• Home pick-ups & set downs (most metro areas – please contact us for details)
• Picnic-style morning teas & all meals
• All accommodation & admissions to all attractions
• Experienced & informative tour driver/guide.

Join us on a grand adventure in Tasmania, the island of natural wonders and cultural heritage. This tour takes in the highlights of this stunning destination, from historic Hobart and Port Arthur to scenic Strahan and Launceston. You will cruise the World Heritage Area on the Gordon River, ride the historic West Coast Wilderness Railway, take in the natural wonder of Cradle Mountain and explore the stunning landscapes of Freycinet National Park, plus so much more. Staying two nights in the unique Strahan Village, plus a night in the heart of picturesque Cradle Mountain, this Tasmanian tour is one for the bucket list!

Day One – FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2024

After being picked up from our homes, we are taken to the Adelaide Airport terminal. An Endeavour Tours representative assists us with our group check-in and takes us through security to the departure gate, ready to board our Virgin Australia flight to Hobart.

On arrival, our Endeavour Tours escort helps with reclaiming our luggage and takes us to meet the bus that will transfer us to our
accommodation.

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and a picturesque city located on the Derwent River, with the stunning backdrop of Kunanyi/ Mount Wellington. For the next three nights we stay at the Best Western Hobart (03 6232 6255) ideally located in the CBD.

We take time to settle in before coming together for dinner at the Point Revolving Restaurant, located at the hotel. While enjoying our delicious meal, we take in panoramic views of Hobart and the surrounding area, an ideal start to our tour.

Day Two – SATURDAY 27 APRIL 2024

One of the highlights each Saturday in Hobart is the Salamanca Markets, where hundreds of stallholders set up along the elm tree lined street. As you walk along the cobblestone square near Hobart’s waterfront, surrounded by historic sandstone warehouses built in the 19th century, it is easy to imagine that this was once a busy wharf filled with sailors, whalers and dock workers. Today it will be busy with locals and visitors browsing the market looking at the endless variety of local crafts, jewellery, fashion and food stalls.

When finished at the markets we head off to Hobart’s beautiful Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, where we enjoy lunch in the Succulent Café followed by free time exploring the gardens. The land for these gardens was set aside by Lady Jane Franklin in 1818 and it now hosts one of the most highly acclaimed gardens in the country.

Leaving here we embark on a sightseeing tour of Hobart. Discover Sullivan’s Cove and the tiny cottages of Battery Point with architecture that whispers stories of a bygone era.

Thanking our guide, we conclude our tour at the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum. This museum is a faithful replica of the historic huts that were built by the Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914, led by Sir Douglas Mawson. You will learn about the challenges and achievements of these brave explorers, who spent two winters in the harsh and isolated Antarctic environment. You will also see authentic artefacts, photographs and documents from the expedition, as well as interactive displays.

After a day of exploring, we make our way back to the motel where we have time to freshen up before dinner

Day Three – SUNDAY 28 APRIL 2024

Today, we head to the Tasman Peninsula and take a drive through “Doo Town” to see some natural attractions such as the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. A little further along is the Port Arthur Historic Site. The penal settlement is a stark reminder of the harsh conditions endured by the earliest European inhabitants of this one-time island jail. The ruins are the greatest single tourist attraction in Tasmania and the place where up to 12,000 prisoners were kept in an atmosphere of hopelessness and misery. Even though the Tasman Peninsula is spectacular, you can imagine the conditions, especially on a cold winter’s day, endured by the prisoners 150 years ago.

The first part of our tour involves time at the Visitor Interpretative Centre where we take a fascinating journey, retracing the life of a convict from the time of his petty crime in England, to his transportation to Port Arthur and finally his life in the penal colony. We also take a guided walking tour through the Penal Settlement with free time to explore at our leisure, also enjoying lunch at the site.

There is also the opportunity to take a cruise around the harbour where we pass the Isle of Dead. It was here that around 1000 convicts and ex-convict paupers were buried, mostly in unmarked graves.

Leaving the site, we make our way back to Hobart where we have time to relax before dinner.

