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 $4,560 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, 6 paces available
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 is 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.
12:00 PM A Christmas Lunch Cruise with Hobart Historic Cruises
(a short walk from your hotel)
Day 3 Friday 26 December
TASMAN PENINSULA & PORT ARTHUR
Today a road trip to the incredibly scenic Tasman Peninsula with its spectacular coastline with entry to Port Arthur Historic Site to unlock the incredible convict stories.
A full day tour from Hobart including stops at Pirates bay lookout, Dog line, Tasmanian Lavender Farm and Foundry Chocolate. Arrive Port Arthur 12 noon and leave again 4pm.
Day 4 Saturday 27 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!!!
Keep an ear on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race today and use your access to the Tasmanian Yacht Club down on the waterfront to follow the race’s progress and be there to see the first ships coming into view up the Derwent and over the finish line.
Day 5 Sunday 28 December
TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL DAY 2
Continue your explorations of the Festival tents and entertainment. *Keep an eye on the progress of the Hobart to Sydney Yacht Race as the fleet of racers continue to arrive.
OR
BRUNY ISLAND DAY TOUR
Arguably Tasmania’s best day trip! expect an active (easy/moderate level) morning with nature walks, albino wallaby spotting, spectacular scenery lookouts, exploring pristine beaches and lagoon. Lunch at the Bruny Hotel, and then unwind and relax as we sample some award winning local produce. Honey, chocolate fudge, cheese, beverages and oysters are all possibilities in the afternoon. Arrive back to Hobart 5.30pm.
Day 6 Monday 29 December
TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL DAY 3
Day 7 Tuesday 30 December
TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL DAY 4
OR
GUIDED DAY TOUR TO HASTINGS CASVES & TAHUNE AIRWALK
Choose one or all three of the walks on offer at Tahune Airwalk. Start with the famous Airwalk, a 600-meter stroll 50 meters up in the tree canopy amongst the world’s tallest flowering plants, the eucalyptus gum trees or Swinging Bridges Track where you cross two swinging bridges over the Huon River : at 100m and 64 metres long and admire trees that are 2,500 years old. Hastings Cave is Australia’s oldest dolomite cave – explore this massive cave system with a guide this afternoon and while in the reserve, look out for platypus, quolls, pademelons and birds.
Day 8 Wednesday 31 December
TASTE TASMANIA SUMMER FESTIVAL DAY 5
The festival winds up today so make sure you have purchased your favourite and unique Tassie morsels to take home. *Be assured you wont find any of this produce in other parts of Australia!
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