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Day 1 Sunday
If you are arriving on the Spirit of Tasmania after a night sailing you will arrive quite early in the morning. As you will not be able to access the home until 2pm we recommend staying around Devonport today. There is much to do in and around Devonport.
You can explore Devonport's coastline by walking or cycling along Victoria Parade to the Bluff, where Tiagarra Aboriginal Centre explains the areas Aboriginal history and nearby rock carvings. This is a pleasant walk of its own accord and much of the activities listed can be easily accessed by the walking/cycling tracks through Devonport. The Don River Railway is well worth a visit. Passenger trains have all but disappeared from Tasmania.except this one - a full-sized locomotive service from the Don Village Station to Coles Beach every day. The trip takes 30 minutes return. The Imaginarium Science Centre, the only science and discovery centre in Tasmania. The Imaginarium is located in the heart of Devonport and features regularly changing exhibitions, many of them interactive. Visit "Home Hill", the National Trust listed home of Joseph Lyons, the only Tasmanian Prime Minister of Australia. Here you can glimpse fascinating artefacts from our political history, but also more mundane, day to day objects such as the wine chest in the dining room. If you are a history buff you are likely to be interested by the Devonport Maritime Museum. Devonport's history has been dominated by the water and the Maritime Museum traces this history through to the present day.
For lunch, Devonport has a variety of casual eateries and several supermarkets are nearby the home to stock up on supplies for the week. Once you have settled in, relax and make yourself at home. Perhaps you will want an early night, why not prepare dinner in the fully self contained kitchen.
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Day 2 Monday
Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania's premier attractions and no visit to Tasmania is complete without seeing this awesome area. Cradle Mountain is at the northern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and in turn, is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Cradle Mountain is about an hour drive from Devonport.
Travel to Cradle Mountain via Sheffield, "The Town of Murals". With the impressive Mount Roland as its gallery and the walls of shops and public buildings as its canvasses, this town has depicted its rich social history in more than 40 extensive outdoor murals that draw admirers from all over the country. While Sheffield is famous for its murals, the nearby towns of Railton and Wilmot have their own outdoor art. Railton is home to an impressive display of topiary plants, and Wilmot boasts an extensive collection of innovative and humorous letterboxes.
From Sheffield, visit the world's largest maze complex, Tasmazia. Tasmazia has eight mazes including the Great Maze which reputedly the largest maze in the world. You can also explore The Village of Lower Crackpot, a delightful model village. Why not stop in for some delectable pancakes at the Pancake Manor.
Then continue on to the jewel of the north-west, Cradle Mountain. Depending on how long you plan to spend here there are a number of walks that can be undertaken. For the really keen, there is the famous, six day, Overland Track, however, if you are considering this walk please refer to the following website for important information http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7771. A must for the day walker is the Dove Lake Circuit, you should allow about two hours for the walk.
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Day 3 Tuesday
Drive south from Devonport to the historic streetscapes of Latrobe where treasures hide in its many antique stores. Here you'll also find the House of Anvers. Here, staff temper and mould fine chocolates, truffles, pralines and fudge according to the authentic method taught to them by expert Belgian chocolate-maker Igor van Gerwen. An absolute must for any chocolate lover! Also in Latrobe is the Australian Axeman's Hall of Fame, where champion axemen and women give regular wood-chopping exhibitions and are always happy to chat about their sport and the secrets of their success.
Further south you'll uncover some more gourmet delights. The Ashgrove Cheese Shop, home to the delicious Ashgrove Farm Cheeses is just north of Elizabeth Town. Here you can watch the cheese being made, sample the full range of Ashgrove cheeses (there will be one to suit everyone tastes!), as well as buy a wide range of Tasmanian cheeses and other produce. If all that has made you hungry, you will be pleased to know there is a café serving light meals and drinks which feature Ashgrove cheese and milk. Midway between Elizabeth Town and Deloraine, is the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and Café. It is a raspberry lover's delight.
Continue on to Deloraine, a charming, historic town. Deloraine is located on the banks of the Meander River and is a very pretty town. In November of each year Deloraine plays host to the Tasmanian Craft Fair, Australia's largest working craft fair, because of this year round you will find a wide selection of arts and crafts in the local galleries and stores.
Further on from Deloraine, is the Mole Creek Caves, however, there is so much to see here that you may consider making a separate trip here on a second day. The Mole Creek Area has over 300 known caves and sink holes. The two best known are Marakoopa Cave, which features two underground streams and a glow worm display, and King Solomons Cave which is jam packed with features and lavishly decorated with shawls, stalactites and stalagmites.
Above ground, take another beautiful short walk to Devils Gullet. Even the 14km drive along the unsealed road to the start of the walk is picturesque, with stunning views over cliffs to the Fisher River valley. From the precipice lookout at the end of the walk, an amazing 180-degree panorama spreads out before you, extending all the way to the famous peaks of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. On a clear day, you can see from Black Bluff in the north-west around to Mt Ossa (Tasmania's highest peak) off to the south-west. The walk is approximately 40 minutes return.
If you are returning via Mole Creek, complete your day by meeting a few local inhabitants at Trowunna Wildlife Park a little more than halfway to Chudleigh. You'll see Tasmanian devils being hand fed, pat koalas and hold baby wombats, among many other native species. The park also includes a Tasmanian Devil Education Centre.
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Day 4 Wednesday
Just half an hour east of Devonport is the Narawntapu National Park. Here Forester kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and pademelons graze unconcerned by your presence, especially of an evening, you may even be lucky enough to see a Tassie Devil! In fact Narawntapu is a haven for a variety of animals and birds. Narawntapu is the aboriginal name for the area; the name was changed from the original Asbestos Ranges National Park in 2000 in recognition of the long aboriginal history within the area.
