Grand Australia Circumnavigation

Admire stunning views of Tasmania’s northern coastline during a panoramic drive. Board your motor coach with your guide and set out along the coastal Bass Highway. Take in the sights, including rugged cliffs and beautiful beaches, as your guide shares stories about living in this remote part of Tasmania. Learn about the fertile lands that surround Burnie, which make it an ideal location for growing a variety of crops, including potatoes and poppies. Depending on the time of your visit, you may see fields of white poppies stretching off into the distance. Gaze out at the picturesque landscape during a stop at Table Cape Lighthouse Lookout, where you will have an opportunity to take unforgettable photos. At the end of your excursion, you will return to your ship.

Discover geologic marvels and iconic Australian wildlife on a trip to Tasmania’s picturesque countryside. Journey through vistas of lush green pastures on Tasmania’s untouched northwest coast to Gunns Plains Caves. Discovered by a hunter in 1906, these caverns were formed by an underground river that still flows, providing a habitat for freshwater lobster, fish and eel. A local guide will lead you through the caves to see stunning calcite shawls and flowstone adorning the interior as colorful, sparkling geologic displays. Gaze at the glow worms that hang from the walls and watch for platypus along the riverbank. Then, head to Wing’s Wildlife Park, a family-owned sanctuary where you can interact with Australia’s native marsupials and other wildlife. Explore the park to see Tasmanian devils, meerkats, monkeys, kangaroos and more, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Discover unique flora, fauna and geologic wonders in the northern section of a spectacular national park. Journey inland to a UNESCO World Heritage-protected region where you will explore the Cradle Mountain section of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. One of Tasmania’s most famous landmarks, Cradle Mountain hovers above Dove Lake, creating an incredible sight. See the Waldheim Chalet, rebuilt in 1976 on the site of the former home of Austrian immigrants who led the preservation efforts of the park, and stroll through the surrounding forest of ancient King Billy pines—Tasmanian trees that provide key insights into the region’s history. Then, head to a lodge for lunch with stunning views. Afterward, travel back to your ship through the colorful rural town of Sheffield, where the buildings are painted with vibrant art that has earned it the name the “Town of Murals.”

Explore a charming and well-preserved historic town on Tasmania’s picturesque northwest coast. Take a scenic drive to the stunning town of Stanley, lined with beautiful historic buildings and home to one of the area’s most impressive landforms, The Nut. Here, you will take a chairlift to the top of these ancient volcanic remains to walk along the surface for incredible panoramic views of the coast. Next, head to a pub in town for lunch on your way to the Highfield Historic Site, where you will enjoy a self-guided visit. Built in the 1830s, this homestead is a rare example of domestic architecture from the Regency period and is of historic significance as the former home of the Van Diemen’s Land Company’s chief agent. En route back to your ship, pause at Table Cape Lookout, a magnificent plateau towering 590 feet over the Bass Strait, for incredible panoramic views.

Enjoy a scenic drive through Tasmania’s stunning landscapes, sampling some of the finest local products on the way. Travel to one of Australia’s most prolific agricultural regions, home to passionate producers who make some of the area’s finest goods. Begin by visiting The Truffledore, a boutique truffle farm in the foothills of Cradle Mountain to learn about the history of their organic Périgord French Black Winter truffles and taste their delicious product. Stop at House of Hargrave Vineyard and Cellar Door in the hills of the picturesque Kentish region to explore the farm and sample several wines. Head to family-owned Spreyton Cider, for award-winning craft ciders made from apples grown in orchards since the mid-1800s. Finally, stop at Australia’s most awarded and oldest operating whisky distillery, Hellyers Road, for a tasting of their exceptional single malt whiskies.

Search for black truffles with expert hunting dogs and enjoy lunch at a family-owned farm. Begin your journey with a drive to the Truffle Farm, where Australia’s first black truffle was harvested in 1999. Today, this farm is the country’s leading producer of black truffles and related products, and the only farm of its kind in Tasmania to cultivate two different types of truffles. Upon arrival, meet your guide and learn about the farm’s history and its role in bringing this prized product to Australia. Then, roll up your sleeves and head onto the grounds in search of these rare mushrooms. You will be accompanied by the farm’s expert truffle-hunting dogs and their handlers, who will assist you in your search. After, settle in to enjoy a lunch prepared with freshly harvested truffles from the farm, accompanied by a glass of local wine or beer.