TASMANIA 77Gordon River wilderness cruiseSTANLEYStanley is an enchanting historic fishing villagewhich is an ideal base from which to explore thewild and remote Northwest coast. You'lldiscover penguin rookeries, seal colonies andplatypus in streams as well as historic sites, cavesystems and grand coastal features. A highlightis the lovely Table Cape headland, ablaze withtulips in spring time, while at Stanley itself youcan walk to the summit of the Table Mountain-like hill know as 'The Nut'. Nearby lie the ruinsof Highfield Historic House (1928) and to thewest you can see wild Tasmanian Devils inabundance at the Arthur River or simply unwindwith some of the region's glorious cheeses. DELORAINEThis artistic region is in the lee of the lovelyWestern Tiers and is home to many idyllic valleyswhich hold charming villages such as Delorainethat were first settled by colonial pioneers in theearly 1800s. This history accounts for the manyNational Trust and heritage-listed buildingslocated in what resembles quintessentiallyEnglish landscape. You will find sculpture trails,pottery shops, cheese factories and berry farmsas you explore the area. There are also dramaticnatural features such as the lovely Liffey Falls,Mole Creek National Park's glow worm-filledkarst cave systems and the Devil's Gullet viewingpoint on the rim of the Western Tiers. THE WOMBAT& WINE TRAIL Expore the delights of Freycinet and Maria Islandnational parks, cruise from Hobart towards BrunyIsland and gain a fascinating insight into the convicthistory of Australia at Port Arthur while staying injust a few well located bed & breakfasts. You alsoget to watch the wombats in the beautiful CradleMountain World Heritage Area and enjoy the winetasting in the Tamar Valley. This well-balanced self-drive is for independent travellers keen to see all thehighlights at an unhurried pace.Day 1:Arrive Launceston and drive to Swansea. Day 2:Day trip to Freycinet National Park,Wineglass Bay and Hazard's mountains. Day 3:Day trip to Maria Island with its prolificwildlife including wallabies, kangaroos andwombats before driving to Richmond. Day 4:Visit Hobart's Salamanca Market(Saturday) and then cruise to PeppermintBay for a waterside lunch.Day 5:Guided historical tour to Richmond andPort Arthur.Day 6:Drive to Strahan and the west coast, viaMount Field National Park.Day 7:Gordon River day cruise, then drive toCradle Mountain National Park. Day 8:Day at leisure exploring CradleMountain's scenery and wildlife.Day 9:Drive to Launceston area through therolling scenery of northern Tasmania. Day 10:Day trip exploring the Tamar Valleywineries and villages.Day 11:Depart from Tasmania.tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.Calstock Hotel,DeloraineBuilt in 1831, Calstock is the most elegant andcharming small hotel you are ever likely to find.Restored in 1999, the six rooms are all individuallydecorated to impeccably high standards and havesome of Tasmania's most lovely rolling countrysideviews. The house is decorated in an English countryhouse style with lofty ceilings, marble mantelpiecesand fine plasterwork. Your hosts Remi and GinettBancal bring Gallic charm and professionalism withthem from their time working at top restaurants inAustralia as well as the Paris Ritz. The organiccuisine is Tasmanian (much grown on site) while thewine list has won several Australia-wide awards. Cradle Mountain LodgeCradle Mountain Lodge harks back to bygone daysof exploration, now translated into luxurious logcabin accommodation. With no telephones ortelevisions in the cabins, this is an unashamedlywilderness lodge set in the heart of Tasmania'sCradle Mountain and Lake Clair World HeritageArea. The lodge offers fine wine and food, served infront of a roaring log fire set in timber constructedbuildings. Located close to Cradle Mountain Visitors'Centre, perfectly placed to explore the area by car,on foot or on horseback. A spectrum ofaccommodation is on offer to suit all tastes andbudgets, from the charming Pencil Pine Cabins up tothe opulent King Billy Suites.Calstock HotelCradle Mountain LodgeWombat

