LE-SOLEAL-Jewels of the West Coast cruise itinerary

LE SOLEAL TASMANIA CIRCUMNAVIGATION ITINERARY

9 Night Ponant Cruise - Le Soleal - Hobart to Hobart

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the wonders tucked away at the bottom of Australia on our Le Soleal Tasmania Circumnavigation cruise. This voyage is filled with varied landscapes, culinary delights and unrivalled nature, this is the voyage for those wanting a complete Tasmanian experience.

Starting and finishing in the cosmopolitan but charming city of Hobart, this voyage will make its first stop in Port Davey, arguably one of the highlights of the trip - only accessible by foot, boat or light aircraft, be one of the few to take in its unspoilt scenery, rugged peaks, wild rivers, unique flora and fauna, and a long and rugged coastline.

Continue to King Island, the outcrop known for its gastronomic delicacies, crystal-clear waters and unique flora and fauna.

After savouring the lavish flavours of the Tamar Valley's award-winning wines, explore the Ile des Phoques (Seal Island) by Zodiac®, home to breeding colonies of seabirds and hordes of Australian fur seals.

Marvel at the majestic painted cliffs, historic ruins and natural wildlife sanctuary of Maria Island, before enjoying a refreshing swim in the pristine waters of Fortescue Bay while taking in the striking dolerite spires that rise from the Tasman Sea, culminating in capes Hauy, Pillar, and Raoul.

Before heading back to Hobart, learn about Tasmania's tumultuous colonial history at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

For more information on our Le Soleal Tasmania Circumnavigation cruise, call 1300 799 758 now.

DAY 1 - HOBART

Hobart occupies a wonderful location at the mouth of the Derwent River, overseen by majestic Mt Wellington and surrounded by natural bushland. The Tasmanian capital is Australia's second-oldest city, after Sydney, and the picturesque waterfront is bordered by 19th-century warehouses and colonial mansions. Salamanca Place is packed with shops, galleries and restaurants and the fascinating Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is a short ferry ride from the quay. Hobart is within easy reach of some of Tasmania's best-known destinations, from historic Port Arthur and the rugged Tasman Peninsula to Bruny Island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys and Mount Field National Park.

DAY 2 - PORT DAVEY

The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is one of the largest conservation areas in Australia and one of the last expanses of temperate wilderness in the world. Located at the heart of the World Heritage Area, the Port Davey Marine Reserve is a unique protected waterway featuring a layer of rich red-brown tannin freshwater overlaying the tidal saltwater from the Southern Ocean. Port Davey is only accessible by foot, boat or light aircraft, preserving the pristine natural environment that is characterised by rugged coastlines with blowholes, caves and dramatic rock formations home to wildlife that includes the little blue penguin and Australian fur seal. If weather permits, guests will have the opportunity to explore the coastal environments and view the wildlife from our fleet of Zodiac®.

DAY 3 - KING ISLAND

King Island is anchored in the middle of the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania’s NorthWest coast. Surrounded by some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, King Island imports the world’s best surfers and exports produce sought by the world’s top chefs : succulent beef, rich gourmet cheese and crayfish plucked from the Island’s crystal-clear waters. It's quiet and easy going here, but there's something interesting at every turn – from a lighthouse and offshore shipwrecks – to the island's great nature walks and unique wildlife. You will have the opportunity to uncover the island's stories at the museum and cultural centre in the town of Currie or to take a guided trail of the island's produce, culture, history, flora and fauna.

DAY 4 - TAMAR VALLEY

Tasmania is a land that should be savoured slowly…with a glass of fine wine in hand and friendly locals to guide you on your way. The Tamar Valley Wine Route is regarded as one of the world’s top 10 wine routes with over 32 wineries to explore. Showcasing some of the finest award winning wines. The unique cool climate location produces elegant wines of exceptional quality. There is so much more to the Tamar Valley than just wine. There’s the Tamar Valley Arts Trail, a unique space where you can meet the artist in their studio. The Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre, which shows the workings of the old mine, recalls the boom days of gold, the events of the 2006 mine rescue and Tamar Valley history.

