Hobart to Launceston - Eastcoaster

DAY 1 HOBART (12 kms)

Pick up your THRIFTY MEDIUM SEDAN rental car at the Hobart City Depot or Hobart Airport Depot and make your way to you overnight accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Hobart and its surrounds.

Maybe visit MONA – Museum of Old and New Art. MONA houses a collection that ranges from ancient Egyptian mummies to some of the world’s most infamous and thought-provoking contemporary art. The building’s subterranean design and the owner’s unconventional and challenging curatorial approach make it a must-see for any visitor to Australia. MONA takes a different approach to interpretation: there are no labels or wall texts. Instead, visitors are given a touch-screen device, which is sensitive to their location in the museum – showing them works in their proximity. Called the ‘O’, it allows visitors to select the level of information they need and to vote for works they ‘hate’ or ‘love’.

DAY 2

Today we suggest a visit to Port Arthur, approximately 100kms from your accommodation. Travel via the Arthur Highway, past the towns of Midway Point and Dunalley. Continue onto the Tasman Peninsula, which is joined to Tasmania by an isthmus of land known as Eaglehawk Neck, and then onto Taranna.

PORT ARTHUR is a symbol of Australia's 19th century convict system. The settlement operated from 1830 to 1877 as a timber producing sawing station, and later as an industrial prison. After the closure, most of the land and buildings were auctioned off, with new residents renaming it Carnarvon. Following bushfires in 1895, the old settlement has now been restored and is today, Tasmania's premier historic site.

A visit to the Bush Mill Pioneer Park is worthwhile, or perhaps a visit to the Tasmanian Devil Park. Other natural attractions on the Tasman Peninsula that should not be missed include the Blow Hole, Tasman's Arch and the Devil's Kitchen (unusual coastal rock formations). In the evening, you can attend "Ghost tours" where you walk around the settlement with a guide who tells of all the ghosts who still "live" in the area!

DAY 2 BERRIEDALE (Hobart) – COLES BAY (225 kms)

Departing Berridale today, travel via the National Highway 1 to the town of Sorell where you join the Tasman Highway through the towns of Triabunna, Swansea, Cranbrook, Apslawn and Llandaff. At Llandaff follow the signs to Coles Bay/Freycinet National Park.

SWANSEA lies on Great Oyster Bay opposite Freycinet Peninsula. The area is noted for safe swimming and good fishing. There are several historic buildings in the town including Morris’ General Store, operated by the Morris family for over 100 years. The Swansea Bark Mill processed black wattle bark, used in colonial times in the tanning industry. It is now a museum. There are colonies of short-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds) and fairy penguins nearby and dusk is generally the best time to catch a glimpse of these often shy creatures. To the south, Mayfield Bay Coastal Reserve has sandy beaches that are great for swimming, surfing, diving and fishing. There are fine views across the bay to Freycinet National Park. Nearby, the convict-built Spiky Bridge has a most unusual construction.

COLES BAY - is nestled beside the world famous Freycinet National Park where spectacular red granite peaks plunge deep into the Ocean. The park itself has long been recognised and was proclaimed in 1916 as a flora and fauna reserve. Now it covers 11 000 hectares and boasts a variety of vegetation including wattles, oyster bay pines, grass trees and banksias with the predominant feature being its coastal heathlands. Secluded swimming areas can be found on the east coast of the park such as Wineglass Bay with spectacular sandy beaches.

DAY 3 COLES BAY

Today is yours to explore the region at your leisure. The Coles Bay-Freycinet National Park area is noted for its spectacular coastal scenery and its emphasis on fishing, boating, bushwalking and swimming. Where else would you find granite mountains rising straight from the sea to form a magnificent sheltered waterway? Walk into the park and climb the Hazards or the mountains to the south, both of which offer marvellous views across the bay and out across the Tasman Sea. Or drive on the rough roads through the National Park stopping for a spectacular view or pulling off the road to go swimming in the clear, safe waters of the bay.

DAY 4 COLES BAY – BINALONG BAY (123 kms)

Depart Coles Bay/Freycinet National Park today and travel back to the Tasman Highway. Drive through the towns of Bicheno, Four Mile Creek, Scamander and Beaumaris, St Helens to arrive at Binalong Bay.

BICHENO is one of Tasmania’s most popular holiday resorts, offering visitors pristine white beaches, sparkling ocean waters and the bustling atmosphere of a seaside town. Bicheno is a favourite with anglers who fish off the rocks, in the surf or go deep-sea fishing. Two lookouts offer magnificent view of the harbour via walking tracks. Whaler’s outlook in particular allows visitors to take in much of the coastline. Off the main beach is Diamond Island, home to the fairy penguin, which can be reached at low tide. Keep an eye on the time and tide because the behaviour of the penguins can be very absorbing and you may find that you have to swim back to the beach.

ST HELENS is protected by Georges Bay and is the easternmost town in Tasmania. The beaches offer safe swimming and other waters sports such as sailing and water skiing. A cycling and walking track follows this magnificent foreshore from the bridge at St Helens. With many reserves and parks, the area is ideal for walking and St Helens Point State Recreation Area is a great place to start, with coast views and impressive sand dunes. St Helens History Room showcases the region’s tin mining history and Aboriginal and Chinese heritage.

BINALONG BAY is the entrance to the Bay of Fires and one of Tasmania’s most beautiful beaches providing some great views and walks along the coastline.

DAY 5 BINALONG BAY - LAUNCESTON (175 kms)

Depart Binalong Bay today and rejoin the Tasman Highway passing through the towns of Moorina, Scottsdale Nunamarra to arrive at Launceston.

SCOTTSDALE is situated in the regional heart of the north-east of Tasmania and is the centre of a rich agriculture, dairy and forest industry. Sliding Range Lookout on the highway to the east is a pleasant picnic location with interesting walking trails. Cuckoo Falls and the Tonganah hop fields are located just outside of the town and the Bridestowe Lavender Farm to the west is delightful, especially in January when the lavender is in full bloom.

Return your vehicle to the Launceston Airport depot or Launceston city Thrifty Depot.

COST & HOTEL DETAILS

Hobart ~ Launceston: East Coast

BOUTIQUE

VALID 01 APRIL 2012 to 31 MARCH 2013

Cost from AUD2023.00 per person twin share

BERRIEDALE: MONA PAVILLIONS

655 Main Road

BERRIEDALE TAS 7011

TEL: (03) 6277 9900

COLES BAY: SAFFIRE

2352 Coles Bay Road

Coles Bay TAS 7215

TEL: (03) 6256 7888

BINALONG BAY: BED IN THE TREETOPS B&B

701 Binalong Bay Road

Binalong Bay TAS 7216

TEL: (03) 6376 1318

Please note: If clients wish to extend their stay in any destination, please contact ATS Pacific for additional cost of accommodation and car rental.

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