Best of Tasmania

JOIN KTG TOURS ON OUR 14 DAY BEST OF TASMANIA TOUR

Please note that for full enjoyment of this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required.

 

Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November 2024

(Meals: D)

Your KTG Tours Host will meet you at Sydney Airport ready to board your Virgin Australia flight departing at 1:25pm, which arrives in Launceston at 3:10pm.* On arrival, we meet our local Coach Captain and board the luxury tour coach. Our journey through Tasmania begins as we travel across the glorious north coast to the seaside town of Ulverstone where we settle in and enjoy dinner at our motel.

O/N Beachway Motel, Ulverstone TAS

 

Day 2 – Thursday 7th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning we travel north west along the coast to visit Highfield Historic Site. Perched on top of the hill overlooking the town of Stanley, Highfield offers a historically accurate vision of a gentleman’s home and farm of the 1830s. We will be met by our knowledgeable guide who will deliver a short talk on the homestead followed by the chance to explore the site at your own pace. Next, we head down the hill to Stanley where we enjoy lunch at The Stanley Hotel. Stanley is a town of perfectly preserved colonial buildings sheltering in the imposing shadow of the Nut, an immense flat topped, volcanic plug rising 150 metres straight up from the water’s edge. Following lunch, you will have free time to explore the town or perhaps sit back and enjoy the chair lift ride (at own expense) to the top of the Nut. Travelling back by the scenic coast drive via Wynyard we pause in Burnie for time to look around then continue on through Penguin, back to Ulverstone.

O/N Beachway Motel, Ulverstone TAS

 

Day 3 – Friday 8th November 2024

(Meals: BLD) 

This morning we travel to Latrobe to visit the House of Anvers, where we learn about their chocolate factory and museum. Next, we travel to the delightful town of Sheffield, where history and art merge to create an entire town of murals. The famous Sheffield murals trace the history of the area and feature Cradle Mountain pioneer Gustav Weindorfer, Tasmanian Tigers and pictorial representations of characters and stories of the past. Continuing on we stop for lunch at Cradle Mountain Hotel before spending the afternoon exploring the spectacular Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania’s most visited national park situated in the heart of the 161,000 hectare Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Immerse yourself in this extraordinarily beautiful alpine landscape of rugged peaks, windswept moors, glacial lakes and tarns, and deep gorges clothed in tall, ancient forests. Be treated to a comprehensive guided tour of Cradle Mt National Park highlighting the Park’s unique flora and fauna along with marked geological contrasts of the area. Finally today we arrive in Queenstown where we spend the next 2 nights.

O/N Silver Hills Motel, Queenstown TAS

 

Day 4 – Saturday 9th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

An early start this morning as we journey down to Strahan on Tasmania’s beautiful and rugged west coast to join World Heritage Cruises for an incredible day. Your experience includes a visit to Hell’s Gates, the narrow entrance to Macquarie Harbour named by the convicts on their way to the infamous former prison on Sarah Island. See some of Australia’s oldest convict ruins on a guided tour of Sarah Island, a settlement which pre-dates Port Arthur by decades. See high-tech aquaculture where hundreds of thousands of Tasmania’s famous Atlantic Salmon and Ocean Trout are farmed. Spend two hours in the serenity of the imposing Gordon River and at Heritage Landing disembark to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Rainforest. Our cruise also includes a delicious lunch of individually prepared meals featuring Tasmanian produce, freshly prepared on board. As we disembark the cruise, see the Huon Pine sawmill before returning to Queenstown.

O/N Silver Hills Motel, Queenstown TAS

 

Day 5 – Sunday 10th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning we travel through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park with ancient Huon Pines that grow to an age of over 3000 years. We stop to admire Nelson Falls before visiting Lake St Clair which makes up the southern boundary of Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park. The lake is the deepest freshwater lake in Australia at over 170 metres and was scooped during several glaciations over the past 2 million years. Enjoy lunch at Derwent Bridge before visiting the inspiring Wall in the Wilderness. Greg Duncan has created Australia’s most ambitious art project by carving the history of the highlands in 100 metres of timber, most of which in rare Huon Pine. Continuing on through the Central Highlands, we pause to view the Tarraleah Power Station, part of the hydroelectric scheme that was developed in the 1930’s. At the end of today’s journey, we arrive at our Hobart accommodation which is our base for the next 6 nights.

O/N Riverfront Motel & Villas, Hobart TAS

 

Day 6 – Monday 11th November 2024

(Meals: BD)

Nestled amongst the foothills of Mt Wellington, Hobart combines heritage charm with a modern lifestyle in a setting of exceptional beauty. It’s no wonder Lonely Planet has called Hobart one of the top ten spots to visit in the world. The second oldest capital in Australia, after Sydney offers captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains as well as gourmet experiences. Today you have free time to take in your choice of sights like MONA or perhaps Salamanca Square, Battery Point and the Docks. Lunch today is at own expense so that you can sample some culinary delights that the city has to offer. Tonight, we take a Historic Dinner Cruise on the beautiful Derwent River. Sit back and enjoy a 2 hour cruise whilst feasting on a 3 course meal.

