Tasmania’s Wild Beauty: A Festive Journey
Event description
Tasmania has a distinctive physical presence – misty rainforests, craggy mountains, wild rivers, wide grazing lands, and clean uncrowded beaches. Wilderness is at the heart and soul of Tasmania.
DAY 1 (D) HOME TO GOULBURN
Saturday 20 December 2025
Welcome to our Christmas holiday tour, which is traveling with friends to Tasmania. Once we have completed our passenger pickup service and loaded the coach, we are ready to go. Settling into our travel day we enjoy breaks along the way before arriving at Goulburn for the evening.
Lunch at own arrangement and cost | dinner at the hotel
Mercure Goulburn (02 4822 5445) | 1night
DAY 2 (B) GOULBURN – OVERNIGHT SPIRIT OF TASMANIA Sunday 21 December 2025
The spirit of Tasmania gives a memorable experience and a great way to start the journey to Tasmania. We cross into Victoria and stop to purchase lunch in Wodonga. Arriving at the Spirit of Tasmania cruise terminal in Geelong where we prepare for our voyage across the Bass Strait. Settling into our porthole cabins, we have options to purchase dinner onboard before enjoying a good night’s rest.
Breakfast at hotel | lunch and dinner at own arrangements and cost
Spirit of Tasmania | 1 night
Day 3 (BLD) DEVONPORT TO LAUNCESTON Monday 22 December 2025
On arrival in Devonport, our coach is unloaded, and we head for breakfast at the nearby Argosy Motor Inn. During our travels today we pass through Railton and Sheffield, both interesting little townships. The colourful murals in Sheffield have long made this small town famous and there are around 100 imaginative Topiary characters to see as we drive through Railton to one of Tasmania’s most historic houses, Entally House. Set in the superb grounds and gardens, Entally has a greenhouse, chapel, coach house, and stables to wander. Here we enjoy a talk and light lunch before continuing to Launceston where we spend some time at City Park to see the small troop of Japanese macaques, also known as the snow monkey. We now have some free time to do any last-minute Christmas shopping.
Breakfast at Argosy Motor Inn | Lunch at Entally House | Dinner at the hotel
Best Western Plus Launceston | 1 night
Day 4 (BLD) TAMAR VALLEY Tuesday 23 December 2025
Today we head to the majestic Tamar Valley. The first stop is Grindelwald, a village established in 1980 and inspired by the alpine-style architecture of Switzerland. We make our way to Beaconsfield – the site of Tasmania’s largest gold discoveries and of course more recently the incredible rescue in 2006 of two miners trapped underground. We’ll visit the Beaconsfield Gold Mine and Heritage Museum, home to Australia’s only waterwheel-driven stamp battery which features an extensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts. Platypus House and Seahorse World are two unique attractions that are right next to each other, so we plan to visit both this afternoon. Seahorse World is a working farm and the information we receive here shows us just what fascinating creatures they truly are. Platypus are very shy and quite elusive in the wild but here we get a chance to see them face to face as they swim and go about their daily business in this indoor facility. Returning to Launceston, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch at Seahorse World
Best Western Plus Launceston | 1 night
Day 5 (BLD) LAUNCESTON TO HOBART Wednesday 24 December 2025
This morning, we have some time to explore Cataract Gorge, a magnificent reserve in the city centre. At your own pace, stroll along the pleasant walks through the landscaped gardens, or take the ride on the chair lift (at your own expense) which crosses the gorge. Departing Launceston we make our way to Evandale. On the outskirts of the town are the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company and Topiaries. We’ll enjoy a wander through their open garden and Topiary Nursery and enjoy lunch. We then take a drive continuing south through Campbell Town to Ross. Ross is a garrison town with a Government Stock Run, a racecourse, and the four corners: - Temptation, Salvation, Damnation and Recreation,n and the most beautiful of the remaining old bridges in Australia. We have plenty of time to wander around historic Ross before continuing our journey into Hobart – home for the next 5 nights.
Breakfast and dinner in motel | lunch at Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce
Wrest Point Hotel Casino, Hobart | 5 nights
Day 6 (BLD) CHRISTMAS IN HOBART Thursday 25 December 2025
Merry Christmas! We have some time this morning for anyone wanting to join in the local church services. Afterward, unwind and take full advantage of our hotel’s luxurious facilities. Savor a sumptuous Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings, surrounded by good company. Spend your afternoon relaxing and cherishing the joy of the season with friends. Here’s to a day filled with warmth, laughter, and festive cheer!
