SPIRIT OF TASMANIA

Welcome to the East Coast Escape Tour to Tasmania. Our tour takes us down the road less travelled to discover some of Tasmania's unique animals, delicious food, history, and breathtaking scenery. Beginning our holiday with an afternoon chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We then travel to Geelong to enjoy dinner before joining the Spirit of Tasmania for our overnight cruise to Devonport. Once onboard, we settle into our cabins, then have the opportunity to explore the onboard facilities including bars, cinemas and lounges (at own expense) as we cruise across Bass Strait.

OVERNIGHT:  Porthole Cabin, Spirit of Tasmania

DEVONPORT TO LAUNCESTON

We have an early arrival in Tasmania and we are escorted to the coach as we begin our touring. First stop is breakfast, then we head to Sheffield, a hinterland town well known for its outstanding murals where the pictorial history of the region has been painted on just about every blank wall in the town. We then travel the scenic back roads, beside the Gog Range, where we stop at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for a sumptuous lunch. This afternoon, we drive to the town of Deloraine where we visit Yarns Artwork in Silk. We now journey to Launceston, where upon arrival, we spend time at the beautiful Cataract Gorge with its cliff-side gardens, peacocks, pools, suspension footbridge; you may choose to ride the world's longest single-span chairlifts (own expense). We now check into our centrally located hotel to unwind.

OVERNIGHT:  Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston

LAUNCESTON TO ST HELENS

Today, we head to the east coast following the Tamar River, Australia’s longest navigable tidal estuary, which meanders through the heart of cool climate vineyards, orchards, and hamlets. We take in the magnificent views from bush-ranger Brady’s Lookout before stopping at Seahorse World; here we visit a working seahorse farm which will give us unique access to these magical creatures. It is then across the unique A-frame Batman Bridge and travel to Barnbougle. Our lunch venue is located near the seaside village of Bridport in Tasmania's North-East and their dining room is perched atop a coastal dune with spectacular views of Barnbougle, the world-renowned golf course, and coastline. This afternoon we tour the agriculturally rich northeast coast. Visit Legerwood and view the War Memorial Tree Carvings, honouring the fallen soldiers of the region, before crossing Weldborough Pass through the myrtle rainforest and descending to the east coast at St. Helens for our overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT:  Panorama Hotel, ST HELENS

ST HELENS - BAY OF FIRES - BICHENO

Enjoy a leisurely start today before travelling a short distance to the breathtaking Bay of Fires, known all over the world for its extraordinary clear blue seas, brilliant white beaches and striking orange lichen-cloaked boulders. Touring down the east coast we stop for lunch and enjoy some local cuisine overlooking the blue waters of the Tasman Sea. We continue past Douglas Aspley National Park with its spectacular dolerite boulders and rugged hills en route to Bicheno. Meet a Tasmanian devil at the East Coast Nature World and learn about the threat to their survival during an informative ride on the ‘Pelican Express’. Tour the fishing and holiday village of Bicheno, viewing The ‘Gulch’ fishing harbour, and the ocean blowhole before settling into our accommodation for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Beachfront Bicheno, BICHENO

FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK

This morning, we board the Wineglass Bay Cruises boat for a cruise through the spectacular coastline of Freycinet National Park from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay. Be enthralled by the stunning granite coastline, including the dramatic pink peaks of the Hazards range. Take in the sheer beauty of Wineglass Bay from the unique perspective of the water. Uncover the rich history of the region, including aboriginal heritage and tales of early explorers and entrepreneurs. We return to Bicheno with time to relax before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Beachfront Bicheno, BICHENO

BICHENO TO HOBART

We begin the day heading south, pausing at the convict-built, enigmatic Spiky Bridge. At lunchtime, we stop at the historic town of Richmond where we may view the spire of Australia’s oldest Catholic Church from beneath the arch of our oldest stone bridge still in use. Wander the streets of this delightful Georgian town and discover the arts and crafts, bakeries and tea rooms. Cross the picturesque Derwent River into the city of Hobart nestled at the foot of kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Tour historic Battery Point, Salamanca Place and Constitution Docks before settling into our accommodation for the next four nights.

