At the Botanical Discovery Centre are interactive displays that include information of the rich and diverse Tasmanian flora, including their distribution and how to propagate them.

Day 6 Tasman Peninsula (B HD)

After a morning exploring the spectacular coastal formations of the Tasman Peninsula, visit the historic penal settlement of Port Arthur. Learn of the atrocities that took place here over 200 years ago. A highlight on tour prior to your return to Hobart will be a visit to the Barilla Bay Oyster Farm. Partake in a guided tour of the farm before enjoying dinner in the award winning restaurant.
• Port Arthur Historic Site. A guided tour will take you around the ruined buildings featuring over 30 buildings including the Asylum, Separate or Model Prison, Penitentiary, Church, Guard Tower, Hospital as well as many cottages. Listen to the guides tell of atrocities to convicts in the attempt to break their spirit, which sent many insane. Read of the petty offences committed resulting in transportation from England. Rumours abound of ghosts, so keep the camera handy just in case.
• Port Arthur Harbour Cruise. The 20 minute harbour cruise offers a unique interpretation including an introduction to the ship building at Port Arthur, the boy’s prison of Point Puer, the Isle of the Dead and a magnificent coastline which remains unmatched.
• Tasman Peninsula Coastal Features. Joined to Tasmania by a narrow isthmus, this peninsula was selected as the site for a penal settlement due to being able to guard it easily. The sheer cliffs, as seen at the Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen, combined with the violent currents shown at the Blow Hole, meant little chance of escape via the sea. Rumours of shark filled waters also discouraged convicts to swim for freedom. Soldiers and fierce mastiff dogs guarded the narrow isthmus.
• Barilla Bay, Hobart. Barilla Bay Oysters are grown and harvested in Australia’s premium shellfish growing environment, the cold clean Southern Ocean waters of South East Tasmania. The delicate taste and texture of Barilla Bay Oysters, reflect the natural quality of the water in which they are grown. Our expert tour guides will show you how we grow oysters from working in the tiny spat to full maturity. They will also explain the importance of tides, Tasmania's clean green environment, the weather and how we process and package our oysters to ensure their freshness. At the conclusion of the tour enjoy dinner in Barilla Bay’s award winning restaurant.

Day 7 TOUR FINISHES (B)

Your tour comes to a finale after you enjoy your final breakfast with the rest of the group. Take this opportunity to say your fond farewells to your new found friends.


• Legend; B=breakfast, D=dinner, HD=HIGHLIGHT Dinner