Tasmania & Wynyard Tulip Festival
Event description
Port Bus & Holiday Coast Tours
Tasmania featuring the Wynyard Tulip Festival
Wednesday 04 October – Tuesday 17 October 2023
DAY 1: (D) PORT MACQUARIE TO GOULBURN Wednesday 04 October
Welcome to our tour to Tasmania, featuring the Wynyard Tulip Festival. We depart the Port Macquarie Coach Terminal at 8.00am making tracks through to our lunch break on the central coast. Our overnight destination is at the Mercure Goulburn where we’ll check into our rooms and prepare for dinner.
1 night | Mercure Goulburn
Lunch at own cost |Dinner at Hotel
DAY 2: (BL) GOULBURN TO GEELONG & THE SPIRIT OF TASMANIA Thursday 05 October
Departing early, we begin our day’s journey through to Geelong. Our lunch stop is in Albury at Soden’s Hotel before an afternoon through Victoria to the new departure point for the Spirit of Tasmania. With their state of the art terminal in its new location of Geelong, we board the vessel and begin our voyage across the Bass Strait. Settling into our porthole cabins, we have a number of options to purchase dinner before a good night’s rest.
1 night | Spirit of Tasmania (subject to availability)
Breakfast in Hotel |Lunch in Albury |Dinner at own cost
DAY 3: (BLD) ARRIVE LAUNCESTON Friday 06 October
Welcome to Tassie! After we settle our stomachs at Argosy Motor Inn with breakfast we capture the excellent views over the Mersey River and the “Spirit of Tasmania” vessel. Heading to Sheffield, the quirky town at the base of majestic Mount Roland, we see where history and art merge with their famous colourful murals. Not far away is the sophisticated and stylish Villarett Gardens. With skill, hard work and devotion, our hosts have created a true masterpiece and we will have the opportunity to enjoy it. With lunch under our belts we head to Westbury and visit Pearn's Steam World. Discover the vast collection of historic agricultural machinery and steam engines. There are also exhibits sharing the life stories of four generations of Pearn women. From here it’s on to Launceston.
2 nights| Best Western Plus Launceston (03 6333 9999)
Breakfast at Argosy Motor Inn | Lunch at Gardens| Dinner at Hotel
DAY 4: (BLD) LAUNCESTON – TAMAR RIVER CRUISES &WOOLMERS ESTATE Saturday 07 October
Joining Tamar River Cruises, we explore the magical river and Cataract Gorge onboard the Tamar Odyssey. Be captivated by the captains interesting commentary as we cruise by Tamar Island, wildlife, historical properties and of course the spectacular Cataract Gorge. With morning tea on board, it’s a fantastic way to uncover the regions natural beauty. Travelling to nearby Longford, we visit the historic Woolmers Estate. This heritage property is an authentic depiction of colonial life and after indulging in lunch we can take a self-guided tour of the house and gardens. When we are all ready, we return to the hotel via the city park to see the monkeys.
Breakfast and Dinner at hotel | lunch at Woolmers Estate
DAY 5: (BLD) LAUNCESTON TO BICHENO Sunday 08 October
This morning we make our way east towards Scottsdale, the main centre in this area, serving some of the richest agricultural and forest country in the State. Close by is the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm where we take a tour of the flower shed and distillery. Continuing our journey east, we veer off to a little place called Legerwood. There are some incredible tree carvings here before stopping at the Dairy Factory. Nestled in the lush, fertile valley of Pyengana this dairy showcases Australia’s finest cloth bound cheddar cheese. After lunch in the café, we continue via St Helens to our overnight stop in Bicheno.
1 night | Beachfront at Bicheno
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch in Pyengana
DAY 6: (BLD) BICHENO TO HOBART Monday 09 October
With the impressive Hazard Mountain Range as our backdrop, we head to Coles Bay to cruise to magical Wineglass Bay. Step aboard the cruise vessel and experience this place of beauty, from the sights of Freycinet Peninsula to the abundant wildlife. Dropping anchor inside Wineglass Bay, take in the tranquillity of one of the world’s most beautiful beaches and perfect turquoise waters. With the water lapping the boat, feel spoilt as we enjoy some of the area’s finest and freshest produce for lunch. It will be a day to remember.
Upon disembarkation we make a beeline for Hobart, ducking into Buckland en-route for a brief look at the quaint little church with a stained-glass window depicting the life of John the Baptist. Arriving into Hobart we check into our wonderful lodgings at the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel.
