If you only have a short time in the northern part of Tasmania, then this Day Tour of Northern Tasmania is a great way to see, what we consider, some of the best highlights of the Tamar and Mersey Valley Area. This, almost 12 hour tour, fully guided by an experienced and professional driver with excellent local knowledge, will provide you with a very memorable time not only seeing very scenic places, but experiencing different Tasmanian food, getting up close and personal to native wildlife and a better understanding of local history in this part of Tasmania.

Is this tour suitable for you?

We feel this tour has something for everyone and although some limited walking is involved it is ideal for the walker looking for a more relaxing, scenic tour.

Where does the tour take us?

Departing Launceston early we travel through historic small  towns and villages including Hadspen, Carrick, Hagley, Westbury, Exton and Deloraine. Although many of these small towns and villages have Irish names with the many deciduous trees and   English hawthorn hedgerows, it was for some years known as “Little England”. 

Ashgrove Cheese Factory and Farm

Free sampling of up to 10 different cheeses and with a shop full of dozens of locally made Tasmanian Products. They make great coffee too!

Sheffield

The town of murals where over the past 30 + years talented local and other eminent artists have produced one of Tasmania’s finest painted historical records on the sides of dozens of buildings in and around the town. The town also boasts one of the oldest Country Clothing Store (Slaters) which has been trading for over 100 years which is well worth a look even if you do not buy anything.

The Tasmanian Arboretum

Situated half way between Sheffield and Devonport these beautiful gardens were established in 1984 and occupies a site of over 66 hectares. This tree park comprises collections of Tasmanian native trees and shrubs, together with exotic species from around the world, with a well-produced guide you can visit open park like areas, to very shady moist areas with ferns all interlinked with well mown grassy tracks. The ornamental lake with bridges to and from an island enables visitors a better vantage point to enjoy the swans aquatic wildlife, brown trout and platypus in a very natural and peaceful setting.

Latrobe & Anvers Chocolate Factory

We stop briefly in Latrobe (your opportunity to buy something for lunch in one of the bakeries) or wait and eat in the small café at House of Anvers chocolate factory, here you can sample some of the famous locally made Chocolate. Anvers confectionery was established as a cottage industry in November 1989, by Igor Van Gerwen, who came to Australia from Belgium. The Tasting Centre is the showcase for their products, with free samples as well as a selection of other Tasmanian products.

Beauty Point

This tiny township was originally established as the first deep water port on the Tamar River to service the nearby gold mine town of Beaconsfield. After the gold rush ended, it became a centre for the export of apples. Today the once busy jetties are quiet and a popular fishing spot for locals. The warehouses, that once stored apples ready for shipment overseas now house Platypus House and the Sea Horse World. Whilst we do not have time to visit both establishments you can choose which one you want to visit, however, if you want to get up close and personal to both a platypus and very tame echidnas then you will thoroughly enjoy platypus house together with an informative talk by a very knowledgeable guide. The price of your tour includes the entrance fee to whichever attraction you choose to visit.

Beaconsfield

A brief stop at Beaconsfield and the site of the Goldmine that made worldwide news when 2006 following a small earthquake and subsequent rock fall several miners remained trapped underground for two weeks until they were rescued. Although the mine is now closed most of the fabric of the upper part of the mine machinery remains fully intact and can easily be seen from the nearby museum.

Low Head Light House and Historic Pilot Station

Low Head historic Precinct comprises of Australia’s oldest pilot station dating from 1807 and the nearby Low Head Lighthouse (1890). Set on a small picturesque peninsula at the entrance to the Tamar Estuary, its not hard to imagine you are on the south coast of England. The convict built cottages served as accommodation for the Pilots, that regularly took over the helm of vessels negotiating the treacherous Hebe Reef at the head of the Tamar River, the longest tidal estuary in Australia. Today these cottages house the Maritime Museum.
With several sandy beaches, open lawns and grassland, tea rooms, a penguin colony and many beach walks it is a popular unspoilt seaside destination.

Mount George & Semaphore Station Lookout

Views of the Tamar Estuary and the historic semaphore station that was once used to send messages from Low Head to Launceston.

West Tamar Riverside Scenic Drive

The riverside drive back to Launceston is possibly the most scenic part of our tour. Relax and enjoy the reed beds, shore birds and swans. This area is well known for the many vineyards that now extend for almost the length of the Tamar Estuary. Historic buildings, the Batman Bridge and our final stop at Brady’s Lookout is a fitting end to our tour.

What’s Included?

• Sample Cheese Tasting Plate & a Coffee at Ashgrove (or equivalent)
• Entry fees to: The Tasmanian Arboretum and either Platypus House or Sea Horse World.
• Fully escorted by friendly and knowledgeable guide.
• Drop off at your hotel or guest house on return to Launceston at no extra charge
• Free onboard snacks and hot or cold beverage.
• Not included:
• Lunch is not provided but can be brought with you or purchased during the day.
• Entrance fees to any other attraction other than those indicated above.

Departure Days: Any day subject to availability.

Departure Time from Launceston: We commence picking up guests at 7.00 am from your selected location – see the booking form.

Return time to Launceston:
Expected return time is approximately 1830/1900 (6.30pm) Total duration of tour approximately 11.5 + hours.

PRICE STRUCTURE FOR THIS TOUR

Tour minimum number is four participants, however, if you book well in advance you can book as an individual or two people. If we fail to get sufficient participants within 24 hours before your tour, you will receive a full refund of your deposit or any money paid.

COST:

• 4 – 7 participants $230.00 each
• 8 – 11 participants $185.00 each
• 10 + participants $ 155.00 each

PICK UP FROM LAUNCESTON

As we commence picking up passengers at 0730, please be at the pick-up location that you indicated on your booking form by this time.

Please allow for the fact that you might not be the first group or person to be collected and maybe as late as 0745 before we get to you.

Providing us with an Australian Mobile number will assist us and we will ring you if for some reason we are delayed – please do not ring us, unless it is urgent as this delays us further.

Refunds

Should we not get sufficient passengers to run this tour we will advise you a minimum of 12 hours prior to departure. You will be given a full refund, or you can book on an alternative date or tour.