We board our flight to Melbourne where we are met by a local company who will transfer us to pick up our vehicles.   We are now on our way!  This afternoon we arrive in Geelong, situation on Corio Bay, an arm of Port Phillip Bay. Heading to Geelong Quay we join the Spirit of Tasmania for our journey across the Bass Strait. We’ll board the ship, after loading all the vehicles below deck and settle into our cabins. Dinner is at leisure this evening with plenty of facilities of lounges, bars, shops and viewing areas.

Spirit of Tasmania | 1 night

We start touring Tasmania with a trip to the famous Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for a delicious breakfast. From there we continue today with a big 4-hour 328km drive to The Nut Chair Lift in Stanley via Mount Roland, Moina, Oonah, Wynyard to ultimately arrive at the lovely Tall Timbers Hotel for the night. Great restaurant and bar facilities there to share with your fellow travellers.

Breakfast and dinner in Hotel | lunch at Tullah Lakeside lodge

Strahan Village |2 nights

Heading off the beaten track and into the wilderness, The Tarkine Drive in Tasmania’s north-west is now easily accessible for anyone wanting to get back in touch with nature and experience the wilderness. The loop through the Tarkine Drive takes travellers through natural and dramatic landscapes beginning with Kanunnah Bridge Picnic Area, taking its name from the aboriginal name for ‘Tasmanian Tiger’, Sumac Lookout surrounded by rainforest and tall eucalypts and more impressive widespread views of the river and beyond. The Tarkine Drive is an easy 38 km drive from Smithton. Smithton to the Tarkine Drive return is 130km. The Tarkine Drive route is sealed as are all of the planned drives.

Travel down the West Coast to Tullah Lakeside Lodge for lunch. Drive estimate 2hr 6min, 177km. After lunch head to Strahan via Reece Dam and Zeehan. Drive estimate 1hr 57min, 145 km. If you do not wish to do the drive to Strahan via Reece Dame the direct route is also an amazing drive and is 85km and 1hour 8 minutes to then arrive at the beautiful Strahan Village Hotel.

We are in for a stunning day as our World Heritage Cruise takes us into the wild and remote waters of the Gordon River. Offering a safe harbour to the ancient Huon Pine trees, we’ll see these and other trees of the dense forest close up on a Heritage Walk on the penal settlement of Sarah Island. Stumble across the remains of the 3-storey jail house and take a firsthand view of the only entrance to Macquarie Harbour, known as Hells Gates. It’s a great day topped off with a beautiful buffet lunch.  We return to Strahan mid-afternoon for some free time to enjoy the village.  Tonight’s dinner booking is at Hamer’s Bar and Bistro.

Breakfast and dinner in Hotel | lunch included

This day you tour through to the geographical centre of Tasmania but before we turn left we drive along winding roads through the spectacular moon like landscape that surrounds Queenstown. After a visit to Queenstown for a coffee drivers can set off to Lake St Clair Lodge via beautiful forests and over the famous Franklin River. Late St Clair is on the south side of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It is a lovely chalet hotel nestled on the edge of a spectacular lake.

Lake St Clair Lodge | 1 night

Travel via Derwent Valley to Hobart. Arrive in Hobart for check in to the truly amazing Henry Jones Art Hotel for 4 nights in the centre of the most historic capital in Australia – Hobart. On the way there stop off at the “The Wall In the Wilderness”, Mt Field National Park and the Salmon Ponds while enjoying the picturesque drive on more of Tasmania’s beautiful roads.
Drive estimate: 2 hr 27 min, 180 kms (not including stops).

On the first day in Hobart you can sleep in, take a walk along the historic streets with our without a personal tour guide or drive to the historic town of Richmond for tea and scones. If history is not your thing then go modern and immerse yourself in the mind bending MONA Gallery. A must see.

Breakfast in hotel | lunch and dinner own arrangements and cost

You may choose to head to the Tasman Peninsula and take a drive through “Do Town” before seeing some natural attractions such as the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. A little further along is the Port Arthur Historic Site. The penal settlement has a special place of vivid history, cultural heritage and stories so compelling; you’ll want to hear them again and again. The drive to and from is spectacular, full of banked corners and hills. A big day out.

Breakfast in hotel | Lunch and dinner own arrangements and cost

As an alternate to Port Arthur – Now this is when the drivers really stand out. You can choose to drive arguably the most beautiful and engaging driving roads in Australia; the Gordon Dam Road. 103km of road cutting through state forest, rolling green farms, across mountain tundra with the backdrop of rocky mountain peaks via Lake Pedder to arrive at the Lake Gordon Dam. And then, turn around and drive back. This road is nearly worth the entire trip to Tasmania just to drive it. Over that 100km’s you will be lucky to see a dozen cars.

We leave the coast to Launceston via one of Tasmania’s wonderous mountain passes. Drive through thick temperate forests and stop off at some of the cutest towns and walk some tracks thick with the smell of wet forests. Café or lunch in one the many towns along the way with old and new found friends and then make your way to the very cool Peppers Silos Hotel in Launceston. If you still have energy visit the near by Cataract Gorge – a magnificent Reserve in the city centre.

Breakfast in hotel | lunch at Pub in the Paddock | dinner own arrangements and cost

Sebel Launceston | 2 nights

Following a big breakfast you can explore the National Park by circumnavigating Dove Lake a glacial beauty from the last ice age, take a selection of short walks and see plenty of wombats or hike to the summit to see Tasmania’s most spectacular mountain view. Or maybe stay in and sit in front of the log fire. Again, your choice. PS there are some Targa roads nearby for those wanting one last day of driving.

Breakfast and dinner in hotel

Our last day in Tassie you can either sleep in, dine late and set off for one final walk or get in your beloved car and set off for your last day of amazing driving through historic towns and national parks while steadily making your way to Davenport the long way around for departure back to “the mainland” early that evening. The direct route is just 90 minutes from mountain village to the port. Lots and lots of interesting tourist sites along the way while you ponder what it might be like to live on this picturesque island that has been engaging you for the past 14 days. Then join your old and new friends for a night’s journey across the Bass Straight on route for home.

Breakfast in hotel | lunch and dinner own arrangements and cost

GEELONG TO HOME

Disembarking the Spirit of Tasmania at the Quay in Geelong we head off to drop the vehicles off before our flight home.  A local transfer coach company will meet us there to transfer us to the airport for our flight home.  What a fantastic time we have had travelling with friends.