Tour of Tassie
17th – 27th March 2014
The roads;
are based around the annual Targa Tasmania special stages. All sealed, they carry little traffic through breathtaking scenery with corners that are frequent and entertaining.
The accommodation;
utilises the best rooms in the very best hotels in Tasmania that I could find without going over the top on costs.
The food;
almost steals the show. Restaurants each night feature the best and freshest that Tasmania has to offer.
The schedule;
has been planned to be as flexible as possible. Apart from the overnight stops, you can set your own timetable. Follow the route chart through the Targa Stage Roads or take a short cut to the next stop for a spa and a nap or take time out to sight see or bushwalk through World Heritage Listed Areas.
The scenery is spectacular. All roads used have a good sealed surface. Traffic is very light and March is an ideal time of year.
The Vehicles;
The tour has been designed for you to bring your favourite Car. Previous tours have had a huge range of cars including classic Porsches, Ferraris, current model sports cars and family wagons. Whatever you are comfortable in will be fine. However, If you would like to try something a little bit different why not try one of our-
Porsche Boxster Hire Cars;
Our fleet will be available for hire for the tour a special rates.
The Cost;
At only$2500/person twin share, the tour is exceptional value. The price includes all accommodation, a cooked breakfast every morning, (except on the Ferry) return ferry tickets and a car space each way per couple, a comprehensive road book and I will be there to smooth the way.
The itinerary is;
Day 1.
Monday 17th March
Sydney – Corryong
The tour kicks off with a run down the Hume Highway to clear the city. There a few interesting side roads to keep you happy before taking to some magnificent mountain roads. Our stop for the night is a comfortable little hotel in the upper Murray Valley with a great restaurant and a pint of Guinness to help celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Day 2.
Tuesday 18th March
Corryong – Ferry
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| Leaving Melbourne – Tassie Bound |
The day starts with a lovely run along the Murray Valley before heading into the Victorian High Country. We take the evening ferry to Tasmania for an overnight cruise across Bass Straight.
Day 3.
Wednesday 19th March.
Devonport – Cradle Mountain
255 Km
Disembark in Devonport. 5 km later you will be driving your first Targa Stage Road. The route chart will lead you through a number of famous Targa Stages, through sweeping farmlands, forests and small villages. Tonight’s accommodation is at the Cradle Mountain Lodge.
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| Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain |
Day 4.
Thursday 20th March.
Cradle Mountain – Strahan
298 Km
There is time for a bushwalk before we hit the Targa Stages again. We start by winding through the mountain valleys of the northwest before tackling a very special snaking road to Zeehan. Then onto our overnight stay in the beautiful village of Strahan.
Day 5.
Friday 21st March.
Strahan – Hobart
310 Km
First thing this morning is one of the highlights of Targa Tasmania. A stage from the outskirts of Strahan to Queenstown. Used by Toyota, BMW and Porsche to test and refine their cars, this is a must for anyone who enjoys driving. From Queenstown we climb the barren slopes of Mt Lyall and head through the Franklin River wilderness to Mt Arrowsmith, the longest of the Targa stages. There are more stages as we drop into the Derwent Valley and our Hobart home, the Grand Chancellor where we have Harbour-view Rooms. Located on the edge of the CBD has proven to be a great base to explore Hobart.
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| Climbing Out Of Queenstown |
Day 6.
Saturday 22nd March.
A free day. Stay in bed, and then hit the Salamanca Markets. Visit some of the many historic sites around Hobart, go to the top of Mt Wellington or drive down to Port Arthur. A day to do your own thing.
Day 7.
Sunday 23rd March.
Hobart – Hobart
146 Km
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| Home Hill Winery |
Apple orchards and fishing villages set the scene for today as we head for the Huon Valley and the Targa Stages, which make up the Southern Loop. South of Huonville we will break away from the stage roads to visit Home Hill Winery and their great restaurant for lunch. The road home takes in some great stages around the foot of Mt Wellington. Dinner tonight is at one of the superb seafood restaurants scattered around the harbour.
Day 8.
Monday 24th March.
Hobart – Freycinet Lodge.
204 Km.
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| Freycinet Sunset |
A nice short day. First stop is at historic Richmond where we cross the oldest bridge in Australia before heading up the East Coast to the famous Freycinet Lodge. There are great bush walks to try or just soak up the scenery before dinner overlooking Coles Bay. Accommodation is in the Wineglass Deluxe Cabins and includes breakfast. Check them out at.
Day 9.
Tuesday 25th March.
Freycinet Lodge – Launceston.
337 Km
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From Freycinet we follow the coast north to Bicheno before turning inland onto the brilliantly named Elephant Pass. Home of one of the best pancake houses around and a great Targa stage. St Marys Pass takes us back to the coast and a shed that doubles as a café that serves fresh crayfish for lunch during the season. After lunch we will head to the Historic town of Longford, once home of the Australian Grand Prix and now a popular Targa Stage. There will be time to check out the memorabilia in the pub that Stan Jones once famously crashed into during the AGP. It is then just a short hop up the highway into Launceston.
Accommodation is at Peppers Seaport Hotel, which has a great restaurant ideal for a big final night dinner.
Day 10.
Wednesday 26th March.
Launceston – Devonport
238 Km
I have set a completely new final day in Tasmania, we start by taking in the wine areas north-east of Launceston before looping back through Beaconsfield before taking to some amazing lane-ways that wind our way back to Devonport in time to board the ferry for the trip back to Melbourne.
Day 11.
Thursday 27th March
Melbourne
Off the Ferry early Thursday morning, I have left the run home open. Some may want to head straight home or you can take the scenic run through the mountains or even extend the trip by taking in the Great Ocean Road.
The next step:
Let me if you would like to be included, I will arrange to take a deposit then keep you up to date with developments.