13 Day Tassie Touring Circle Package DEAL From Launceston

If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, you’re lucky! After picking up your hire car, you have the option to explore our second largest city. Launceston is simultaneously lively and laid-back, and finds itself conveniently located close to the Tamar Valley Wine Trail. From gorgeous natural beauty to a charming, traditional atmosphere, this city will please a variety of travellers looking for a place to step back and breathe some of the freshest air on the planet.

LAUNCESTON ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

2 person share : Adina Place (Studio or Motel Spa room)
4 person share: Adina Place (2 bedroom apt)

Tasmania’s Tamar Valley is found in the northern part of the state and centres around the approximately 65 km-long Tamar River that runs from Launceston to Bass Strait.  Exploring both the eastern and western banks is a must if you have the time, venturing off the highway onto the twists and turns of smaller, lightly trafficked roads passing through vineyards, orchards, lavender fields, dairy farms, forests, national parks, and quaint townships.

LAUNCESTON ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

2 person share : Adina Place (Studio or Motel Spa room)

4 person share: Adina Place (2 bedroom apt)

Take the scenic drive from Launceston west on coastal Route 1. You’ll pass through scenic seaside towns like Penguin before you end up in Burnie just half-hour’s drive away. The first thing you’ll notice about this northwest coastal town is the towering industrial port. But don’t let the industry fool you — there are artisanal treasures to be found. mu Bay, the distant Bass Strait and the town’s proximity to the Australian mainland made Burnie uniquely perfect for an industrial port. But the industrial port is only a part of Burnie’s past as the town has found a way to reinvent itself. Now, this coastal gem is full of makers. The beating heart of this artistic community is the Maker’s Workshop which is part museum, gallery, workshop and arts center. It’s a wonderful place to visit where you can learn to make paper, blow glass, create ceramics, develop textiles or learn to paint, sculpt or draw.

Burnie is a great place to explore the far North West tip

Stanley is a romantic town sitting on a slender sliver of land jutting out into the Bass Strait on Tasmania’s northwest coast. It is remarkable for its incredibly well-preserved colonial buildings and its massive volcanic plug. The plug rises 150 metres out of the water and it dominates the small town skyline. This town is perfect for a getaway, but the name of the volcanic plug belies Stanley’s quaintness.

Called “The Nut,” Stanley’s cheeky geological feature is what visitors remember most. The north-west is also home to the Tarkine, one of the world’s last great wilderness experiences, Australia’s greatest expanse of cool temperate rainforest and the largest in the world.

BURNIE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

2 person share: Burnie Central Townhouse (Hotel) or similar
4 person share: Burnie Central Townhouse suite or similar

On your way to Cradle Mountain, go to The Tarkine Forest Reserve. This a huge area of temperate rainforest, sand dunes and coastal heathland that contains a wildly diverse landscape – including Australia’s largest patch of temperate rainforest  – and a world of natural treasures including mountain ranges, wild river and cave systems and a rugged coastline with long sandy beaches.

Arriving at Cradle Mountain in the afternoon and explore the beauty of  the national park

CRADLE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

2 person share: Silver Ridge Retreat (1 bedroom cottage)
4 person share: Silver Ridge Retreat (2 bedroom cottage)

Waking up its time to discover Dove lake. Set at the feet of Cradle Mountain, Dove lake is an amazing lake to walk around taking only a few hours. Calm and serene, pleasant and rocky, it would be easy to assume that “Cradle Mountain” takes its name from a baby’s bed. But locals say no – it’s derived from the mountain’s resemblance to a miner’s cradle.  And never fear, the chances of spotting a wombat is extremely high.

In the afternoon head south from Cradle Mountain, stop at Tullah, a peaceful former mining town surrounded by a beautiful landscape of lakes, rivers and mountain ranges. Explore the wilderness around Tullah on walking and mountain bike trails with guided nature tours available on sea kayak, canoe or horseback. The town of Rosebery, a short drive farther south-west, is a working mine township proud of its environmental management. Then make your way to Strahan.

Strahan is a fantastic jumping point for exploring the west of Tasmania.  There are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had, an abundance of fresh food, and a dark-yet-rich history. Surrounded by national parks and wildlife refuges.

STRAHAN ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

2 person share : Marsden Court (Studio Apt)
4 person share: Marsden Court (2 bedroom apt)

Strahan is a fantastic jumping point for exploring the west of Tasmania.  There are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had, an abundance of fresh food, and a dark-yet-rich history. Surrounded by national parks and wildlife refuges, Strahan is the perfect destination for the naturalist and those seeking a relaxing escape from the daily stress of modern life. Adventure to the end of the world, see the rarest of animals, stand at Hells Gates, and take the selfies to prove it. This small village of farmers and fishermen is surrounded by 19 national parks and regional reserves. Tasmania is 45 percent national wildlife parks and preserves, so it’s hard not to stumble upon one.

STRAHAN ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

2 person share : Marsden Court (Studio Apt)
4 person share: Marsden Court (2 bedroom apt) or similar

Our Strahan to Hobart self drive itinerary climbs up into the mountains to Queenstown, then across valleys and more mountains on the Alpine Plateau to Derwent Bridge at the southern end of Lake St Clair. A must-stop is the stunning sculpture at Derwent Bridge called The Wall in the Wilderness.  “The Wall” is carved from three-metre high wooden panels and tells the story of Tasmanian history in the Central Highlands region – starting with the indigenous people, then pioneering timber harvesters, pastoralists, miners and Hydro workers. There is also a cafe at the Wall. The Derwent River rises here, and the drive passes through the Hydro Electric generating area and follows the Derwent Valley downhill all the way to Hobart. Visit Russell Falls on the way.

