Wine Vacation Deal | Tasmania Wine & Australian Icons

Experience [Your Name Here]’s Incredible Tasting Adventure in Australia

October 3, 2020: Tasmania Food & Wine Journey $3,995* per person

Join [Your Name Here] trip leader and winemaker, [Your Name Here], on a gourmet experience of a lifetime with our Tasmania Food and Wine Journey. This is the perfect opportunity to combine your passion for wine & culinary delights with your love of travel. Travel as a group with like-minded wine lovers though the under-the-radar culinary paradise of Tasmania!

Here you’ll have the opportunity to taste and purchase premium award-winning small batch wines, not available in the USA. Your itinerary is filled with unique tastings, tours and exclusive experiences.

Plus, since we’ll already be in Australia, you have the opportunity to continue your journey to see the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney. This trip departs on October 3, but seats will sell out fast. Secure your spot today with a deposit of only $150!

Please note, while in Tasmania we will be staying in 5-star hotels. We have included 4-star hotels in the other areas of Australia.  5-star hotel upgrades are available (additional cost). Similarly, economy airfare is included, but you can easily upgrade to Premium Economy, Business or First Class for an additional cost. Please just indicate your wishes when you reserve your space and About Australia will make it happen!

Reserve by: April 10, 2020

This tour is organized by the experts at About Australia. Feel free to contact [Your Name Here] at XXX-XXX-XXXX or contact About Australia at 1-888-359-2877 Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm Central or send them a message with your questions.

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Highlights & Inclusions:
  • October 3 – 11, 2020: 8 Days/ 6 Nights, Australia
  • Accommodation (Twin Share): Melbourne 4-Star Apartment Style Hotel (1 Night), Launceston 5-Star Luxury Hotel (2), Hobart 5-Star Luxury Hotel (3)
  • International Flights: Los Angeles to Melbourne, Hobart to Los Angeles via Sydney (Ask about US Domestic Add-Ons)
  • Australian Domestic Flights: Melbourne to Launceston, Hobart to Sydney
  • Tours Included:
    • Melbourne Hidden Secrets Tour with Culinary Tastings
    • Launceston Sightseeing at Cataract Gorge
    • Tamar Valley Wine Tour with Tastings
    • Josef Chromy ‘Behind the Label’ with Lunch & Wine Paring
    • Launceston to Hobart via the Southern Wine Trail Tour & Tastings
    • Lunch & Wine Tastings at Frogmore Creek Winery
    • Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – Meet Koalas, Kangaroos and Tasmanian Devils!
    • Day of Luxury (Posh-As) at Moorilla & MONA with Lunch, Wine Pairing & Bottle of Wine
    • Bruny Island Gourmet Sampling Tour
  • Group Charter Shuttle Transfers: Melbourne Airport to Accommodation (Return), Launceston Airport to Accommodation with Free Time to explore before check-in, Hobart Airport to Accommodation
  • Single Supplement: Add $870
Faro - Mona credit Adam Gibson

Mona. Photo: Adam Gibson

Bruny Island Neck Beach Julia Smith

Bruny Island Neck Beach. Photo: Julia Smith

Extend Your Stay

Tasmania Food & Wine Journey + The Great Barrier Reef $4,750 per person

After our Gourmet Tour of Tasmania, we’ll head to Cairns for 3 nights in the tropical paradise of Queensland. We’ll take a Great Barrier Reef Cruise as a group and the rest of your time is free to spend how you please.

Highlights & Inclusions:

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Tasmania Food & Wine Journey + The Great Barrier Reef  + Sydney $5,450 per person

Next we’ll head to Sydney to explore this international icon. We’ll take a tour together of the Opera House. The rest of your time is free to explore how you choose.

Highlights & Inclusions:

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Maps & Full Itineraries

Trip Overview

We’ll begin our tour in Melbourne, Australia’s most stylish city. Here, cultural pursuits are woven into the fabric of everyday life. A passion for all things art, music and food touches every corner of the city – even the coffee is blended with an artful flourish that will raise your standards to an unparalleled level.

