Welcome to Tasmania! Upon arrival at Launceston Airport, make your way to the AVIS car rental counter to collect your vehicle. After receiving the keys, make your way to your deluxe room at the Grand Chancellor Launceston where you'll be staying for the next two nights. As a bonus, daily breakfast is included with your stay.

Note: situated at the airport entrance adjacent to the passenger terminal, the Avis car rental office is easy to find. The counter is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Sunday, 7:00 AM to 9:15 PM on Monday to Friday, and 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturday.

Today, explore the old and new facets of Launceston's Seaport precinct on a Tamar River Cruise. Departing from Home Point, you'll learn about the history of Launceston's seaport, Kings Wharf, heritage properties, and of course, the spectacular Cataract Gorge. On the cruise, you'll see the gorge from the perspective of the water and enjoy a unique experience on-board the 1890's replica Lady Launceston.

After the cruise, head over to Josef Chromy Tasmania to ‘Go Behind The Label’ and explore the winemaking process from grape to glass. This informative yet informal opportunity allows you to learn more about how a vineyard works and how the grapes develop throughout the season. You'll even taste some wines in their unfinished state before heading to the cellar door for a 2-course lunch of fine Tasmanian produce matched with wines. 

(Please reconfirm your Josef Chromy  tour 48 hours prior to arriving . Please wear sturdy, enclosed shoes and bring a jacket as you'll be outside and entering a working winery.)

Today, drive to Freycinet. The two most popular options for today's drive are:

1 - Drive from Launceston straight to Coles Bay. Arrive by lunchtime, explore the town or enjoy a walk or a drive along Esplanade.

2 - Alternatively, and our recommended option, take a longer drive visiting Bridestowe Lavender Estate and the picturesque sea town of St Helen along the way. 

Bridestowe Lavender Estate is located about 50 minute drive from Launceston and it is the largest lavender farm in the Southern Hemisphere. Activities and events change throughout the year with the seasons. Generally speaking, in summer you will find lavender flowers in bloom and it's perhaps the most photogenic time of the year. While during autumn lavender flowers are pruned to stimulate growth, the Estate gardens come to life with changing colour leaves. Winter is the quietest season. Sitting in front of the fire, coffee in hand and watching snow covered Mount Arthur is the name of the game. During Spring many bulbs and shrubs in the gardens come to life once more to complement the landscape. For up to date information on what to do during your trip, visit Bridestowe Lavender Estate's website.

Once ready, continue driving to St Helens, the largest town on Tasmania's north-east coast and just a few kilometres away from Binalong Bay and the southern end of the beautiful beaches of the Bay of Fires. Options for a light lunch or coffee and cake abound abound in St Helens.

Finally, continue driving south to Freycinet Lodge, your accommodation for tonight. Settle into your one-room cabin with stunning views of Great Oyster Bay and The Hazards mountain range, and enjoy a 3-course dinner at the lodge's restaurant.

Option 1 approximate distance driven: 180km

Option 2 approximate distance driven: 310km

Today, you'll embark on the Wineglass Bay cruise, which transports you from the gentle coves of Coles Bay along the Freycinet coast to one of the world's best beaches at Wineglass Bay. On your fully guided morning cruise, your experienced skipper will share their vast local knowledge as you explore the Freycinet Peninsula's stunning coastline in a way that few visitors can.

Cruise beneath the ruggedly beautiful pink granite cliffs that rise from the Tasman Sea, skirt forested capes, and discover hidden, sea-swept bays. En route, you'll encounter some of the Peninsula's remarkable wildlife, including graceful white bellied sea eagles and prolific seabirds. Keep watch for pods of sleek dolphins, cavorting seals, or if you're lucky, the unforgettable sight of majestic whales on their yearly migration.

