Tassie Here I Come!

So I leave for Tasmania tomorrow and can't wait!!! Tasmania... The Apple Isle! Wilderness, wines, ancient rivers and mountains, primordial trees, convict built heritage, clean green gourmet foods and produce, wide open spaces with small scale towns and country life on the land, wooden boats and deep harbours are just some of the features that sum up this island across the Tasman Sea from the Australian mainland.

Tasmania is an island roughly the size of West Virginia, located 240 km off the south-east corner of mainland Australia. Next stop south is Antarctica, 2000 km away. Encircled by the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, Tasmanians breathe the world’s cleanest air and rejoice in pure water and fertile soils – their wine and food are acclaimed around the world.

Tasmania is a natural island, a land of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. Over a third of the state is reserved in a network of National Parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge and habitat for rare plants and animals, including survivors of the ancient southern super continent, Gondwana. Tasmania’s European heritage dates back to the early 1800s, while Tasmanian Aboriginals first reached here 40,000 years ago.

Climate

Spring is cool, fresh and green, with average highs of 17 C (63 F) and lows around 6 C (42 F). Tasmania is the place to be as nature bursts into life.

Itinerary

Day 1: Wednesday 7th April

Early Start!

6:15am Bus pick up.

8:15am
Flight Melbourne-Launceston

9:15am Arrive Launceston
Jetstar JQ735

10:15am Visit Cataract Gorge

12:00pm Depart for Lunch @ food court
Grocery shopping also available Lunch not provided by IES
Corner Brisbane and Wellington st

2pm Depart for Coles Bay

5pm Arrive Coles Bay, Iluka Holiday Centre – dormitories Esplanade, Coles Bay.
Ph: 03 6257 0115

5pm + Optional run and Polar Bear swim

6:45pm Dinner @ Iluka Tavern

Day 2: Thursday 8th April

Wine Glass Bay hike, Strawberry Farm and Ghost tour

7:00am to 8am Breakfast
Breakfast / lunch provided by IES It’s EARLY !!!
Cut Lunch – make your own sandwich – food provided by IES.

8am Breakfast clean up

8:30am Check out of accommodation.
Depart for ½ day hike to Wineglass Bay. Bring lunch. Please pack all your belongings and place suitcases / bags on bus

Please wear enclosed shoes for the walk. Bring lunch, water bottle, and sunscreen, and snacks.

1pm Transfer to Fruit Farm

2pm Afternoon tea @ Kate’s Berry Farm 12 Addison Street, Swansea
Ph: (03) 6257 8428

6pm Arrive at Parsons Bay Retreat 1583 Nubeena Road, Nubeena
Ph: (03) 6250 2000

6:15pm Dinner @ Iluka Tavern Ph: 6257 0429‎

7:30pm Depart for Port Arthur Ghost Tour (approx 1.5 hours) Ghost tour starts at 8:15pm

10:30pm Return to accommodation

Day 3: Friday 9th April

Port Arthur Historic site and Devil Park

7:15am to 8am Breakfast @ hotel

8:30am Check out of Parsons Bay Retreat. Bus transfer to Port Arthur Historic Site. Please pack all your belongings and place suitcases / bags on bus

10:45am Transfer to Tassie Devil Park

11:15am Raptor display @ Tassie Devil Park

1:00pm Transfer to Lunch

1:30pm Lunch @ Murdunna Store Ph: 6253 5196‎

3:30pm Meadow Bank Winery –wine tasting 699 Richmond Rd, Cambridge
Ph: 6248 4484

4:30pm Arrive Hobart. Check in to Old Woolstore Hotel 1 Macquarie St, Hobart
Ph: (03) 6235 5355

Free afternoon and evening – see “Things to do” section of booklet Dinner not provided by IES
Suggestions - Ethiopian or Pizza:
*Axum Ethiopian Restaurant – 1/112 Liverpool St, 0400836074, ~$15
*Sublime Pizza – 145 Elizabeth St, 62312292, sml $12, fam $24

Day 4: Saturday 10th April

Salamanca Markets and Mountain biking

Time Activity Detail
8:30am Walk to Salamanca Market If your feeling tired have a sleep in. This is an optional activity!!

12:30pm Depart for Mountain Biking adventure Breakfast and lunch not provided by IES, please purchase food at Market.

3:30pm Conclude mountain biking

3:30pm + Free afternoon – see “Things to do” section of booklet

6:30pm Group Dinner – Sakura Sushi 77 Liverpool St, Hobart
Ph: (03) 6234 8886

Day 5: Sunday 11th April

Laser Skirmish in the bush

Time Activity Detail
8:00am Breakfast @ hotel

9:30am Depart for Laser skirmish Please pack all your belongings and place suitcases / bags on bus

1pm Depart Laser Skirmish

1:30pm Lunch @ Elizabeth St, Nth Hobart
Lunch not provided by IES, please purchase food in town.

3:15pm Depart for Flight Hobart-Melbourne Qantas QF1012; 4:50pm

6pm Arrive Melbourne Airport

7pm Arrive @ Melbourne University

Well, thats my itinerary! Should be lots of fun and I will make sure to take lots of pictures!