You’ll spend 1 night in a 4-star apartment-style hotel located in the heart of the city. As soon as you arrive, you’ll sense an unmistakably European feel about Melbourne, with a whole world of vibrant cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and bars tucked within its central laneways. Discover the best of these hidden gems on an indulgent Melbourne walking tour, guided by a local in the know of Melbourne’s secret hot spots. You won’t find these treasures in a guide book.

Then the real journey begins…5 Days filled with unique wine and culinary delights in Tasmania

Home to just 500,000 people, the island of Tasmania is as intimate as it is beautiful. Its gorgeous capital city, Hobart, is home to one of the world’s most intriguing art galleries, while northern Launceston is one of the few cities on Earth surrounded by a natural gorge. Wrapped in ocean and the world’s purest air, Tasmania’s wine, produce and local cuisine are as fresh as its mountain scenery, designating the island state as one of Wine Enthusiast magazine‘s “Top 10 Wine Destinations of 2019.” We’ll venture on a flavor-filled journey around Tasmania, mixing the island’s top sights with its award-winning wineries, restaurants and gourmet produce.

Launceston

From Melbourne, we’ll fly to Launceston where you will stay for 2 nights in the 5-star luxury Peppers Silo Hotel. Forged out of a heritage building dating back to the 1960’s, your accommodation is set in four large, repurposed grain silos. Now an iconic Launceston landmark, this hotel is complemented with an industrial-chic look that emanates tasteful luxury.

Launceston is a vibrant hub for food, wine and culture. Surrounded in sumptuous hills, ancient, fern-wreathed forests and bushland valleys, Launceston blends natural beauty with historic charm. There’s also a touch of natural wilderness with Cataract Gorge not far from the city center.

Located on the banks of the Tamar River, Launceston is the gateway to Tamar Valley, Tasmania’s oldest wine-growing area. Here, premium cool-climate wines, outstanding fresh produce and award winning restaurants go hand-in-hand. Together with the cellar doors, vineyard restaurants and farmers markets of Launceston and surrounding regions, Tamar Valley offers some of the best gourmet experiences in all Australia.

Our group will be picked up from the airport and taken to Cataract Gorge, where you can explore before our hotel check in. Take in the beautiful local scenery on a stroll to Penny Royal and settle in to lunch with wine tasting at Relbia Estate’s unique cellar door (at your own expense). 

Tour the Tamar Valley

The famous Tamar River defines the heart of northern Tasmania with its generous life-giving waterways. It is Tasmania’s principal wine producing area where wineries snuggle side by side with picturesque orchards, forests and fertile pastures.

The Tamar River is distinguished as Australia’s longest tidal navigable river. Its long, lazy bends wind 40 miles inland, around hills and plains, beaches and bush.

Fed by the fresh, flushing waters of the North and South Esk Rivers, the Tamar has created a glorious fertile valley of high-yielding vineyards, famous for Chardonnays, Sparkling, aromatic whites and Pinot Noir. We’ll explore 4 wineries on our tour of Tamar Valley: Clover Hill, Delamere Vineyards, Holm Oak and Josef Chromy.

One of Australia’s Ultimate Winery Experiences, our tour of Josef Chromy will uncover why Tasmania’s climate, clean air, pristine water and local talent produces truly exquisite wines. Here we will enjoy a 2-course lunch with matching wines.

Southern Wine Trail Richmond to Hobart & Wildlife

The next day, the group will hop on a bus to visit amazing wineries on the Southern Wine trail in the Coal River Valley. Along the way, you’ll meet some of that world-famous Aussie wildlife.

Coal River is a relatively recent addition to Australia’s wine industry, with the first commercial vineyards appearing in the 1970’s. Now, there are a handful of small-scale wineries operating in the area, taking advantage of the cool, dry conditions to make focused, taut examples of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, all Tasmanian specialties. Stops and tastings include Pooley Family Wines, Glaetzer-Dixton Family Winemakers, Domaine A and lunch with wine pairing at the highly acclaimed Frogmore Creek.

