Tasmania

Located 240km south of the Australian mainland across Bass Strait, the island state of Tasmania is like the best of Australia all rolled up into one tidy package. Tassie is renowned for its World Heritage Listed wilderness, awe-inspiring coastlines and historic convict sites – not to mention mouth-watering local produce. But dig a little deeper and you might also discover some of the country’s best-kept secrets.

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HOBART & THE SOUTH

Hobart may be small compared with the mainland state capitals, but it’s growing steadily due to the wonderful lifestyle on offer – not to mention its proximity to so many incredible natural wonders, storied heritage sites and worldleading produce. You can use it as a base to explore the dramatic Tasman Peninsula, picturesque Huon Valley and wild Southwest National Park, to name just a few.

Sample the Taste of Summer in Hobart

Summer in Hobart is a special time – the weather is ideal for enjoying the warmth and sunshine without the searing temperatures you may get up on the mainland. That’s why the annual Taste of Summer festival, held on Hobart’s waterfront right beside the lively Salamanca district, is bound to be such a popular hit over the Christmas and New Year break. Kicking off on 27 December 2022 to 2 January 2023, Taste of Summer replaces the long-running Taste of Tasmania Festival, but the vibe is much the same: think delicious local food and drink from Tasmania’s incredible producers, live music and art performances, and smiling festival-goers mingling in a buzzing waterside atmosphere (tasteofsummer.com.au).

Discover some of Tassie’s lesser-known towns

There’s so much to see and do in Tassie that visitors often bypass the characterful towns right on Hobart’s doorstep. Become acquainted with a few on Coal River Coaches’ Back Roads tour, passing through gems like Brighton, Ouse, Hamilton, Ellendale, Bushy Park and Magra. Highlights include morning tea and a tour at convict-build sandstone homestead Rathmore House and platypus-spotting at impressive Meadowbank Dam (lovetasmaniatours.com.au).

Follow the Huon Valley Cider Trail

They call Tassie the Apple Isle, and picturesque Huon Valley is the heart of Tasmanian apple country with orchards spread across the rolling green paddocks that define the landscape. Start at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, less than 30 minutes from Hobart and home of Willie Smith’s Cider. Here you can try local salmon, cheese and a particularly popular apple pie, take a 20-minute self-guided tour of the Apple Museum, and of course, taste the cider for which the Shed is famous (williesmiths.com.au). Next, head to Frank’s Ciderhouse & Cafe (frankscider.com.au), located in the town of Franklin, and then Pagan Cider Cellar Door in Cygnet for free cider tastings in its intimate tasting room (pagancider.com.au).

1. A trekking couple explores the breathtaking Three Capes Track on the stunning Tasman Peninsula

2. Hobart comes to life during the annual Taste of Summer Festival (formerly known as the Taste of Tasmania)

3. The rolling green landscape of the Huon Valley is home to many well-known cider houses

AT A GLANCE

Taste of Summer festival

tasteofsummer.com.au

Coal River Coaches 1-day Back Roads tour

03 6272 2645 lovetasmaniatours.com.au

Willie Smith’s Apple Shed

03 6266 4345 williesmiths.com.au

Frank’s Ciderhouse & Cafe

frankscider.com.au

Pagan Cider Cellar Door

pagancider.com.au

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THE WEST

The diverse and relatively untouched West Coast of Tasmania awaits intrepid explorers. Think ‘Western Wilds’ towns like Queenstown and Strahan; pristine Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park; and the north-west’s magical Tarkine, the world’s second-largest expanse of cool temperate rainforest.

Crack the case at Tarraleah

A popular stop on the journey from Hobart to the west coast or Cradle Mountain, Tarraleah is a beautiful and historic estate located in Tasmania’s Central Highlands. Art Deco-style Tarraleah Lodge, perched atop a gorge, hosts fun murdermystery weekends where your group can take on the role of investigators. Attendees are encouraged to glam up in their finest flapper or gangster costumes as they attempt to solve the case at the privately hosted event. The Murder Mystery Package also includes accommodation, three-course dinner, pre-dinner sparkling and brekky (tarraleahlodge.com.au).

Zip over to Zeehan

Known as the ‘Silver City’ due to the discovery of silver deposits in the late 1800s, Zeehan was once the third-largest settlement in Tasmania at the state’s mining peak. These days it has a more modest population of around 700, but the remnants of the town’s mining past remain in the form of several grand historic buildings dotted along Main Street, making it a great destination for a Club visit. Your starting point is the West Coast Heritage Centre, which includes access to the Zeehan School of Mines and Metallurgy, the Zeehan Post Office, the Police Station-Court House and the majestic Gaiety Theatre, once considered among the grandest theatres in Australia with a seating capacity of 1,000 people (wchczeehan.com.au). While you’re in town, don’t forget to check out the Spray Tunnel, a 100-metrelong abandoned railway tunnel leading to what used to be the site of the Spray Silver Mine.

