Sydney to Hobart cruise holidays

Separated from mainland Australia by the watery stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart making it the ideal destination for cruise holidays.

The simple, natural grandeur of the island state is bewitching. Tasmanians claim to breathe the world’s cleanest air and it’s a fact their wine and food receives world acclaim.

There are so many things to do on cruise holidays to Tasmania… Sample the famous produce on isolated King Island or experience the superb flavours of fine food and wine in Launceston and Hobart… Spend time amongst the magical rugged landscape and plentiful wildlife on Flinders Island. View the perfect arc of aquamarine sea that is Wineglass Bay. It’s here you can take a half hour walk over a low saddle to the lookout that will afford a breathtaking view over the bay.

Cruise ship holidays to Tasmania show you a land of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. Over a third is reserved in a network of National Parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge and habitat for rare plants and animals including survivors of the ancient southern super-continent, Gondwana.

The island state’s European heritage dates back to the early 1800s, while Tasmanian Aboriginals first reached here 40,000 years ago. The Port Davey region is one of the most spectacular in Australia. The area has experienced little human impact and as a result remains a pristine World Heritage destination. And if Maria Island is on your itinerary you’ll see a special place with historical ruins, sweeping bays, rugged cliffs and mountains and remarkable wildlife... Created with convict labour, Port Arthur presents impressive architecture, delightful gardens and chilling prison facilities... and the breathtaking settings belie the brutality of the penal past preserved within these walls… a must to explore on cruise ship holidays to Australia.

Cruise holidays 2006 – 2007 possible destinations and activities

Hawkesbury River Exploration
Leaving Sydney on cruise ship holidays you could explore the fjord-like lower reaches of the Hawkesbury River as it meanders through rugged national parks and nature reserves.

Eden-Gabo Island
Explore the fishing town of Eden which is situated on the hill above Snug Cove… continue on to explore the historic Boyd Town founded by Scottish-born Benjamin Boyd of the Boyd artistic dynasty.

Your cruise ship departs for Gabo Island… go ashore at the southeast end of Santa Barbara Bay. From here, you can take a 2.4 km (1.5 mile) return walk to view the red granite lighthouse erected in 1862.

Flinders Island – Outer Sister Island, Whitemark or Lady Barron
Visit the historic areas of Emita and Wybalena… learn about the history of the Tasmanian Aborigines and early whalers and sealers of this area. Visit one of the beautiful beaches Flinders Island is famous for around Trouser Point.

Tenth Island – Beauty Point
View seals in their natural environment at Tenth Island before your cruise ship heads to Beauty Point. This small town is the oldest deepwater seaport in the area… visit Platypus House and Seahorse World (said to be the only seahorse farm on the planet). The surrounding areas are home to a number of small vineyards… visit a local winery and lavender farm.

Musselroe Bay – Eddystone Point – Anson’s Bay
Begin the day at Musselroe Bay on an excursion to discover the birdlife this area hosts… from your cruise ship you can visit the Eddystone Lighthouse and explore Anson’s Bay and its river.

Wineglass Bay – Schouten Island – Coles Bay
Spend the morning at picturesque Wineglass Bay, where you can walk on the beach or if feeling more adventurous, take a moderate walk up to the lookout. From Wineglass Bay your cruise ship will head to Schouten Island. Named by Abel Tasman, the island boasts a pastoral history and a coal mining industry that employed over 60 convict labourers in 1848… visit picturesque Coles Bay and allow time to explore the beach and surrounding area.

Maria Island – Port Arthur
Maria Island was declared a National Park in 1971 and offers the opportunity to view a wide range of wildlife including the rare Forty Spotted Pardalote. It has a diverse history including whaling and sealing, convict stations and base for the National Portland Cement Company… a walk takes you to the ruins around Darlington where you can visit spectacular Fossil Cliffs, full of fossilised shellfish… visit Port Arthur, a magnificently preserved penal colony and a powerful reminder of Australia’s early history.

Port Davey
The Port Davey and Bathurst Channel region is one of the most spectacular in Australia… your cruise ship will access via Port Davey placing you deep within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritagae area, internationally recognised for both its cultural and natural values that encompasses 20% of Tasmania’s landmass.

Bruny Island – Huon River
First sighted in 1642, Bruny Island was named after Rear Admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteaux… you walk in the paths of our famous early explorers, James Cook and William Bligh… take an excursion up the Huon River to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Hobart
On arrival in Hobart your cruise ship will move up the narrow D’Entrecasteaux Channel flanked by Bruny Island and the Tasmanian coast.