Dear Andrea
Thank you so much for leading the South Island trip we have just finished. Thanks to your excellent leadership and detailed organisation everything was so good. As the oldest in the group and the least able walker I did appreciate how you took care of me and made sure I still had a good time.
Please will you pass on my thanks to Steve also. He was very kind to me and took extra care with things like lifting my bag and walking with me at the end of the pack.
The Great Tassie Christmas Escape
PRICE: 9 Day Land Package is $4,800 per person
*Flights added at your request
DURATION: 9 packed Festival days
DEPART: 24 December – 02 January 2026
Highlights
Dates
2025: 24 December – 02 January 2026
AVAILABILITY: Open for Booking
If you need to escape family traditions, friends or life this Christmas, we have you covered!
Our 9 day package is perfect to excuse yourself from the table.
Escape the ordinary and savour the extraordinary at Tasmania’s Tase of Summer Festival. A week-long celebration of produce, people, music and culture. 75 stallholders showcasing Tassie’s finest produce from shucked oysters to cool-climate wines. Throw in the Sydney to Hobart yacht Race, a couple of day tours out of town, a New Years Eve Show and you have yourself a festive season like no other!
Our program is packed to the gunnels with cheer!
24 December 2025 through 02 January 2026. Pricing out now!
Our Personalised Program
Day 1 Wednesday 24 December
Depart Auckland 9:00am, direct to Hobart arriving 11:00 am local time.
Enjoy a meet & Greet and a commentary transfer into the city.
Settle into your hotel – rooms with a view.
This afternoon enjoy a Salamanca Story Walk for around 90 minutes and learn some fun secrets and shenanigans that went on in the States capital the early days colonization.
The rest of your day is at leisure, perhaps take advantage of the hotel pool and city views before dinner. And tonight you can wander the waterfront to hear carolling and enjoy the Xmas lights.
Day 2 Thursday 25 December CHRISTMAS DAY
A full Christmas Lunch is included today. And your choice from 3 venues.
12:00 PM A Christmas Lunch Cruise with Hobart Historic Cruises
1:00 PM A fabulous Christmas Buffet Lunch at the infamous Hadley’s Orient Hotel
(a short walk from your hotel)
2:00 PM A Christmas Buffet Lunch at the lovely Tesoro Hotel
Day 3 Friday 26 December
TASMAN PENINSULA TOUR
Today a road trip to the incredibly scenic Tasman Peninsula with its spectacular coastline to unlock the convict stories around the Coal Mines Historic Site, see Remarkable Cave,
Take a walk along the Tasman Arch walkway and Devils Kitchen, and onto the Tessellated Pavement features. Lunch can be taken at Port Arthur Lavender Farm, and a stop at McHenry Distillery for a Tour + Tasting is optional before heading back to town.
Day 4 Saturday 27 December
HUON VALLEY SIGNTSEEING & WINERY LUNCH
Take a scenic drive south to the Huon Valley via Longley. Enjoy a walk to Silver Falls (40 minutes return, 1.7km) and a look at D’Entrecasteaux Channel and its historic importance in this wonderfully picturesque valley. A morning stop at Grandvewe Cheeses and Hartshorn Distillery – a brilliantly innovative working sheep farm with many spinoff benefits! Tasting and presentation optional.
The jewel of the southern wine industry has to be Home Hills Winery where you will enjoy some award winning Tasmanian wines and classy cuisine for lunch.
Recovering from lunch will be easy on a fabulous cruise down the Huon River aboard a beautifully restored wooden boat to unwind fully before the return to the city.
Day 5 Sunday 28 December
Today the TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL kicks into action along the waterfront. The atmosphere will ramp up as the town goes into a 5 day party mode. A week long celebration of produce, people, music and culture. Indulge in world class food and drink from shucked oysters to cool-climate wines. This is a vibrant showcase of more than 75 stallholders featuring Tasmania’s finest produce. Jump right in!!!
Day 6 Monday 29 December
TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL DAY 2
*Keep an eye on the progress of the Hobart to Sydney Yacht Race. You have entry to the Yacht Club for a front row seat when the front runners sail into the Derwent to cross the finish line in front of crowds of fans.
Day 7 Tuesday 30 December
TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL DAY 3
There is a slot this morning if you are feeling active enough to join a guided kayak around the harbor and experience Hobart city from a completely new perspective. A fish & Chip lunch is included as you pull up to one of the many floating restaurants along the wharf. Optional.
*Keep an eye on the progress of the Hobart to Sydney Yacht Race. You have entry to the Yacht Club for a front row seat as the fleet of racers continue to arrive.
Day 8 Wednesday 31 December
TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL DAY 4
*Keep an eye on the progress of the Hobart to Sydney Yacht Race. You have entry to the Yacht Club for a front row seat when the front runners sail into the Derwent to cross the finish line in front of crowds of fans.
Tonight you have a Pass to the Festival’s NEW YEARS EVE PARTY on the Waterfront. The star act this year is the HOODOO GURUS if you remember these famous Aussie rock legends!
Day 9 Thursday 01 January 2026
FREE DAY You might need one!
Day 10 Friday 02 January 2026
After Breakfast collect luggage for the airport and transfer around 9:00am
Arrive at the airport 9:30 for a 12.30 pm departure direct to Auckland.
What people say...
Feature Photo: Alastair Bett