Launceston to Hobart - Tasmanian Highlights

This itinerary is not available for travel from June to September.

DAY 1 LAUNCESTON – CRADLE MOUNTAIN (150 kms)

Pick up your THRIFTY MEDIUM SEDAN rental car at the Launceston City Depot or Launceston Airport Depot and commence drive via Deloraine, Elizabeth Town, Moltema, Sheffield, Gowrie Park and Daisy Dell to arrive at Cradle Mountain.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN – LAKE ST. CLAIR NATIONAL PARK is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The wildlife most commonly seen in the park are Bennett’s wallabies, rufus wallabies and potoroos. Bird life consists of parrots, birds of prey and numerous smaller bush birds. Vehicle access is only possible to Cradle Valley in the north of the park, and Lake St. Clair in the south. Lake St. Clair is the deepest lake in Australia.

A short walk from the Cradle Mountain Lodge is the Visitor Centre where there is a good source of information about the fauna and flora in the region as well as the walks available ranging from gentle nature rambles and day walks to the internationally famous Overland Track.

DAY 2 CRADLE MOUNTAIN

Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience the spectacular scenery around the lodge and the National Park. Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife ensure there is always something to captivate you. A visit will reveal why. Take a walk through various terrains, from pandanus and wildflowers to Tasmanian myrtle and King William pine forests. Visitors planning to take any of the lengthier walks are well advised to be prepared for changing weather conditions.

DAY 3 CRADLE MOUNTAIN – STRAHAN (155 kms)

Depart Cradle Mountain and travel to the Murchison Highway, where you will head south-west, past the towns of Tullah, Rosebery and Zeehan to reach Strahan.

ZEEHAN is rich in both history and minerals and the discovery of silver and lead in 1882 saw it become the third largest settlement in the early 1900s. Many historic buildings line the main street of Zeehan and one of the best mining displays and history of the region can be found at the West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum.

STRAHAN, located on the Tasmanian west coast, is the gateway to South West World Heritage National Park - one of the world's most beautiful cool climate rainforests. The town is situated on beautiful Macquarie Harbour and was once a penal colony, until 1833 when the convicts were all moved to Port Arthur on the east coast. Macquarie Harbour is also the departure point for cruises on the magnificent Gordon River - a major sightseeing attraction. (We suggest pre-booking this cruise).

DAY 4 STRAHAN

Today is yours to tour Strahan and its surrounds at your will. Ocean Beach, 6 km west of Strahan, is Tasmania's longest beach, 33 km in length. Keep an eye out here for the platypuses inhabiting the small creeks that run to the beach. There is also a muttonbird (shearwater) rookery here in season (October to March). Along this stretch of beach are the Henty Sand Dunes, the largest moving dune system in Tasmania, with guided 4 wheel motor bike tours available. If you decide to explore the beach on your own in a 4WD vehicle, beware of quicksand in some locations, particularly in the winter.

There are some pleasant diversions close to the town. These include the Peoples Park Rainforest Walk to Hogarth Falls, Strahan Historic Foreshore Walkway, Swan Bay picnic area and lookout and West Strahan beach, where there is safe swimming and a barbeque and picnic area. The lookout at Water Tower Hill has fine views over the town and harbour.

DAY 5 STRAHAN – HOBART (290 kms)

Depart Strahan via the Lyell Highway, travelling past the towns of Queenstown, Derwent Bridge, Lawrenny, New Norfolk and Granton to reach Hobart.

A detour well worthwhile taking today is to leave the Lyell Highway at Lawrenny and travel via Ellendale to the beautiful Mt Field National Park. A major highlight here is a visit to magnificent Russell Falls. Departing Russell Falls, travel via the towns of Westerway and Glenora to rejoin the Lyell Highway at Gretna, and continue on to Hobart. This detour is approximately 75km to the eastern side of the National Park.

LAKE ST CLAIR has an excellent Eco Centre and restaurant. It is only approximately 5 minutes off the highway and well worth a lunch stop, if this fits in with your itinerary.

MT. FIELD NATIONAL PARK is Tasmania’s oldest National Park. The striking landscape of the park is bountiful in flora, from rainforest to towering forests of swamp gum, stringybarks and conifers. The bird and animal life is abundant and major attractions are the Lady Barron, Horseshoe and Russell Falls.

HOBART is the smallest of Australia's state capitals. It is situated on the Derwent River, one of the deepest harbours in the world. The old city centre, with its wealth of colonial buildings, clusters around Sullivans Cove, backed by wooded slopes rising to the often snow-capped peak of Mount Wellington. Its limited size, rich architectural heritage and beautiful setting make Hobart a delight to explore. Please note, each Saturday there is an excellent market in Salamanca.

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

COST & HOTEL DETAILS

Launceston ~ Hobart: West Coast

BOUTIQUE

VALID 01 APRIL 2012 to 31 MARCH 2013

Cost from AUD672.00 per person twin share

CRADLE MOUNTAIN: CRADLE MOUNTAIN LODGE

Cradle Mountain TAS 7306

TEL: (03) 6492 1303

STRAHAN: ORMISTON HOUSE

1 The Esplanade

Strahan TAS 7468

TEL: (03) 6471 7077

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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