Highlights
Fully Escorted by Ewen Bell - Professional Photographer | Coach & Driver for the full duration | 13 Breakfasts | 4 Dinners | 1 Lunch | Launceston | Tamar Valley | Daniel Alps at Strathlynn | Bicheno Penguin Tour | Freycinet National Park | Wineglass Bay | Tasman Peninsula | Port Arthur Historic Site | Richmond | Hobart | Huon Valley | Mt Field National Park | Strahan | World Heritage Cruise | Cradle Mountain National Park | Ashgrove Farm Cheese | Anvers Chocolate Factory | Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm | Award Winning Wineries | Selection of Tasmania's Great Short Walks
Experience a unique and captivating journey through some of Tasmania’s most naturally beautiful scenery. You will be more than a traveller however, you will be learning new photographic techniques along the way and getting the chance to put these skills into practice. This trip will immerse you in the cultural, scenic and human richness of Tasmania while giving you an unparalleled opportunity to develop your own style and techniques as a photographer.
With time spent in lessons and learning techniques, lots of time ‘in the field’ practising and review sessions to look over your work your skills and confidence is certain to grow.Ewen has been photographing the world for longer than he cares to remember and been published in countless travel magazines and brochures as well as books, trade magazines and websites (including this one!). On this trip Ewen will impart all his knowledge in the best classroom possible - while travelling.Day 1 | Launceston (D)
Accommodation: Mercure Earlington Hotel
After arrival into Launceston, Australia’s third oldest city, spend the afternoon exploring the breathtakingly beautiful Cataract Gorge - a piece of wilderness right on the doorstep of Launceston itself. Enjoy a welcome dinner that evening at your hotel.
Day 2 | Tamar Valley | Award-Winning Vineyards | Unique Nature Reserves (B)
Accommodation: Mercure Earlington Hotel
After breakfast, we depart by coach for the Tamar Valley region. Follow the River Tamar as it meanders for close to 60kms through the heart of some of Tasmania’s award winning vineyards, unique wetlands, and quaint riverside villages and towns. Spend time at Tamar Island, a wetland sanctuary providing the opportunity for you to observe the behaviour of a variety of wild birdlife, as well as frogs, dragonflies and lizards. Rare and endangered flora can also be observed on the island.
Travel on to the heart of the wine growing region of the valley. We recommend lunch today at the award winning restaurant ‘Daniel Alps at Strathlynn’. The restaurant affords guests one of the most picturesque eating spots in all of Tasmania. The surrounding vineyard and panoramic views of the Tamar River also afford guests an unforgettable visual experience.
Nearby Brady’s Lookout is well worth visiting. It is a charming paradox that this rocky outcrop, once used by the bushranger Matthew Brady to spy on possible victims on the road below, is now a panoramic lookout across the Tamar Valley. Travel back to Launceston. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Day 3 | Historic Village of Evandale | Clarendon House | Heritage Highway |Bicheno Penguin Tour (B,D)
Accommodation: Beachfront at Bicheno
After breakfast, depart Launceston for the nearby classified Historic Town of Evandale. Time can be spent here exploring the numerous buildings that remain in largely original condition. Keep an eye out for John Kelly’s residence, the father of Australia’s notorious bushranger, Ned Kelly.
Travel on to nearby Clarendon House, an 1836 built National Trust residence. Recognised as one of Australia’s most impressive and best preserved Georgian houses, Clarendon House along with its many interesting outbuildings – a dairy, butcher’s shop, a bakehouse, a gardener’s cottage, a large stable – make it a residence worth visiting.
For lunch we recommend Campbell Town and its excellent bakeries and cafes.
We travel on to Tasmania’s East Coast and the attractive seaside resort town of Bicheno. Spend time exploring the Diamond Island Nature Reserve, where that evening you will explore further as part of an organised Penguin Tour. Dinner tonight is at the hotel restaurant.
Day 4 | Freycinet National Park – Coles Bay, Wineglass Bay, Cape Tourville, Sleepy Bay (B,D)
Accommodation: Beachfront at Bicheno
Depart Bicheno for the world renowned Freycinet National Park. Today, explore the Cape Tourville area of the park which affords visitors sweeping views along the coast. Walk down into Sleepy Bay (10min return) and view the often wild and rough seas that occur here. Take the one hour return walk over to Wineglass Bay, voted recently one of the world’s top ten beaches.
For lunch, the Coles Bay Bakery is well worth trying out. Leaving the region that afternoon, spend time walking around the coast road at Coles Bay. As the afternoon progresses, the sun starts to transform the granite of the Freycinet National Park’s Hazards Mountains into the most wonderful pink colour, ideal for further photography. Travel back to Bicheno. Dinner tonight is at the hotel restaurant.
Day 5 | Swansea | Tasman Peninsula | Port Arthur (B)
Accommodation: Stewarts Bay Lodge
After breakfast we depart Bicheno for the drive south to the Tasman Peninsula. Passing through Swansea, admire the substantial number of historic homes and buildings which give this destination a distinctive charm. South of Swansea, explore the convict built Spiky Bridge, complete with unusual spikes that were designed to prevent cattle falling over the sides.
Travel on to the Tasman Peninsula where you will be staying the night at Stewarts Bay. Your accommodation is well suited for exploring the surrounding area as it is nestled between a beach, a forest, the ocean, a national park and Australia’s most profound historic site – Port Arthur.
