Day 1 Launceston

Today you will be met by our friendly and professional crew at your specified pick-up point (including the Spirit of Tasmania terminal at Devonport). Today we enjoy a tour of Launceston including a visit to the historic Woolmers Estate located south of the city at Longford. Later this afternoon we return to Launceston and check-in to the Quality Hotel Colonial for our overnight stay. Tonight we enjoy a welcoming drink together to mark the beginning of our wilderness tour of Tasmania.

Day 2 Launceston - Cradle Mountain

Departing Launceston this morning we journey west to the small town of Sheffield, known for its fascinating murals which have been painted on the town's walls. After morning tea we head south to the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park. First up we visit the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre followed by a drive up to Dove Lake. On the way we take a look through the Waldheim Chalet, a replica of the original Waldheim Chalet built by Gustav and Kate Weindorfer in 1912. Waldheim Chalet was used as a guest lodge up until 1974. After a fire the lodge was damaged beyond repair and was demolished. This replica was built in 1976 using the same local materials.

Later this afternoon we check-in to the luxurious Cradle Mountain Lodge and this evening we wine and dine in the Highland Restaurant, recognized as one of Tasmania's premiere dining experiences. This evening an optional guided wildlife night spotting tour is available late this evening (please enquire for further details and availability).

Day 3 Cradle Mountain - West Coast Wilderness Railway - Strahan

After a scrumptious mountain breakfast we enjoy a 30 minute guided walk amongst the area's unique alpine flora and fauna (walk is of easy nature). Later this morning we bid farewell to Cradle Mountain and begin our drive south to Rosebery and then onto Zeehan. Here we take a look through the local Pioneer Museum before continuing onto the smelting village of Queenstown for lunch. Through the boom years of west coast mining, steam locomotives hauled a fortune in pure copper from the Mt. Lyell Mine, through the rugged King River gorge and down to the Macquarie Harbour in Strahan. From 1896 to 1963 steam billowed through the rainforest as the German designed Abt railway dragged the train, cog by cog, up the steep 1:16 slope. Now, after 40 years, the West Coast Railway is up and running again! The 35 km journey passes through one of the world's last pristine wilderness areas and crosses 40 bridges.

Later this afternoon we catch the magnificently restored West Coast Wilderness Railway to arrive into Strahan village late this afternoon. We spend the next two (2) nights at the Strahan Village Inn.

Day 4 Strahan - Gordon River Cruise

Today we enjoy a 4 hour cruise on the scenic Gordon River. Travel aboard the modern and comfortable 'Lady Jane' cruise boat (with up-graded window reclining seats) and enjoy two guided shore excursions, including Heritage Landing, home to ancient Huon pines that are over 2,000 years old! We return to Strahan Village later this afternoon for a wander around town at your own leisure.

Day 5 Russell Falls 'Styx Valley' - Hobart

Departing Strahan early this morning we trek back to Queenstown and then through the scenic Franklin-Gordon Wild-Rivers National Park to Lake St Clair. Lake St Clair is 190m/620 feet deep and was scooped out by glaciers 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Here we take a look through the award winning Visitor Information Centre before heading on to Hobart. En route we visit the Styx Valley, home to the world's tallest hardwood trees. Some of these giants are 25 storey's high and have a base up to 5m wide. We also stop off at spectacular Russell Falls before arriving at the Grand Mercure Hadley's Hotel for our 2 night stay in Hobart.

Day 6 Hobart - Geeveston - Tahune Air Walk

Departing the hotel this morning early, we head south through the Huon Valley to the Tahune Air Walk. Here we take a spectacular guided walk over pristine streams and forest on a suspended tree top board walk. We return to Geeveston for lunch and a visit to the informative Forest and Heritage Centre. Later this afternoon we trek back to Hobart, on the way taking a drive up to scenic Mt. Nelson for a photo opportunity. We also enjoy a city sights tour around Hobart including Sandy Bay, Battery Point, Salamanca, Constitution Dock and central Hobart. Our last activity today is a visit to the stunning Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Day 7 Port Arthur and Historical Site Tour

This morning enjoy a tour through Cadbury's Chocolate Factory before travelling to historic Port Arthur. On the way we pass through historic Richmond, home to some impressive Georgian architecture and Australia's oldest bridge, built in 1823 by early convicts. After lunch we spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the Port Arthur Historical Reserve. Here we enjoy an informative tour and also a cruise. Our overnight stay this evening is at the Comfort Inn, Port Arthur.

Day 8 Freycinet National Park - Scamander

Today we travel back to Sorell before heading north along the Tasman Highway en route to the Freycinet National Park. Located on Great Oyster Bay, this stunning area is characterized by white sandy beaches and spectacular granite peaks. This afternoon we take a drive through the National Park to Cape Tourville where we enjoy a 20 minute easy walk taking in the stunning views. After lunch we depart the Freycinet Peninsula and head north along the Tasman Highway to Bicheno, a small sea side village established as a whaling centre in 1803, before arriving at the beautiful beachside village of Scamander late afternoon. We overnight at the Scamander Resort.

Day 9 St. Columbia Falls - Launceston

We depart Scamander after a stroll along the beach and make our way through to St. Helens where we stop for morning tea at St. Columbia Falls. Here we enjoy an easy walk through the cool temperate rainforest to one of the highest waterfalls in Tasmania. We arrive into Launceston early this afternoon and check-in to the Quality Hotel Colonial for our final night together. Enjoy some free time before this evenings celebratory dinner of our tour around the Apple Isle!

Day 10 Launceston - Home

This morning we take in a little shopping down town. We also take a wander through the Cataract Gorge Reserve located in the heart of Launceston before being transferred to the airport for your late morning flight home. Tour concludes midday.