Burgess Travel New Zealand
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Upcoming Tour - 2023:
Only NZD$4,950 (14 Days)
Tour starts in Hobart
(Feb. 5th - 19th, 2023)
LOSE | YOURSELF | DISCOVER | TASMANIA
Tasmania began as a penal colony. The first convicts arrived in 1804 on the Calcutta. Apart from one direct convict ship arriving in 1812, most arrivals were small irregular shipments from Sydney, mainly repeat offenders. This continued till 1818 when a steady stream of convicts began to arrive from England (my great, great grandfather being one of them – he stole 12 tame rabbits from a shed in England and was sent to Tasmania – and here I am!)
SALAMANCA MARKETS
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
This market has been operating for many years down at the picturesque Hobart Wharf area. Thousands of people arrive there every Saturday morning.
Here you may:
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Wander at your leisure and pick up any items that will remind you of this beautiful little Isle.
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Enjoy a snack or lunch, tasting real Aussie cuisine.
RICHMOND
North/East of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
The building of Richmond bridge was begun in December 1823 and was built by convicts, being completed 2 years later in 1825. Situated north east of Hobart, Richmond township is nestled around this beautiful iconic structure.
Here you may:
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Walk the bridge at leisure
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Wander the little township
TARRALEAH
Central Highlands, Tasmania, Australia
The township of Tarraleah was founded in the 1930’s by the Hydro Electric Commission to house Tasmania’s pioneering hydro officers and management.
It consisted of 3 villages – bottom, middle and top village. The bottom village housed engineers and management. The other villages housed the workers.
When work was completed on the hydro, the middle and top village houses were sold off for a pittance to anyone who would take them away. At this point, it doesn’t even have a grocery store, but people do still live there and it is a tourist spot.
STRAHAN/QUEENSTOWN
West Coast, Tasmania, Australia
Founded in 1877 Strahan became a vital port for the tin mines at Mt. Heemskirk. Named after Geo Strahan, Governor of Tasmania from 1881- 86. The population is around 637 and it sits on the enormous McQuarrie Harbour.
You may:
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Watch the penguins
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Ride one of Australia’s true marvels – the ‘West Coast Wilderness Railway’ (when available)
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Capture the lovely waterfront on camera
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See the effects of unbridled mining
SHEFFIELD
Tasmania, Australia
Best known as the ‘Mural Town’ due to the number of lovely murals painted on many flat-sided walls around the township. A small rural village which is an alternative and scenic ‘pass through’ to Launceston. It has long been a rural hub for well-known Mt. Roland. Sheffield is well known for its high quality dairy farming, butterfat, lamb and beef production.
You may:
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Stroll the tiny town and admire the murals
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Drink a well-earned coffee in one of their lovely cafes, or both.
BICHENO, FREYCINET PENINSULA AND WINE GLASS BAY
Tasmania, Australia
Bicheno is essentially a fishing port and beach resort with a population of around 950. Wine Glass Bay is a photographic wonderland and we will visit there if the weather allows good pics.
You may:
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Check out the wild life and/or penguin park
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Stroll the beach
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Enjoy fresh seafood
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Bush walk
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Check out the blow hole if the tide is right
THE WALL IN THE WILDERNESS
Central Highlands, Tasmania, Australia
The Wall is situated at the Derwent Bridge, Tasmania’s central highlands. The beautifully carved story sets out to describe the history, hardship and perseverance of the people in the Central Highlands and pays homage to the people who settled and protected the area.
Here you will:
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Wander around the entirety of the incredible sculptured history portrayed on a massive wall inside a building.
BURNIE AND THE 'NUT’
North West Coast, Tasmania, Australia
This port was founded in 1827 and was originally called Emu Bay. Since the closure of its paper pulp mill, it has re-created itself as a tourist town with its lovely beaches and scenery. The 'Nut' is the core of an extinct volcano that stands 152 meters in height. It is a very well-known landmark on the north-west tip of Tasmania. The village of Stanley is nestled at the base of the sheer-sided bluff of the ‘Nut’.
You can:
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Enjoy the sheer beauty of the North Coast of Tasmania by taking a leisurely ride on a chairlift to the top where you can see Stanley, Bass Straight and the Rocky Cape National Park.
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For the very strong-hearted, you might try walking up the 'Nut' (Not recommended for anyone who is not super fit!
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For the faint-of-heart, you may wander the little town of Stanley while the others are spying out far places from the 'Nut'.
LAUNCESTON AND TAMAR RIVER
Tasmania, Australia
One of Australia’s oldest cities, Launceston was settled in 1806 and has many very old historic buildings. It is Tasmania’s second largest city and a vibrant hub for food and wine, culture and nature.
You may:
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Cruise to Cataract Gorge (50 min)
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Stroll the town
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Visit the Museum
PORT ARTHUR
Tasmania, Australia
Port Arthur began as a timber station in 1830, but is best known as being a penal colony. It is now claimed as one of Australia’s most important heritage destinations where the story of Australia’s colonial history is written in stone and brick. Hundreds of convicts were housed in dorms and solitary cells, or the much feared separate prison where harsh physical punishment was replaced by punishment of the mind.
Port Arthur has been a tourist destination for many years now, but a tragedy did occur referred to as the “Port Arthur Massacre’ on April 28-29, 1996 when 35 tourists were killed and 23 wounded in the cafe. The murderer was given 35 life sentences and 1035 years without possibility of payroll. He is obviously still in prison. For a long time the café remained as it was and bullet holes could be seen in the walls. There is a beautiful memorial to those killed. A chilling day for Tasmania to say the very least.
You can:
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Stroll the grounds, soaking in the history as you imagine those very raw days
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Enjoy the surrounding scenery
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Refresh in the café
HOBART TOWN
Tasmania, Australia
Hobart was established in 1804 at the mouth of the Derwent River. The population consisted of 178 convicts, 25 navy marines, 15 women, 21 children, 13 free settlers and 10 civil officers. Famous for its port where the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race always finishes every year. Famous for its markets, its Casino, its fertile lands with dairy and sheep farming, its zinc and chocolate factories, its stunning beauty. On January 5, 1975, the Hobart Bridge was hit by a vessel which tore a 128 meter section from the bridge and five people perished when their cars went over the edge.
You can:
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Wander the port and eat and drink at the café/wineries
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Shop around the wharf area
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Drive up Mt Wellington for the grand view