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 and Scotland, the US, Australia, NZ, and other parts of the world. John says his and Travelrite’s primary goal, with the music tours (and cruises), is to offer outstanding travel ‘products’, with music as an additional, special focus.
One of Australia’s most outstanding female country singers, Gina Timms, the Tasmanian-born singersongwriter, has a powerful singing voice that she delivers with passion and integrity. Gina is well-known and highly respected in Tamworth and the northern NSW region, having lived in Tamworth for 4 years and having attended the Tamworth Country Music Festival for 32 years straight! With a heart bigger than Tasmania, Gina is a generous worker/fundraiser for many community organisations. For many years she has been a devoted country music awards/talent quest judge and advocate for the Australian country music industry. She has released many outstanding albums.
Outstanding Tasmanian country singers, Debbie and Anita Parry, have been doing their motherand- daughter act for many years. Recently they have added Mick Wilson, on guitar/pedal steel guitar, and Rex Parker on bass, to form the very popular Whiskey Moonshine Bluegrass Band. Debbie and Anita sing beautiful vocal harmonies together. Debbie has recorded 35 albums. She is a great songwriter and must be one of the most prolific songwriters in Australia. She has written over 2,000 songs. One of her songs was recorded by John Denver. Debbie and Anita are looking forward to performing for us, on the 2025 Tasmania Music Tour.
The Hobart Old Time String Band is a community band of around 20 musicians, playing fiddles, banjos, ukuleles, guitars, mandolins, accordions, etc. The band members share a passion for acoustic old time music and related genres. Their aim is to provide a community forum for lovers of American old time, hillbilly, and related instrumental music, and to get together and continue to improve their musical and performance skills. They meet nearly every Thursday evening, in Hobart. The HOT String Band first formed in 2001. The band’s performances have been a highlight of previous Travelrite/John Howie Tasmania Music Tours.
The Ship That Never Was tells the dramatic and hilarious true story of an audacious escape, in colonial times, from the convict boat-building settlement on Sarah Island (near Strahan). The play is an Australian stage pantomime by Richard Davey, based on the 1834 escape, by convicts, on the ship they had built….the Frederick. The Ship That Never Was is a live professional theatre production, first performed in January 1994, in Strahan, produced by the Round Earth Theatre Company. It is an outstanding and very entertaining production. It is Australia’s longestrunning play (i.e., been running about 30 years).
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Friday 7 February 2025 Hobart
Tour group members make their own way to Hobart, arriving by lunchtime.
Our coach will do a pick-up at the airport. A highlight of our tour will be the
outstanding biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival, in Hobart (Feb. 7th to
10th 2025). It’s about wooden boats/boat building/sailing, etc., but is an excellent
music and foodie festival, as well. The 2023 festival included outstanding music
acts like The Lost Quays, The Stranded Wailers, Barrelhouse, and The Polaroids.
Afternoon: Visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Royal Tasmanian
Botanical Gardens. At the museum, learn about the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine
(the last known thylacine died in Hobart in 1936). Evening: Commencement of
Tour Dinner. Overnight: Hotel Grand Chancellor. (D)
DAY 2 Saturday 8 February 2025 Hobart
Morning: Visit Hobart’s colourful Salamanca Market, situated in front of the
historic waterfront warehouses at Salamanca Place. Nearby 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 travel to the summit of Mt Wellington (weather permitting), for
stunning views of Hobart and surrounding area. Afternoon: Free time for you to
enjoy the many attractions of the Wooden Boat Festival, including outstanding
music performances. Also, you may like to attend the long-running Irish
music ‘session’ at the New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst St., 2pm – 6pm (free
admission). Evening: Dinner in the 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 enjoy some of
the festival’s excellent live music. (B)
DAY 3 Sunday 9 February 2025 Hobart
You may like to attend Hobart’s weekly farmers’ market (the Farm Gate Market),
in Bathurst Street (8.30am – 1pm). Otherwise, a free morning and afternoon for
you to take in the many Wooden Boat Festival events and music performances.
