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Day 1 - Hobart,
Moorilla Estate, 2 nights
On arrival in Hobart collect your hire car for the
short drive south and your 2 night stay at Moorilla
Estate. Moorilla’s luxury chalets have glorious panoramic
views across the Derwent River, they are fully
self-contained and have been built with privacy,
indulgence, relaxation and comfort in mind. Each has king
sized beds & glass bathrooms with luxurious spa baths for
two.
Be sure to allow time to enjoy the Estate, Hobart’s
vineyard in the city and established by wine pioneer
Claudio Alcorso in 1958. This was the first vineyard to
make major plantings of pinot noir grapes, now Tasmania’s
most successful red-wine grape. The cellar door and
wonderfully sited restaurant are open every day. Sales,
tastings, cheese platters and winery tours are available.
Moorilla also boasts a world-class Museum of Antiquities.
Day 2 - Discover
Hobart & the south east
A day to enjoy Hobart, a city that blends heritage,
scenery and vibrant culture around its location on the
Derwent River. Take a harbour cruise, or drive to the
summit of Mt Nelson or Mt Wellington, and immediately
understand the maritime focus - Hobart’s suburbs hug the
Derwent River, city buildings cluster around the docks and
the estuary broadens into Storm Bay and the distant sea.
Twenty-five kilometres and 100 years from the city is the
historic town of Richmond, wander the narrow cells of the
old gaol and feel Tasmania’s convict past. Close by are
the neat vineyards and wineries of the Coal River Valley,
home of superb cool-climate wines.
From the historic town of Richmond cross the narrow
isthmus to Port Arthur’s Historic Site and travel a route
that is steeped in convict history and rich in natural
beauty. The Tasman Peninsula is a place of breathtaking
seascapes, some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world,
and wild ocean views. The road passes through rolling
farmlands and little villages, past vineyards, artists’
studios and sweeping bays.
Day 3 - To Calstock, 2
nights
Heading north to Launceston the stories of convicts,
farmers, bushrangers, writers and painters unfold as you
cross land first cleared by Aborigines for hunting, then
settled by European farmers. Pass through Georgian
villages that were once overnight stops for travellers in
horse-drawn carriages, look out for whimsical hedge shapes
and gracious homesteads.
Calstock’s nearest town - Deloraine is set against the
backdrop of the spectacular Great Western Tiers, a
protected World Heritage Area featuring a chain of
mountains that holds more than 3,000 lakes. The towns
charming buildings from the 1830s and 1840s now house
galleries, restaurants and studios.
Calstock, set in a private park overlooking Deloraine, is
a grand, National Trust listed mansion in Georgian style
and was built by a prosperous gentleman farmer of the
colonial era. While still part of a working farm, the
house has been beautifully restored in gracious period
style. Each of the spacious upstairs bedrooms has a unique
colour scheme and decor. Downstairs an elegant hallway
leads into a spacious drawing room with marble fireplace;
a dining room, a library-TV room and breakfast room.
Your French born hosts - Ginette and Remi Bancal serve
breakfast (on the verandah in summer) and by arrangement
imaginative dinners based on organic local produce. A
former sommelier Remi prides himself on his wine cellar.
Day 4 -
A day of pleasure to suit your tastes
Close to Calstock, The Great Western Tiers is an
ancient landscape of limestone caves and timeless valleys
of farming villages first settled in the early 1800s. The
area is popular for its walks, waterfalls, historic homes,
gardens, artists and craftspeople.
Spend the day visiting Cradle Mountain or Mole Creek Karst
National Park that contains more than 200 caves that began
to form 30 million years ago. With a guide you can tour
some of the caves and see animals that dwell in the dark,
lofty stalagmites, streams that disappear into the ground
and glow-worms that twinkle like the stars.
Or spend the day touring the Tamar Valley’s wine route. As
well as the many picturesque vineyards that produce
Tasmania’s famous cool-climate wines, you’ll discover
enchanting seahorses at Beauty Point, and the historic
pilot station at Low Head that offers tall ship cruises
around the Tamar River mouth.
Day 5 -
Departure
Return your hire car to Launceston Airport in time for
your departure flight.
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Options & Upgrades
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Extend by a day and circle
back to Hobart – taking the alternative
route -
Up-grade your car to a
luxury vehicle -
Nature lovers should extend
and visit Bruny Island, either self-drive or
hosted
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