DAY 5 - ÎLE DES PHOQUES

Ile des Phoques, or Seal Island forms part of the Schouten Island Group, lying close to the east coast of Tasmania, ten nautical miles South West of Freycinet Peninsula and ten nautical miles North east of Maria Island. The Nature Reserve is home to several breeding seabird species including little penguin, short-tailed shearwater, fairy prion and common diving-petrel. Itis a regular haul-out for Australian fur seal sand there is historical evidence that it was once a major breeding colony. Landing on the island is prohibited. If time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to explore the coastal environments and view the wildlife from our fleet of Zodiac®.

DAY 6 - SWANSEA

Swansea is a quiet, friendly and laid back seaside village nestled on the shores of Great Oyster Bay with breathtaking views across the bay to the Hazards Mountains of Freycinet National Park. Established as the first municipality in Australia after Hobart and Sydney, the town centre is home to many interesting historic buildings with a rich colonial history and old world charm. Local cafes and restaurants serve Swansea's fresh harvests from land and sea - including the town's famous oysters - and nearby vineyards and farm gates offer tasty drops, fresh fruit, walnuts, olives and more. You will have the opportunity to discover the region's gourmet produce, wines, history and scenery.

DAY 7- PORT ARTHUR

The Port Arthur Historic Site was established in 1830 as a timber station and was soon built into a small town designed for the housing and punishment of over a thousand of Tasmania’s most notorious convicts. Over its long history, Port Arthur has been a place of hardship and punishment, a place of opportunity, and a place of leisure. Now it is one of Australia’s most important heritage destinations, where the story of Australia’s colonial history is written in stone and brick. Port Arthur was included in the National Heritage List on 3 June 2005 and is one of 5 World Heritage listed convict sites in Tasmania. Join your expedition team and local guides for an insight into Tasmania's tumultuous past.

DAY 8 - MARIA ISLAND

Located off Tasmania’s east coast, Maria Island is a natural wildlife sanctuary and off-shore retreat with historic ruins, sweeping bays, dramatic cliffs and plenty of stories to tell. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Tyreddeme people, it has also been a whaling and sealing post, penal settlement and an Italian pleasure resort, and is also one of Tasmania's great bird watching hot spots, home to the  the endangered forty-spotted pardalote and the rare and unique Cape Barren goose. Grasslands, open forest and tall wood land also provide a home for abundant wildlife including wombats, pademelons, Forester Kangaroos and Bennetts wallabies. Join members of your expedition team for a guided walk on one of several trails on offer. If time and weather permit we will explore the shoreline with our fleet of Zodiac®.

DAY 9 - TASMAN PENINSULA

The Tasman and Forestier peninsulas lie in the far south-east of Tasmania, linked to the rest of the island by a short bridge over a dredged canal. Established in 1999, The Tasman National Park protects the eastern and southern coastal regions of both peninsulas. The park's varied coastline and offshore islands provide abundant habitats for Australian fur seals, little penguins, whales and dolphins flourish in the rich waters. However the park’s greatest features are on land, with spectacular woodlands and forests and Australia’s highest sea cliffs. Striking dolerite spires rise from the Tasman Sea, culminating in capes Hauy, Pillar, and Raoul. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pristine waters of Fortescue Bay, or join your expedition team for a guided walk to enjoy the spectacular view from Cape Huay. If time and weather permit we will also explore the shoreline from our fleet of Zodiac®.

DAY 10 - HOBART

Hobart occupies a wonderful location at the mouth of the Derwent River, overseen by majestic Mt Wellington and surrounded by natural bushland. The Tasmanian capital is Australia's second-oldest city, after Sydney, and the picturesque waterfront is bordered by 19th-century warehouses and colonial mansions. Salamanca Place is packed with shops, galleries and restaurants and the fascinating Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is a short ferry ride from the quay. Hobart is within easy reach of some of Tasmania's best-known destinations, from historic Port Arthur and the rugged Tasman Peninsula to Bruny Island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys and Mount Field National Park.

1300 799 758

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