PHONE1800 630 343
John Howie was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as the country music/easy listening act, The Howie Brothers. John has been operating and leading successful music tours and music cruises for 25 years, including Ireland & Scotland, the US, Australia, NZ, and other parts of the world. John says his & Travelrite’s primary goal, with the music tours (& cruises), is to offer outstanding travel ‘products’, with music as an additional, special focus.
Gill (accordion/ukulele/mouth organ player from Wangaratta) has played in dance bands most of her life, and knows a million tunes! She will be coming on the tour as a musician and assistant tour manager, as long as we get sufficient bookings. She will be involved in lots of fun-filled informal music sessions with the tour group.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Monday 28 February 2022 Tour commences, Launceston
Tour group members make their own way to Launceston, arriving by lunchtime. Our coach will do
a pick-up at the airport. Afternoon: Coach Tour of Launceston, including Cataract Gorge, City Park,
Queen Victoria Museum, and Tamar Valley. Travel up east side of Tamar River valley, cross over Batman
Bridge, visit the town of Beaconsfield (where 2006 mining disaster occurred), then travel down west
bank of Tamar River, enjoying lovely views of vineyards and the river. Evening: Enjoy a relaxing dinner
together (own expense). John Howie will sing a few songs. Overnight: Grand Chancellor. ( - )
DAY 2 Tuesday 1 March 2022 Cradle Mountain
After breakfast, travel in a south-westerly direction to Cradle Mountain. Morning tea in Sheffield, a
town famous for its many murals. On arrival at Cradle Mountain, in the spectacular Cradle Mountain-
Lake St Clair National Park, visit beautiful & much-photographed Dove Lake and historic Waldheim
Chalet. After lunch, free time. Evening: Enjoy a fun-filled singalong session, with John Howie and Gill
Delaney. Overnight: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. (B.L.D)
DAY 3 Wednesday 2 March 2022 Strahan
Morning: Travel to Strahan, on Tasmania’s west coast. En route visit the excellent West Coast Heritage
Centre, in the mining town of Zeehan. On the outskirts of Strahan visit the vast Henty Sand Dunes.
Then proceed to Strahan. This ‘picture postcard’ town, on the banks of Macquarie Harbour, is the
gateway to Tasmania’s World Heritage listed southwest wilderness region. Afternoon: Free time for
you to explore Strahan. You may like to take a flight over the spectacular southwest wilderness region
(own expense). Evening: Attend performance of The Ship That Never Was. This entertaining play is
based on an audacious escape, in 1834, from the convict boat-building settlement on Sarah Island,
near Strahan. After the play, we have dinner in one of Strahan’s excellent restaurants (own expense).
Overnight: Strahan Village Hotel. (B)
DAY 4 Thursday 3 March 2022 Queenstown
This morning you have the opportunity to go on a cruise on Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River,
with World Heritage Cruises (optional). Cruise includes: visit to Sarah Island, where a lively guided tour of the convict ruins is provided by the Round Earth Theatre Company; visit to a fish farm; and a
walk through an ancient Huon pine and myrtle forest. Lunch is included. Those not doing the cruise
spend a relaxing morning/early afternoon in Strahan. In the afternoon we travel to Queenstown, once
the world’s richest mining town. See the town’s famous ‘gravel’ football field. Overnight: Queenstown
Motor Lodge. (B.D)
DAY 5 Friday 4 March 2022 Hobart
Travel to Hobart. On the way, visit The Wall in the Wilderness… a work in progress; amazing
sculptures, on Tasmanian wood panels, by artist Greg Duncan. We then proceed to Hobart. On arrival,
visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery & the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Evening: A
free night for you to explore the restaurants and live music venues near our hotel, in Hobart’s CBD.