O/N Riverfront Motel & Villas, Hobart TAS

 

Day 7 – Tuesday 12th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning we travel to the pretty riverside village of Ross which was built by convict labour in the early 1800s. The village has been so well preserved that visitors can still enjoy a genuine piece of history today. See Australia’s third oldest bridge and other historic sites with a guided town tour in the comfort of the coach. Travel through the Campania area and enjoy a delicious lunch at The Wicked Cheese Company. This afternoon we visit the historic town of Richmond, home to Australia’s oldest stone bridge that is still in use as well as the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The village was once a key military post and convict station, strategically located between Hobart and the infamous Port Arthur penal settlement. See the historic buildings which predate Port Arthur including Historic Richmond Gaol, Australia’s oldest existing and preserved colonial gaol. A tour of the gaol is available at own expense and time permitting.

O/N Riverfront Motel & Villas, Hobart TAS

 

Day 8 – Wednesday 13th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning we visit the Salmon Ponds Heritage Hatchery & Gardens home to the oldest trout hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere. Take a walk back in time amidst the historic buildings, hatchery and fishponds – all set within the original 19th century English style garden. Next, we travel to Mt Field National Park, Tasmania’s oldest national park and home to Russell Falls, the most photographed waterfall in Tasmania. The falls are indeed the star attraction and even featured on Australia’s first stamp. It’s a short stroll along an easy walking path from the visitor centre, through enormous fern forests and some of the world’s tallest trees. Enjoy lunch today at the Waterfall Café then return to the motel for some downtime. This evening we enjoy a delicious dinner at Marquis Buffet in West Hobart with scenic views looking out to the River Derwent.

O/N Riverfront Motel & Villas, Hobart TAS

 

Day 9 – Thursday 14th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning we visit the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site where thousands of women and children were imprisoned. On a guided tour we learn of the regimented system of punishment and reform that operated within the walls. Then we explore the scenic Huon Valley with our first stop at the Geeveston Information Centre where we learn about the historic timber town. Lunch today is at the Kermandie Hotel, located on the waterfront overlooking Port Huon. Next, we take an interesting tour at the Wooden Boat Centre. Our guide tells us tall tales and true about the precious boat building timbers that are found exclusively in Tasmania as we tour the workshop where boat building and restoration can be seen. Then, visit the Huon Valley Apple Museum to learn about the Huon regions fascinating apple heritage told through the eyes of Willie Smith, the founder of William Smith & Sons Orchard.

O/N Riverfront Motel & Villas, Hobart TAS

 

Day 10 – Friday 15th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning we see the Tasman Blowhole, Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen before arriving at Australia’s most intact and evocative convict sites, Port Arthur. A destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals as well as rebellious personalities from other convict stations. Created with convict labour, the impressive architecture, delightful gardens and chilling prison facilities survive today for you to explore. On arrival we enjoy lunch followed by a short cruise from Port Arthur’s Harbour to the Isle of the Dead, a tiny island that is the final resting place of at least 1100 people, buried between 1833 and 1877. Then we are taken on a guided walking tour of the historic site to learn more of the history and see the buildings and ruins up close. After the tour, enjoy some free time to further explore the site at your leisure before returning to Hobart.

O/N Riverfront Motel & Villas, Hobart TAS

 

Day 11 – Saturday 16th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning enjoy free time to explore the famous Salamanca Markets before departing Hobart and travel the East Coast of Tasmania to Bark Mill Tavern & Bakery at Swansea for lunch. This afternoon we admire the spectacular coastal scenery of Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park then continue on through Bicheno before arriving at our Scamander accommodation.

O/N Scamander Beach Resort, Scamander TAS

 

Day 12 – Sunday 17th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

Today we travel through St Helens to Legerwood to see the Memorial Trees that have been carved by chainsaw into masterpieces depicting WWI fallen soldiers. After lunch at Bridestowe Lavender Estate, we arrive in Launceston where we visit Cataract Gorge Reserve. You can walk over the suspension bridge or (as an optional extra) ride the world’s longest single span chairlift.

O/N Mercure Hotel, Launceston TAS

 

Day 13 – Monday 18th November 2024

(Meals: BLD)

This morning we visit the Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre where with the help of technology you can explore the depths of the underground mine from within the museum. Enjoy lunch in Beauty Point before visiting the Platypus House to see Tasmanian platypuses and echidnas in daylight conditions. This afternoon we travel via the Swiss style village of Grindelwald before returning to Launceston for our last night in Tasmania.

O/N Mercure Hotel, Launceston TAS

 

Day 14 – Tuesday 19th November 2024

(Meals: B)

Today we see some of Launceston’s highlights before heading to the airport with lunch today at own expense. Our Virgin Australia flight departs at 3:50pm, arriving in Sydney at 5:25pm.*

* Flight details are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to tour departure. Complementary tea, coffee and water are served on the flights in accordance with the airline. Additional items can also be purchased during the flight.