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch included
Day 7 (BLD) PORT ARTHUR Friday 26 December 2025
Today we head to the Tasman Peninsula and take a drive through “Do Town” before seeing some natural attractions such as the Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen. A little further along is the Port Arthur Historic Site. The penal settlement has a special place of vivid history, cultural heritage, and stories so compelling; that you’ll want to hear them again and again. It’s a place where up to 12,000 prisoners we 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, retracting the life of convicts in the Visitor Centre, before a walking tour through the settlement and a harbour cruise. Leaving the site, we make our way back to Hobart where we have a special dinner planned at the Point Revolving Restaurant. We take in the stunning views, as the sun sets over Hobart and the Derwent River.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch at Port Arthur Historic Site
Day 8 (BD) HOBART Saturday 27 December 2025
Set between the towering peak of Mount Wellington and the Derwent River, Hobart is one of the most beautiful cities in Australia. A local guide joins us for a sightseeing tour of Hobart from the coach. Founded in 1804, Hobart is Australia’s second oldest capital city and everywhere we go, the past steps out to meet us. Sullivans Cove is lined with sandstone warehouses reflecting the area's rich maritime history and Battery Point’s tiny cottages vie for space with grand mansions and Victorian terraces. One of the highlights each Saturday in Hobart is the Salamanca Markets where hundreds of stallholders set up along the elm tree-lined street, drawing large crowds. With so many sellers the list of items we can find here is endless with many local crafts, jewelry, fashion, and food stalls. Early afternoon we visited the Cascades Female Factory, which was a self-contained purpose-built institution intended to reform female convicts. The inmates did laundry and needlework services, offsetting some of the colony penal costs. Here we take in the performance The Proud and the Punished 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 dramatization, highlighting the strength of character of a woman enduring the hardships of the female factory
Breakfast at the hotel | Lunch at own expense | Dinner at Boardwalk Bistro at the hotel
Day 9 (BLD) HUON VALLEY Sunday 28 December 2025
A pleasant drive this morning takes us into the Huon Valley, an area to the south of Hobart, where nature’s beauty astounds us. We first head into Geeveston where we will stop by the Visitor Centre. Located in an impressive red brick building, the centre contains local food, wines and ciders, artwork by local artisans plus much more. Our journey today then takes us to Tahune Forest, where we enjoy lunch and experience a gentle treetop stroll through its canopy, along the Tahune Air Walk. This afternoon we take the Channel Highway back to Hobart, traveling through little villages along the coast including Cygnet, the centre of the Huon Valley’s fruit-growing heritage where orchards and grape vines blanket the hills, and Kettering, a scenic waterside town with two jaw-dropping marinas on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch at Tahune Forest Cafe
Day 10 BLD) HOBART TO STRAHAN Monday 29 December 2025
We farewell Hobart and begin our journey to the 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 through to the geographical centre of Tasmania, Derwent Bridge. Here we view the beautiful carved works on the Wall in the Wilderness, depicting the hardship and perseverance of the people in the Central Highlands. After 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 into Queenstown and onto Strahan, our home for the next two nights.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch at Wilderness Hotel
Strahan Village| 2 nights
Day 11 (BLD) GORDON RIVER Tuesday 30 December 2025
Cruising down the iconic Gordon River 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 intriguing stories of the region, pass through Hell Gates, and step ashore on Sarah Island to see some of Australia’s oldest convict ruins. We quietly cruise on the Gordon River which gives us a chance to see the famous reflections of the forest against the dark, mysterious waters. The Huon Pine which can be found in this area is commonly known to live for 2000 years. The age of an ancient tree recently “discovered” was put at 10,000 years and if verified, will be recognised as the oldest on earth. We have the opportunity at Heritage Walk to see these and other trees of the dense forest close. What an incredible day!