You can’t go to Australia and miss out on hand feeding Kangaroos! Before heading back to Hobart, your group will stop by Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Bonorong prides itself as a small business with a huge heart. As a 24/7 wildlife rescue service, we’re inclined to agree.

Here you’ll meet native wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas and wombats along with the Tassie favorite – Tasmanian devils. Each animal has a story and you can learn them all.

Hobart

We’ll arrive in Hobart for a 3-night stay in a luxury 5-star waterfront accommodation. Nestled in the heart of the historic Hobart waterfront, this splendid hotel combines premium accommodation with immersive, unforgettable storytelling.

A Day of Luxury at Moorilla and MONA

Moorilla at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) offers a rare and exciting combination of wine, food, and art. Moorilla, founded in 1962, focuses on a small, very high quality output. From estate-grown fruit, these ultra-premium wines are made using small-batch wine-making techniques in a gravity-assisted winery. Craft beers and seasonal brews are also on tap.

Enjoy your day at MONA sampling wines and exploring the museum. Known as Hobart’s eccentric child, MONA sets out to challenge perceptions of art. We’ll receive and in-depth tour of the Moorilla winery and vineyard, with exclusive tastings from Moorilla’s Cloth Label and Muse Series—decanted into fancy glassware, ooh la la—in the moody and glamorous surrounds of the subterranean tasting room. Receive the perfect souvenir to take home – a complimentary bottle of Muse wine. Before the day is done, we’ll indulge in a two-course lunch with matched wines and then you are free to explore. 

Bruny Island Culinary Delights

Today we’ll head off to the most artisanal island in the world. Bruny Island has some of Tasmania’s most beautifully preserved natural environments, abundant with wildlife and boundless cliff top views. It is also home to famous local producers specializing in oysters, cheese and chocolate.

Here you will explore spectacular landscapes and gourmet local produce on a delicious day out where every course on the menu is a stop on your journey. You’ll visit the home of Bruny Island’s cheese, taste freshly caught oysters, sample fudge, artisan honey, sip handcrafted wines and whiskeys, and hear the stories behind the harvest. At every stop sit back, relax and savor a fully inclusive experience of Bruny Island’s delights.

Every stop is paired with incredible scenery. Take a stroll and leave your footprints in the sand of a deserted beach. The light bush of the northern island gives way to the dense rainforest of the south, an untouched wilderness home to diverse wildlife. You might even spot rare white wallabies along the way!

Extending Your Journey

If your time allows, join us for our extended journey to see the Great Barrier Reef & Sydney. Those leaving the group will fly to Melbourne to catch their flight home, but we’ll fly to Cairns for a 3 night stay in tropical North Queensland, where laid-back vibes and heady tropical atmosphere will instantly put you into holiday mode. Your 4-star hotel is perfectly located with the main shopping district, Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns Esplanade and Trinity Harbour right at your doorstep.

The group will enjoy an unforgettable cruise onboard a luxury vessel to the Great Barrier Reef. Here we’ll get up close and personal with this treasured natural wonder by snorkeling at 3 sites. If you have never snorkeled before, don’t worry, a briefing is held on board, explaining how to use the snorkeling gear.

The rest of your time is free to enjoy this tropical paradise, where the warm Esplanade waters are primed for swimming and the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest calls for an exciting expedition. There are so many unique attractions and activities to see when you visit: take a safari to the outback, explore Aboriginal culture, trek into the rainforest or see it from above on a rainforest cableway to Kuranda Rainforest Village.

Iconic Sydney awaits!

You can choose to leave the group here, fly to Brisbane and head home, or join us as we round off our trip with an exciting 3-night stay in Sydney!

Sydney is Australia’s oldest city and the economic powerhouse of the nation. It’s the country’s capital in everything but name. Enjoy the sights of Sydney, a world class city blessed with sun-drenched beaches, dizzy skyscrapers, delicious and daring restaurants, superb shopping and friendly folk. We’ll stay in a 4-star hotel perfectly located for exploring the city. Included in this tour is a 1 hour tour of the Sydney Opera House. The rest of your time is free to customize. Take advantage of the many tour options or just relax and go at your own pace as you enjoy the excitement that only Sydney can offer.