HOBART ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

2 person share:Bay Hotel & Apartments (Studio) or Waterfront Lodge (Motel room
4 person Share: Bay Hotel & Apartments (2 bedroom apt) or similar

If you like the sound of unearthing a new craft beer, delving into history that dates back to Australia’s earliest days and exploring museums, then Hobart is for you. Tasmania’s lively capital retains an old town salty-air feel that draws visitors flocking here in numbers not seen before.  This vibrant city offers plenty of urban sites, as well as proximity to gorgeous natural surroundings and a mountain summit. What began as a penal colony in 1804 is now a hot tourist destination. Great live tunes, independent stores, mind-pausing art, and food so fresh you’ll be wiping the dirt off spuds the farmer plucked from the earth that morning.

HOBART ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

2 person share :Bay Hotel & Apartments (Studio) or Waterfront Lodge (Motel room
4 person Share: Bay Hotel & Apartments (2 bedroom apt) or similar

Richmond is a charming town about 24 km northeast of Hobart in the Coal River Valley wine region. It’s an ideal stopover on your way to explore southern Tasmania, Freycinet, and the east coast. Richmond is rich in history and architecture, with more than 50 historic buildings, mostly from the 1820s. This is a wonderful town to explore to learn about Tasmania’s past while enjoying visits to galleries, museums, cafes, and historical landmarks. It’s also in the center of one of Australia’s fastest-growing wine regions, the Coal River Valley, making it a terrific hub for foodies and wine aficionados alike.

2 person share: Hatchers Manor (Hotel)
4 person share: Hatchers Manor (2 bedroom apt)

Experience one of Australia’s greatest road trips on the Island.

The most popular attraction on the Tasman Peninsula is the Port Arthur Historic Site, which is often on the bucket list for travellers to Tasmania. Whether visiting Port Arthur or not, exploring the Tasman Peninsula is a must-do, as the natural beauty of this region will really leave an impression on you.

The Tasman Island Cruise is also a great optional  3 hour cruise to see the stunning three capes via water.

TASMAN PENINSULA ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

2 person share: Port Arthur Motor Inn (Motel)
4 person Share: Port Arthur Motor Inn (interconnecting family)

From the Tasman Peninsula to the East Coast, experience one of Australia’s greatest road trips on the Great Eastern Drive.

Stop off at Spiky Bridge for some history, Kates Berry Farm for the produce and one of the many vineyards for nibbles and wine tasting.  Many cellar doors offer tasting plates or meals, or even a gourmet hamper of Tasmanian produce to enjoy in the vineyard or at a nearby beach. Maria Island is also a great day trip crossing the ferry from Triabunna.

Detour into the famous Freycinet National Park and walk up the Hazards to Wineglass Bay. Bicheno is another great town to stop at.

St. Helens is the largest of Tasmania’s northeast coastal towns. The town overlooks Georges Bay which is a popular destination for chartered fishing. The waters near St. Helens are teeming with deep sea delights such as marlin, lobster, albacore and yellowfin tuna. Underwater caves and kelp forests feed a dazzling population of colourful fish which beckons divers. The jaw-dropping beaches of the Bay of Fires have made Lonely Planet’s top-10 regions of the world, and the southern end of those beaches is only a few kilometres from St. Helens.

ST HELENS ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

2 person share: Georges Bay Apartments (Studio apt)
4 person share: Georges Bay Apartments (2 bedroom apt)

Home to what is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Bay of Fires is not to be missed during your Tasmanian holiday. There is a reason it was named by ‘Lonely Planet’ as the world’s hottest travel destination. The Bay’s iconic name comes from Captain Tobias Furneaux as he sailed past in 1773, spotting Aboriginal fires lighting up the coast line. Evidence of these first Tasmanian inhabitants in the form of shell and bone piles (middens) are dotted in and among the grass. The name could also apply to the brilliant orange lichen that grows on the granite boulders lining the bay. The Bay of Fires is located on the northeastern coast of Tasmania. It includes a gorgeous coastline that stretches over 50 kilometres from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north. The northern section of the bay is part of Mount William National Park; the southern end is a conservation area. The conservation area is divided into three sections, with Ansons Bay dividing the southern and northern ends. Drawing in visitors for decades, this popular conservation reserve is actually a string of breathtakingly beautiful beaches, interspersed by lagoons and rocky bluffs. Famous for the orange lichen-covered granite boulders, combined with the powder-white sand and turquoise waters, this ideal setting is a spectacular place to soak in the sensational views and experience a dreamlike walk along the beach. These magnificent secluded beaches and inlets are a sight to behold and give the Bay of Fires its reputation as one of the most pristine natural wonders of the world.

ST HELENS ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS 

2 person share: Georges Bay Apartments (Studio apt) or similar
4 person  share: Georges Bay Apartments (2 bedroom apt) or similar

To head back to Launceston, one scenic route is to take the Elephant Pass to St Mary’s You will drive up the Fingal Valley, and then cut off through the backroads to Evandale and on to Launceston. Evandale is classified as an historic town, and is famous for its Sunday Morning market as well as the annual World Penny Farthing Races which are held in February. This itinerary is designed to explore off the beaten track to take the scenic and historic route into Launceston. Allow at least 2.5 hours drive point to point, but if you allow time to look around at different stops it will take all day before returning your rental car at Launceston airport for departure.