2 nights| The Old Woolstore Hotel
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch on cruise
DAY 7: (BLD) HOBART Tuesday 10 October
Embark on a sightseeing tour of Hobart, where everywhere we go the past steps out to meet us. Discover Sullivans Cove and the tiny cottages of Battery Point with architecture that whispers stories of a bygone era. Thanking our guide, we conclude our tour with a visit to at the Cascades Female Factory. This was a self-contained, purpose-built institution intended to reform female convicts, where the inmates did laundry and needlework services, offsetting some of the colony’s penal costs. Taking in the performance The Proud and the Punished, it centres around a female petty criminal rallying against the system of punishment and redemption. The tale of tragedy and triumph is brought to life in this short dramatisation, highlighting the strength of character of a woman enduring the hardships of the female factory.
Our lunch venue is the Royal Botanic Gardens. The gardens have some of the oldest and most significant trees and heritage landscapes in Australia. The flower displays across the Lily Pond in summer are fabulous so take some time looking through the gardens after lunch. Finally, we visit Mawson’s Hut Replica Museum. Built just 200m from where Mawson’s expedition departed in 1911, the replica also serves to promote the legacy of the Australasian Antarctic expedition.
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch at Botanic Gardens
DAY 8: (BLD) HOBART TO STRAHAN Wednesday 11 October
With a slightly earlier departure time, we leave Hobart behind us and set off to the isle’s West Coast. Stopping at Salmon Ponds we spend time wandering the beautiful gardens dotted with ponds, discovering its history at the Museum of Trout Fishing and Angling Hall of Fame before morning tea. Continuing on at Derwent Bridge, we discover the beautifully carved works of the Wall in the Wilderness, depicting the hardship and perseverance of the people in the Central Highlands. Enjoying lunch at the Wilderness Hotel, we travel through the pristine wilderness of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Witness some spectacular scenery before making the climb via Queenstown and on into Strahan. Here we settle in for the next two nights.
2 nights | Strahan Village
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch at Derwent Bridge
DAY 9: (BLD) STRAHAN Thursday 12 October
This morning we have a memorable experience as we join the West Coast Wilderness Railway for the breathtaking River and Rainforest rail journey. From Strahan we take in the stunning views and enter the rainforest, following the King River to Teepookana – once the fourth busiest port in Tasmania, and the place where construction of the railway first began. Marvel at the landscape and wilderness and wonder how the men and women of the rail once carved their life out of this harsh environment. Our guide will tell us stories of the railway and the resilient people who lived and worked along its length. From the men who laboured to build the line and keep the trains running, to the families and children that made a life in the forest, and the two visionary Irishmen whose fierce rivalry and undaunted ambition brought the railway to life. Morning tea and lunch on return to Strahan is included today and we can enjoy some free time in Strahan this afternoon.
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch on tour
DAY 10: (BLD) STRAHAN TO CRADLE MOUNTAIN Friday 13 October
This morning we make our way to Zeehan, to discover the region’s fascinating history. From mines and memories to trains and treasures, the West Coast Heritage Centre offers a unique insight into this history, enhancing the meaning of our visit of this beautiful part of Tasmania. Continuing to Cradle Mountain we take in the invigorating mountain air. After our light lunch we set off to explore this spectacular area including such sights as Waldheim and Dove Lake. Be transfixed by this beautiful glacial lake with remnants of the last ice age etched in the surrounding rocks. Guided through a cool temperate rainforest we’ll see native trees and hopefully, some wildlife. After our tour we head to Wynyard, where we are welcomed at the Waterfront Wynyard Motor Inn.
3 nights | The Waterfront Wynyard Motor Inn
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch at Cradle Mountain
DAY 11: (BD) TULIP FESTIVAL Saturday 14 October
This morning we make our way to Table Cape and the Wynyard for the Tulip Festival. What a way to celebrate Spring as we spend the morning enjoying all the festivities. We purchase lunch from the array of food stalls available with the chance to enjoy local art, craft, and music to suit all tastes. Back on the coach we travel to the Table Cape Tulip Farm, the home of Van Diemen Quality Bulbs. This truly spectacular farm just explodes in colour! There will be a fantastic show of tulips in the fields, one of which is open for us to walk in, rows and rows of beautiful bright colours - a perfect spot for a group photo. After a magical day filled with colour we return to our hotel to relax prior to dinner.
