Tasmania in Spring

We begin the tour with a morning flight to Launceston then a coach transfer onto Devonport. Located on the banks of the Mersey River, gateway to the island’s scenic north-west. Check into our hotel for 2 nights. Welcome Dinner included this evening.

It’s all about tulips today at Van Diemen’s Tulip Farm on beautiful Table Cape, where tulips are planted in giant coloured bands across the landscape. You will think you are in Holland! Travel inland to Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden that started in 1977 as a display garden for rhododendrons has been transformed into a magnificent series of terraces with lakes, bridges, pavilions, and gardens all planted with a superb collection of cool climate plants. Head back to Devonport along the scenic coast road with the evening free.

Bob Cherry is a master nurseryman. Having travelled the world collecting plants, he’s now retired to this beautiful corner of NW Tasmania. Incorporated the borrowed landscape and some original mature trees, he has made a beguiling new garden with an unforgettable sense of place. At the time of our visit, poppies, sweet peas and waratahs are picked daily. Spend time with Bob and Derelie this morning before heading to Nietta and Kaydale Lodge Garden. Two sisters work tirelessly to maintain and extend the garden their parents started: they’ve built superb stone walls and fences, an astonishing pear walk and a grand scale rockery. And when the sun goes down they get busy in the kitchen bottling, pickling and preserving all their fruit and vegetables. In spring it’s awash with tulips, fritillarias, erythroniums, trilliums and daffodils. Our home tonight is Peppers Silo Hotel overlooking the Tamar River in Launceston. Dinner is included tonight.

Historic Clarendon Estate is first up this morning, built in 1838 as an extraordinary statement of achievement for wealthy wool grower and merchant, James Cox and lovingly managed now by the National Trust. Free time for lunch in Evandale with a spot of shopping. Next stop is Waterton Hall, on the banks of the Upper Tamar River. Taste their award-winning wines. Check out their convict-built barn. Wander down to the boathouse and hear stories of the days when Waterton was a school for girls run by the Sisters of St Joseph’s. Afternoon tea is included.

We’ll take the Midland Highway to Hobart today with a stop in historic Ross. This pretty riverside village was built by convicts and boasts beautifully preserved cobblestone paths and streets lined with grand old elm trees. Next is a garden that will inspire you with a romantic, classical design and generous, overflowing planting – all created using very little water. Check into our Hobart hotel for 3 nights. Dinner included tonight.

First stop this morning is the famous Salamanca market. Then we’re heading down the Huon Valley for a visit to Willie Smith’s Apple Shed to learn about the history of the apple industry in the Huon, and the various heirloom apple varieties. Crawleighwood Garden is our last stop today, a large country garden nestled in the hills.

Corinda Cottage this morning, a beautifully restored Victorian villa wrapped in a masterfully executed garden. Free time this afternoon to explore Hobart or an optional visit to the phenomenal MONA Museum of Old and New Art (confirm visit on booking). MONA’s subterranean architecture showcases the $110m private collection of David Walsh. Farewell dinner included tonight.

A guided walk in the precinct of Hobart’s Royal Botanical Gardens with lunch included today. Transfer to airport for your afternoon flight from Hobart.