A Bite of Wild Apples
Wilderness & Gastronomy in Tasmania
15 -27 November, 2010
Overview
Have you ever sucked an oyster fresh from the ocean? Watched bull seals and sea eagles at play? Cracked a cray as the sun sinks over The Hazards? Tasted pinots and single-malt whisky from barrel? Drizzled leatherwood honey on aged blue cheese by a wilderness lake? Watched a knifemaker at his forge? Enjoyed the sensual pleasures of avant-garde art and classical music?
Or stroked a tree that was a sapling when Christ was born?
These are just some of the eclectic experiences Convivial Times is offering in a unique
12 night /13 day food, art, wine and wilderness wander through the springcolours of Tasmania
in November, 2010.
Tour leaders will be Leonie Furber of Convivial Times, events and tour organiser
and passionate foodophile, and Graeme Phillips – referred to by American Gourmet Traveller
as the ‘eminence gris’ of the Tasmanian food scene. Graeme has over twenty years as a chef/restaurateur in Tasmania and is now a writer, author and consultant on all things
vinous and gustatory. A tour to set the juices flowing and provide wonderful wilderness
and culinary memories.
Itinerary
Monday November 15 | Hobart
The tour starts by checking into the Henry Jones Art Hotel, resurrected from the old IXL
Jam Factory on the waterfront where Hobart Town was founded in 1804, an area still resonate
of its bawdy days of convicts, whalers and sealers. We meet in the foyer for welcoming drinks before a special winemakers’ degustation dinner at Piccalilly, one of Tasmania’s leading restaurants. (D)
Tuesday November 16 | Hobart to Huon and Bruny Island
Pack some warm clothing for today we head south to see an artisan knife maker at his forge,
visit a French beekeeper and a wine centre with spectacular views over the Huon Valley through to the Hartz Mountains in the South West Wilderness. Then ferry across the D’Entrecastreaux Channel to Bruny Island to try our hands at cheese and wood-fired pizza making for our dinner before a late check in to Explorer Cottages at Lunawanna on South Bruny Island. (B D)
Wednesday November 17 | Bruny to Hobart
A wander through the magnificent rhododendrons and rose gardens at Hiba before the seals, dolphins, white-bellied sea eagles, albatrosses, whales (we hope), thrills and spills (we don’t hope) around the towering crags, islands, wave-cut caves and dramatic coast of Bruny. This
is where the Tasman Sea meets the Great Southern Ocean. Then settle our sea legs with some fabulous hand-made nougat, pick up a salmon for a picnic later in the trip and back for a good sleep at the Henry Jones. (B, L)
Thursday November 18 | Hobart to Bothwell
Lunch from chef Falko Kooper’s and Maureen Craig’s amazing farm garden and sculpture
park at historic Oakwood before heading up to the Central Highlands and Nant Distillery
for a whisky masterclass, dinner and more. Overnight at Nant. (B L D)
Friday November 19 | Bothwell to Corinna
From the lake country of the Highlands we go deep into the wilderness on the West Coast with
a picnic on the shores of Lake St Clair, through the moonscape of Queenstown and mining
towns where Dame Nellie Melba sang opera and a visit to a Huon pine sawmill before ferrying across the Pieman River and overnight in selfcontained wilderness cabins at Corinna. (B, L)
Saturday November 20 | Corinna
A free day to spend walking the wilderness tracks, cruising or kayaking the Pieman, fishing for trout or simply relaxing before a BBQ dinner. Please note: These optional activities are at your own expense: www.corinna.com.au (B D)
If you wish to take the river cruise on the Arcadia, please indicate this above so Convivial Times can make the necessary advance bookings.
