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18 Oct - 29 Oct 2021 Tasmania Grande Launceston - Bicheno - Hobart - Queenstown - Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park - Burnie 12 Days / 11 Nights 18 October 2021 - 29 October 2021

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Click here to view your Digital Itinerary Introduction

Accommodation Destination Duration

Best Western Plus Launceston Launceston 2 Nights

Beachfront Bicheno Bicheno 1 Night

Best Western Hobart Hobart 3 Nights

Comfort Inn Gold Rush Queenstown 2 Nights

Cradle Mountain Hotel Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National 1 Night Park

Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn Burnie 1 Night

Spirit of Tasmania 1 Night

Price Departing Launceston and returning to Melbourne

Twin/Double $6495.00 per person

Solo Traveller $7695.00

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Included TOUR COST INCLUDES: Air conditioned, restroom-equipped vehicle transport with experienced crew One-way travel aboard Spirit of Tasmania Twin-share accommodation with ensuite facilities Meals as per the itinerary All entry fees to sightseeing activities as listed in the itinerary

Excluded TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airfare to Launceston at the start of the tour Travel insurance Items of a personal nature eg laundry/phone and any optional extras/trips Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages plus meals not listed in the itinerary

Day 1: Best Western Plus Launceston, Launceston (Mon, 18 October)

Day Itinerary Depart your home port and arrive in Launceston (at own expense) to be greeted by the Platinum Journeys crew. First, we travel to Sheffield, a quirky, rural town at the foothills of the majestic Mount Roland, where history and art merge to create an entire town of murals. Once a centre for industry, the town has reinvented itself as an arts community and features more than 140 murals. We arrive at Mole Creek Caves, where we’ll embark on a guided tour of Marakoopa Cave. We are dazzled by the sparkling crystals, reflection pool, stalactites and stalagmites as we discover the Lower Chamber. Take the time to listen to the music of underground streams and soak up the silence of abandoned river passages.

Launceston lies in northeast Tasmania, just a two-hour drive from the city of Hobart. “Lonnie”, as it is called by locals, is well known for its beautifully restored Victorian buildings and more modern architectural attractions. City Park on the eastern edge of the town is a popular picnic spot, while the Queen Victoria Museum reveals the city’s interesting history. Cataract Gorge is a short walk from the centre of town and popular with visitors for its beautiful hiking trails and views from Kings Bridge. The town is also the gateway to the winelands of Tamar Valley and a perfect base from where to explore the rest of Tasmania.

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Overnight: Best Western Plus Launceston Best Western Plus Launceston is located in the city centre, just a 15-minute drive from Launceston Airport and a short walk from the main shopping area. With distinctive style and services, the hotel offers 116 comfortable guest rooms, a restaurant specialising in Tasmania’s local produce, a bar and two conference rooms. The hotel is situated close to several Launceston attractions, such as James Boag’s Brewery, Launceston Seaport, Cataract Gorge and Aurora Stadium. The hotel caters to guests travelling for both business and pleasure.

Included Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Best Western Plus Launceston, Launceston (Tue, 19 October)

Day Itinerary Joining Tamar River Cruises, we explore the magical river onboard the Tamar Odyssey. We’ll be captivated by the captain’s interesting commentary as we see Tamar Island, wildlife sanctuaries and historical properties while enjoying a delightful morning tea. Next, we stop at Longford to visit the historic Woolmers Estate where we enjoy lunch and a guided tour. Woolmers Estate was settled by Thomas Archer in 1816 and is the oldest property in Australia to have been owned by one family. We spend our afternoon at leisure in Cataract Gorge Reserve, a rare natural phenomenon in central Launceston. The unique gorge, surrounded by cliffs and bushland, features stunning wildlife including resident peacocks, beautiful gardens and the world’s longest single span chairlift (own expense).