Day Four – MONDAY 29 APRIL 2024

We say farewell to our hosts early this morning and begin our journey to the West Coast. The area to our immediate left is part of the huge South West National Park, which, combined with the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park makes up almost a third of the land mass of Tasmania. Of course, much of this area is now World Heritage Listed.

We stop at the beautiful Russell Falls in the Mt Field National Park for our morning tea at the Waterfalls Café – and a great photo opportunity. We then continue on to Derwent Bridge (the geographical centre of Tasmania) where we stop to view – the Wall in the Wilderness. The “wall” is a unique art installation of carved Huon Pine measuring 100 metres in length. It is the work of talented artist Greg Duncan and a number of his three dimensional sculptures are also on display in the reception area. We then enjoy a late lunch at the Wilderness Hotel.

This afternoon, we drive through the pristine wilderness of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, passing some of the state’s most spectacular lakes and mountain areas before the steep drive into Queenstown. This town was established as a result of the discovery of gold and other minerals at Mount Lyell last century. It is surrounded by mountains which were once covered in vegetation but which are now strangely bare and stained purple, grey and pink by from sulphur fumes caused by the mining processes. Bushfires and logging, combined with heavy rain which washed the soil away, have stripped many of the hills of vegetation and created Queenstown’s famous “moonscape”.

From here we continue to Strahan where we settle in for the next two nights at our beautiful accommodation. Strahan Village (03 6471 4200) is a unique and historic hotel, located on the bustling waterfront of Macquarie Harbour.

Day Five – TUESDAY 30 APRIL 2024

This morning we board a cruise for a breathtaking journey along the Gordon River through some of Tasmania’s most stunning river and rainforest country. The surface of the water offers mirror-like reflections and we are surrounded by majestic rugged mountains in this ancient wilderness. We cruise through Hells Gates, the narrow entry into the harbour from the Southern Ocean and enjoy a beautiful buffet lunch on board, featuring delicious local produce.

The Huon Pine which can be found in this area is commonly known to live for 2000 years! The age of an ancient tree recently “discovered”, was put at 10,000 years and if verified will be recognized as the oldest on earth. Stopping at Heritage Walk, we have the opportunity to see these and other trees of the dense forest close up.

After disembarking we return to our accommodation. Tonight, before dinner we will enjoy a show. “The Ship that Never Was” brings history to life in an entertaining performance where we learn the fate of the Sarah Island convicts

Day Six – WEDNESDAY 1 MAY 2024

Queenstown’s history has long been tied to the mining industry. This mountainous area was first explored in 1862. Soon after alluvial gold was discovered at Mount Lyell and so began the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company. It went on to become the dominant copper mining company of the west coast.

This morning after breakfast, we join the Rack and Gorge Tour with West Coast Wilderness Railway. This half day tour sees us board the steam train in Queenstown for a journey travelling along the original Mt Lyell Mining Railway, built on the edge of civilization in 1896. Guides will bring the stories of the railway and the resilient people to life, as we make our way along King River Gorge and through cool temperate rainforest.

Upon our return to Queenstown we have a light lunch before reboarding the coach and continuing our journey. Travelling east along winding roads we view some spectacular scenery, as we continue through the town of Tullah, before arriving at Cradle Mountain. We check into our accommodation at the Cradle Mountain Hotel (03 6492 1404) where we will spend the night in this stunning location. This is the first time Endeavour Tours have stayed overnight in Cradle Mountain and with the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park on our doorstep it will be a once in a lifetime experience.

Day Seven – THURSDAY 2 MAY 2024

The heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park is one of Tasmania’s principal tourist sites. The Park covers an area of almost 125,000 hectares characterised by a rugged, glaciated landscape with over 25 major peaks and today we are taking a guided tour of some of the highlights. Our guide meets us for our journey into the glacially formed Dove Lake to view the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain, so named after its resemblance to a gold mining cradle. As the local guide shares their knowledge of this spectacular area, we have time to stretch our legs and admire the inspiring, dramatic views.

We return to the Cradle Mountain Hotel where we will enjoy our lunch. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery. The gallery features exhibitions, displays, film and large art installations by Tasmanian artists and photographers, as well as a gift shop with local arts, crafts and produce.