1. The rare Cape Barren goose has a thriving population on Maria Island off Tasmania’s East Coast

2. Wander the seemingly endless rows of lavender on a visit to Bridestowe Lavender Estate

3. The orange lichen-covered granite boulders for which the Bay of Fires is famous are even more awe-inspiring up close

LAUNCESTON & THE NORTH

Venture into the north of Tassie with its stunning rolling landscapes, cool-climate vineyards and coastal towns, not to mention the rich heritage and natural wonders just waiting to be discovered on Bass Strait islands like Flinders, King and Cape Barren.

Meet the Fairy Penguins of Bass Strait

Fairy penguins are known for three things: they’re the smallest of their species, they’re the loudest of their species, and they have blue-and-white feathers instead of the blackand-white feathers found on their cousins. There are a few great places to see Fairy Penguins on Tasmania’s north coast, including Stanley, Burnie, Devonport, Low Head; there’s even a town called ‘Penguin’ about halfway between Burnie and Devonport, with a Big Penguin by the beach that’s great for photos. Coach Tours Tasmania runs a great one-hour, fully guided tour where you can see the Fairy Penguins at Low Head Coastal Reserve (coachtourstasmania.com.au).

Hit a purple patch at Bridestowe

The Bridestowe Lavender Estate is the world’s largest privately own lavender farm spread over 260 acres just 45 minutes from Launceston. Breathe in the fresh Tasmanian air as you lose yourself in the rows of purple flowers before heading to the farm’s cafe, where you can try lavenderinspired menu items like lavender lattes and always- popular lavender ice cream. There’s also a gift shop with soaps, oils, lip balms, teas, and of course the farm’s famous Bobbie the Bear heat packs (bridestowelavender.com.au). Coach Tours Tasmania runs shuttles to Bridestowe Lavender Farm from Launceston four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) with up to three departures per day, depending on demand (coachtourstasmania.com.au).

THE EAST COAST

Beautiful bays, beaches and islands are ready to be explored on Tasmania’s popular East Coast. You can pack most of its highlights into less than a week with Coal River Coaches’ 6-day, 5-night East Coast tour, including stops in Launceston, Bicheno, Freycinet, Port Arthur and Hobart (lovetasmaniatours.com.au).

Encounter rare wildlife on Maria Island

A native wildlife sanctuary boasting quiet bays, rugged cliffs and white-sand beaches, many travellers bypass Maria Island on their journey from Hobart to popular Freycinet and Wineglass Bay, but those who opt to take the 30-minute ferry ride from Triabunna are always glad they did – especially if they’re interested in native fauna. Maria is home to the critically endangered swift parrot and the rare Cape Barren goose, plus an abundance of wombats and kangaroos, and even a thriving population of Tasmanian devils.

Stop at the Bay of Fires

The Bay of Fires is famous for the orange lichen-covered granite boulders that line its coastline. For day-trippers ‘The Gardens’, 20 minutes from St Helens, is the perfect place to get a taste; or for those wanting to stay longer and truly immerse themselves in the landscape, the four-day Bay of Fires Lodge Walk is bound to delight. ■

AT A GLANCE

Tarraleah Lodge

0415 037 886 tarraleahlodge.com.au

West Coast Heritage Centre Zeehan

03 6471 6225 wchczeehan.com.au

Coach Tours Tasmania

0409 857 892 coachtourstasmania .com.au

Bridestowe Lavender Estate

03 6352 8182 bridestowelavender.com.au

Coal River Coaches 6-day, 5-night East Coast tour

03 6272 2645 lovetasmaniatours.com.au

TASMANIA

Have you been dreaming of Tasmania? Do you need help with the planning?

Groups Tasmania / Coach Tours Tasmania have been organising group tours for more than 20 years. Our iti nerary planning is extensive and our experience covers all aspects of Tasmania.

Travel as a group in your privately chartered coach with experienced coach captain, taking in the sights and experiences your Island State has to offer.

All size groups are catered for, from mini-buses for small close knit friends, right up to 57-seat touring coaches for large clubs. So why not take advantage of the service we have to offer, and allow us to make all your arrangements for you.

Get together with some friends, make a plan to book a visit to Tassie, and share an amazing experience.

Email: probian@coachtourstasmania.com.au Phone David: 0409 857892 www.groupstasmania.com.au

TOUR OFFICER TRAVEL HANDBOOK www.coachtourstasmania.com.au I 103 I WWW.PROBUSSOUTHPACIFIC.ORG