A premium Tasmania rail tour,
with time to savour the journey

Begin your Tasmanian adventure with the recommended direct Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Hobart on Sunday 18 April. Meet your GVR hosts and fellow travellers at Hobart Airport, then settle into the comfort of our premium touring coach.

Our introduction to the island takes us towards kunanyi / Mount Wellington, where views stretch across Hobart, the Derwent River and the surrounding wilderness, weather and access permitting. Continue to the Old Woolstore Hotel for the first of two nights, before gathering for a welcome dinner and the start of a thoughtfully hosted holiday.

Travel to the Tasman Peninsula to explore the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site. An introductory talk sets the scene for a day among sandstone ruins, gardens and buildings that reveal the stories of Tasmania’s convict past.

Explore the Penitentiary, Convict Church and Separate Prison at your own pace, and take the included harbour cruise for another perspective on this remarkable setting. Lunch is at your leisure, with time to enjoy the grounds and visitor displays before returning to Hobart.

Leave Hobart behind as our coach follows the Derwent Valley towards Tasmania’s Central Highlands. The landscape unfolds through historic towns, forest and alpine country, with scenic stops along the way.

At Derwent Bridge, discover The Wall in the Wilderness, an extraordinary series of carved Huon pine panels telling the stories of the region. Enjoy lunch at the Derwent Bridge hotel before continuing through rugged western landscapes and Queenstown to the harbour town of Strahan. Check in for three nights at Strahan Village, then gather for dinner.

Cruise into Tasmania’s western wilderness with World Heritage Cruises, enjoying the journey from the Premium Upper Deck. From Macquarie Harbour and Hells Gates to the still waters of the Gordon River, this is a day to sit back and savour the scenery.

Step ashore at Sarah Island to hear the stories of its former penal settlement, then stroll the rainforest boardwalk at Heritage Landing. Commentary brings the landscape and its history to life, while morning tea and a buffet lunch round out this memorable cruise. Return to Strahan with the rest of the day at leisure.

A signature experience awaits on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Travel from Queenstown to Rinadeena and return in the premium Wilderness Carriage, combining the atmosphere of heritage steam with attentive onboard hospitality.

Discover the railway’s pioneering history at Lynchford before the locomotive tackles the remarkable Abt rack-and-pinion climb into the rainforest. At Rinadeena, enjoy time to take photographs and appreciate the achievement of the people who built this extraordinary line. Back in Strahan, enjoy the lively local production The Ship That Never Was.

Journey inland to Tullah for an exclusive charter visit to the Wee Georgie Wood Railway, a charming reminder of Tasmania’s mining and railway heritage. Pause for lunch at Tullah Lakeside Lodge before continuing into the alpine landscapes of Cradle Mountain.

Visit Devils @ Cradle for a guided keeper tour and a close-up introduction to the conservation of Tasmania’s distinctive wildlife. Settle into the Cradle Mountain Hotel for two nights, surrounded by forest and highland air. Dinner is included this evening; tomorrow brings a full day to enjoy this remarkable setting without moving hotels.

With a second night at Cradle Mountain, there is time to enjoy the wilderness at a more leisurely pace. After breakfast, head into Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park using the included park access and Dove Lake shuttle.

Take in the classic mountain views from Dove Lake, enjoy photographs and a gentle stroll where conditions allow, or choose a longer walk to suit your interests and fitness. There is no need to complete the full lake circuit. Later, return to the comfort of your alpine hotel and enjoy time to unwind among the surrounding forest. Lunch and dinner are at your leisure today.

Travel through Tasmania’s northwestern countryside to Stanley, a beautifully preserved coastal town beneath the distinctive volcanic formation known as The Nut. Ride the chairlift for sweeping views over the township, coastline and Bass Strait, weather and operating conditions permitting.

Enjoy lunch in Stanley and time to appreciate its historic streets before following the coastal route towards Devonport. Check in at the Novotel Devonport for two nights. This evening is yours to explore the waterfront or choose a local restaurant for dinner at your leisure.

Discover the Devonport region, beginning with the coastal views around Mersey Bluff Lighthouse. Continue to the Tasmanian Arboretum, where peaceful gardens, tree collections and lakes offer a gentle change of pace.

In Latrobe, enjoy time to explore the historic main street and find lunch at a local café. This afternoon brings an exclusive Don River Railway charter, followed by time to discover its locomotives, museum and restoration work. Return to Devonport with the evening free to enjoy at your own pace.

Head to Sheffield, the Town of Murals, where colourful artworks tell the stories of the people and landscapes of northern Tasmania. Enjoy an exclusive charter on the Redwater Creek Railway, bringing another intimate heritage steam experience to our journey.

Continue into the Tamar Valley for lunch at a local winery, a delightful opportunity to savour the region’s food and vineyard setting. Travel onwards via Batman Bridge to Launceston, where the distinctive Peppers Silo Hotel provides a stylish base for the next two nights.

Explore the beauty and heritage of the Launceston region. Visit Cataract Gorge and enjoy a chairlift ride above the river and gardens before travelling to historic Woolmers Estate for a tour and lunch.

Return to Launceston for an exclusive Launceston Tramway charter and time at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. The day combines natural scenery, colonial heritage and transport history before returning to Peppers Silo Hotel. Your evening is free to discover one of the city’s restaurants or relax at the hotel.

Travel towards Tasmania’s spectacular East Coast, where countryside gives way to white-sand beaches, blue water and coastal villages. Enjoy sightseeing and lunch along the way as we approach the Freycinet Peninsula.

The pink granite peaks of The Hazards provide a striking welcome to Freycinet National Park. Check in at Freycinet Lodge, our beautifully located retreat for the night. Take time to enjoy the setting before gathering for an included dinner — a fitting finish to a day of coastal scenery and relaxed discovery.

Choose how to enjoy your morning in Freycinet. The optional Wineglass Bay Cruise explores the peninsula’s dramatic coastline and the celebrated curve of Wineglass Bay, with lunch in the Vista Lounge. Advance booking is required and an additional charge applies; the 2027 cruise price will be confirmed.

Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed morning and sightseeing in Freycinet, with lunch onshore included. Keen walkers may choose a walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout, subject to time, weather and fitness. Reunite with the cruise group, then travel south to Hobart, stopping in Richmond to admire its historic sandstone bridge. Return to the Old Woolstore Hotel for our final two nights.

Spend Saturday enjoying Hobart at your own pace. Browse the famous Salamanca Market, explore the historic waterfront, or find a favourite café among the city’s sandstone streets. It is a lovely opportunity to collect a keepsake and enjoy the flavours and creativity of Tasmania.

An optional visit to MONA offers a different perspective on the city’s art and culture. Admission and transport are additional; please discuss arrangements with the tours team. This evening, gather for our farewell dinner, sharing memories of the railway journeys, beautiful stays and new friendships made along the way.

After breakfast, transfer by coach to Hobart Airport for the recommended direct Air New Zealand flight to Auckland on Sunday 2 May 2027.

Our 15-day Tasmanian journey concludes with memories of heritage steam, rainforest rivers, alpine scenery and welcoming hospitality. Guests continuing their travels independently are welcome to discuss their arrangements with the GVR tours team.