Things to do in

Launceston

After departing from the terminal, you will cruise past the historical Kings Wharf, Seaport, and Launceston's delightful riverfront precinct. The highlight of the experience is then cruising into Launceston's spectacular Cataract Gorge, as you engage the Lady Launceton's unique silent electric drive function. You can view the sheer cliffs from your comfortable seating, appreciate the unobstructed views on the multi-award winning 1890's style vessel. Whilst aboard the Lady Launceston, you can also enjoy the skipper's captivating commentary which surrounds the history and folklore of this fascinating area.

Cruise into the magical Cataract Gorge and through Launceston's riverfront precinct. You will head north past Tamar Island, observing historical buildings such as the St. Mathias Church and the Rosevears Pub. Throughout your tour, you will enjoy morning tea, a fresh fruit selection, local wine,  and a beer tasting. You will experience a relaxed variety of life as you cruise past charming riverfront communities, vineyards and farms, and onward to the historical Rosevears and Windemere districts. This fascinating collection of history, fauna, and people at work, rest, and play makes an absorbing narrative which will touch, intrigue and inspire. This tour will provide you with the best vantage point to view the Tamar Valley. At the conclusion of your scenic and relaxing cruise, you will be returned to your point of origin.

Cruise into the magical Cataract Gorge and through Launceston's riverfront precinct, heading north past Tamar Island, historical buildings, churches, pubs, and significant homesteads. You can sample the rich diversity of life as you cruise past quaint riverfront communities, vineyards and farms, to the notable Batman Bridge. Tamer Valley is steeped with romance and studded with tales of bushrangers, explorers, and gold diggers. Australia's longest navigable estuarine river, it has many natural coves and protected inlets that provide a sanctuary for thousands of native water birds that can only be seen on the river. All cruises depart from and return to Home Point Cruise Terminal, which is a taxi ride only 5 minutes from most CBD accommodations. Home Point is a pleasant 15 minute walk from the city center, and guests are kindly asked to be at the cruise terminal 30 minutes prior to departure

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Launceston, and travel in comfort to Cradle Mountain National Park. Take a 15-minute scenic tour through Sheffield to see some of the highlights of the Town of Murals along the way. Journey along the Great Western Tiers of the Central Highlands to arrive at Cradle Mountain Visitor Center. Get a short break before entering the national park to drive to Dove Lake. Embark on a guided nature walk through the rainforest and pass quartzite beaches. Discover the remnants of the last Ice Age at Glacier Rock. Then depart for Waldheim Chalet to enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh rolls, wraps, salad fillings, cheeses, and local meats. Get shown around the first accommodation to open in the national park before a short forest walk, time permitting. Make your way back to Launceston, stopping at the Ashgrove Cheese Farm to taste an amazing array of cheeses and other local produce along the way.

Enjoy tasting premium wines at 3 to 4 cellar doors and a gin distillery option. Feast on a tasty lunch along the way as you take a winery tour of the Tamar Valley in Tasmania. Meet your guide at your hotel and climb aboard the air-conditioned vehicle to head straight to your first vineyard in the Tamar Valley. Learn about the world-class cool-climate wines produced in the region. Discover the history of the wines of Tasmania and the grape varieties nurtured in the vineyards. Enjoy a generous lunch with a glass of wine at one of the stops. As you visit the four wineries, hear stories from your experienced wine tour guide and passionate cellar door staff, some of whom are winemakers. Get some wine tasting tips and receive wine recommendations. Judge the wines you taste. Enjoy opportunities to purchase wines and ship them home or join wine clubs. After the tour ends, you will be safely transported back to your accommodation in Launceston.

Day one: Port Arthur Historic Site Begin your trip with a pick up around 7:00 AM. After a quick look at Australia’s best preserved colonial village, Richmond, head south to explore Tasmania’s ruthless convict past at the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. A guided walk and harbor cruise are included. Rich in visual history, learn of the chilling life of a convict in the restored sandstone prison buildings and preserved ruins. Day two: Hobart to Strahan Drive through the Derwent Valley. Travel east to west across the island. See the beautiful Russell Falls, walk among the Mt Field National Park tall trees, and visit Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake St Clair. Explore the pristine Franklin-Gordon Wild River National Park and end the day in Strahan, where you will stay overnight. Day three: Wild West Coast  In the untouched wilderness of Tasmania’s West Coast, explore the shifting sands of Henty Dunes. Then continue into the Tarkine Rainforest and walk to Tasmania’s highest waterfall, Montezuma Falls. Stay overnight again in Strahan.  Day four: Cradle Mountain to Launceston  Around 950 meters above sea level is the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park. Here, choose a walk to take. With an extensive range of tracks, you can stroll around Dove Lake or challenge yourself with a hike to Marion’s Lookout. After, take a short drive through Sheffield, the town of murals, to Launceston for your overnight stay.  Day five: Launceston to Bicheno Start the day with a journey to the East Coast and the beautiful Bay of Fires, where the beaches are gleaming and the is water inviting. If the conditions are right, this is the perfect place for a swim. Tasmania’s most scenic coastal drive takes you from St Helens to Bicheno. Explore a wildlife sanctuary to meet the iconic Tasmanian devil and other iconic Tasmania wildlife. You will stay overnight at accommodation in Bicheno. Day six: Freycinet National Park to Hobart After breakfast, get ready for an early start to be the first to the Wineglass Bay lookout at the Freycinet National Park. Beat the crowds and the heat for that picture postcard photograph. Relax on a secluded beach or choose the more challenging Mount Amos or Hazards Beach walk. Continue further along the scenic east coast via the seaside towns of Swansea and Orford. Return to Hobart for 5:30 PM. 