We reboard the coach and as we travel through Sheffield, we experience a delightful township that features many murals depicting the history of the area.

Continuing to Elizabeth Town we visit Ashgrove Cheese Factory. Here we can discover the range of award-winning cheeses from English county cheeses to a series of uniquely flavoured varieties including the famous Wild Wasabi cheese!

After a full day of touring, we arrive in Launceston and check into our accommodation at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston (03 6334 3434) where we will be staying for the next two nights.

Day Eight – FRIDAY 3 MAY 2024

Launceston is the centre of Tasmania’s north, situated at the point where the South and North Esk Rivers meet to become the Tamar River, which then flows away to Bass Strait. The city nestles in the wide valleys formed by the river systems and is surrounded by mountains.

This morning we set off to explore the Tamar Valley. We take in the panoramic views of the River and Valley from Bushranger Brady’s Lookout. Further along the valley is Beaconsfield. This area is the site of Tasmania’s largest gold discoveries. We’ll visit the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Museum, home to Australia’s only waterwheel-driven stamp battery, featuring an extensive collection of memorabilia and artefacts.

Our lunch today is at Seahorse World. Around the world, crowds gather to admire the mysterious creatures and you can’t get much closer than at this unique facility. Seahorse World is a high-tech working seahorse farm with first class aquariums featuring seahorses, leafy sea dragons, pipefish and fresh water lobsters.

We now cross the river via the Batman Bridge and head north to George Town and the Low Head area situated at the mouth of the Tamar. Here we visit the Low Head Pilot Station and Maritime Museum. This afternoon we make our way back to Launceston on the east side of the Tamar River.

Day Nine – SATURDAY 4 MAY 2024

This morning we make our way east towards Scottsdale, the main centre in this area serving some of the richest agricultural and forest country in the state. Close by is the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm where we take a tour of the flower shed and distillery. This is one of the largest lavender farms in the world, with over 200 acres of purple blooms that create a stunning contrast with the green hills and blue sky. We learn about the history and cultivation of lavender and can purchase some of the products made from this fragrant herb, such as honey, tea, soap and even ice cream.

Continuing our journey east, we veer off to a little place called Legerwood where there are some incredible tree carvings. Further on, our lunch stop is at Pyengana. The Pub in the Paddock is one of Tasmania’s oldest pubs (Circa 1880) and is nestled in one of Tasmania’s most beautiful valleys.

This afternoon we head to the East Coast of Tasmania and travel south on the Tasman Highway through Bicheno, before making our way to Swansea.

Tonight we will be staying at the Swansea Motor Inn (03 6257 8102) where we will have time to settle in before dinner

Day Ten – SUNDAY 5 MAY 2024

Departing Swansea after breakfast, we travel to the pretty seaside holiday village of Coles Bay. Sitting beneath stunning, sheer pink granite mountains and overlooking the crystal clean waters of Oyster Bay it’s the ideal spot.

We enter the Freycinet National Park and head to Cape Tourville Lighthouse to enjoy spectacular views across Lemon Rock and the Freycinet Peninsula.

Heading back through Swansea, we travel in a south-westerly direction towards Hobart. At the historic town of Richmond, where the streets are paved with history, we stop to capture the oldest bridge in Australia, the convict built Richmond Bridge.

On arrival we have time to browse the shops and enjoy lunch before our visit to the Old Hobart Town Model Village. Set in stunning landscaped grounds we wander through time travelling the streets of Old Hobart in minature! We also visit the Historic Richmond Gaol which predates Port Arthur by five years and is one of the best preserved of Australia’s colonial prisons.

Continuing our journey, we arrive back where we started our tour in Hobart, checking in to our accommodation for the final night at the Best Western Hobart (03 6232 6255).

Day Eleven – MONDAY 6 MAY 2024

After farewelling our hosts, this morning we depart for the Hobart Airport. We will be assisted through the check-in process and accompanied to our departure gate. We have a direct Virgin Australia flight to Adelaide, arriving at the airport mid-morning.

We will be met by an Endeavour Tours representative who will assist us to the vehicles that will transfer us home, with memories of the spectacular wilderness and beauty of Tasmania.