Today we have reserved the Sky Lounge for you. The Sky Lounge is on the upper deck of Schouten Passage II. The adults only lounge with banquette style seating for up to 26 passengers provides an intimate experience, with direct access to the Captain's bridge and private viewing deck. Morning tea, lunch and beverages are included. Enjoy a smorgasbord of plump local oysters, alongside salmon and smoked meats, breads, cheeses and salad served with the east coast's renowned wines and artisan brews.

Leave Freycinet behind and drive south towards Port Arthur. On the way, you may want to pay a visit to the historic towns of Ross and Richmond.

Ross is arguably the finest nineteenth century village in Australia. The Ross Bridge, Australia's third oldest bridge still standing, is possibly the most beautiful of its kind left in the world. The detail of its 186 carvings by convict stonemasons was deemed of such high quality that it won the men a free pardon.

Continue driving south to Richmond - a picture-perfect town in the heart of the Coal River Valley wine region that tells the story of an early Australian colonial village. 

Head onwards to Bangor Vineyard Shed, an award-winning family-owned vineyard located near Dunally. Begin your visit in the private wine tasting room, where you will be guided through a selection of five Bangor wines, paired with a light platter of seasonal produce. Learn about the wines, vineyard, and the history of the Bangor property during this 40 minute experience.

After your wine tasting experience, move into the dining room for lunch from Bangor's seasonal menu. You can select any dish from the menu and enjoy a glass of wine of your choice included with lunch. With its proximity to the Port Arthur Historic Site, this is a perfect location from which to explore the charm of Port Arthur.

Approximate driving distance: 240km

Please note: Port Arthur Villas doesn’t have the facilities for breakfast. There are numerous cafes near the property and a general store where you can purchase breakfast, alternatively self catering is possible as villa has a kitchenette.

Embark on an unforgettable 3-hour wilderness cruise along the spectacular coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck in southern Tasmania. The Tasman Island cruise departs from the booking centre located next to the Port Arthur General Store. Please arrive and check-in by 9.15am.

The cruise travels beneath the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar, where you can explore waterfalls, rock formations, archways, and deep-sea caves. The coastline is part of the Tasman National Park, home to a variety of wildlife, including hundreds of seals, migrating whales, and abundant sea birds in their thousands. You're likely to see diving gannets, albatross, and sea eagles wheeling on the wind, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons, or a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow wave of the boat. Dress warmly for the cruise (warm jackets, scarves, beanies, and gloves are recommended). Wet weather gear will be provided on the boat.

After the cruise, visit Devils Kitchen and explore Eaglehawk Neck and Tessellated Pavement on your way to Hobart.

Later in the evening, dine at The Lounge by Frogmore Creek Bar & Restaurant, situated on the Hobart Waterfront overlooking the city and Kunanyi, with views capturing an aspect of Hobart City and Mt. Wellington that are unsurpassed. 

Enjoy a 4-course dinner paired with a glass of Frogmore Creek 2018 Sparkling Cuvee.

Approximate driving distance: 100km

Leave the car parked today and sail from Hobart to MONA on one of their super-flash ferries, featuring onboard bars if you want to get the wine flowing early. Once you arrive at MONA, explore the museum and grounds at your own pace. Work up an appetite for a delicious lunch of fresh, locally sourced produce in one of their on-site restaurants, featuring a matched Moorilla wine.

Fed and watered, you will meet with your expert Moorilla host, who’ll walk you down to the vineyard.

Covering the rich history of Moorilla and the finer points of our winemaking techniques as you go. The stroll will wind up back at the sun-drenched Moorilla cellar door, where you will settle in for some future tasting of the Moorilla range before heading back to Hobart on the early evening 5pm ferry.

Today your Tasmanian Gourmet Road Trip comes to an end. Farewell Hobart as you make your own way to the airport (rental car drop off can be at the airport depot) for your onward flight or to continue the next part of your journey.

Approximate driving distance: 20km 

Note: The Avis car rental office at Hobart Airport is easy to find. The counter is located in the Terminal Building. The counter is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. from Sunday to Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. If you want to return your vehicle after hours, please place the completed contract with your car keys in the key drop box.