After departing Launceston, enjoy a short stop in Sheffield – 'The Town of Murals' and explore this quirky village where the history of the Cradle Mountain region is depicted in artworks across the buildings throughout the town. This includes the opportunity to see the famous Eason’s Mural. Continue into the mountains and arrive at Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake with around 5 hours of possible walking time before you. Choose from the gentle and iconic Dove Lake Circuit or climb to loftier peaks to view the vastness of the surrounding World Heritage Area from Marion’s Lookout. Enjoy lunch by a quiet stream and watch the famous and friendly Cradle wombats in their natural habitat. Your guides will carefully assist to ensure everyone has an opportunity to enjoy walks that best suit them and the day ahead. On your return to Launceston, stop and sample some local tasty products at the award winning Ashgrove Cheese Factory.

The tour departs from Launceston ready for an action-packed day out exploring the delights and highlights of the East Coast before finishing your day in Hobart. Your drive takes you through the well-preserved Georgian townships of Evandale and Campbell Town. Make a short stop in Campbell Town where you can collect some lunch to take along for the day ahead. You will have time to discover the Convict Brick Trail that extends through the town, visit the Red Bridge, and check out the tree sculptures depicting the history of the town. After a brief stop in Campbell Town, travel to the East Coast, where you catch an amazing view of the area at the Great Oyster Bay Lookout and an opportunity to purchase some fresh oysters plucked from the beautiful surrounding waters. Once inside Freycinet National Park, begin a series of walks and exploration of the area. Walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout, a moderate uphill walk of around 45 - 60 minutes. Here the views make the walk well worth the effort! For the keen walkers, you can continue the walk down to Wineglass Bay beach (2.5 hour return walking time). Once on the beach you have time to take a swim, relax, eat your lunch or meander along the white sands. Or, if you prefer to select the shorter walking option, you can explore other areas of Freycinet with your tour guide. Visit Honeymoon Bay and the Cape Tourville Lighthouse “Great Short Walk”. The tour re-groups, ready for the onward journey to Hobart. Last but certainly not least we stop at Kate’s Berry Farm in the seaside township of Swansea. Here Kate is serving up delicious Berry Ice-creams and other sweet delights such as jams, sauces, chocolates and jellies. You will then return to your Hobart central city accommodation around 06:30 PM – 07:00 PM. (Airport drop offs around 06:00 PM – 06:30 PM – available only with arrangement at time of booking).

Depart Launceston ready for an action-packed day out exploring Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park and the delights and highlights along the way. Your drive this morning takes you through the well-preserved Georgian townships of Evandale and Campbell Town. Make a short stop in Campbell Town where you can collect some lunch to take along for the day ahead. You will have time to discover the Convict Brick Trail that extends through the town, visit the Red Bridge, and check out the tree sculptures depicting the history of the town. After a brief stop in Campbell Town travel to the East Coast, where you catch an amazing view of the area at the Great Oyster Bay Lookout and an opportunity to purchase some fresh oysters plucked from the beautiful surrounding waters. Once inside Freycinet National Park begin a series of walks and exploration of the area. Walk as a group to the Wineglass Bay Lookout, a moderate uphill walk of around 45 - 60 minutes. Here the views make the walk well worth the effort! For the keen walkers, you can continue the walk down to Wineglass Bay beach (2.5 hour return walking time). Once on the beach you have time to take a swim, relax, eat your lunch or meander along the white sands. Or, if you prefer to select the shorter walking option, you can explore other areas of Freycinet with your tour guide. Visit Honeymoon Bay and the Cape Tourville Lighthouse “Great Short Walk”. Still on the east coast, you will make a final stop for the day, where you can refresh and refuel in a friendly and relaxed location. Try the local hand-crafted ice creams or perhaps a famous Tasmanian scallop pie! Then it's onwards into Launceston returning around 6:30 PM.

Day one: Hobart to Strahan Begin your trip with a pick up around 7:00 AM and drive through the Derwent Valley. Travel east to west across the island. See the beautiful Russell Falls, walk among the Mt Field National Park tall trees, and visit Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake St Clair. Explore the pristine Franklin-Gordon Wild River National Park and end the day in Strahan, where you will stay overnight.  Day two: Wild West Coast In the untouched wilderness of Tasmania’s West Coast, explore the shifting sands of Henty Dunes. Then continue into the Tarkine Rainforest and walk to Tasmania’s highest waterfall, Montezuma Falls. Or you can choose to join the world-famous Gordon River Cruise at your own expense. Stay overnight again in Strahan.  Day three: Cradle Mountain to Launceston Around 950 meters above sea level is the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park. Here, choose a walk to take. With an extensive range of tracks, you can stroll around Dove Lake or challenge yourself with a hike to Marion’s Lookout. After, take a short drive through Sheffield, the town of murals, to Launceston for your overnight stay.  Day four: Launceston to Hobart This morning, take your transfer through the historic Tasmanian Midlands back to Hobart for 12:30 PM.