Included All meals

Day 3: Beachfront Bicheno, Bicheno (Wed, 20 October)

Day Itinerary Enjoy the clean air and open space of the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm, Bridestowe Estate. Watch the farm in action on a tour of the flower shed and distillery. Tasting a hint of lavender in our morning tea, we’ll then have time to browse their extensive gift shop. Next, we veer off to a little place called Legerwood to see the incredible tree carving honouring fallen soldiers of World War I. We stop for lunch at Pub in the Paddock before continuing down the coast to Bicheno. As the sun sets, we are given a fascinating insight into the Little Blue Penguins making their nightly journey to their burrows. After a short wait, the penguins will begin to swim to the surface, stand up and preen and waddle up the beach.

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This seaside town is a perfect family destination, often referred to as the jewel of Tasmania’s east coast. There’s a little bit of everything for just about everyone in Bicheno. For foodies, there’s a bounty of fresh seafood – from crayfish and abalone to Australian salmon; wine lovers can join the Grape Escape Wine Tour to sample the local vintages; and the kids can take a tour to view fairy penguins, or visit the wildlife park to see the Tasmanian devil up close. Offshore, deep-sea fishing and diving among kelp-covered reefs and spectacular sponge gardens can be arranged; as well as tours on glass-bottomed boats.

Overnight: Beachfront Bicheno Positioned for easy access to the Bay of Fires in the North and Wineglass Bay in the Freycinet National Park to the South, Beachfront Bicheno is approximately 2 hours from both Launceston and Hobart.

Beachfront Bicheno is centrally located in the pretty fishing town of Bicheno – minutes from scuba diving, fishing spots, forest walks and the nightly penguin tour and Devils in the Dark tour. There are shops, a supermarket and newsagency only a short walk from the property.

Included All meals

Day 4: Best Western Hobart, Hobart (Thu, 21 October)

Day Itinerary We travel to the seaside holiday village of Coles Bay. Sitting beneath stunning, sheer pink granite mountains and overlooking the crystal clean waters of Oyster Bay it’s the ideal stop. We enter the Freycinet National Park and head to Cape Tourville Lighthouse to enjoy spectacular views across Lemon Rock and the Freycinet Peninsula. At the historic town of Richmond, where the streets are paved with history, we stop to capture the oldest bridge in Australia, the convict built Richmond Bridge. Within the town, we stroll the pretty nineteenth century lanes before arriving in Hobart.

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First settled in the early 1900s, Tasmania’s capital city has seen a healthy boom in tourism in recent years. Today Hobart combines the charm of old with a trendy, modern edge, and attractions like Salamanca Place – an old waterfront warehouse district that now hosts swanky restaurants, galleries and cafes – define its contemporary status. Art, culture and fine dining are plentiful in town, while nature and wildlife abound in the outlying areas. Venture out to nearby Mount Wellington for hiking and mountain biking trails with spectacular views.

Overnight: Best Western Hobart Located in the Hobart city centre, only two blocks from the main shopping mall and 17 km from Hobart International Airport. Newly refurbished, each of the 140 rooms and suites are brimming with natural light, with most rooms offering a balcony. The spacious rooms feature luxury pillow-top King Coil ensembles and offer carefully considered touches that will ensure every guest a restful night’s sleep. All rooms offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 42” or larger HD LCD TVs, new climate controlled air-conditioning and heating and complimentary Foxtel cable TV including News, Sport and Movies. In addition, executive rooms offer larger 46” HD LCD TVs, in-room Nespresso coffee machines, complimentary bathrobe and slippers.

Embers bar-pizza-grill, serves a seasonal menu of contemporary Australian cuisine from the grill coupled with fresh wood-fired pizza showcasing the best locally grown produce, 7 days a week. Each morning guests are able to enjoy Embers extensive breakfast buffet and espresso coffee, or dine in their room with 24-hour room service on offer.

Included All meals

Day 5: Best Western Hobart, Hobart (Fri, 22 October)

Day Itinerary Today we stop to see some natural attractions on the Tasman Peninsula. We’ll see the Blow Hole, Doo Town, famous for the villages quirky house names, the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. Then we discover the unimaginable story of the Port Arthur Historic Site. The penal settlement has a special place of vivid history, cultural heritage and stories

P a g e | 7 so compelling you’ll want to hear them again and again. It’s a place where up to 12,000 prisoners were kept in an atmosphere of hopelessness and misery. Even though the Tasman Peninsula is spectacular, you can imagine the conditions, especially on a cold winter’s day, endured by the prisoners 150 years ago. We take a fascinating journey, retracing the life of convicts in the Visitor Interpretation Centre before a walking tour through the settlement and a harbour cruise.