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch at own expense
DAY 12: (BLD) WOOLNORTH STATION Sunday 15 October
We have a sensational day planned, starting with a visit to Woolnorth Station, Australia’s biggest dairy operation. Located in the far North West corner of Tasmania, we explore the historic precinct on a guided tour taking in the old farm buildings, Tasmania’s first wind farm and interpretive centre. On our tour, we also visit Cape Grim where the Bureau of Meteorology has measured the cleanest air in the world since 1976. The cape offers sensational seascape views overlooking the islands off the North West Tip. We enjoy lunch before we retrace our steps to return to our accommodation.
Breakfast and dinner at hotel | lunch at Woolnorth Station
DAY 13: (B) WYNYARD TO DEVONPORT / SPIRIT OF TASMANIA Monday 16 October
This morning we head to Burnie and visit the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden. We wander the commons, immersing ourselves in this internationally recognised garden, classified as a plant museum! Morning tea is included in our visit. Travelling through Penguin we stop to buy some lunch then continue to Elizabeth Town. Arriving at the Ashgrove Cheese Company we discover award-winning cheeses from English county cheeses to a series of uniquely flavoured cheeses including the famous Wild Wasabi cheese. A staff member will give us a talk on the making process and of course we will need to taste some! Our last stop is the House of Anvers Chocolate Factory. Located on the property grounds formerly known as Wyndarra Lodge, this stylish 1931 Californian Bungalow is set on 12 hectares of gardens with mature trees and plants from all over the world. Early evening, we farewell Tasmania and board the “Spirit of Tasmania” for our overnight sailing back to Melbourne. Again, dinner will be at our own expense.
1 night | Spirit of Tasmania (13 20 10)
Breakfast at hotel | lunch at own expense| dinner not included
DAY 14: (BLD) MELBOURNE TO GOULBURN
Tuesday 17 October
Disembarking the Spirit of Tasmania at Corio Quay we head off for breakfast. The day’s travels sees us head through to Wangaratta where we break for lunch. Travelling on, we arrive into Goulburn where we again check into our overnight accommodation for the final night on tour.
1 night | Mercure Goulburn (subject to availability)
Breakfast in Geelong| lunch at Wangaratta RSL | dinner in Hotel
DAY 15: (BL) GOULBURN TO PORT MACQUARIE
Wednesday 18 October
Heading for home, we have a morning break in the southern highlands before continuing via Sydney to Ourimbah. With full bellies, our last leg of the journey takes us into Port Macquarie. Farewelling our Coach Captain and our fellow passengers, we head for home after our amazing Tasmanian tour, taking in the wonderful Tulip Festival.
Breakfast in Hotel| lunch in Club
All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times or days of some attractions. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures or inclement
COST: $5995.00 per person
(based on twin/double share accommodation)
Single Supplement: $1950.00
A deposit of $750.00 per person is required upon booking with
final payment due 30 August 2023
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
Air-conditioned coach travel
12 night’s motel accommodation & 2 nights aboard Spirit of Tasmania
14 cooked breakfasts
12 hotel dinners 12 lunches – see below
Lunch at Soden's Hotel, Albury
Spirit of Tasmania - Porthole Cabin(return)
Spirit of Tasmania – Coach Ferry cost(return)
Cooked/Continental breakfast at the Argosy Motor Inn
Group entry & light lunch at Villarett Gardens and Cafe
Group entry to Pearn's Steam World
Tamar River Cruise
Tour with lunch at Woolmers Estate
Group entry & guided tour of Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm
Visit to Legerwood
Group lunch at Holy Cow Cafe
Cruise of Wineglass Bay including lunch
Step on guided tour of Hobart
Entry in to Cascades Female Factory with The Proud and the Punished show
Group entry including lunch at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Visit to Mawson's Huts Replica Museum
Group entry to Salmon Ponds
Group entry in to Wall in the Wilderness
Lunch at Wilderness Hotel
West Coast Wilderness Railway Journey including lunch - Strahan to Dubbil Barril return
Group entry to West Coast Heritage Centre including Gaiety Theatre
Light lunch at the Cradle Mountain Hotel
2 Hour Cradle Mountain Park Explorer Tour
National Park Passes (Cradle Mountain only)
Entry to Table Cape Tulip Farm
Group guided Woolnorth Tour include morning tea and lunch
Garden entry and Devonshire Tea at Rhododendron Gardens
Self-guided tour of Ashgrove Cheese Factory
The House of Anvers Chocolate Factory
Spirit of Tasmania - Porthole Cabin
Spirit of Tasmania – Coach Ferry cost
Buffet breakfast at Rydges Geelong
Lunch at Wangaratta RSL at the Sydney
Lunch at Ourimbah-Lisarow RSL Club - The Kitchen