WORLD HERITAGE CRUISES – TAKING THE WILDERNESS TO THE WORLD

World Heritage Cruises – Tasmania’s largest wilderness cruise operator – believes its new $4 million wilderness explorer experience will significantly boost Tasmania’s appeal to overseas visitors, particularly from Europe and North America.

Company Director, Guy Grining, said WHC had been encouraged to continue its investment in the cruise industry by research which showed Tasmania’s popularity rising sharply overseas, particularly in Europe.

“Tasmania is becoming much better known in places like Germany and the UK and we see the need to develop a world-class product to cater for this growing market,” Mr Grining said.

“Comments we’ve been getting back from wholesalers who sell into Europe and North America are already very encouraging, they’re basically saying that anything relating to Tasmania is getting attention these days.”

Mr Grining said that while the international market showed great potential for growth, the majority of passengers on the new cruise would almost certainly come from Tasmania’s traditional mainland markets and from a growing market sector which was looking for a combination of escape, relaxation, luxury and an authentic wilderness experience.
 
“We have created a prestige product which caters for this market and provides experiences not available anywhere else in Australasia and few other places, if any, elsewhere in the world,” he said.

“After operating on the Gordon River for more than 14 years, we’ve seen the market change significantly in recent years.”

“This new product – which takes our investment in the industry to around $10 million – is a direct response to those changes.”

The cruise revolves around providing convenient, safe and comfortable access to one of the world’s great wilderness areas in combination with the ‘creature comforts’ of first class cuisine, luxury-standard accommodation and unique, memorable experiences.

The pace and activities of the cruise are designed to give visitors maximum appreciation of the World Heritage area and all its unique attributes and benefits.

Cruise highlights include:
• A shore excursion to closely observe the rare Orange Bellied Parrot – listed with the Giant Panda as among of the world’s most endangered species;
• A twilight, lantern-light tour of the notorious Sarah Island penal settlement, and;
• A guided tour of the ruins of East Pillinger – once a bustling township at the turn of the century when it rivaled Strahan as the major port on the harbour.

The other major features of the cruise include:
• Cruising to the upper-middle reaches of the Gordon River – approximately 20km upstream from the mouth of the river;
• Overnight stop overs on the Gordon River at Heritage Landing and at Sarah Island;
• Visits to areas of the World Heritage Area not visited by other cruise vessels, including –
Kelly Basin
Birchs Inlet, and
Double Cove
• Luxury-standard queen and twin rooms with ensuite and air conditioning;
• Limited passenger numbers (just 24 people per cruise, served by a crew of 7);
• Excellent cuisine (provided by international award winning Swiss chef, Xavier Mouche, NZ’s Chef Of The Year, former Personal Chef to the Sultan of Brunei and Executive Chef in some of Sydney’s most renowned restaurants including Bambu, Bathers Pavillion and the Regent Hotel). – See Xavier’s CV attached.
• Kayaking and fishing
• Personal on-board guides

WHC has also created an optional 4-night package in association with Tasmanian company, McDermott Coaches, which will include overnight accommodation in Launceston and Hobart as well as a two-hour Cradle Mountain tour and access to Salamanca Markets.

McDermotts plans to commission a unique ‘Sky Gazer’ glass-roofed, 28-seat limousine coach specifically built to transfer passengers through the rugged West Coast mountains at the required levels of luxury and safety.

The cruise will depart Strahan Wharf five times every fortnight over a season beginning in November and ending in April.

 “All of Tasmania’s key visitor appeals – nature, history and food and wine – have been included in this cruise,” Mr Grining said. “It is all about total immersion in the wilderness on what will be a relaxing, fun and memorable journey.”

Website: World Heritage Cruises