Evening: Enjoy a fabulous night of music with the Hobart Old Time String Band
(HOT String Band). This has been a real highlight of our previous Tasmania
Music Tours. (B,Supper)
DAY 4 Monday 10 February 2025 Port Arthur
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
exploring the site ‘self-guided’, with an audio guide. We will also go on a short
cruise that takes 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 group
dinner. Overnight: Port Arthur Motor Inn. (B,D)
DAY 5 Tuesday 11 February 2025 Queenstown
Morning: Visit two of Tasmania’s most beautiful historic towns – Richmond
and Oatlands. In Richmond, see the iconic Richmond Bridge, Australia’s oldest
surviving stone bridge (built 1823 – 1825). Also, visit St John’s Catholic church
(1836) – the oldest Roman Catholic church in Australia. See many beautiful,
historic sandstone buildings, built in the Georgian style. Then visit Oatlands,
one of Tasmania’s oldest settlements. This beautiful historic village has
more colonial sandstone buildings than any other town in Australia – many
of them built by convict labour. Afternoon: Whilst travelling west, towards
Queenstown, we visit The Wall in the Wilderness, an amazing indoor sculpture,
on Tasmanian wood panels, by artist Greg Duncan. Late afternoon: Arrive in
Queenstown, once the world’s richest mining town. Queenstown is famous for
its ‘moonscape’ (local hills denuded of trees) – a legacy of more than a century
of mining. Also, visit Queenstown’s famous gravel football ground. Evening:
After dinner John Howie will host a session of Aussie bush poetry. Please join in
and recite your favourite bush poems. Overnight: Gold Rush Inn. (B)
DAY 6 Wednesday 12 February 2025 Strahan
Morning: Travel to Strahan, on Tasmania’s west coast. This ‘picture postcard’
town, on the banks of Macquarie Harbour, is the gateway to Tasmania’s World
Heritage listed southwest wilderness region. You may like to go on a cruise
on Macquarie Harbour, with World Heritage Cruises (optional). See back
of brochure for further details. Those not doing the cruise spend a relaxing
morning/early afternoon in Strahan. Afternoon: Free time 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. Overnight: Strahan Village Hotel. (B)
Optional Cruise on the Gordon River and Macquarie Harbour with World Heritage Cruises This is a 6 hour cruise (9am – 3pm). The cruise includes the following: cruise on the Gordon River; cruise on Macquarie Harbour; 1 hour visit to Sarah Island, where a lively guided tour of the convict ruins is provided by the Round Earth Theatre Company; 30 - 40 minute ‘boarded’ walk at Heritage Landing (see ancient Huon pine and myrtle forest); go through ‘Hell’s Gate’ (the opening from Macquarie Harbour to the ocean); back in Macquarie Harbour, see 3 fish farms (Tassal; Huon Aquacultur; Tetuna). Lunch is included. Prices per person: Main Deck, Centre: $155; Main Deck, Windows: $190; Upper Deck, Centre: $200; Upper Deck, Windows: $210. We have to book early, to ensure places on this cruise. If you’d like to go on this cruise, on Wednesday 12th Febuary please tick the appropriate ‘tick box’, on our tour booking form
DAY 7 Thursday 13 February 2025 Cradle Mountain
Morning: Travel to Cradle Mountain. On the way, visit the vast Henty Sand
Dunes and stop in the mining town of Zeehan, where we visit the excellent
West Coast Heritage Centre (museum). On arrival at Cradle Mountain, in the
spectacular Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, have lunch then visit
beautiful and much-photographed Dove Lake and historic Waldheim Chalet.
Evening: Enjoy a fun-filled informal music/singalong session, with John Howie.
Overnight: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 Friday 14 February 2025 Stanley
Morning: Travel to Stanley (north-west corner of Tasmania), via Burnie and
Wynyard. Enjoy spectacular coastal scenery. On arrival in 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 and boyhood home). Evening: Dinner at our hotel. After
dinner we will be entertained by outstanding local country singer, Gina Timms.
Overnight: Stanley Seaview Inn (B,D).
DAY 9 Saturday 15 February 2025 Devonport
Today we make our way along the beautiful north-west coast, from Stanley to
Devonport. Near the town of Wynyard, visit Table Cape Lookout (great views
over Bass Strait) and Boat Harbour Beach (we’ll go for a short walk on the
beach’s pristine, white sands). We will also do a short sightseeing tour of Burnie
and Ulverstone. In Devonport visit Home Hill (the fascinating family home
of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons and Dame Enid Lyons, and their 12 children).
Overnight: Sunrise Devonport. (B)
DAY 10 Sunday 16 February 2025 Launceston
Travel east to Launceston. En route stop in Sheffield and see the town’s famous
murals. Near Launceston we will visit impressive Clarendon House, the largest
and grandest Georgian house in Australia. On arrival in Launceston enjoy a
sightseeing tour, including Cataract Gorge, City Park, and the Tamar Valley. We
will travel up the east side of the Tamar River Valley, cross over Batman Bridge,
visit the town of Beaconsfield (where 2006 mining disaster occurred), then
travel down the west bank of the Tamar River, enjoying lovely views of vineyards
and the river/estuary. Evening: Enjoy End of Tour Dinner. We will be entertained
by outstanding Tasmanian country singer/songwriter, Debbie Parry, and her
daughter, Anita. Anita sings beautiful vocal harmonies with her mum. Debbie
has written an unbelievable 2000+ songs, including one recorded by John
Denver. Overnight: Grand Chancellor Hotel, Launceston. (B,D)
DAY 11 Monday 17 February 2025 Launceston
Today we travel to Freycinet National Park, to see Wineglass Bay, one of
Tasmania’s most iconic sights. On the way visit Evandale, one of the bestpreserved
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. Continue on to Campbell
Town. Rich in convict history, the town’s well-named Red Bridge is Australia’s
oldest surviving brick arch bridge. On arrival at Freycinet N.P., walk (along a
boardwalk) to Cape Tourville Lookout, for spectacular views of Wineglass Bay
and other coastal scenery. Evening: Enjoy a relaxing evening at our hotel in
Launceston. Overnight: Best Western Launceston. (B)
DAY 12 Tuesday 18 February 2025 Departure
Morning: Transfer to Launceston Airport for flights home. On arrival at
Launceston Airport the tour concludes. (B)
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $4,395 | $5,690 |
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 tour without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd, (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs: The tours costs are based on transport, accommodation costs and entry costs at 1 February 2024. 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: 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 a cancellation fee of $500 per person. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
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.
Baggage:
Baggage is at owners’ risk throughout the tour.
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.
Responsibility: 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
Email sales@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a wellestablished family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 40 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.
“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.”
