Tasmania's Cultural Treasures Holiday

Itinerary Highlights

Enjoy travelling in small groups to gain an in-depth understanding of Tasmania's convict heritage and history in Richmond and Port Arthur Historic Site
Explore this remote island and its coastal fossil caves, visit the historic Darlington probation station and try to spot native wildlife such as wombats and wallabies
Board the majestic steam train that follows the West Coast Wilderness Railway deep into the Tasmanian wilderness and rugged terrain
Take a self-guided tour through the historic Woolmers Estate and Brickendon farm village and spend the night in an authentic convict cottage
Best time to travel OCT - APR

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Car Hire
International Flights

11 nights from £5,669 per person

Ellie

Travel Specialist

01244 722 137

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect Australasia holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

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Tasmania is steeped with history and cultural experiences as well as offering some of Australia’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery. Cultural experiences are as varied as its vibrant arts scene to its compelling convict heritage where five historic convict settlements are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Our Tasmania’s Cultural Treasures Tour takes you on a journey through Tasmania’s history and wild landscapes, with gourmet food and wine experiences, scenic flights and cruises to remote islands and national parks in search of native and endangered wildlife. Visit art galleries, museums and preserved convict settlements, then board a steam train for a journey along the West Coast Wilderness Railway, a former connection to the copper mines of Queenstown and port of Strahan. Cruise along the mirror-like waters of Gordon River and enjoy wine stating in the Tamar Valley

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Hobart

Arrive at Hobart where you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to The Henry Jones Art Hotel, set in former Jam Factory on the site of the first settlers. For an in-depth introduction to Tasmania’s history visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Explore the village of Battery Point (named after the 1818-gun battery that protected old Hobart Town). Don’t miss the Battery Point Sculpture Trail either.

Staying at

Foyer at Henry Jones Art Hotel, Tasmania, Australia

Deluxe Spa Harbour Room at Henry Jones Art Hotel, Tasmania, Australia

Henry Jones Art and History Tour, Tasmania, Australia

Day 2 Port Arthur Historic Site

Port Arthur

You will gain an insight to Tasmania’s convict history on this half day tour to Port Arthur Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Port Arthur Historic Site you will learn the history of this convict settlement where ruins of 35 historic buildings still remain.

Staying at

Day 3 Scenic flight to South West National Park

Embark on a spectacular adventure Tasmania’s South West National Park. Land at Melaleuca, the only breeding place of the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. Be guided along the Needwonnee Aboriginal Walk, providing an intimate and visual Aboriginal cultural interpretative experience. Explore the pristine waters of Port Dovey Marine Reserve by boat, enjoy a gourmet lunch of Tasmanian produce and return by scenic flight over Mount Picton and The Houn Valley.

Staying at

Day 4 Hobart to Lake St Clair (115 miles)

Lake St Clair

Pick up your car hire from Hobart and start your journey across Tasmania through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Marvel at the 90-metre plus trees of Mount Field National Park and 80-metre Russell Falls which appeared on Australia’s first postage stamp. Arrive at the southern part of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and spend a night in one of Australia’s most unique wilderness lodges, Pumphouse Point.

Day 5 Lake St Clair

Lake St Clair

Enjoy a full day at St Clair and enjoy the wilderness that surrounds you. You may wish to just take in the views from The Pumphouse or lace up your boots and venture out along one of the self guided walks. Take a boat out on the like and breathe in the pure highland air or pick up one the e-bikes at The Pumphouse and a picnic for a cycle around the lake.

Day 6 Lake St Clair to Strahan (82 miles)

Strahan

Take the scenic drive down a winding road with more than 90-bends to Queenstown which was once the world’s richest mining town. Copper mining and mass logging in the early 1900’s has left the area with a surreal rocky ‘moonscape’. Continue to Strahan on the shores of Macquarie Harbour, six times larger than Sydney Harbour! Hotel - Risby Cove

Day 7 West Coast Wilderness Railway

Strahan

Board the majestic steam locomotive for a half-day journey in to Tasmania’s wilderness travelling along The West Coast Wilderness Railway, a reconstruction of the Mount Lyell Mining and & Railway Company railroad that connected the copper mines of Queenstown with the port at Strahan. In the evening we suggest watching the waterfront play, The Ship That Never Was – Australia’s longest running play telling the story of escaped convicts, a stolen ship and mutiny at sea. Hotel - Risby Cove

Day 8 Gordon River Cruise / Strahan to Cradle Mountain (86 miles)

Cradle Mountain

Cruise across Macquarie Harbour to Hells Gate before the Gordon River - a river so calm that you will see reflections of the wilderness on its mirror like water. Disembark at Heritage Landing for a short walk along boardwalks in to forests of Huon Pines which are several thousand years old. Visit Sarah Island, where ruins of the former penal settlement give an insight of convict life. Late afternoon drive to Cradle Mountain. Hotel - Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain

Day 9 Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain

Enjoy easy walking around Dove Lake through the Ballroom Forest and around the summit of Cradle Mountain surrounded by the epic glacial scenery of the national park. More strenuous hikes are possible such as the 8-hour Cradle Mountain Circuit. Visit the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery where there are twelve rooms of powerful imagery Tasmania, Australia and Antarctica. This evening you will visit Devils@Cradle Wildlife Sanctuary. Hotel - Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain

Day 10 Cradle Mountain to Quamby Estate (72 miles)

Hagley

Drive via Sheffield, ‘Town of Murals’ where some 40 or more colourful huge murals adorn the walls and buildings of this once industrial town that has reinvented itself to become a centre of bohemian art, craft and culture. Continue to Quamby Estate where you will will be staying tonight.

Staying at

Deluxe Bedroom at Quamby Estate, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Homestaed Verandah at Quamby Estate, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Picnic Setting at Quamby Estate, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Day 11 Full Day Private Tamar Valley Wine & Brewery Tour

Today, your 8.5 hour privately guided journey will travel through the Tamar Valley wine region. Drive North along the Tamar River through the Swiss inspired village of Grindelwald and stop at Brady’s Lookout to enjoy the best views of the Tamar River. Call into the Tamar Ridge Cellar door for an introduction to some of Tasmania’s finest wines. Take a tour through Boags Brewery that has been in operation on the same site since 1881. enjoy lunch in Relbia at Josef Chromys vineyard, award-winning winery known for its excellent cool climate aromatic and sparkling wines. In Launceston explore Cataract Gorge or visit some local providores to discover some of Tasmania’s latest artisanal cheeses, hams, olives and chocolates just to name a few.

Day 13 Launceston to UK

Spend the morning in Launceston and visit the Queen Victoria Museum presenting the culture of Tasmanian Aboriginal People, read stories of the misunderstood Tasmanian Tiger and visit the portrait and contemporary art galleries. Drive to Launceston Airport where you will drop off your rental vehicle at the airport depot in time for your flight to the UK.