This is an excellent opportunity to explore Hunter Valley – Australia’s oldest and best-known wine region, rich in history. The region brims with over 150 top class wineries, 65 indulgent restaurants, boutique breweries and artisan producers. The warm, sunny New South Wales wines are the perfect complement to those you sampled in Tasmania.

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About Australia Travel Agency Reviews

Our group tour has been planned by the experts at About Australia. Their contacts in Tasmania and the rest of Australia will ensure we have a fun and worry-free vacation.

Rating of  Average of 4.86 on a total of 185 Ratings
Gabriele Wahlbrink-Herrmann
Being "Down Under" was a top experience!

Ana did a great job! In less than 3 weeks we saw the top spots ob Australia's south, middle and north. Everything was well organized, just showing the voucher and we could pass.

Mary Rice
Great job

About Australia did a fantastic job planning our trip. We enjoyed the flexibility of designing it based on our preferences. I highly recommend this service!

John & Jeanne Koch
Beautiful country and wonderful people

Jeanne and I highly recommend a trip to Australia and to use About Australia for your arrangements! Everything they recommended we tried to fit into our schedule and it was well worth it. We especially loved Cairns and snorkeling on the Barrier Reef and hope to go back again at some point to spend more time there. One day on the water was not enough!
All of our flight arrangements made by About Australia were good except our return flight from Sydney to San Francisco. Qantas changed the(...)

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Lorin Mannella
This was a fun trip that ran very smoothly.

Traveling to 3 Australian cities, I was surprised how effortless the whole trip was. The hotels were very nice, the pickups and transfers from airports were efficient, the included tours were fun, and it was an all around enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

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FAQ

How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?
The easiest way to make a reservation is to click on the red button to reserve your spot and make your deposit. The payment schedule for this trip is as follows:

  • Now: A Non-refundable deposit of $150 per person is payable at the time of your booking. 
  • April 4, 2020: Mid-Payment.
    • Amount TBD, pending the option you select. These typically range between $1,800 and $2,400 per person. The Mid-payment is based on vendor contracts &/or Ticketing Deadlines. Mid payments must be received on or before this due date so that flights can be ticketed & bookings can be confirmed at quoted rates.
    • Traveler Forms, Passports & Visa Applications must be submitted so Visas (Electronic Travel Authorities) and flights can be issued at this time. Names on these forms must match your passports EXACTLY.
    • Please note: Once Mid-Payments are received, flights and bookings cannot be changed, nor refunded. We cannot guarantee flight prices after this date. Any mid-payments received after the due date may or may not result in price increases.
  • August 4, 2020: Final Payment

Early enrollment is always encouraged as group size is limited.

You can pay by check, direct transfer (About Australia account details can be provided by request) or Credit Card. 

What is your cancellation, refund & transfer policy?
All cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellation charges are calculated at the date when the written cancellation is received by About Australia and as a percentage of the total price excluding trip deposit paid, visa application fees, credit card processing fees and ticketed airline flights, all of which are non-refundable if you cancel. All cancelled components within itineraries will incur a 20% administrative fee to be deducted from the refund amount.

Written Notice of Cancellation Received

 Cancellation Charges
 60 days or more prior to departure $200 per person
 59 – 45 days prior to departure  25% of trip cost
 44 – 30 days prior to departure 50% of trip cost
 29 – 15 days prior to departure  75% of trip cost
 14 days – Day of Departure / During Tour  100% of trip cost

Deposits made to About Australia are non-refundable. For “Group Tours,” where possible the non-refundable deposit can be transferred to another traveler before flights are issued if you can find another traveler willing to take your spot. Transfers are not possible after flights are ticketed. Subsequent payments made to About Australia may also be non-refundable depending on the properties booked. To protect your investment we recommend Travel Insurance.

