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TASMANIAN DEVILS
12-day Honeymoon
The two of you on one of the world's most romantic islands – Tasmania.
Home to the Devil (Tasmanian, that is), where you can be devilishly romantic.
Small, vibrant Hobart, historic Port Arthur, stunning Oyster and Wineglass Bays, forest and waterfront retreats. Where sheep mingle with vineyards, and the world's best oysters are harvested. Plus the friendliest people on earth. This combines for a different place in time, romantic getaway, far from the maddening crowds of Maui and Miami.
Suggested itinerary: this can be extended, shortened, or added to. Any day arrival.
Day 1 ARRIVE HOBART
Arrive into Sydney or Melbourne and connect to Hobart, capital of Tasmania and Australia's only island state. You are met and transferred to your accommodation, a small romantic bed and breakfast in historic Battery Point.
Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 km stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart – a place of wild and beautiful landscapes; friendly, welcoming people; a pleasant, temperate climate; wonderful wine and food; a rich history and a relaxed island lifestyle.
Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, blends heritage and lifestyle, scenery and culture. It’s a place of mellow sandstone, dockside fishmongers, al fresco coffee shops, art, craft, music and theatre. Graceful old trees shelter bright flowers in heritage parks and gardens.
Hobart is shaped by water. Take a river cruise, or drive to the summit of Mount Wellington. See how the suburbs hug the winding River Derwent and city buildings cluster around the docks. On the sparkling harbour, ships are busy - Antarctic supply vessels and sailing dinghies, wave-piercing catamarans and ocean racers, visiting ocean liners and even a square rigger or two.
Twenty-five kilometres away the historic town of Richmond, with its fine Georgian architecture, remembers days gone by. In Richmond Gaol dusty sunlight gleams on chiselled stone, and Tasmania’s convict past seems just a clink of chains away. In yesterday’s freestone cottages modern galleries hang glowing watercolours on their walls, and cafes are scented by fresh-baked scones.
The day is at leisure to explore the city, cruise the wharf area, and relax after your journey.
DAY 2 PORT ARTHUR and FREYCINET (B/D)
Collect your rental car this morning and commence your drive to the east coast, via the Port Arthur Peninsula.
Between 1830 and 1877 about 12,500 transported convicts were imprisoned at Port Arthur, on the shores of a beautiful bay and set against the tranquil hills and forest of the Tasman Peninsula. Many of the sandstone prison buildings remain and have been preserved. Archaeologists and historians have pieced together the history of the prison and the sad story is told in an excellent display in the visitors’ centre.
You join a guided walking tour of the historic site which will impress you on what life might have been like in the 1800s for the convicts, soldiers and civilians. One in seven convicts at Port Arthur died there - you take a cruise to the Isle of the Dead, where convicts and civilians were buried.
After lunch, mid afternoon, continue your drive north to Freycinet for two nights in a lovely lodge on the bay.
This lodge so harmonizes with the forest in which it stands that you hardly know it’s here. Your cottage is tucked into the trees, some looking out onto Great Oyster Bay from the balcony.
There are guided walks of Richardson’s Beach, a full day to Wineglass Bay and the Isthmus Track, a ‘bush tucker’ tour with a local guide to search for some of the plant species which were utilized by the local Aborigines.
There are also four-wheel-drive drips to mines, beaches and bays, a peninsula cruise, penguin tour tour of a working marine farm vessel, scenic flights, wine tours, bird watching and at night, spotlighting for forest residents such as wombat, native cats or owls. There is a tennis court, bike hire and sea kayaking also available from the lodge. (Note: some of these activities are not lodge based.)
Dining is something to look forward to at the lodge, with fresh veggies and seafood, roasts and soups, and fine Tasmanian wines.
Overnight: Freycinet
DAY 3 FREYCINET (B/D)
After a big buffet breakfast overlooking the bay, set off on any of the lodge’s activities. There are guided walks of Richardson’s Beach, a full day to Wineglass Bay and the Isthmus Track, a ‘bush tucker’ tour with a local guide to search for some of the plant species which were utilized by the local Aborigines.
There are also four-wheel-drive drips to mines, beaches and bays, a peninsula cruise, penguin tour tour of a working marine farm vessel, scenic flights, wine tours, bird watching and at night, spotlighting for forest residents such as wombat, native cats or owls. There is a tennis court, bike hire and sea kayaking also available from the lodge. (Note: some of these activities are not lodge based.)
DAY 4 TO LAUNCESTON / WINERIES (B)
Depart Freycinet at your leisure, traveling towards Launceston and Cradle Mountain.
Stop at any of the lovely vineyards along the way, or craft shops.
Cradle Mountain Lodge is a warm rustic retreat nestled high in the Tasmanian wilderness on the edge of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain / Lake St. Clair National Park. You’ll find an abundance of wildlife here in one of the world’s last remaining temperate rainforests. Take a brisk walk on the trails surrounding the Lodge and you’ll soon build up an appetite for the fine food and wine of Tasmania at the Highland Restaurant. Then savour the cosy comforts of your cabin in front of a roaring fire.
DAY 5 CRADLE MOUNTAIN (B)
DAY 6 TO STANLEY (B)
Depart Cradle Mountain at your leisure, traveling to the northwest coast of Stanley.