Included Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Best Western Hobart, Hobart (Sat, 23 October)

Day Itinerary Meeting our local guide, we’ll discover the hidden gems of the waterfront capital, Hobart. Offering a contrasting blend of heritage, scenery and culture, the city oozes charm. We visit the Salamanca Markets, one of the most vibrant and loved outdoor markets. Take some time exploring the stalls and discovering the entertaining buskers. This afternoon is at leisure. Some may like to take the optional Peppermint Bay Cruise (additional expense), taking in the harbour and city views before cruising to the pristine waters of Peppermint Bay, or visiting the beloved MONA.

Included Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Comfort Inn Gold Rush, Queenstown (Sun, 24 October)

Day Itinerary We farewell Hobart and begin our journey to the West Coast. We visit Russell Falls, arguably Tasmania’s prettiest waterfall and one of the easiest to get to. Located in Mt Field National Park, Russell Falls forms as one of three falls that share the same watercourse. Wander through the mossy, deep green forest and watch the water cascading gently over multiple levels creating a unique and beautiful waterfall. We continue onto the geographical centre of Tasmania, Derwent Bridge. Here we view the Wall in the Wilderness. The beautifully carved works set out in relief sculpture depict the history, hardship and pay homage to the individuals who settled and protected the area. After lunch at the Wilderness Hotel, we drive through the pristine wilderness of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park before arriving in the historic mining town of Queenstown.

Queenstown sits on the slopes of Mount Owen near the northwest coast of the Australian island of Tasmania. A unique place to visit, Queenstown is characterised by its surrounding ‘moonscape’ - a series of rugged and dramatically deforested hills that serve as a haunting reminder of the environmental degradation of this mining

P a g e | 8 town’s past. The best way to experience this unforgettable scenery is via the West Coast Wilderness Railway, a steam engine service that runs for 35 km between Queenstown and Strahan. In Queenstown itself, there is an interesting museum with local history displays, and visitors can take an Underground Mine Tour to learn more about the copper mining and logging industries of the early-1900s. Finally, active travellers will love the climb up Gormie Hill to see the impressive panoramic views at Iron Blow Lookout.

Overnight: Comfort Inn Gold Rush Offering clean, spacious well-appointed rooms, in a quiet location providing comfortable, relaxing overnight or extended stay accommodation.

Included All meals

Day 8: Comfort Inn Gold Rush, Queenstown (Mon, 25 October)

Day Itinerary Cruising down the iconic is a must-do when visiting Tasmania. Our cruise will bring the river and its rich history to life for an unforgettable experience. Cruising the scenic waterways, we’ll listen to the intriguing stories of the region, pass through Hells Gates and step ashore Sarah Island to see some of Australia’s oldest convict ruins.

Included All meals

Day 9: Cradle Mountain Hotel, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park (Tue, 26 October)

Day Itinerary All aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway for the spectacular Rack and Gorge Tour. Enjoy the steam train journey through remote rainforest to the incredible Gorge while listening to guides share stories of the determined and visionary people who carved out their fortunes in one of the most difficult and remote landscapes imaginable. A highlight will be seeing the loco being turned on the manual turntable at Dubbil Barril. Returning to Queenstown Station, we travel to Cradle Mountain.

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Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, accessible from Sheffield in the north and Derwent Bridge in the south. Lake St Clair is one of the largest lakes in Tasmania with great views of Cradle Mountain’s recognisable ridges. Rugged, snow-topped mountains are surrounded by waterfalls, moss-covered trees, grass meadows and rock pools as far as the eye can see. Cradle Valley contains historical Aboriginal sites that can be explored via numerous hiking tracks and is home to an array of indigenous wildlife species, including platypus, echidna, Tasmanian devils and quolls.

