Maylands Lodge

While Australia’s mainland colonies experienced a severe economic depression in the 1840s, Tasmania remained prosperous owing to unpaid convict labour and industries such as wool production and whaling. Runnymede represents Tasmania’s golden age. This Regency marine villa was built by lawyer Robert Pitcairn and Dorothea Pitcairn c1836-1840 and extended by Tasmania’s first Anglican Bishop, Francis Russell Nixon who resided there between 1850 and 1862. Captain Charles Bayley then acquired the house and named it Runnymede after his favourite whaling ship. The Bayley and Bayly families resided in the house for over a century. Enjoy a guided tour of this gracious house with its elegant furnishings, fascinating maritime collections and verdant gardens. Garden: Original 19th century villa garden including a carriage drive surrounding the house, 1840s stables and coach house, cast iron fountain, historic trees and plantings. 61 Bay Road, New Town 7008 (15 minutes by car from Hobart CBD via the Brooker Highway, travelling in the direction of MONA). Nearby attractions: Hobart CBD, Penitentiary Chapel and Criminal Courts and MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). Runnymede is available for private events bookings.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is Australia’s premier cool climate garden. For more than 200 years this 14-hectare site has nurtured rare plants, housed a thriving kitchen garden, and offered locals and travellers a place to gather and learn. Many unique collections are found here, including Australia’s only Subantarctic Plant House, housing the flora of Macquarie Island. Botanic features include a special conservation selection of Tasmanian native plants, many of them rare and threatened species. There is a significant collection of heritage trees at the Gardens, some of which date from the 19th century. The Gardens offers a range of scenic locations for outdoor events as well as indoor function spaces. The onsite restaurant has a seasonal menu celebrating local produce, and the onsite shop has many botanically inspired and locally made products. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are open daily year-round. Located at Lower Domain Rd, Queens Domain, Hobart, about 2km north of the city centre - a 5min drive or 25min walk.

Casey Australia Tours is one of Australia's most experienced coach tour operators, who have been hosting countrywide tours since 1973. Travel in safety and comfort with Casey Tours on their luxury air-conditioned road coach or four-wheel drive coaches with a friendly group of like-minded travelers. Offering a diverse range of tours to suit the mature traveler, from motel and outback camping options lasting anywhere from one to 20 days throughout Australia. On their 10-Day Tasmanian Tour you'll fly into Hobart, spend a whole day at the Port Arthur Convict Settlement, tour Hobart including the city, Richmond, Mount Wellington (weather permitting), Botanical Gardens, Bonorong Wildlife Park and the Tasmanian Maritime Museum. Then continue to the West Coast to the impressive Russell Falls and "The Wall in the Wilderness". You'll visit Strahan for a cruise on the Gordon River, tour through Stanley and on to Burnie and Devonport. Then view majestic Cradle Mountain from the picturesque Dove Lake, exploring the diverse vegetation at this altitude. You'll also visit the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre, and Launceston. All tours are run by friendly and informative staff. Your professional driver and tour leader/cook will make your experience on tour with Casey's comfortable and enjoyable. For value, experience and enjoyment, you can't go past Casey Australia Tours.