Numerous short walks await each visitor, as does the protected bush setting with its abundant native animals and birds. Explore nearby Stewarts Bay and Ladies Bay, the latter so named because the wives and daughters of the officers of Port Arthur used to bathe there out of sight of the nearby convicts.
For dinner tonight we recommend the nearby Felons Restaurant, located within the Port Arthur Historic Site. It’s a 10-15min easy walk on a smooth track. Take a torch, and on the way back, keep an eye out for some of Tasmania’s renowned nocturnal wildlife.
Day 6 | Historic Village of Richmond | Coal River Valley Vineyards | Hobart (B)
Accommodation: Salamanca Inn
Depart the Tasman Peninsula for the historic township of Richmond. Set on the banks of the Coal River, Richmond has no fewer than 45 listed buildings on the National Estate, and in many ways, is a town which has been suspended in time. Explore the nearby Coal River Valley, an area acclaimed for the quality of its cool-climate wines. Lunch today we recommend at Meadowbank Estate. Travel on to Hobart. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Day 7 | Hobart Waterfront | Salamanca Market (B)
Accommodation: Salamanca Inn
After breakfast, explore the renowned Salamanca Market which is held every Saturday throughout the year. Nearby, the waterfront of Hobart is worth exploring as is the historic suburb of Battery Point. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure, and you may select your own options for lunch and dinner.
Day 8 | Huon Valley | Short Walks | Home Hill | Mt Wellington (B)
Accommodation: Salamanca Inn
After breakfast, depart for the beautiful Huon Valley, home to various organic and specialist gourmet producers. Enjoy a wilderness walk this morning at Duckhole Lake, a flooded sinkhole that forms part of the surrounding cave and karst landscape. An easy stroll on a level track, the walk takes approximately an hour to complete and is suitable for all age groups.
Travel to Home Hill, a renowned Tasmanian Boutique Vineyard, Winery and Restaurant for lunch. Travel on to Mt Wellington, and explore on foot one of its many enjoyable short walks. Views of Hobart and the surrounding waterways are spectacular. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Day 9 | Mt Field | Strahan (B,D)
Accommodation: Franklin Manor
After breakfast, say goodbye to the waterfront city of Hobart and head west. Call in to the Mount Field National Park and enjoy a 20 minute return walk to Russell Falls, one of Tasmania’s most treasured natural locations. This gentle walk will take you through a mixed forest of towering swamp gums, dogwood, musk and myrtle. Beware of the breathtakingly beautiful Russell Falls.
Travel on to Strahan. Enjoy a sumptuous three course dinner tonight at your hotel.
Day 10 | Strahan World Heritage Cruise (B,L)
Accommodation: Franklin Manor
After breakfast, enjoy an unforgettable day cruising on Macquarie Harbour and up into Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed South West Wilderness National Park. The cruise takes you through the narrow passage of Hells Gates, the entrance to Macquarie Harbour.
Visit an Atlantic Salmon and Ocean Trout sea farm before heading to some of the oldest convict ruins in Australia, Sarah Island. Pre-dating Port Arthur by decades, Sarah Island hides a fascinating tale of human triumph over adversity, brought vividly to life by expert guides.
The day’s highlight though is undoubtedly the two hours spent in the serenity of the imposing Gordon River, complete with a stroll into the nearby rainforest. A lavish buffet luncheon and a narrative which brings the river and its rich history to life complete an unforgettable day. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Day 11 | Strahan | Cradle Mountain (B)
Accommodation: Cradle Mt Wilderness Village
After breakfast, depart Strahan for Cradle Mountain. Passing through Queenstown, keep an eye out for its famous hills, void of all foliage due to its rich history of mining minerals and gold. Spend time this afternoon exploring the National Park on one of the many excellent short walks. Dinner tonight we recommend at Grey Gums Restaurant.
Day 12 | Cradle Mountain National Park (B)
Accommodation: Cradle Mt Wilderness Village
After breakfast, the full day is yours to explore the National Park further. Recommended short walks include the Dove Lake Loop Track (2 hours), the Weindorfers Forest Walk (20 mins), and the Enchanted Walk (30 mins).
The Dove Lake Loop Track offers an excellent introduction to the park. The track takes you under the shadow of Cradle Mountain, through the tranquil Ballroom Forest and back along the western shore of the lake to your starting point. The Weindorfers Forest Walk is an easy graded walk through a forest of King Billy pines, celery-top pines and myrtles. Lastly, the Enchanted Walk passes by scenic waterfalls, pools, moorland and rainforest before returning to the Cradle Mountain Lodge.
We recommend lunch today at Cradle Mt Lodge’s Tavern Bar & Bistro and dinner back at Grey Gums Restaurant.
Day 13 | Cradle Mountain | Launceston (B)
Accommodation: Mercure Earlington Hotel
After breakfast, depart Cradle Mountain for Launceston. Time has been allocated today for a visit to Anvers Chocolate Factory, a boutique chocolate maker specialising in truffles, pralines, fudges and more. Nearby, call in to Ashgrove Farm Cheese. Producing award-winning handmade cheese, the numerous styles produced are available for you to try.
Continuing on this gastronomic journey, the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm will be visited where its eight varieties of raspberries can be tried, along with their extensive list of raspberry infused products. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Day 14 | Launceston | Home (B)
After breakfast, depart Launceston for your flight home.
* Conditions Apply. Please call or email for further details.