AAT Kings 8 Day South West Adventure

Premium Tour

Tour Code: THHL

AAT Kings premium South West Adventure including Hobart, Russell Falls, Gordon River cruise, Cradle Mountain & Launceston, add a Spirit of Tasmania Cruise

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Hobart
Arrive at Hobart Airport, from there we'll transfer you to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy Hobart at your leisure. Salamanca Place is only walking distance away, take a cruise up the Derwent River, walk through Sandy Bay or wander around historic Battery Point exploring its cafe, galleries and convict-built houses. In the evening have a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, 2 nights. D

Day 2: Huon Valley
There is time this morning to visit the iconic Salamanca Market. The diverse range of nearly 300 stallholders includes original, hand-made Tasmanian pieces, from woodwork to jewellery, fashion to fanciful, glassware and ceramics. Then over the undulating hills of the apple-growing Huon Valley, we make a beeline for the Tahune Forest AirWalk, for a guided walk amongst the towering treetops, out over the Huon and Picton Rivers on a cantilevered, suspended walkway. Later travel to Mt. Nelson from which we'll see a spectacular view of Hobart and the Derwent River. B

Day 3: Russell Falls
This morning we head west to New Norfolk and the magnificent Mt. Field National Park. Tasmania's oldest National Park is the location of the spectacular three-tiered waterfall - Russell Falls, which is surrounded by towering swamp gums. Then we take the winding journey up to Lake St. Clair amazing vistas await us. Back down to Queenstown, along the rainforest bordered road of World Heritage protected Franklin- Gordon Wild Rivers National Park to coastal Strahan a journey of exploration. Hotel: The Strahan Village, Strahan, 2 nights. B D

Day 4: Gordon River Cruise
The fishing village of Strahan is all yours for the morning. Take a ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, highly recommended, or visit the Huon Pine Museum, it's up to you. In the afternoon be awestruck by the beauty of the dark waters, stained amber by buttongrass tannins, reflecting the untouched wilderness on the Gordon River Cruise. You'll see exactly why this river is heritagelisted. Along the way we stop to explore the ruins of the former brutal penal colony of Sarah Island. See Hell's Gate and Heritage Landing site of the 2,000 year old Huon Pine. B D

Day 5: Cradle Mountain
Discover the engineer within as we travel through the mining and hydro electric towns of Rosebery and Tullah, toward the sensational Cradle Mountain National Park. After lunch, we'll head up to Waldheim and the gorgeously idyllic Dove Lake, from where you'll experience the ruggedly spectacular Cradle Mountain, and catch stunning views of the Franklin River, which became synonymous with Australia's largest conservation battle of the 1980's. The afternoon is yours to explore the Australian National Wilderness and Landscape Gallery or just relax back, take in the views and breathe the clean fresh air. Hotel: Cradle Mountain Chateau, Cradle Mountain. B D

Day 6: The Nut, Stanley
Travelling through the rainforest around Hellyer Gorge State Reserve we make our way to Wynyard on the North Coast for morning tea. You'll think you're in a butter commercial as the rolling green hills and Friesian cows pass us by en route to Table Cape, home of tulips, and Stanley. On arrival we visit Highfield Historic Site, unique amongst colonial residences in Tasmania. It was built by the Van Diemen's Land Company and is a rare example of domestic architecture from the Regency period, which is characterised by refined decoration that is geometric yet elegant. Lunch with a view... of 'The Nut', an unusual and significant landform. The hills roll on from Irishtown to the location of our next guided tour at enchanting Allendale Gardens. Dinner and our overnight stop are at Smithton.
Hotel: Tall Timbers Hotel, Smithton. B D

Day 7: Sheffield - Launceston
The northwest coastal landscape provides a gorgeous scenic backdrop as we travel east through the seaside towns of Penguin, Ulverstone and Devonport en route to Braddon's Lookout. Soak up the panoramic views over Forth Valley and Bass Strait. Next is Sheffield, the town of murals, for lunch and a wander through town. Then we visit Ashgrove Farm Cheese Factory for a cheese making presentation and some product tasting, yum! We continue to Launceston.
Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston. B D

Day 8: Depart Launceston
You will be transferred to Launceston Airport for your onward flight. B

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