DAY 1 | MON 12 OCT (D)

Arrive Devonport

We begin the tour with an afternoon flight to Launceston then coach transfer to Devonport. Located on the banks of the Mersey River, gateway to the island’s scenic north-west. Check-in to our hotel for two nights. Welcome Dinner this evening.

Accommodation: Novotel, Devonport

DAY 2 | TUE 13 OCT (B/L)

Kaydale

Bob Cherry is a master nurseryman. Having travelled the world collecting plants, he has now retired to this beautiful corner of NorthWest Tasmania and made a beguiling new garden with an unforgettable sense of place. At the time of our visit, poppies, sweet peas and waratahs are picked daily. Spend time with Bob and Derelie this morning in their ‘Master’ garden. 

Travel on to Nietta and Kaydale Lodge Garden where two sisters work tirelessly to maintain and extend the garden their parents started. Superb stone walls and fences, astonishing pear walk, grand wisteria arbour, kitchen garden with new greenhouse, stand testament to their endeavours. And when the sun goes down, they get busy in the kitchen bottling, pickling and preserving their fruit and vegetables. In spring it’s awash with bulbs; tulips, fritillarias, erythroniums, trilliums and daffodils.

Accommodation: Novotel, Devonport

DAY 3 | WED 14 OCT (B/L/D)

Table Cape Tulip Farm

It’s all about tulips this morning at Van Diemen’s Tulip Farm on beautiful Table Cape, where tulips are planted in giant coloured bands across the landscape. You will think you are in Holland! 

Travel inland and enjoy lunch at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden. The combination of cool summers and almost frost-free conditions allow the 900 rhododendron species to grow happily. It’s exquisite! Head to Launceston and check-in to our unique

hotel for two nights. Peppers Silo Hotel is housed in a historic building with four 35m tall grain silos overlooking the Tamar River Basin and Cataract Gorge.

Accommodation: Peppers Silo, Launceston

DAY 4 | THU 15 OCT (B/L)

Tamar River

A day to explore this mighty river. The day starts with a ‘discovery’ tour of Launceston’s lovely old ‘heritage-listed’ city buildings. Seahorse World is next, at Beauty Point, near the mouth of the Tamar. Last stop today is a wine tasting at Waterton Hall cool climate winery with its 1860's grand old manor house and stunning suite of gardens on the Tamar River. 

Accommodation: Peppers Silo, Launceston

DAY 5 | FRI 16 OCT (B/L)

Woolmers Estate

Clarendon Estate is one of Australia’s most imposing and romantic pastoral homesteads. This magnificent house, attributed to convict architect, James Blackburn, features a double storey portico reminiscent of the mansions of the American South. Clarendon was built in 1838 and is set in seven hectares of parklands on the banks of the South Esk River. 

Next learn the fascinating story of the Archer Family at the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Woolmers Estate which is a unique reflection of colonial life and has beautiful gardens reflective of the period. Lunch is included today at Woolmers. We’ll

then continue on the Midland Highway to Hobart with a stop in historic Oatlands on the shores of Lake Dulverton, known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and the Callington Mill. Check-in to our hotel for three nights in the heart of Hobart.

Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel, Hobart

DAY 6 | SAT 17 OCT (B/L)

Huon Valley

The famous Salamanca market this morning. Then we’re heading down the Huon Valley for a visit to Willie Smith’s Apple Shed to learn about the history of the apple industry in the Huon, and the various heirloom apple varieties. Crawleighwood Garden & Nursery is our last stop today, a four-hectare garden featuring rhododendrons, maple woodlands and Gondwanan rainforest species.

DAY 7 | SUN 18 OCT (B/D)

Corinda Cottage

Corinda Cottage this morning, a beautifully restored Victorian villa wrapped in a masterfully executed garden, laid out in a series of rooms, defined by yew and box hedges. Free time this afternoon to explore Hobart or an optional visit to the phenomenal MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). Mona’s subterranean architecture showcases David Walsh’s $110m private collection of art and antiquities. Farewell dinner at famous Mures Upper Deck restaurant this evening.

Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel, Hobart

DAY 8 | MON 19 OCT (B/L)