Arrive into Launceston in the late afternoon / early evening. Collect your hire car at the airport and make the easy drive into your city accommodation.
I have chosen the Peppers Silo Launceston for your first accommodation. We love unique and we love special. This iconic 35 metre high landmark of four large silos has been converted to a 9 story hotel. With earthy sophisticated style, parking availlable for $10 per night and a range of facilities on site, it's a lovely option. The lead in accommodation is confirmed in 2 Tamar River Rooms; upgrades are available.
During your time in Launceston, I have included a cruise of Cataract Gorge including morning tea and light lunch, unlimited tea and coffee, Tasmanian wine and beer tasting for 4 hours, departing at 10am.
For the following day in Launceston, enjoy a tour at Josef Chromy Wines, and go behind the label and explore the winemaking process from grape to glass. An informative yet informal opportunity to learn a little more about how a vineyard works and how the grapes develop throughout the season. You will taste some wines in their unfinished state before heading to the Cellar Door for a two course lunch of fine Tasmanian produce matched with wines.
Departing Launceston and allowing for a leisurely drive, including the north and west coast, take in the coastline and Stanley. Head north after passing through Westbury to take in the beaches and the industrial history of this state.
Stanley, this picturesque village offers a fabulous fishing history and the famous Nut. This area boasts rich farmland, reputedly the cleanest air in the world, the west coast wilderness and more.
Overnight at a historical property with great stories to tell of whalers and talers...
Instead of driving the full way back to Burnie on the coast, (full trip taking 3 and 1/2 hours) turn and head south at Wynyard via Waratah almost through the centre of the Tarkine Wilderness. Or, if you are happy to take the day, leave nice and early and wander via the Arthur River and Conservation Park and the Savage River National Park. This drive will take about 6 hours.
Waratah sits near the edge of a plateau about 600 metres above sea level. This may not be obvious when driving across the tableland into Waratah, but parts of the town have views down valleys which give a sense of this elevation. Other parts of the town, and the surrounding farm land, border onto rainforest belonging to the Tarkine wilderness. The town originally had a population of 5000 and boasts relics of the richest tin mine in the Southern Hemisphere, the first mining town in Tasmania, one of the first two hydroelectric power stations in Tasmania and was the first town in Australia to have electric street lights, in 1886!
On the second route option, Corinna is a remote historic mining town, now an eco-tourism haven set in pristine rainforest surrounded by stunning wilderness and great nature experiences. This tiny 'settlement' sits at the southern end of the Tarkine wilderness area and is set amongst rainforest on the banks of the majestic Pieman River. Here, nature is the star and the old-growth rainforest is a living link with the ancient supercontinent Gondwana.
Make your way through to Cradle Mountain. Depending upon the drive duration, I've included the Sunset Experience tour commencing at 7pm (For the arrival night at the moment). A unique opportunity for a small group of people to enjoy an exclusive evening visit to the sanctuary accompanied by welcome drinks and sweet treats. Guests will have close encounters with Tasmanian Devils and quolls, visit behind the scenes areas with an experienced guide, all as the sun sets over the Tasmanian wilderness. Tour concludes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes after commencement.
Your stay at Cradle Mountain is at the iconic Cradle Mountain Lodge now managed by Peppers, is confirmed in one lead in Pencil Pine Cabin as available, and the next available Spa Suite including full breakfast.
The remainder of your time in this area is available for you to enjoy the fabulous walks and sights at your leisure.
Onto the west coast and Strahan is just shy of 4 hours drive from Cradle Mountain. This is such a stunning place, set on the heights of Macquarie Harbour and overlooking such infamous areas.
Your stay here is at this historic Franklin Manor. This is a boutique hotel, originally built for the Harbour Master in 1896, with several room styles providing an exclusive wilderness retreat for travellers who can enjoy the many activities offered in Strahan. Your 2 queen room stay includes daily continental breakfast.
For your day in Strahan I've included the must do, Gordon River Cruise. Join your cruise at Strahan Wharf at 09:00am for a century-old family tradition of local hospitality is the foundation of World Heritage Cruises. On board the company's new vessel 'Harbourmaster II', passengers enjoy the natural and historic features of Macquarie Harbour - including Hells Gates, an array of aquaculture farms, and a stop over and guided tour of Sarah Island - one of Australia's oldest, most feared and industrious penal colonies, before entering Tasmania's World Heritage Wilderness to cruise the famous Gordon River to Heritage Landing for a walk through a cool temperate rainforest. Informed and interesting narrative is a key part of the journey. A superb lunch featuring Tasmanian produce including local smoked salmon is prepared fresh daily and included during the cruise. Tour concludes at approximately 03:00pm.
This remains one of my most memorable experiences of my time in Tasmania.
NEW NORFOLK
The drive from Strahan through to Hobart is quite a long one with much to see and do along the way. You'll want to call into the Wall in the Wilderness at Derwent Bridge and see Lake St Clair from the southern side.
