Tasmania

The tour starts at 2.00pm on Friday 1 November, in the lobby of the Hotel Verge, Launceston.

The tour ends after breakfast on Saturday 9 November, at the MACq 01 Hotel, Hobart.

Group members should arrange to arrive in Launceston by midday, making their own way to the hotel. We meet in the hotel lounge in the early afternoon to make our introductions. We then travel to Clarendon, the National Trust listed three-storey Georgian colonial estate of James Cox, built in 1838 using convict labour. After a guided tour of the estate, we return to Launceston, where we have time to settle into the hotel before our welcome dinner at Stillwater, one of Tasmania’s most awarded restaurants located in a historic former mill, overlooking the junction of the Tamar and South Esk Rivers. Overnight Launceston (D)

We spend the day enjoying northern Tasmania’s history and scenery. We begin with a guided visit to the Queen Victoria Art Gallery with its unique collections of colonial fine and decorative arts from Tasmania. We then travel up the eastern shore of the Tamar River to George Town, where we visit the Bass and Flinders Museum, which documents these explorers’ 1798 circumnavigation of Tasmania. We continue north to the mouth of the Tamar River and visit Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum and lighthouse. Dating from 1805, the Pilot and Signal Station has run continuously since 1833 and is the oldest in Australia. We return to Launceston in the afternoon, with the evening at leisure. Overnight Launceston (B)

Our tour today focuses on the art and life of John Glover. We call in at Nile Farm, once the estate of artist John Glover. Current owner Carol Westmore shows us the restoration work they have been undertaking. Before returning to Launceston, we have lunch at the one hatted restaurant at Josef Chromy Wines, specialising in local produce. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Launceston (B, L)

Departing Launceston, we head south visiting two of the original garrison towns linking Launceston and Hobart. Campbell Town, named by Governor Macquarie, has a unique convict brick trail as well as the convict built Red Bridge. We then explore Ross, one of the best-preserved colonial towns in Australia, with buildings mainly from the 1830s and 40s including a ‘female factory’ for female convicts. We continue east to Great Oyster Bay, with its stunning coastal scenery, to visit a local oyster farm. Finally, we arrive at Coles Bay for our two-night stay in Freycinet Lodge, enjoying fine views across the Bay. Dinner this evening is in the lodge. Overnight Freycinet (B, L, D)

Today we enjoy a four-hour cruise along the spectacular coastline of Freycinet National Park to Wineglass Bay, learning about local history, flora and fauna from our on-board guide. The cruise includes morning tea, lunch and beverages in the exclusive Sky Lounge. This afternoon we travel to the old fishing town of Bicheno to tour Waubs Harbour Whiskey Distillery, specialising in maritime Tasmanian single malt whisky. Returning to the lodge, our evening is at leisure. Overnight Freycinet (B, L)

Checking out of our hotel this morning, we depart by coach to Hobart via picturesque Richmond. Steeped in history and nestled in the heart of the Coal River Valley, Richmond was established as an important military staging post and convict station linking Hobart with Port Arthur. We take an introductory tour of the town including the famous Richmond Bridge, as well as the oldest Catholic and Anglican churches in Australia. After free time to explore the streetscape, we continue onto Hobart to visit the Tasmanian Museum and Gallery, with its excellent collection of colonial art. The pieces exhibited in the museum have their origins in the Royal Society of Tasmania, established in 1843 and Australia’s oldest scientific society. This evening we enjoy dinner together at The Glass House, with sweeping water views of Sullivan’s Cove. Overnight Hobart (B, D)

This morning we travel to the Tasman Peninsula, about two hours south-east of Hobart. We spend much of the time at Port Arthur, a World Heritage site that functioned as a ‘panopticon’ style convict prison from 1833 until 1853. It is a remarkably well-preserved site, and the beauty of the setting belies the tragic events that took place there. After an introductory guided walking tour, including the Port Arthur Gallery, we take a short cruise out to Port Arthur’s tiny cemetery island – the Isle of the Dead. On our return to Hobart this afternoon we stop in at Unzoo – an innovative project to create a ‘cageless’ wildlife experience – allowing us to get up-close with the Tasmanian Devil at feeding time. Overnight Hobart (B)

This morning, we travel up the Derwent to visit Mona, David Walsh’s idiosyncratic Museum of Old and New Art, which has quickly gained international recognition for its approach to the display of art. We then head south of Hobart to the fine scenery of the Huon Valley, where agricultural land gives way to the rainforest of Tasmania’s southwest wilderness region. We enjoy a casual lunch before taking a tour of the Wooden Boat Centre to learn about the precious boat building timbers that are found exclusively in Tasmania. Our farewell dinner tonight is at Landscape Restaurant & Grill, a premium dining experience surrounded by artworks of John Glover and winners of the annual Glover Prize. Overnight Hobart (B, L, D)

The morning is free to explore the famous Salamanca Market – open from 8.30am – where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy the vibrancy and atmosphere from over 300 stallholders. The tour ends with check out of the hotel at 10.00am. (B)