Narawntapu offers long beaches, dunes, lagoons, small islands and the park's many inlets and low mountain ranges. Whether you enjoy water activities, wildlife, history, bushwalking, picnicking or camping, Narawntapu is a special place to be. There are a variety of walks to choose from, from leisurely strolls to all days walks. For spectacular views try the Archers Knob walk, it is 2 hours return. Begin this easy walk from the information booth, towards the eastern end of the beach the track climbs steadily through coastal trees to the top of Archers Knob. From the summit there are views sweeping over Bakers Beach to Badger Head and beyond.
On the way back to Devonport, stop in at Port Sorell, just across the Rubicon River, a lovely sleepy town with a lovely foreshore. The jetty is a popular spot for fishing; perhaps try your luck catching dinner?
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Day 5 Thursday
Burnie is just over half an hour west of Devonport. Follow the scenic coast road through Ulverstone and Penguin. Penguin is a pretty seaside town, which is most famous for the Penguin Markets. Should you be in the area on a Sunday these markets are well worth a visit, they are Tasmania's largest undercover markets. Take a detour half an hour south of Ulverstone into the hinterland to visit Gunn's Plains Caves. The cave is renowned for its magnificent formations, including calcite shawls and flowstones, and has a glow-worm display. The cave was formed by an underground river that still flows, platypus sleep and nest on its banks.
Just outside of Burnie is the Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens, which are at their best in spring but are spectacular throughout summer and autumn. Creative Paper tells of Burnie's links to the paper industry and produces fine hand-crafted paper products. The talents of the town's paper sculptors are on show here in displays of detailed, life-sized "paper people". Why not try your hand? Taste the award-winning Tasmanian Heritage range of cheese or the classic St Clare Swiss at the Lactos Cheese Factory.
Continuing on west another hour will take you to the historic village of Stanley, many of the buildings in Stanley have been beautifully preserved. The dramatic landform of The Nut, the stump of an old volcano, dominates Stanley. You can walk up The Nut or enjoy a more leisurely chairlift to the top, the view is excellent.
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Day 6 Friday
The first stop is Westbury, just half an hour out of Launceston. Westbury is a lovely old town with a distinctly "English" feel to it. It is literally packed with beautiful, historic buildings, the best way to see the town is to park the car and explore on foot. The National Trust operated White House is a must see. It includes a bakery, coach house and stables, all open to the public. The bakery's wood-fired oven is hard at work even today - stop by for a snack or perhaps a light meal. Opposite the White House is the town's original Village Green, complete with maypole and stocks - any over-ripe tomatoes to hand? Also in Westbury is one of Australia's best hedged mazes, the Westbury Maze and Tea Rooms.
Continue on to Hadspen and wander through one of Tasmania's oldest National Trust properties, Entally House. This large country residence, set in superb gardens, has a magnificent collection of Regency furniture and fine silverware. The grounds also boast a greenhouse, chapel, coach house and stables open for inspection.
Head back towards Devonport in the same direction. On the return trip we will stop off at arguably the prettiest waterfalls in Tasmania, Liffey Falls. Just before the bridge at Deloraine, turn left onto the A5. During the ascent of the A5 onto the Central Plateau, you will come to a sign-posted road which leads to the reserve. Liffey Falls is a series of picturesque waterfalls in a rainforest setting, with easy walking tracks and good picnic facilities. There are two tracks to the falls. From the lower car park the walk takes 60 minutes return, while from the upper car park it is two to three hours return.
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Day 7 Saturday
Today we'll explore further afield, heading to the beautiful west coast of Tasmania. Strahan is under three hours drive from Devonport so can easily be explored from here. However, if you are considering all of the fantastic activities listed here it would be best to spend the night in Strahan and perhaps continue on from here to Hobart, a lovely four hour drive.
Zeehan is on the way to Strahan, about a half an hour out of Strahan and well worth a visit. Zeehan was once Tasmania's third-largest town and boasted a number of gold and silver mines, numerous hotels and more than 10,000 residents. Now it is at the centre of West-Coast mining heritage, with the West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum, the unusual Spray Tunnel and the Grand Hotel and Gaiety Theatre the major attractions. Take a guided tour with one of the locals to hear all the myths and legends.
Continue on to Strahan, the departure point for cruise boats into the Wild Rivers National Park. Along the way, step back in time on Sarah Island, the infamous penal settlement that, over a number of years, was the colony's largest ship-building centre. The dark and silent Gordon River will hypnotise you with its mirror-still reflections, and afterwards there'll still be time to enjoy a fishing excursion on the harbour, a scenic floatplane trip up the Gordon or an exhilarating jet boat ride on the King River. Perhaps a leisurely stroll around the foreshore walking track and a cup of coffee is more your style. Almost every afternoon at the Visitor Centre there is a performance of The Ship That Never Was - the longest running theatre show in Australia, telling the story of convicts who stole a small boat and sailed it halfway around the world.
Join the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Strahan and take a 'totally wild' trip along river gorges, across 40 bridges and over 35km mountain ranges on a unique ABT rail system that has been rebuilt after 40 years. The starkly beautiful barren hills that encircle Queenstown and the verandas that line its main street give the town a 'wild west' atmosphere. The smelting and mining practices of the early 1900s that resulted in the deforestation of the slopes ceased long ago and plants are slowly recolonising the slopes. Take the time to talk to the locals, tour the Mt Jukes Rd to Bird River, or descend 1.5km underground and explore more than 7km of drives and workings of the Mt Lyell copper mine, still operating after more than 100 years.
The West Coast produces world-class furniture and craft timber - the famed Huon pine, sassafras, blackwood and myrtle - most of which can be viewed and purchased at sawmills in Queenstown and Strahan. If you're not a craftsperson yourself, select beautifully crafted finished products from local outlets.
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