You may like to visit Street Eats @ Franko, a popular Friday night event, for street food, drinks & live
music (own expense). $6 admission fee, plus you pay for your food & drinks. Location: Franklin Square,
70 Macquarie St. (approx. 300 metres from our hotel). Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hobart (3 nights). (B)
DAY 6 Saturday 5 March 2022 Hobart
Spend the morning exploring Hobart’s colourful Salamanca Market. This renowned open-air market is
situated in front of the historic waterfront warehouses at Salamanca Place. Usually there are excellent
musicians busking at the market. In the same area we will visit Battery Point (one of Hobart’s best
preserved historic precincts – beautiful cottages and a lovely spot called Arthur Circus… a circular
street with a small park in the middle). Then we travel to the summit of Mt Wellington (weather
permitting), for stunning views of Hobart and surrounding area. Afternoon: Free time for you to explore
Hobart at your leisure. You may like to visit the Museum of New and Old Art (MONA) (own expense). Or
you might like to attend the long-running Irish music ‘session’ at the New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst
St, Hobart, 2pm to 6pm (free admission). Evening: Dinner in Hobart’s picturesque Constitution Dock/
wharf area (own expense). Lots of outstanding restaurants in this area, including seafood restaurants
like Mures and The Drunken Admiral. After dinner there is sure to be some excellent live music in Hobart
– perhaps country, jazz, or blues. John Howie will explore the options and offer suggestions! (B)
DAY 7 Sunday 6 March 2022 Port Arthur, Hobart
There is an excellent farmers’ market (the Farm Gate Market), in Bathurst Street, commencing at
8.30am. We will allow time for you to attend this market, if you wish. We then travel to the Tasman
Peninsula, where we visit the ruins of the infamous penal settlement at Port Arthur. You will be
provided with a Port Arthur Site Entry ticket. This includes a 45 minute introductory guided tour. You
then continue your exploration of the site ‘self-guided’, with an audio guide. We will also go on a
short cruise, that will take us close to the Isle of the Dead. During today’s travels you will also see other natural wonders on the Tasman Peninsula: e.g., the Tessellated Pavement, the Blowhole, and
the Devil’s Kitchen. Evening: Enjoy a fabulous night of music with the Hobart Old Time String Band (this
has been a real highlight of our previous Tasmania Music Tours). (B,Supper)
DAY 8 Monday 7 March 2022 Launceston
Travel north, to Launceston. Shortly after leaving Hobart visit Richmond, one of the most important
historic towns in Tasmania. See Richmond’s most famous landmark – Richmond Bridge, built by
convicts 1823-1825. Richmond has more than 50 historic buildings, mostly from the 1820s. We will
visit Australia’s oldest surviving Catholic church – St John’s (1836). We will also visit Australia’s oldest
existing and best preserved colonial gaol – Richmond Gaol (1825). Shortly before arriving in Launceston
we visit Evandale, one of the best preserved historic towns in Australia. Its late-Georgian and early-
Victorian buildings and untouched streetscapes offer a unique glimpse into Australia’s past, with
some buildings dating back to 1809. Evening: Dinner at our hotel. Enjoy a performance by outstanding
Tasmanian country singer/songwriter Debbie Parry. Debbie has written an unbelievable 3000 + songs!
One of her songs was recorded by John Denver. Overnight: Best Western Launceston. (B,D)
DAY 9 Tuesday 8 March 2022 Stanley
Spend today making our way along the beautiful north-west coast, from Launceston to Smithton. Do
short sightseeing tours of Devonport, Ulverstone and Burnie. Near the town of Wynyard, visit Table
Cape Lookout and Boat Harbour Beach (we’ll go for a short walk on the beach’s pristine, white sands).