Lunch own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  The Old Woolstore, Hobart

HOBART AND THE SALAMANCA MARKETS

Today we will explore Tasmania's capital city with it's history, culture and scenery. We’re lucky enough to be here on a Saturday, so first we head to the famous Salamanca Markets. We now drive to The Mount Nelson Signal Station, which boasts panoramic views over Hobart city, the River Derwent and, on a clear day, down to Bruny Island and out to Storm Bay. Built in 1811, the Mount Nelson Signal Station was the first signal station constructed in Tasmania. Today, it offers a fascinating insight into semaphore signalling, station life and early shipping in the Hobart area. The next destination is the sheltered, landscaped grounds of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens which hold historic plant collections and a large number of significant trees, many dating from the nineteenth century. You will have time to wander the grounds at your leisure.  Afterwards, we will travel to Constitution Dock to view Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum which was built to raise funds for the ongoing conservation of the historic buildings at Cape Denison, which were used as the main base for the 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE). Standing on the Hobart waterfront just 200 metres from where Mawson’s expedition departed from in 1911, the Replica also serves as an educational facility and promotes the legacy of the AAE. From here, you can stay in town for some retail therapy or any other activities of your choice, or return to the hotel to relax.

Lunch at your own arrangement and expense

OVERNIGHT:  The Old Woolstore, Hobart

MT FIELD NATIONAL PARK

Today we travel through the delightful Derwent Valley which should be starting to show its autumn colours. We pass through New Norfolk to Mt Field National Park which is one of Tasmania's most loved national parks. An easy 10 minute stroll will take us to the iconic Russell Falls. The track is edged with a mixed forest comprising towering swamp gums, the tallest flowering plant on Earth, and species typical of wet forests and cool temperate rainforests, such as dogwood, musk and myrtle. We also visit the Plenty Salmon Ponds, circa 1861, which is the oldest trout hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere. It was the birthplace of trout in Australia and the origin of Tasmania’s legendary trout fishery. Enjoy the original 19 century English style public open space of superb trees, hedges and lawns. We return to Hobart following the Derwent River with time to relax before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  The Old Woolstore, Hobart

BRUNY ISLAND

This morning we travel south to Kettering this morning to board the ferry and cross the

beautiful D’Entrecasteaux Channel to Bruny Island. Not only can Bruny Island boast some of Tasmania’s most superb scenery of sweeping beaches, mountains and spectacular capes and bays, but it also has a fascinating history. Notable early visitors include Captain Furneaux (1773), Captain Cook (1777), and Bligh (1788 & 1792) on the ‘Bounty’ who planted Tasmania's first apple tree. We arrive at Roberts Point on North Bruny and tour south past The Neck, which is a game reserve of penguin and mutton bird rookeries and the site of the memorial to famous Tasmanian aboriginal Truganini. Visit Inala Jurassic Garden, which specialises in plants whose ancient ancestors thrived in the Jurassic period when the Gondwanan Supercontinent started splitting apart (about 185 million years ago). This afternoon, we continue to scenic Adventure Bay and explore the foreshore before returning to the ferry, detouring to Bruny Island Chocolate Co which offers a superb quality range of fudge, truffles and chocolate sauces. Reboard the ferry at Kettering then return to Hobart, travelling beside the Derwent River.

OVERNIGHT:  The Old Woolstore, Hobart

HOBART TO MELBOURNE OR JOIN WEST COAST WILDS

Completing our memorable tour of the naturally beautiful East Coast of Tasmania, we farewell our fellow travellers who are continuing on with the next tour. We make our way to Hobart Airport for the flight home. On arrival at Melbourne Airport, our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.

Those who have chosen to join the next part of our adventure on O’Shannessy’s West Coast Wilds tour, we have a free day. We will meet up with the next tour at dinner this evening.

Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments in flight