Overnight: Cradle Mountain Hotel Nestled within a breathtaking alpine forest in the central highlands of Tasmania, Cradle Mountain Hotel offers an inviting home-away-from-home to unwind after a day of exploring the pristine Tasmanian wilderness. Accommodation consists of a variety of guest rooms, each equipped with an en-suite bathroom, a room heater, and tea/coffee making facilities. Guests can enjoy delicious meals at the on-site restaurant. Other amenities offered are internet access and a lounge bar.

Included All meals

Day 10: Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn, Burnie (Wed, 27 October)

Day Itinerary Discover the rugged mountains, ancient rainforests and stunning scenery of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Bring your camera as we travel to Dove Lake, a glacially carved lake directly beneath Cradle Mountain, this stop offers epic views of the iconic Cradle Mountain. After the awe of viewing the area, we take a short drive to Waldheim chalet, the first accommodation in the area. At the interpretation centre is a short boardwalk meandering through the pencil pines and myrtle rainforest. We’ll be rewarded with views of the cascading Pencil Pines Falls. After an early lunch, we travel to Burnie for our overnight’s accommodation.

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The fast-growing, creative port city of Burnie lies on Tasmania’s north-west coast, a half hour’s drive west of Devonport. Once a thriving industrial centre, the town has recreated itself as a hub for arts and design, featuring numerous galleries, craft workshops, and excellently preserved and restored art deco architecture. Watch surfers and lifesavers in action at West Beach, where competitions are often held, and see the penguins at its western end. The city is the home of Hellyers Road Distillery - the biggest boutique whiskey distillery in the country - and is known also for its excellent cheese making. History-lovers will enjoy seeing the finely-made re-creation of the town streetscape in 1900 at the Burnie Regional Museum. Head to the beautiful Fern Glade Nature Reserve to see platypuses at dawn.

Overnight: Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn Experience the luxury of the Beachfront Voyager, Burnie’s Motel on the Waterfront. Situated in the centre of the CBD and Burnie’s new Waterfront Development overlooking West Beach, on the beautiful North West Coast. Enjoy fine foods and wines in Raindrops Steak and Seafood Restaurant serving locally grown Beef and Seafoods all week including Sundays.

Only half an hour’s leisurely drive from where the Spirit of Tasmania I and II berth and provides you with the comfort and security of off-street parking. Innkeepers member Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn is part of the prestigious Innkeepers Collection. The motel is an accredited tourism business approved by the Tourism Council of Australia (Tasmania).

Included All Meals

Day 11: Spirit of Tasmania (Thu, 28 October)

Day Itinerary This morning we make our way to the Makers Workshop. This interesting facility celebrates the regions makers, innovators and artists. Here we’ll experience an amazing paper-making tour where we can learn how to use

P a g e | 11 materials such as recycled denim jeans, natural plant fibres, apples and even kangaroo-poo to make paper. We’ll have the opportunity to make our own sheet of paper before travelling to the historic town of Stanley. With its village atmosphere, small craft shops and historical houses, Stanley is the ideal spot for some free time. You may also like to take the chairlift to the summit of the Nut (own expense). We continue onto Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens, where we have time to wander the gardens and enjoy the tranquillity of this lush environment. We continue to Devonport for our overnight sailing onboard the Spirit of Tasmania. Fall asleep to the light rock of the waves and sound of the soothing ocean as we cross the Bass Strait.

Overnight: Spirit of Tasmania The Spirit of Tasmania is a luxury vessel which travels between Tasmania and the Australian mainland. The ship offers overnight accommodation in a variety of comfortable cabins. It also includes a range of restaurants and bars to cater for all tastes. Guests have access to many entertainment options which include a cinema & gaming lounge. Facilities also include a reception area, tourism hub, reading room, and an ATM. The ship also offers travellers the option of transporting their cars to the island.

Included All meals

Day 12: End of Itinerary (Fri, 29 October)

Day Itinerary Up at sparrows’ call this morning as we have an early breakfast after disembarking the Spirit of Tasmania in Melbourne. What a wonderful adventure we’ve had, exploring the wild and wonderful Tasmania.

Included Breakfast

Itinerary Terms and Conditions Alterations to the itinerary may occur – a final confirmed itinerary will be provided with your travel documentation approximately 3 weeks prior to departure

Tour cost based on a minimum of 14 passengers.

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