Tasmanian Western Escape- 6 Days

Highlights

• Discover the Derwent Valley and Mt Field National Park
• View spectacular Russell Falls
• Visit Lake St. Clair in the Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park
• Cruise on the reflective waters of the Gordon River
• Explore Cradle Mountain National Park
• Discover Dove Lake and Waldheim Chalet
• Walk to the massive promontory known as The Nut
• Wander through delightful Allendale Gardens
• Visit the Ashgrove Farm cheese factory
• Enjoy time at Entally House
• Stay in the riverside city of Launceston

 

Itinerary

Day 1 - Tue: Hobart to Russell Falls

We depart at 8.00am. Spectacular views of Hobart and the Derwent River from Mt. Nelson starts our day on a high. Then we head west, through New Norfolk to the magnificent Mt. Field National Park – Tasmania’s oldest and the site of spectacular Russell Falls. These picturesque falls are surrounded by towering swamp gums, the tallest flowering plant on Earth and stunning tall tree ferns. We’ll have morning tea then wind our way up to the sensational Lake St. Clair for our lunch break with a view. Back down to Queenstown, via the rainforest-bordered road of the World Heritage protected Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Queenstown is the largest town on Tasmania’s West Coast and was originally developed to service the booming copper fields of Mt. Lyell.

Accommodation: Chancellor Inn, Queenstown, 2 nights.
Meals: Dinner

 

Day 2 - Gordon River

Today we travel to the fishing village of Strahan on the Macquarie Harbour where we’ll cruise the Gordon River. You’ll be awestruck by the beauty of the crystal clear water reflecting the untouched wilderness of this pristine, heritage-listed river and be amazed by the 1,000 year old Huon Pine at Heritage Landing. Post cruise the afternoon is yours. Use your free time to relax or explore – enjoy an optional, highly recommended, train ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Take a trip back in time to where men laboured through mud, rain and treacherous landscapes to forge a link between the mining town of Queenstown and the port of Strahan. Or maybe visit the Huon Pine Museum – it’s up to you!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 3 -Thu: Cradle Mountain

We travel past Lake Plimsoll through Tullah on the shores of Lake Rosebery, surrounded by forests and mountains and close to the Southwest Conservation Area, to the sensational Cradle Mountain National Park. Once here we’ll take you up to Waldheim and gorgeous Dove Lake for spectacular views of Cradle Mountain – make sure the camera's loaded and the batteries charged, this is a scenic highlight, and the air – there’s none fresher! Next we travel to Sheffield, for a wander through this town of murals with its colourful wall paintings that adorn the town’s buildings, en route to Burnie.

Hotel: Beachfront Voyager, Burnie, 2 nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 4 - Fri: The Nut, Stanley

Rolling green hills and Friesian cows – this morning you’ll think you’re in a butter commercial as we make our way to Table Cape, home of tulips, for views of Bass Strait, the lighthouse and coastline. We’ll arrive at Wynyard for morning tea. Then picturesque Stanley is in our sights as we head west for lunch with a view of ‘The Nut’, an unusual and huge promontory, which is the plug of an extinct volcano and stands approximately 150 metres high. Views from the top are breathtaking! The hills roll on from Irishtown to our next guided tour, Allendale Gardens.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 5 - Sat: Cataract Gorge

We travel east along the coast through Penguin, stopping at Ulverstone for morning tea. Then we’re off to Ashgrove Farm Cheese Factory for a presentation on cheese making and some delicious product testing – yum! Deloraine is our lunch stop. Next we travel to historic Entally House for a guided tour, after which we can wander around the beautiful grounds. Built in 1819, the 37 hectare estate includes a green house, chapel, coach house and stables. Then it’s on to Launceston, where we’ll visit Cataract Gorge – wilderness in the city. Just two minutes out of town and you’re surrounded by rivers, a gorge and exotic flora and fauna. Enjoy a walk across the suspension bridge, spot peacocks or take the chairlift for an aerial view of this fascinating urban wilderness, you decide.

Accomodation: Mercure Hotel, Launceston
Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 6 - Sun: Depart Launceston

This morning well transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Further Information

Flight Information

Day 1 – Flights to arrive Day prior to tour
Day 6 – Flights to depart any time