Tour of Tassie
8th – 18th October 2012
The Tasmania Tour is on October 8-18. I have made bookings for a group of 10 couples in the locations set out below.
My idea for the tour was for those who enjoy driving, fine dining and comfortable accommodation.
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 October 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; is $2500/person twin share. This include 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.
Leave Sydney. Take the Highway to Gundagai then onto some great roads trough Tumut, Batlow, Tumbarumba before crossing the Murray and into Corryong. There is a comfortable Motel there that has a great restaurant.
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| Leaving Melbourne – Tassie Bound |
More great roads as we head into Melbourne via the Murray Valley before climbing into the high country to Mansfield before winding our way down the Yarra Valley. Then board the Spirit of Tasmania for an overnight cruise across Bass Straight.
I have booked Porthole Twin Cabins and a car spot for each couple.
http://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/
Devonport – Cradle Mountain
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 Chateau.
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| Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain |
Cradle Mountain – Strahan
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 a waterfront cottage at The Strahan Village.
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 Wrest Point Casino 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 |
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.
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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.
Hobart – Freycinet Lodge.
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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.
http://www.freycinetlodge.com.au/
Freycinet Lodge – Launceston.
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.. It is then just a short hop up the highway into Launceston. Accommodation is at the Country Club Casino, which has a great restaurant ideal for a big final night dinner.
As a farewell to Tassie roads today’s stages will include tour 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 an easy run back to Devonport in time to board the ferry for the trip back to Melbourne.
Off the Ferry early Thursday morning and back to the real world. I have left the return trip open. You may want to extend your tour with a cruise along the Great Ocean Road, spend a few days in Melbourne or head up the Hume for home.
Let me if you would like to be included, I will keep you up to date with developments
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david@drivingadventures.com.au
