Day 1 (D) TO LAUNCESTON
Passengers from Melbourne and Perth transfer to Melbourne Airport and join passengers from Adelaide for the one hour flight to Launceston. (Perth passengers arrive in Melbourne the day prior and stay overnight at the Best Western Atlantis, Spencer Street or similar – room and cooked breakfast are included in your fare.) Sydney and Brisbane passengers fly from Sydney or via Sydney to Launceston. On arrival our Seniors Coach Tours coach awaits us. Enjoy afternoon tea and a guided tour of Franklin House, named after Sir John Franklin, governor of Van Diemen’s Land, built in 1838 and now beautifully restored. Home for two nights is Best Western Abel Tasman Airport Motel.

Day 2 (B,D) LAUNCESTON
A relaxing day as we explore the city of Launceston and its surrounds. After a short Tamar River cruise including the vertical cliffs of Cataract Gorge, enjoy a stroll around Home Point, then visit City Park with its many trees, shrubs and annuals plus the Macaque Monkey enclosure. Time to explore the central city prior to visiting the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. During the afternoon visit the famous Cataract Gorge. Walk across the bridge or ride the world’s longest single-span chairlift across the gorge.

Day 3 (B,L,D) LAUNCESTON, ROSS, BICHENO, SWANSEA
Today we travel south to the historic village of Ross, with its ornate convict-built sandstone bridge. Enjoy a town tour and visit the Tasmanian Wool Centre, followed by lunch. During the afternoon we continue to Bicheno on the East Coast and visit East Coast Natureworld, featuring many Tasmanian animals and birds. Home tonight is the Waterloo Motel at Swansea.

Day 4 (B,L,D) SWANSEA, EAGLEHAWK NECK, PORT ARTHUR, HOBART
This morning we pause to visit the historic Church of England church at Buckland where stained glass windows date back to the 1400’s. To Copping and Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman’s Arch and Devils Kitchen prior to arriving at historic Port Arthur. Lunch today in the Port Café. Take a boat ride to Masons Cove calling at the Isle of the Dead, enjoy a stroll in the grounds, or inspect the buildings, relics of a former era. Later we continue to Hobart and our home for three nights, Balmoral Motor Inn.

Day 5 (B,D) HOBART
We visit the famous Salamanca Market set in the historic waterfront area of Battery Hill. Time to browse the market stalls and the many art and craft galleries or Hobart Maritime museum (own expense). If you wish, visit nearby Elizabeth Mall. During the afternoon we enjoy harbour views from the Signal Station at Mt Nelson (weather permitting) and visit the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens,with time to enjoy a stroll through parts of the gardens, marvelling at convict-built heating walls and the sub-antarctic plant house. Tonight, for those who wish, a visit to Wrest Point Casino.

Day 6 (B,L,D) HUON TRAIL
Southbound 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. On arrival stroll along the Huon Pine Walk before enjoying lunch at the Air Walk Café. Walk in the treetops on the Air Walk, up to 37 metres above the forest floor. We return via Geeveston with time to purchase afternoon tea here if you wish (own expense).

Day 7 (B,D) HOBART, QUEENSTOWN
Departing from Hobart, we travel along the picturesque Derwent Valley to New Norfolk and Hamilton. Morning cuppa on route as we continue to Derwent Bridge. During the afternoon we visit Lake St Clair, deepest natural glacial lake in the southern hemisphere. We continue to Nelson Falls, enjoy a pleasant short walk through the cool forest from the car park. On to Queenstown. Home for three nights is the Goldrush Motor Inn or Queenstown Motor Lodge.

Day 8 (B,L,D) QUEENSTOWN, GORDON RIVER CRUISE
An earlier start this morning as we travel the short distance to the coastal town of Strahan, where we board our cruise vessel MV Lady Jane Franklin II for a magnificent cruise across Macquarie Harbour viewing Hell’s Gate harbour entrance, commercial salmon farms and the amazing Gordon River, plus a rainforest walk through ancient forests (see a 2,000 year old tree) and a visit to Sarah Island, a notorious convict settlement. Lunch as we cruise. On our return time for a stroll in Strahan, visit the craft shops, cafés or the Huon Pine mill. We return to Queenstown via Zeehan, where we visit the extensive and interesting West Coast Pioneers Museum.

Day 9 (B,L,D) QUEENSTOWN, WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY
Travel to Strahan by coach to join the West Coast Wilderness Railway, travelling from Strahan through absolute wilderness areas, through deep gullies, along river banks and, using a rack and pinion system, climbing steep mountains and descending the other side. Lunch included along the way. An absolutely amazing journey. On arrival in Queenstown we are joined by a local guide for a short town and mining tour, with free time to relax or explore later in the afternoon. (Note: Seasonal train timetable may change itinerary.)

Day 10 (B,L,D) QUEENSTOWN, CRADLE MOUNTAIN, WYNYARD
From Queenstown we travel via Tullah to the picturesque Cradle Mountain. Lunch on arrival at Cradle Mountain Chateau before transferring to smaller coaches to make the journey to beautiful Dove Lake, nestled in the mountains. Enjoy a short walk along a small part of the shore of the lake. Visit the fascinating Information Centre before continuing north to the coast and Wynyard and our overnight home, the Waterfront Motel Wynyard.

Day 11 (B,L,D) WYNYARD, STANLEY, DEVONPORT
During the morning we visit Allendale Gardens & Rainforest and enjoy morning tea in one of the most beautiful and extensive private gardens in Tasmania. On to the coast and the township of Stanley. Ride the chairlift to the top of “The Nut”, a huge volcanic plug perched on a headland. Simply spectacular views! Later lunch today at the Stanley Hotel. During the afternoon we travel along the northern coast to Burnie and Devonport. Home tonight is the Gateway Inn or Wellers, overlooking the TT line terminal and the port of Devonport.

Day 12 (B) DEVONPORT, SHEFFIELD, LAUNCESTON, HOME
Departing from Devonport we travel along the coast and inland to Sheffield, town of murals, depicting much of the history of the district. Time to browse prior to arriving at Launceston Airport. The return flight is scheduled to depart early afternoon. Melbourne passengers return home and passengers from other states catch connecting flights to their home ports. Thus concludes a most enjoyable twelve-day Tasmanian Highlights holiday.