Strahan to Derwent Bridge is 2 hours. Then onto Styx is another 2 and a half hours, plus stopping along the way.
With this in mind, rather than taking you right through to Hobart, I recommend stopping another town steeped in history, New Norfolk. This will save you about an hour of travel on the one day.
New Norfolk is a bustling town on the River Derwent with a rich history, quality produce and pretty rural scenery. It's also the commercial and residential heart of the Derwent Valley.
The town is the third oldest settlement in Tasmania, established by evacuees relocated from Norfolk Island after the island prison was abandoned in 1807. It's historic past is evident in the many early buildings found in the town including one of Australia's oldest pubs and Australia's oldest Anglican church, St Matthews. It also has one of Australia's few traditional village squares.
New Norfolk has a rich hop-growing past and is still the centre of the surrounding hop-growing area, producing most of the hops for Australian breweries. Close to New Norfolk you'll notice some unusual looking buildings called oust houses that are used to dry the hops in preparation for the brewing process.
Further afield, New Norfolk is close to Mount Field National Park and the south-west wilderness beyond.
For your overnight stay in New Norfolk, I recommend the Explorers Lodge, in the Silver Wattle Suite with balcony and the Blackwood Suite.
Arrive to the capital of the apple isle! This city is mainly low rise, spread throughout the scene encompassing the historic harbour, meticulously planned CBD, beautiful hills and now with quite a sophisticated vibe.
I've chosen the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart for your stay. Return to the modern world in appreciation of luxury waterfront accommodation, where art and history collide....no room is the same. Push open the door to a world of contrasts where old meets new. Indulgent splashes of red weave with industrial rawness. Grand beams of rough-hewn timber whisper of the past, framing art of today. A Tasmanian artist might challenge or confront. Another may become your new fave. Those hand-cut stone walls. Take a closer look.... Each convict was invited to mark his own.... Their signatures wrap our hotel.
Two deluxe spa harbour view rooms are confirmed for your 4 night stay.
This hotel is in a superb location to enjoy the famous seafood restaurants of the harbour (speak with Alan Campbell for his all time favourites) and also provides easy access for the Saturday Salamanca Markets where you can sample a signature scallop pie.
SATURDAY - the Salamanca Markets; if you're a market lover (and also looking for a sleep in) you may like to plan the full day in the city today. Otherwise, in the afternoon, you could ferry or drive to the Mona.
SUNDAY - today, I'd recommend a drive out of the city, south to Port Arthur taking an hour and a half each way, along the Tasman Pensinsula, which also boasts pretty beaches and impressive geological formations.
MONDAY - Subject to the current weather conditions, I'd suggest a mid morning visit to Mount Wellington may offer the best chance for views and otherwise, you could do Mona this afternoon.
We need to prebook tickets and an entry time for Mona and it is only open Fri - Mon 10am to 5pm, last visit is 3pm.** Please let me know your preferred day and time to book **
ROCKY HILLS RETREAT
Today you will be heading to Rocky Hills, near Triabunna which is only an hour and a half from Hobart. As check in time at your villa will be 2pm you can spend the morning in the city if you choose and/or travel via Richmond. This is a charming town, with a famous bridge built 1823-25 around the time of the town's first settlement. There are more than 50 Georgian buildings, many beautifully restored and now operating as cafes, restaurants, galleries and accommodation.
Enjoy your 2 night stay at the stunning Rocky Hills where you can entirely relax.
From Triabunna, you may like to head to Tamar Valley, following the coast to Swansea and then onto the Midlands Highway via Campbell Town and around Launceston, taking 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Alternatively, take the coast right through to St Helens (many Beachport fisherman have fished from here) north of Bicheno and Scamander, via Bridport and onto George Town. On the banks of the Tamar River, George Town is surrounded by vineyards, orchards, berry and lavender farms, has a long maritime history and many stories to tell. You can explore the town's history at the Old Watch House museum, the former local lockup. Pick up a copy of the George Town Heritage Trail for a self-guided tour of the local historic sites.
If you have more time, explore nearby Low Head Pilot Station along a 4 km scenic coastal path. Built by convicts in 1805 to guide ships into the Tamar River, the station has the oldest group of pilot buildings in Australia and like the Pilot Station lighthouse, still operates today. The maritime history of the region is captured at the Bass and Flinders Centre.
Also nearby is Low Head Coastal Reserve, a popular spot to watch the world's smallest penguins waddle in from the sea each night.
In Georgetown, there is a lovely property, formerly managed by Peppers, the York Cove. With a restaurant called the Crazy Duck, where else could you want to stay? Two hotel rooms for your stay.
From GT you can experience more of the beautiful Tamar Valley, along with the entrances for (less than an hour) tours to Seahorse World and Platypus House; iconic attractions for the country in their own right.
On your final day in Tasmania, you are only 50 minutes from Launceston and to return to the airport, just south of the city.
