Tasmania
April 13, 2122
This is our signature event and one of the most popular we conduct each year.
Tasmania is always a wonderful tourist destination, but I like to think that our unique take on this tour turns a great holiday into a truly memorable one, setting an event for those who enjoy driving, fine dining and comfortable accommodation.
The accommodation utilises the best rooms in the very best hotels that Tasmania has to offer. With such iconic hotels as Cradle Mountain Lodge. Stay in Luxury in the heart of the wild west coast at Strahan. Spend 2 wonderful nights in the heart of Hobart and spoil ourselves at Peppers in Launceston.
The Dinners
These are a true highlight. Tasmania is renowned for their fine food and wines and we make the most of all that the state has to offer. Mures Seafood, Home Hill Vineyard, The Tamar Valley are all amongst the best in the country.
The Roads
Well, the roads are the basis of our tour. The route is loosely based around a series of Targa Tasmania Stage Roads but we do not have the restrictions that the Targa has to comply with so we can explore an amazing array of roads that are not available to Targa organisers. All roads are sealed and typical of Tasmania have a great surface. Best of all is that the roads wind through some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere.
The Schedule
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 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
Day 1
Board the ferry Spirit of Tasmania for an overnight cruise to Devonport, Tasmania. I have arranged port-hole cabins for everyone and of course a spot for your car below decks. Watch the lights of the mainland disappear over a beverage before getting a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
Ferry –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. There is plenty of time for a walk or just relax before dinner.
Day 3
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. There is even time to visit a Whisky Distillery before tackling a very special snaking road to Zeehan. Then onto our overnight stay in the beautiful village of Strahan where we stay in waterfront cottages in the heart of the village.
Day 4
Strahan–Hobart
310Km
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 Old Woolstore, located on the edge of the CBD has proven to be a great base to explore Hobart with easy walk to restaurants and Salamanca Place.
Day 5
Hobart–Hobart
146 Km
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.
OR
Give yourself the day off. Stay in bed, and then hit the shops around the waterfront and/or MONA. 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 6
Hobart–Freycinet Lodge
204 Km
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 Peninsula. There are great bush walks to try or just soak up the scenery before another spectacular dinner in the main lodge.
Day 7
Freycinet–Launceston
307 Km
From Freycinet we continue along the coast 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. We will do a quick side trip to the famous Pub in the Paddock and check out the cheese at the Holy Cow Cafe. Later 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 Hotel, which has a great restaurant ideal for a big final night dinner.
Day 8
Launceston–Devonport
238 Km
I have set a very special 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 9
Melbourne
Off the Ferry early Sunday 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
$8,000
Per Car – 2 People
The Cost
The Cost of the tour is $8,000/couple, represents great value for such a memorable tour. The price includes a port hole cabin and car spot each way on the Spirit of Tasmania, all accommodation and breakfast each morning with the exception of Strahan and the Ferry trips. You will receive a detailed roadbook that explains the route in detail as well as facts and fables on the areas we pass through, As always I will be there to smooth your way and lend assistance along the way.
Booking
There are limited places available for this tour. Places on the tour will be allocated on a first in basis. To secure a place you will need to provide an initial non-refundable deposit of $5,000. Further non-refundable deposits will be required on the lead up to the tour. Usually 6 months and then 3 months prior to the tour.
