Young at Heart Holidays offers a relaxing “round the island” itinerary including many of the stunning Tasmanian scenic attractions. Relax and enjoy a first class Tasmanian holiday.

Day 1 (L,D) HOME, LAUNCESTON

Following Melbourne metropolitan home/hotel transfers we fly to Launceston. Passengers from interstate fly either direct or via connecting flights to Launceston. (Perth passengers arrive in Melbourne the day prior to departure). On arrival in Launceston our Young at Heart coach awaits us. Visit Woolmer Estate, enjoy a guided tour, take a little time to stroll in the beautiful National Rose Garden. 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) LAUNCESTON

This morning enjoy a short cruise into Cataract Gorge and the upper reaches of the Tamar River. Later ride on the largest single-span chairlift in the southern hemisphere, or stroll across the suspension bridge above the gorge. Lunch here today. During the afternoon we enjoy a drive to George Town and Low Head Maritime Museum. Return along the Tamar Highway following the picturesque Tamar River to Launceston, visiting the Swiss village of Grindelwald on route.

Day 3 (B,L,D) LAUNCESTON, SCOTTSDALE, DERBY, ST HELENS, SCAMANDER

Travel through the picturesque north west of Tasmania as we journey to Scottsdale, surrounded by some of the most fertile land in Tasmania, and Derby, home of a “tin rush” in the 1880’s. Visit the Tin Centre, learn a little of the history of early mining. Enjoy a stroll amongst superb historical gardens overlooking the Ringarooma River. During the afternoon we continue to St Helens and Scamander. Our overnight home, Scamander Resort.

Day 4 (B,L,D) SCAMANDER, COLES BAY, ROSS, HOBART

Departing Scamander we continue south to Bicheno, Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park where we visit Cape Tourville, enjoying a boardwalk around the lighthouse area, with simply stunning views. We journey inland to the historic Midland towns of Campbelltown 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 continue along the Midland Highway to Hobart. Home for four nights is Lenna of Hobart or Hotel Grand Chancellor. Relax and enjoy comfort plus accommodation, centrally located, with the opportunity to stroll in the city and along the Constitution Dock waterfront.

Day 5 (B,L,D) HOBART, TAHUNE AIRWALK, Mt NELSON

Today we explore the Huon Valley as we follow the Huon Trail to Franklin and Geeveston, where we visit the Adventure Forest. Lunch prior to a walk in the treetops at the Tahune Forest Air Walk. Walk through the three-storey high canopy of a Tasmanian wet forest – home to amazing flora, including Eucalyptus regnans, the world’s tallest flowering plant. Before leaving the area, visit the “Big Tree”, a giant eucalyptus, hundreds of years old. We return to Hobart via Mt Nelson, with great views of the Derwent Harbour.

Day 6 (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, but once guarded by soldiers and half starved dogs. On to Port Arthur, 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 7 (B,L,D) HOBART

A relaxing day today as we visit the Maritime Museum, a most interesting display of many aspects of early sea travel. Nearby is Salamanca Art Centre, housed in and around seven historic Georgian warehouses on Hobart’s waterfront, a mecca of art and craft shops and artists’ studios. Morning cuppa and time to explore this fascinating area. Lunch today at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, followed by a stroll through parts of this renowned 14 hectare display, established in 1818. We visit Masterpiece@IXL, Tasmania’s premier art gallery, featuring colonial, impressionist, post impressionist and contemporary works. Also there is an opportunity to browse in the city shops, visit other city attractions or relax at our hotel.

Day 8 (B,L,D) HOBART, RUSSELL FALLS, LAKE ST CLAIR, STRAHAN

Departing Hobart we travel to Mount Field National Park. Morning cuppa and a walk along a tree fern-lined track to the beautiful Russell Falls. We continue to Lake St Clair. Lunch in the National Park Café. During the afternoon visit Wall in the Wilderness Gallery, an amazing “work in progress” sculpture of 100 panels, each 1 metre wide and 3 metres high, depicting Tasmanian stories including, to date, the hydro electric story, the forestry industry and the plight of the wedge-tailed eagle. On to Queenstown and Strahan. Home for two nights is the Strahan Village Motel. Enjoy views of the harbour and the village from our executive harbour view rooms.

Day 9 (B,L,D) MACQUARIE HARBOUR CRUISE

A highlight today as we join the Lady Jane Franklin II for a delightful cruise on Macquarie Harbour. Best seats on the boat as we travel Premium Class on the Captain’s Deck. Included in our cruise are Hells Gates, the narrow harbour entrance, commercial salmon farms, the amazing Gordon River, noted for picturesque reflections, a rainforest walk through ancient forests and a visit to Sarah Island, a notorious convict settlement. Refreshments and lunch as we cruise. A little free time when we return prior to a short theatrical delight The Ship That Never Was. Dinner following the show.

Day 10 (B,L,D) STRAHAN, WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY, QUEENSTOWN, CRADLE MOUNTAIN

Another highlight as we join the West Coast Wilderness Railway from Strahan to Queenstown. We travel in the comfort plus Premium Carriage. Enjoy refreshments, delightful local produce lunch and premium Tasmanian wines as well as stunning scenery as our train takes us through an absolute wilderness of deep gullies, trestle bridges, and high mountains, not accessible except by the railway or on foot. Our 35 km journey includes stops at stations from the past: Lower Landing, Dubbil Barril and Rinadeena. This spectacular journey ends in Queenstown where we join our coach for the journey to Cradle Mountain and our overnight home, Cradle Mountain Chateau. Prior to dinner enjoy The Wilderness Gallery, ten linked displays of stunning environmental photography in a purpose-built gallery.

Day 11 (B,L,D) CRADLE MOUNTAIN, SMITHTON

This morning we visit Dove Lake, with (subject to weather) glorious views of Cradle Mountain. Take a short stroll along the boardwalk near the edge of the lake. Visit Devils@Cradle; hear the fascinating Tasmanian Devil story. Following lunch at the Chateau we travel to the north coast, visiting Table Cape with its magnificent coastal views on route to Smithton and our overnight home, Tall Timbers Resort.

Day 12 (B,L) SMITHTON, STANLEY, WYNYARD, HOME

This morning we visit the historic township of Stanley, birthplace in 1832 of the Van Diemen’s Land Company and first European settlement in the north west. Visit the Nut, a 152 metre high monolith. Enjoy a chairlift ride to a viewing platform for views of the surrounding countryside and the township. We return to Wynyard for a final lunch together prior to boarding our return flight from Wynyard to Melbourne, arriving mid afternoon. Interstate passengers transfer to flights to their home ports. Melbourne passengers return to their homes, completing a most enjoyable holiday in beautiful Tasmania.