Tasmania is a beautiful and peaceful island state.  Enjoy this short Easter itinerary visiting the best of Launceston and Hobart.

Day 1 (L,D) HOME, LAUNCESTON

Passengers from Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide fly either direct or via Melbourne.  Following home/hotel pick up in the Melbourne metropolitan area, we transfer to Melbourne Airport for the short flight to Launceston, due to arrive early afternoon.  Perth passengers arrive in Melbourne the day prior to departure.  Lunch on arrival.  Our Young at Heart coach awaits us.  Visit Woolmer Estate; enjoy a guided tour, time for a stroll in the beautiful National Rose Garden and afternoon cuppa in the Servant’s Kitchen Café.  Our home for two nights is the 4 star Launceston Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Day 2 (B,L,D) TAMAR VALLEY

Today we enjoy a tour of the Tamar Valley.  We call at the Swiss village of Grindelwald on route to Beaconsfield where we visit Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Museum.  We continue to Beauty Point for lunch.  In the afternoon visit Platypus House.  Watch Tasmanian platypus and echidnas in an indoor setting, stroll in the echidna garden and enjoy a short platypus film.  We return via Batman Bridge.

Day 3 (B,L,D)CAMPBELLTOWN, ROSS, HOBART

Today we travel south to the historic Midland towns of Campbell Town and Ross.  Visit the Tasmanian Wool Centre, take a short town tour and enjoy lunch here today.  View the historic convict-built stone bridge for which the village is famous.  During the afternoon we travel further south along the Midland Highway to Hobart.  Home for three nights is the 4.5 star centrally located Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Day 4 (B,L,D) RICHMOND, PORT ARTHUR

This morning we travel to the Georgian village of Richmond, with Australia’s oldest bridge, oldest gaol and oldest Catholic Church.  Visit Old Hobart Town Historical Model Village with time to stroll in the village before continuing to Eaglehawk Neck, a narrow isthmus of land connecting the Tasman Peninsula to the mainland, now home to the famous “Doo Town” with its eccentric house names.  On to Port Arthur, established in 1830, first as a timber station, then as a prison for the hardest British and Irish criminals – beautiful location, tragic site.  Lunch on arrival.  Time to explore the ruins and enjoy the picturesque garden setting, maybe visit the Penitentiary or Church ruins, and take a short cruise around the Isle of the Dead.  We return to Hobart later in the afternoon.

Day 5 (B,L,D) HOBART, HUON VALLEY

Today we explore to the south of Hobart and the Huon Valley as we follow the Huon Trail to Grove.  Enjoy a morning cuppa at the Apple and Heritage Museum.  Visit the “Big Tree” prior to arriving at the Tahune Forest Air Walk, located in the southern forests in Tasmania’s magnificent Tahune Forest Reserve.  After lunch, walk through the three-storey high canopy of a Tasmanian wet forest.  Suspended high above the forest floor the Tahune Airwalk offers a spectacular panoramic outlook to some of Tasmania’s unique tree species.  We return to Hobart via Geeveston.

Day 6 (B,L) HOBART, HOME

This morning a morning cuppa at Mt Nelson with great views of the Derwent Harbour.  Lunch prior to boarding our early afternoon flight.  Melbourne passengers return home and passengers from other states catch connecting flights to their home ports.  (Sydney and Brisbane passengers may choose to fly direct and depart at a different time – may be additional cost).  A delightful Tasmanian Easter Holiday.