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Tasmania Self-Drive
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| Tasmania, just an hour from mainland
Australia, but light years away from the city hustle and bustle, is the
perfect size for a self-drive holiday. Australia's compact Island State
offers it all-rugged mountain landscapes, dense forest, open plains and
welcoming sandy beaches. Then there is the history. From the earliest
days of Aboriginal settlement to the convict era under British colonial
rule, Tasmania is imprinted with its past. |
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And that's not all. Tasmania's deserved
reputation as the clean and green Australian State (what more do you
need to know than that Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world) has
provided fertile soil for food and wine producers. The waters around
Tasmania are home to some of the best edible fish in the world. Nothing
beats a plate of Tasmanian oysters or salmon. |
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Wilderness is the heart and soul of
Tasmania. A pristine environment is home to the Huon pine, which live to over 2,000 years. Gorges, snow
dusted mountains, fresh lakes of blue, rocky coastline, Tasmania is
one-third national parks and wilderness area. |
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| Day 1 | Depart Sydney
or Melbourne by air
Arrive Launceston |
| Collect
your car at the airport, travel north on B4 1 and then Highway 1 to your
selected accommodation in Launceston. There are three Innkeepers properties
and 5 Tasvillas properties in Launceston. After checking in, visit Penny
Royal World (included in the Tassie Attraction Pass) in Paterson Street,
or Cataract Gorge First Basin, where you can ride the chairlift across
to the tearooms and gardens. After exploring the Gorge, travel from Launceston
on A6 north to beyond Legana to the Grindewald Swiss Village. Return to
Launceston. |
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| Day 2 |
Launceston to Swansea / Bicheno / Freycinet |
| Take
Highway 1 south to Ross for an inspection of the historic township and
the Tasmanian Wool Centre (included in the Tassie Attractions pass). Then
take Highway 1 north to Campbell Town, turning east on B34 to A3. Your
choice of accommodation on the east coast is Swansea (1 Innkeepers property
and 1 Tasvillas property), Bicheno (1 Innkeepers property and I Tasvillas
property). or Freycinet Lodge (Innkeepers property). Whatever the property
you choose, make sure that you visit Freycinet National park and take
a walk to Wine Glass Bay lookout. |
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| Day 3 | Swansea to Port Arthur |
| Head to Swansea and take the time to visit the historic Bark Mill and Wine and Wool Centre (included in the Tassie Attraction Pass). The complex is located on the western side of the road at the northern end of the township. Departing from Swansea on the A3, stop to view the convict-built Spiky Bridge some 5 kms. south of Swansea on the westerns side of the road. Continue south on A3 enjoying the magnificent coastal scenery through Triabunna, Orford and on to Buckland, where a stop is recommended to view the beautiful stained glass windows of the church of St. John the Baptist. Continue south to Sorrell, turn east on A9 and follow the road over the Dunalley Bridge. stopping at the Information Centre at Eaglehawk Neck. Visit the Tasman Arch, Tasman Blowhole and Devil's kitchen on C338 south before returning on C338 north to rejoin A9 south. Stop at the Bush Mill (included in the Tassie Attraction pass) is a must (East on A9), as is a wander through Port Arthur Historic Site itself. Port Arthur, Australia's most captivating historic site. Learn about the history of Port Arthur and Australia's convict heritage as experienced guides take you for a tour around the site. Entrance fees also include a harbour cruise. Overnight at Port Arthur (1 Innkeepers property and 1 Tasvillas property). You may wish to join the Historic Ghost Tour of Port Arthur - this you may do through your accommodation house. | |
| Day 4 | Port Arthur
/ Richmond / Hobart |
| Head
north on A9, stopping at the Tasmanian Devil Park (1 hour from Port Arthur).
Continue north and then west on A9 to Sorrell, and then take A3 north
to C35 1 west to Richmond. In Richmond, visit the Richmond Goal, walk
across Australia's oldest bridge and step inside Australia's oldest Catholic
Church. There are also various craft houses, tearooms and a Wine Centre
to explore. Follow B31 south to A3 west to your accommodation in Hobart
where you will spend 3 nights in total. Hobart has 4 Innkeepers properties
and 6 Tasvillas properties. After checking in. a walk around the historic
Battery Point and Salamanca areas is recommended. |
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| Day 5
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Hobart |
| Sightseeing
in Hobart - one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Hobart is nestled
between Mount Wellington and the sea. White beaches on its outskirts,
historic buildings at its heart, Australia's second-oldest city has a
lifestyle of its own. Browse through antique stores, discover stunning
arts and crafts, linger over a coffee in one of the street cafes, explore
the fishing harbor but do not whatever you do, miss Salamanca Markets
on Saturday morning. On Saturdays, the umbrellas go up and two blocks
of stalls and shops are bustling with people and street buskers offering
you some of the finest arts and crafts found in Tasmania. Join a Derwent
River Cruise (included in the Tassie Attraction Pass) and combine this
with a tour of the famous Cadbury's Chocolate Factory. A short tour on
Route 1 towards Brighton will take you to Bonorong Park Wildlife Centre.
Make friends with wombats, koalas and Tasmanian Devils and feed our friendly,
free ranging Kangaroos. |
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| Day 6 | Hobart /
Huon Valley / Hobart |
| South
of Hobart is the Huon Valley and D' Entrecasteau Channel district. Orchards
stripe the Huon Valley, blossom in the spring and are laden with fruit
by late summer. Visit the Huon Valley Apple and Heritage Museum for an
introduction to the early apple processing machinery and history of the
Huon or take a cruise for a tour of Tasmania's Atlantic salmon farms.
If you are feeling like some fun, enjoy the Devil Jet Boat for a thrilling
30 minute ride with excitement, exhilaration and beautiful scenery. Return
to Hobart. |
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| Day 7 |
Hobart to Strahan |
| Depart
Hobart on Highway 1 north to Granton, then west on A lO through the historic
village of New Norfolk. A stop at Hamilton, famous for its craft centres,
is suggested. |
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| Day 8 | Strahan to Cradle Mountain |
| From
the wharf to Strahan, take a Gordon River cruise (included in the Tassie
Attraction Pass) |
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| Drive
north on B27 to Zeehan to visit the west coast Pioneer Memorial Museum.
Head north on AlO through the mining town of Roseberry, and turn eats
on C132 to Cradle Mountain. Cradle Mountain is part of the World Heritage
Area and provides many opportunities for walking, climbing, fishing and
just soaking up the magnificent scenery. including the views across Dove
Lake to the mountain itself. Stay overnight at Cradle Mountain Lodge (Innkeepers
property). You may want to spend two nights in this wonderful wilderness
area. |
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| Day 9 | Cradle
Mountain to Launceston |
| Ret urn on the C132 extension to C132 east -
follow this route to Moina and take C136 east to Sheffield, the town of
murals. Then follow B14 east to C156 east to B13 south to Highway 1 east.
Follow Highway 1 to Launceston for an overnight stay. Should time allow,
you can visit the Ashgrove Cheese factory just north on Highway 1 at Elizabeth
Town. |
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| Day 10 | Launceston |
| Depart Launceston by air Arrive Sydney or Melbourne |
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This is a suggested itinerary only,
which can be varied to suit individual requirements |
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