Evening: Farewell dinner at our hotel. After dinner we will have our own ‘Ceilidh’ session, where tour
group members are invited to sing a song, play a tune, or perhaps recite their favourite bush poem. We
will invite local singer, Gaye Clarke, to join us for this session. Gaye has an excellent voice and does a great
job on songs like Satin Sheets, Crazy, and Rivers of Babylon. Overnight: Stanley Seaview Inn. (B,D)
DAY 10 Wednesday 9 March 2022 Crossing Bass Straight
Morning: Travel to the town of Stanley. Visit The Nut, a prominent and distinctive flat-topped hill,
right on the coast. There are wonderful views of the coast and surrounding countryside from the top
of The Nut. You can walk to the top or travel up (and down) by chairlift (chairlift own expense). Also, in
Stanley, visit Joe Lyons Cottage (former Prime Minister’s birthplace & boyhood home). Travel back to
Devonport. In Devonport visit Home Hill (the fascinating family home of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons
and Dame Enid Lyons, and their 12 children). Evening/Overnight: Sail to Melbourne on the luxurious
Bass Straight ferry, Spirit of Tasmania. After boarding, explore the ship and, from the decks, enjoy the
colourful scene as she sails out of Devonport. Dinner on the ship. (B,D)
DAY 11 Thursday 10 March 2022 Arrival in Melbourne/end of main tour
Morning: Spirit of Tasmania docks at Station Pier, Port Melbourne, at approx. 6am. On arrival in
Melbourne the main tour concludes.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $3,795 | $4,894 |
Tour deposit fully refundable up to 60 days prior to departure
Devonport to Melbourne (Per Person)
Twin Deluxe Cabin $180 per person
Single Deluxe Cabin $360 per person
Price per person twin-share is $1,895 Single supplement $410
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. ACN 005 817 078 (Travelrite) is the tour operator. All passengers must complete and sign a Travelrite International booking form.
Tour Costs: The tours costs are based on transport, accommodation costs and entry costs at 18 May 2021. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to costings will be made within 60 days of departure.
Deposit and Payment: A deposit of $500 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure. A 1.5% administration charge will be added to payment by Visa, Mastercard and AMEX cards.
Cancellation Charges: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable. Cancellations within 60 days prior to departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 60 days from departure will result in your $500 per person deposit being refunded.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for
any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other
services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
Travel Documents:
All passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania will require ‘photo ID’. This can be in the form of something like a driver’s licence or passport.
Baggage:
Baggage is at owners’ risk throughout the tour.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers: The tour has been costed on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost if the minimum number is not achieved.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty. Ltd. is the tour organiser. Travelrite International acts only as agents for passengers in making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of God, acts of government, or any other authorities, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a deposit of $500 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Fax (03) 9836 8068
Email balwyn@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
DAY 1 Thursday 10 March 2022 Apollo Bay
After disembarking we will board our ‘Victorian’ coach and depart Melbourne, travelling over the
West Gate Bridge. We will have breakfast in Geelong. We will spend the rest of the day taking a
leisurely drive along one of the most picturesque coastal roads in the world, the Great Ocean Road.
We will stop for lunch in the coastal town of Lorne. Afternoon: Stop at Kennett River, to see koalas
in the wild. On arrival in Apollo Bay you will have time to explore the town and go for a walk along
the beach. Evening: You are free to explore the various restaurants/eateries in Apollo Bay at your
leisure. Overnight: Seaview Motel, Apollo Bay. (B)
DAY 2 Friday 11 March 2022 Port Campbell / Warrnambool
Today we continue our journey along the Great Ocean Road, from Apollo Bay to Warrnambool.
Visit the iconic Twelve Apostles (there are only 8 left!), near Port Campbell. This is one of the most
spectacular sights in Australia. Visit fascinating Loch Ard Gorge. Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael
survived after being washed into this gorge when the clipper ship, Loch Ard, was shipwrecked
nearby in 1878. On arrival in the large coastal town of Warrnambool you will have free time to
explore the shopping centre, which is close to our accommodation. Evening: Enjoy group dinner
in one of Warrnambool’s excellent eating establishments. Overnight: Comfort Inn Warrnambool
International. (3 nights). (B,D)
DAY 3 Saturday 12 March 2022 Port Fairy
Folk Festival
Spend all day at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Evening: Return to Warrnambool (26 kms from Port
Fairy to Warrnambool). (B)
DAY 4 Sunday 13 March 2022
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Spend all day at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Evening: Return to Warrnambool. (B)
DAY 5 Monday 14 March 2022 Return to Melbourne
Return to Melbourne, via Camperdown, Colac, and Geelong. Arrive in Melbourne early enough for
people to catch late afternoon / evening flights interstate. (B)
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