Your accommodation is the original Catholic Presbytery, built in 1904, located just under the 'Nut', a rocky outcrop that rises from the ocean a height of 150 metres. The 'Nut' can be reached on foot or by the ease of a chairlift.
Stanley is a fishing port and tourist centre and is classified as an historic town. It was first settled in North Western Tasmania, and the Van Dieman's Land Company made its headquarters here.
Here at Stanley you can enjoy clean air, beaches, tranquility and relive local history with visits to Highfield, Joe Lyons' Cottage, the Cemetery, Museums, Craft Shops, Galleries and Restaurants.
This evening, after dark, you are collected from your accommodation for the evening Penguin excursion where you will view the tiny Fairy Penguins in their natural environment with an excellent local guide. Pick up time for this excursion is around 7.30pm.
DAY 7 STANLEY, wildlife excursion (B/L)
You are collected from your accommodation in Stanley at 9.00AM. Today's excursion is an opportunity to see "hidden treasures" just waiting to be discovered. Before your return you will visit private property where you can marvel at the immense stretch of coastline to the very tip of Tasmania. You also will view the unique Platypus in their natural environment. Travel through picturesque country side onto private property where you will view these unique monotremes and receive full interpretation from your registered and accredited guide.
The day includes home baked morning tea and gourmet lunch with Tasmanian award winning cheese and wines. Return to your hotel late afternoon.
DAY 8 STRAHAN (B)
Depart your accommodation after breakfast for the journey south to the seaside village of Strahan.
The magnificent scenery of the West coast can be enjoyed in many ways; from the air, a cruise or sea kayaking on the Gordon River, walking tracks or by vehicle. There are fishing trips, seaplane tours, jet boat rides, 4-wheel drive adventures, horse riding, bushwalking.
Accommodations in Strahan are in a historic bed and breakfast.
DAY 09 STRAHAN – AEROPLANE SCENIC FLIGHT FRENCHMAN'S CAP, FRANKLIN/ GORDON RIVERS TOUR
You travel over some of the most beautiful Tasmania scenery this morning.
We overfly Queenstown and the picturesque Lake Burbury en route to the 1445 metre Frenchman's Cap. Flying down the Franklin River we then intercept and follow the Gordon River to Macquarie Harbour. With Sarah Island on our left and Kelly6 Basin on our right we then journey across the Harbour to overfly Hells Gates and Ocean Beach before landing back at Strahan. (Duration 45 minutes.)
Collect your rental car for a leisurely drive to Hobart and overnight again at your bed and breakfast.
DAY 10 TO SYDNEY (B)
Breakfast with your hosts before returning your rental car to the airport for your flight to Sydney. (You may connect directly home today).
On arrival into Sydney, you are transferred to your hotel near the waterfront.
The day is at leisure.
DAY 11 SYDNEY, sailing SYDNEY Harbour (B/L)
Set sail for the day, a perfect way to discover Sydney. Board your cruising yacht this morning at about 10am.
Cruising up Darling Harbour you'll turn towards the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was completed in 1932 and is the largest steel arch bridge in the world. The Opera House offers the perfect place to take some photographs with such a famous landmark as the backdrop. Continuing the adventure you'll dodge the ferries leaving and entering Circular Quay and see the Rocks, birthplace of British settlement where convict labour constructions are easily visible. You'll pass Farm Cove and Mrs. Macquaries Chair on the right and Fort Denison on the left, originally an area for newly-arrived prisoners where they were left with only bread and water to survive on.
Turning towards Rushcutter's Bay, hoist the sails and turn the engine off. Sail past the traditionally wealthy suburbs of Sydney, viewing the spectacular private homes at Darling Point, Point Piper and Vaucluse and the national parks of Clarke and Shark Islands. You'll continue on past Watson's Bay and the famous beachside restaurant Doyles, operated by the same family for over 100 years.
You have now been sailing for approximately two hours and everyone is looking forward to lunch and the opportunity to cast a fishing line or have a swim. Cross the Harbour entrance to Spring Cove on North Head. This lovely quiet beach is surrounded by natural bushland, the peaceful atmosphere enhanced by the sound of a small waterfall cascading over rocks or the laughter of a Kookaburra in the trees.
While lunch is prepared, toss a fishing line over the side. Bream and Flathead can occasionally be caught so make sure the cameras are handy to record the event. In the cockpit you'll settle down to enjoy a delicious lunch of prawns, sushi, chicken, ham, salad, pasta and bread. With a glass of Australian wine or beer relaxation takes over and a desert of fruit and cheese makes it almost impossible to leave.
In the early afternoon you'll head for home under sail, soaking up the sun and fresh air, arriving back at the wharf at about 2.30pm.
The Boat: A 40 foot cruising yacht. Fully equipped galley, private cabins, shower (interior and exterior), toilet facilities, state-of-the-art features, comfortable and spacious dining/lounge area. All required safety equipment is on board .
DAY 12 SYDNEY/HOME (or extend your stay in Sydney for one or more nights. Also, you may extend your arrangements to the Great Barrier Reef, Outback – nothing is impossible!)
Depart today for home, arriving back across the international dateline onto the west coast and connect to your hometown flight.
Pricing: click here
Bookings and information: or, click here for online reservations
Destinations Downunder, Specialists in travel to Australia and New Zealand 3712 N. Broadway, PMB #251, Chicago Il. 60618
Ph: (773)832-1699 Fax: (773)832-1699 email: travel@koalakiwi.com
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