LAUNCESTONHistoric Launceston and the Tamar Valley blendhistory, scenery and the superb flavours of foodand wine. Launceston is a city of contrasts; ashort walk from the graceful Victorian facades isthe scenic Cataract Gorge with its peacocks andrhododendrons, fern glades and spacious lawns.Take a heritage walk exploring the city's history,colonial churches and elegant architecture.Travel the Tamar Valley wine route throughmany award winning cool-climate wineries forwhich Tasmania is gaining a world-beatingreputation, as well as the Grubb Shaft Gold andHeritage Museum - one of Tassie's largestgoldmines - and coastal Georgetown where youcan see fairy penguins in their natural habitat.Personalised tours can lead you to private winetastings, exploring forest reserves and face toface meetings with Bennett's wallaby.78Brickendon Cottages, LongfordBrickendon is one of Tasmania's oldest farmingproperties and is located just a few minutes drivefrom Launceston. Settled in 1824 by William Archer,this magnificent rural estate has been continuouslyowned and farmed by his direct descendants, now intheir seventh generation. Set close to old farmbuildings or the renowned gardens are a number ofself-contained cottages that simply ooze characterand charm from their exposed beam rafters to thefragrant gardens complete with little picket-fenceboundaries and the simply lovely rural views.BINALONG BAY& BAY OF FIRESWords fail to describe the beauty of the Bay ofFires Coastal Reserve, so-called because the firstsighting of the shores by European sailors wasablaze with Aboriginal camp fires. Starting atBinalong Bay, the sparkling white sands,turquoise waters and granite shoreline, coveredin fiery red lichen, stretch along 30 kilometres ofcoast to the Eddystone lighthouse. Explore agood portion of this reserve by car or byindulging in a luxury wilderness walk. Nativewildlife, including wallabies and wombats canbe seen in abundance which adds to theexperience. The remote northeast's BlueMountains can be explored from Binalong Bay,including the magnificent St Columba Falls atPyengena. For the active visitors the area isknown for its game-fishing from St Helens andthe great kelp forest diving. FREYCINET NATIONAL PARKLocated on the east coast, at the southern tip ofthe Freycinet Peninsula, this national park is thehighlight of Tasmania for many people.Dominated by the granite peaks of the HazardsMountain range, the park is forested wildernessaccessible only by walking tracks or boat. Pathscriss-cross the peninsula; from the 40 minuteclimb to view iconic Wineglass Bay to theluxury-tented walk of several days, there areoptions to suite all tastes. Secluded little covesshelter white sand beaches that can be exploredby sea-kayak, walked to on well-maintainedtracks or simply enjoyed from afar. Binalong BayFreycinet Lodge,Great Oyster BayThis property offers a real wilderness experienceright on your doorstep. Set above the lovely GreatOyster Bay, you are also just a short walk away fromthe delightful Wineglass Bay. The lodge offersnumerous activities from 4WD trips to cycle hireand guided walks in the lush Freycinet NationalPark. Accommodation is in secluded cabins which allhave their own private balcony. The Freycinet andWineglass (with spa) cabins have just one room,while Oyster Bay cabins have two rooms and akitchenette, offering ideal accommodation forfamilies (not bookable by couples). LuxuriousWineglass Premier Cabins are a real notch up forthose that wish to spoil themselves. Bed in the Treetops B&B,Binalong BayThe last guests prior to Audley's visit wrote "TheTreetops are halfway to heaven". Nestled in nativebush on the hilltop above Binalong Bay at thesouthern end of the Bay of Fires this property hasfabulous sweeping ocean views. The luxury suite is acabin built around whole tree trunk pillars giving it adistinctive back-to-nature feel. However, with adouble spa bath and a private sun deck you arepampered beyond all expectation. Your hosts Bruceand Marianne ensure that you feel at home andthen give you as much privacy as you wish. The onlyother locals you will meet here are kookaburras, seaeagles, wallabies and possums.Brickendon CottagesFreycinet Lodge