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch included
Day 12 (BLD) STRAHAN – CRADLE MOUNTAIN – BURNIE Wednesday 31 December 2025
Cradle Mountain which forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, itself is a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania due to its spectacular beauty. This morning, we enjoyed a guided tour of the National Park and Dove Lake before arriving at the nearby Cradle Mountain Hotel for lunch. We also have some time for a wander through the unique purpose-built Wilderness Gallery, showcasing environmental photography. Our last stop in this area is a visit to Devils @ Cradle, a Tasmanian devil interpretation centre. Our specialist guide will introduce us to the lifestyle of the alpine Tasmanian devil. We then enter a special viewing area for our encounter with the real thing. We may see the devils sunbaking, sleeping in the dens, or running around in their enclosures. Our guide will gently handle some of the devils during our tour. From Cradle Mountain, we head north to the coastal town of Burnie for the next two nights. Subject to scheduling, we watch the early fireworks to bring in the New Year with friends.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | Lunch at Cradle Mountain Hotel
Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn | 2 nights
DAY 13 (BLD) THE FAR NORTHWEST Thursday 01 January 2026
Happy New Year 2026! This morning, we visit Woolnorth Station which covers more than 22,000 hectares in the far north-west corner of Tasmania. This property is owned by the Van Diemans Land Company which began in 1825 from a Royal Charter from King George IV. It is the only company in the world still operating under such a charter. Most of Tasmania’s native animals abound on Woolnorth Station including wallaby, wombat, echidna, bandicoot, platypus, sugar gliders, quolls, Tasmanian Devils, and others. In fact, the last four Tasmanian Tigers ever captured were caught at Woolnorth and sent to the Domain Zoo in Hobart. We will be accompanied by a Station Guide and have morning tea while we are here and after the tour lunch. This is our chance to breathe the world’s freshest air at Cape Grim, visit the Wind Farm, and enjoy a brief but spectacular coastline walk around Woolnorth Point – from the west coast around the point to the east coast! We now retrace our steps along the coast where we spend time in Stanley, a village with small craft shops, historic houses,s, and tea houses. A chairlift also operates to the summit of the Nut (optional). This has been another great day.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | Lunch at Woolnorth Station
Day 14 (BL) BURNIE TO SPIRIT OF TASSIE
Friday 02 January 2026
We start the day at Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens, we have time to wander the gardens, enjoy the tranquillity of this lush environment, and enjoy morning tea. Next, we visit Hellyers Road Distillery, a fascinating local whisky maker. We stay for lunch with views of the picturesque Emu Valley. On arrival in Devonport, we visit the Don River Railway Museum. Take a relaxing rail trip on the historic Melrose line to Coles Beach and on our return, we can look through the museum. There is no way better than ending our Tasmanian tour than having a visit to House Anvers Chocolate Factory. Later today we board the Spirit of Tasmania for our overnight crossing back to Geelong.
Spirit of Tasmania Porthole Cabin | 1 night
Breakfast in motel | lunch at Hellyers Road Distillery | dinner own arrangements and cost
Day 15 (BD) SPIRIT OF TASSIE TO GOULBURN Saturday 03 January 2026
After the coach has been unloaded, we head off for breakfast in Geelong. We then retrace our steps to Goulburn stopping along the way for breaks and to purchase lunch. Arriving in Goulburn for our last night on tour together.
Breakfast and dinner in motel | lunch own arrangements and cost
Day 16 (BL) GOULBURN TO HOME Sunday 04 January 2026
What a spectacular holiday to have experienced especially over Christmas and New Year. Discovering what Tasmania has to offer. Making tracks for Port Macquarie, we stop along the way for our morning break and lunch at the Ourimbah RSL before arriving home with a suitcase full of special memories.
Breakfast in motel | lunch at Ourimbah RSL
Tour Inclusions
• 13 nights of motel accommodation and 2 nights Spirit of Tasmania
• 15 motel breakfasts
• 13 motel dinners included and 2 dinners own expenses on Spirit of Tasmania
• 12 lunches – see below
• Entry, lunch and talk at Entally House
• Visit the city park to see Japanese Macaques
• Entry and guided tour of Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Museum
• Entry, tour and talk at Platypus House
• Tour and lunch at Seahorse World
• Visit Cataract Gorge
• Walk through gardens and lunch at the Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company, Evandale
• Christmas lunch at Wrest Point Hotel Casino, Hobart
• Stop at Tasman Arch & Devils Kitchen
• Entry, harbour cruise, a self-guided audio experience, and lunch at Port Arthur Historic Site
• Visit Salamanca Markets
• Locally guided tour of Hobart
• Entry, self-guided tour of the groundss and Convict women's tour at Cascades Female Factory
• Visit Geeveston Visitor Centre
• Entry, guided walk, and lunch at Tahune Adventures Tasmania
• Entry and morning tea at Salmon Ponds
• Lunch at the Wilderness Hotel
• Entry to the Wall in the Wilderness
• Heritage morning cruise - upper deck including lunch with World Heritage Cruises
• Park Explorer tour and Cradle Mountain Park Pass with McDermotts Coaches
• Lunch at Cradle Mountain Hotel
• Entry and daykeeper tour at Devils @ Cradle
• Tour, morning tea, and lunch with Woolnorth Tours
Tour Inclusions Continued
• Visit The Nut, Stanley
• Entry and morning tea at Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens
• Tour, tasting, and lunch at Hellyers Road Distillery
• Entry including museum tour at Don River Railway Museum
• Visit to The House of Anvers Chocolate Factory
• Lunch at the Ourimbah-Lisarow RSL Club
Please Note
• Price is based on a minimum of 30 paying passengers. If numbers fall below 30 passengers, this tour may need to be recosted.
• Price is valid for the above tour dates only and includes GST.
• Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.
For more information or to book;
Phone: 02 6583 3330
Email: admin@portbus.com.au
Website: https://www.portbus.com.au
Book Online: https://events.humanitix.com/tasmania-25
$9,220 pp twin | + $2,299 pp single sup | $1,250 deposit pp
The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Port Bus reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Port Bus will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.
Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:
42 days or more—loss of deposit
29-41 days: 50% of fare plus deposit
30 days before and the Day of departure: 100% of the fare.
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