DAY ONE
On Arrival you will be met by your Tasmanian Retreat Tours’ Coach Captain. Today we spend our time discovering the delights of Launceston, Tasmania’s Northern Capital City.

Launceston is Australia’s third oldest city situated some 200kms from Hobart. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful city renowned for it’s fine food and wine.

Our city tour will highlight many of the city’s architectural and heritage buildings as we make our way to the Gorge Reserve. Here you will be able to view the magnificent gardens or take a ride on the Basin Chairlift (optional extra), the longest single span chairlift ride in the world providing unsurpassed views of the natural beauty of the Gorge and Launceston, renowned for its gardens and parks. Dinner and accommodation at Balmoral on York.

DAY TWO
We depart our accommodation for a journey down the Heritage Highway and then head towards the East Coast to take in the breathtaking views of the coastline with its pristine beaches and rugged rock formations. At the township of Bicheno we visit the Blow Hole and view the fishing area of the gulch. Then on to Swansea, a charming seaside town steeped in history.

As we continue our journey down the East Coast we will arrive at the seaside town of Orford before following the Prosser River until we meet the Tassie Devil at Zoo Doo. If we escape we move on to Hobart Midcity Hotel for 3 nights stay.

DAY THREE
Today we see the biggest tree in Australia and the longest tree walk. Enroute we pass through historically preserved Sullivans Cove, Salamanca and Wrest Point Casino (first casino in Australia).

Wandering the picturesque drive with the Derwent River in view through to the Huon Valley, the home of the Tasmanian apple industry, we pass through Huonville and Franklin. This is the home of the Wooden Boat Centre where old traditional skills of wooden boatbuilding are taught to a new generation of craftspeople from around the world.

We stop at the Geeveston Forest and Heritage Centre, where we can experience the history of Tasmanian forests, admire a collection of antique woodworking machinery, watch a local wood turner display his craft and marvel at a large range of other local crafts. This is the ideal opportunity to purchase that unique Tasmanian gift.

We then travel to the Tahune Airwalk where our exclusive Forestry Guide will provide us with an interesting educational commentary, including the world’s longest known treetop walk. View the uniquely Tasmanian timbers and awe at this remarkable engineering feat.

A hearty barbeque is enjoyed at the Celery Top Pine Walk. We then say goodbye to our Forestry Guide and continue to Mt. Wellington (weather permitting) for a magnificent view of Tasmania’s Capital City.

Free night to explore your choices for dinner.

DAY FOUR
We then board our “Tasmanian Retreat Tours” coach for a Convict Experience Day. We cross over the Pittwater Causeway to Sorell and Dunalley before crossing Eaglehawk Neck and enter Tasman Peninsula, an ideal location for a penal settlement.

After visiting the Blowhole, Devil’s Kitchen, Tasman Arch and Doo Town we arrive at the Port Arthur Historic Site allowing us time to look over the excellent Interpretation Centre.

We then take a guided tour around the site, ruins and gardens including the fully restored and furnished houses, followed by a harbour cruise past the Isle of the Dead and the Boys Prison.

We leave Port Arthur for Richmond, reputedly the best preserved Georgian village in Australia with Australia’s oldest gaol, oldest bridge, oldest Catholic church, primary school and Post Office - all a legacy of Australia’s colonial past.

Rejoining our coach we leave Richmond for a relaxing journey back to Hobart, stopping on the way at Rosny Lookout to gain another view of Hobart and the magnificent Mount Wellington backdrop before arriving back at our evening accommodation.

Tonight is a special Convict Dinner night

DAY FIVE
It’s a chocoholics morning with a visit to Cadbury’s chocolate factory. After all those chocolates it is now time to bid farewell to Hobart and follow the Derwent River to New Norfolk, a town often compared to that of “Kent” in England.

We travel on to Mt. Field National Park to view Tasmania’s best known waterfalls, Russell Falls.

Then it’s on to Tarraleah where we view the massive Power Station and we continue our wilderness journey to Derwent Bridge in Tasmania’s Central Highlands. Here we see The Wall in the Wilderness.

After this unique experience it is on to the township of Queenstown, a town that is literally carved out of the mountains.

Silver Hills Motel is our accommodation for 2 nights with dinner and breakfast.

DAY SIX
Today you can experience the West Coast Heritage Steam Train for a unique experience through the heart of Dubbil Barril and the King River or a cruise on the Gordon River and Hells Gate adventure before returning to Queenstown.

DAY SEVEN
Cradle Mountain National Park is our first stop this morning. Wander in the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre before joining our shuttle into Dove Lake with a local guide. We then leave the wilderness for Sheffield, the famous town of murals.

We make our way to Devonport and our overnight accommodation with Dinner at the Devonport Motor Inn.

DAY EIGHT
On leaving Devonport City we travel to the historic town of Stanley - now a fishing & tourist village. Catch the chairlift (own expense) to the top of the “Nut” for an unprecedented view of the north west coastline or stroll the township and enjoy the arts, crafts and history of the village.