Itinerary changes requested after bookings are placed will result in a minimum $100 change fee from About Australia. This fee is in addition to any other fees issued by other providers (e.g. Hotels, Airlines and Tour Operators). This includes changes to names on ticketed flights. 

Can I extend my tour at the beginning or end?
Yes, you can extend your tour of Australia at the beginning or the end of this tour. Please contact About Australia for more information.
Are Meals Included?
Some meals are included. Breakfast is included at the hotels in Tasmania. Lunch is included on days 4, 5, 6 and 7 in Tasmania and on day 9 during the Great Barrier Cruise. All other meals are excluded. 
Are Flights Included?
International Flights and Australian Domestic Flights are included per the itinerary. About Australia can include your US domestic flights if requested. 
What is excluded?
Meals not listed under inclusions, gratuities, alcoholic drinks not listed in tastings or paired lunches, personal items, travel insurance and any tours listed as ‘optional’.
What about Travel Insurance?
You are encouraged to purchase travel insurance. About Australia will supply you a quote to purchase insurance via TravelEx after Mid-Payment is received or you can purchase on your own.
What will the weather be like?
October is in the middle of spring and a great time to visit Australia. Here’s what you can expect:

Tasmania: Lows in the 40’s and highs in the 60’s. Nights are cool and the days are usually pretty sunny this time of year. It’s best to dress in layers and always be prepared for a temporary deterioration in the weather. Always carry additional warm clothing and a waterproof outer layer.

Cairns: October is a perfect time to visit Cairns. It’s great beach weather, there are no stingers on the Great Barrier Reef and the nights are warm. The majority of rain tends to fall in the late afternoon or overnight this time of year, making October perfect for rainforest adventures. Lows are in the 70’s with Highs in the 80’s.

Sydney: Sydney is pretty temperate and sunny all year round. During October, Sydney experiences an average or 17 sunny days with Lows in the upper 50’s and Highs in the 70’s. 

What should we do on our free days?
About Australia has provided Additional Day Tour recommendations in our itineraries. After your mid-payment is received, they will send you a price list so you can select the ones you want. If you are interested in other options please contact About Australia.
What are the physical requirements to travel?
Transportation throughout Australia is by an A/C equipped coach. Some walking, up to 2 miles, is required. All flights are booked in economy class, unless otherwise requested. There will be a few full days of travel. You must be able to handle your luggage independently, walk over uneven surfaces and use stairs.
Is a Visa required to travel?
Yes. About Australia will provide you with a Visa Application and will process your visa on your behalf for $15 per person.
When will I receive Final Documentation?
Final Documentation will be issued to you 3 weeks in advance of your trip via email.

Questions?

Contact About Australia with your questions.

*Terms & Conditions:

All prices are in US dollars and correct as of January 16, 2020. Pricing is from “per person” based on Double Occupancy (2 Adults) in hotels. Single Supplements apply. Upgrades available on request (upgrade supplements apply). No refunds allowed. Changes are permitted (fees may apply). Other restrictions may apply.  Not combinable with any other offer or discounted vacation package. About Australia reserves the right to adjust the amount of any outstanding balances at any time according to USA Exchange Rate variations. All taxes, GST & Fuel Levies are included in the Price unless specified otherwise.  Prices may vary when you book your travel package and are not guaranteed until payment in full is received. Airlines, hotels and tour operators frequently change their prices as a result of rate increases, fuel surcharges, government imposed taxes or fees. Prices may increase prior to full payment for those and/or other reasons. All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change. After full payment, prices are guaranteed except only due to an increase in government imposed taxes or fees. By paying your deposit, you understand and agree to the possibility of such increases. Terms & Conditions of purchase also apply.

Flights, where included, will be operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia or their code-share partners; flight Taxes & Fuel levy included; Economy Flight Class of Service. Flights maybe based on Fares which can not be held in advance of purchase, same day ticketing may be required.  

 

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Texas applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state and without regards to the conflicts of law principles of such state.  The parties hereby agree that venue of any action under this agreement shall be exclusively in the state courts of Bexar County, Texas.

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