Sunday November 21 | Corinna to Cradle Mountain
A lazy start for a climb up into the Cradle Mountain National Park and overnight at Cradle
Mountain Lodge. After checking in, a visit to the Wilderness Gallery – a wonderful collection
of works by internationally famed wilderness photographers – and to Dove Lake. Or simply
put your feet up, listen to the silence, read a book, indulge in a sauna and relax before a
specialTasmanian game and wine dinner that evening. (B D)
Monday November 22 | Cradle Mtn to Launceston
A big day of tastings. Down through mountain-cattlemen and wedge-tail eagle-country to the original Coles Store. Then to Wilmot Hills Winery for fruit liqueurs, apple brandy & grappa, on to Barringwood Park Vineyard for wines and a light lunch, then to Australia’s leading beer
writer, Willie Simpson at his Seven Sheds Craft Brewery, Meadery and Hop Farm for some real beers. And finally, a visit to see how wasabi is grown before checking into Seaport in Launceston and a winemakers’ dinner with chef Don Cameron at the highlyacclaimed Stillwater Restaurant. Phew! (B L D)
Tuesday November 23 | Launceston to Coles Bay
Visit the Tasmanian Design Centre before the bus climbs up the coastal range for a lunch
of pancakes with altitude then down to the coast and a taste (we hope, if the winemaker
is back from Burgundy) of Apsley Gorge’s fabulous wines. Then on to stunning Coles
Bay and two nights in wilderness cabins at Freycinet Lodge, on the water’s edge under
the mighty pink-granite Hazards. (B)
Wednesday Nov 24: Coles Bay
Start with a breakfast of oysters and fizz on the deck if you like, before strolling the
beach, climbing to view the spectacular Wineglass Bay or joining one of the many
activities organised by the Lodge. Late afternoon visit to the Freycinet Marine Farm for
freshly shucked oysters followed by a crayfish paella dinner. (B D)
Thursday Nov 25 | Freycinet to Hobart
Wine tasting at the famous Freycinet Vineyard followed by a run down the magnificent
East Coast stopping for strawberries and ice cream and back to the Henry Jones Art
Hotel. In the evening, a little casual cultural and culinary soiree with chef Scott
Minervini at Lebrina. (B D)
Friday November 26
A free day in Hobart before a mid-afternoon cruise to Moorilla Estate and a private, preopening
viewing of the amazing collection of Australian and international ancient and
avant-garde art in Australia’s largest private art gallery, the Museum of New and Old Art
(opening late January 2011), Farewell dinner with chef Philippe Lebain at The Source. (B D)
Saturday November 27
Breakfast at the Henry Jones. (B )
Tour ends
But take the opportunity to wander along the waterfront and through Hobart’s famed
Salamanca Market.
**Tour itinerary may change without notice. Whilst sometimes this is unavoidable, the
quality of the overall experience will not be compromised. Some of the activities on this
tour are weather dependent. Should we be unable, or it not be safe, to fulfil some of the
programmed activities, commensurate alternate arrangements will be made.
Contact
For more information or to discuss the tour please contact Leonie Furber:
P + 61 2 9380 8327
E lfurber@ozemail.com.au
> Download a full tour brochure here
Bookings
To make a booking please contact Stuart Barrie at Academy Travel:
P + 61 2 9235 0322 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney)
Tour Price
Cost per person: $5750, twin share accommodation, land content only.
Single Supplement: $1400
Included in the tour price:
- 12 nights twin-share accommodation as per the itinerary
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 9 dinners
- Accommodation as per the itinerary
- All transfers, entrance fees and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- All applicable tipping for group arrangements
- Services of programme leaders, Leonie Furber of Convivial Times and Graeme Phillips
Not Included
- Air Fares
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal nature (telephone, laundry, minibar etc)
- Optional activities are not included
BOOKING CONDITIONS
What happens if Academy Travel is forced to cancel a tour?
You will get a full refund of all monies paid. Even though most tours are budgeted on a group size of 15 to 20 people, we will attempt to ensure that all tours depart, irrespective of numbers.
Will the tour price change?
If the number of participants in a tour is significantly less than budgeted, or if there is a significant change in exchange rates Academy Travel reserves the right to amend the advertised price. If this occurs you will be given the option of cancelling your booking and obtaining
a full refund.
Will the itinerary or airline change?
Occasionally circumstances beyond the control of Academy Travel make it necessary to change airline, hotel or to make slight amendments to daily itineraries. We will inform you of any changes as soon as they occur.
Passport and visa
A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you do not hold an Australian passport you may require a re-entry permit. Some countries require visas to be issued before you depart Australia. We will advise you of all passport and visa requirements, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet passport and visa requirements before you depart.
Travel insurance
Academy Travel requires all participants to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. Our booking agents, Jetset Travel MLC Centre will send you a travel insurance application form when you book.
Deposits
A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your booking on a tour. We accept all major credit cards for deposits only.
Cancellation fees
If you decide to cancel your booking the following charges apply:
More than 60 days before departure $500*
60-45 days before tour start 20% of total amount due
44-15 days before tour start 50% of total amount due
14 days or less before departure 100% of total amount due
* This amount may be credited to another Academy Travel tour within 12 months
of the original tour you booked.
Unused portions of the tour
We regret that refunds will not be given for any unused portions of the tour, such as meals, entry fees or accommodation.
Final payments
Full payment of the tour cost, travel insurance and any additional travel is due 60 days before departure. There is a 1% surcharge for final payments made by Visa or Mastercard. There is a 3% surcharge for final payments made by Diners Club or American Express.
