G'day from the land down under!

Our journey starts in the historic town of Hobart on the island of Tasmania, once known as Van Diemen's Land and officially renamed Tasmania in 1856. Home to the famously adorable (and sometimes feisty!) Tasmanian Devil, this island has a fascinating history and plenty for us to discover.

We'll explore the famous Salamanca Markets together, experience Tasmania's vibrant fiber culture, and enjoy art, food, wine, wildlife, and the beautiful landscapes that make this island so special. From Devonport, we'll board an overnight ferry to the mainland and continue our adventure into rural Victoria.

We'll immerse ourselves in the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo before heading to "the big smoke" of Melbourne. Here, we'll have time for shopping and exploring this culturally enticing city, along with a walking tour to help us discover how Melbourne came to be.

For some, Melbourne will be the end of the adventure. But if you're not ready to say goodbye, you can continue on with us to Adelaide aboard The Overland train—a unique journey and another opportunity to enjoy a workshop along the way. In Adelaide, we'll discover even more fiber shops and markets, explore the beautiful Adelaide Hills, and take part in an Aboriginal art workshop that you can take home with you.

Throughout it all, we'll be wowed by wool, wildlife, wonderful places, and fabulous Aussies!

There will be a mix of trains, ferry, and small coaches, with the odd Uber thrown in, so be prepared for a little bit of everything on this adventure.

This trip needs at least 10 participants in order to proceed (i.e. the trip is "guaranteed"). We strongly advise you to wait to purchase your flights until the trip is guaranteed by us to go forward. Unless otherwise stated, our regular Terms and Conditions apply to this trip and for any cancellations.

Please Note

Rowan Tree Travel reserves the right to alter any part of this itinerary in order to address weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances or to improve the participant experience.

While our Tour Activity Level describes what to expect on a tour, our Mobility Comfort Level is personal to each traveller.

We would describe this trip as an Expedition with a mobility comfort level of 3️⃣+. This tour includes some short walks with uneven terrain on farms and outings; limited ground floor rooms at all properties; there are taxis available at your own cost for when you have free time; what you bring you have to carry as there are no porters.

Rowan Tree Travel highly recommends purchasing travel insurance. You may purchase through our preferred partner, Arch RoamRight here, or through your own provider.  

*Arch RoamRight is an affiliate of RTTF and we will receive a small commission for policies bought through the provided link.

In order to gather easily for the tour, we provide an arrival and departure "window" at a major transportation hub - typically an international airport at your destination country. Flights scheduled outside the provided windows may result in additional transportation costs and/or missed tour activities. For this reason, we greatly appreciate your cooperation in booking travel that accommodates our specifications. 

This tour will start in Hobart and end in Melbourne (or Adelaide if you choose the extension). Flight details will be provided upon registration and confirmed once the tour has been declared a go.

Please do not purchase airfare until the tour is guaranteed by RTTF to go forward.

Rowan Tree Travel reserves the right to alter any part of this itinerary in order to address weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances or to improve the participant experience.

G'DAY MATE

Our Australian adventure begins in Hobart, a beautiful waterfront city surrounded by mountains, sea, and a rich creative spirit. As we arrive, we’ll have time to settle in, meet our fellow travelers, and begin getting acquainted with the land down under.

This evening, we’ll come together for a welcome dinner, sharing our first meal and getting to know one another over good food and conversation. It’s a relaxed opportunity to connect as a group, hear a little about what brought everyone to Australia, and start settling into the rhythm of traveling together.

With our first evening in Hobart behind us, we’ll be ready to spend the days ahead exploring Tasmania through its landscapes, local makers, food, art, and, of course, fiber.

EXPLORING TASMANIA

Over these three days, we’ll experience some of the many sides of Tasmania, from the energy and creativity of Hobart to the beauty of the surrounding countryside. We’ll have time to wander through a world-renowned market, explore the wonderfully unexpected world of MONA, and take in some of the sights and stories that make this corner of Tasmania so special.

We’ll venture beyond Hobart to places like a unique sheep sanctuary where we can learn about the many ways sheep and their products are part of Tasmanian life. This special sanctuary is also home to resident wildlife, and we’ll have the opportunity to hear some of their stories and discover what makes this place such a joy to visit.

Along the way, we’ll enjoy a true taste of Tassie with lunch and wine tasting, taking time to savor local flavors and the beautiful surroundings. Together, we’ll walk, wander, taste, learn, and enjoy the many unexpected connections between Tasmania’s landscapes, local producers, creative spirit, and sheep.

FROM TASMANIA TO MAINLAND AUSTRALIA

Before we say goodbye to Tasmania, we’ll have time to explore a couple of special stops that celebrate the island’s rich fiber traditions. In historic Oatlands, we’ll visit a charming working textile art studio and gallery showcasing the work of Tasmanian makers, including weavers, textile artists, and basketmakers.

We’ll also stop for some more wool! We'll discover the story behind the ethical, sustainable, and traceable superfine merino wool, grown right here in the Tasmanian Midlands. With time to browse, shop, and connect with the local fiber community, it’s a wonderful way to wrap up our time in Tasmania.

Then it’s time to board the overnight ferry and settle in for the journey to mainland Australia.

WOOL, HISTORY & WILDLIFE

As we make our way through Victoria, we’ll continue exploring Australia through its rich wool and textile heritage, while discovering some of the region’s fascinating history and wildlife along the way.

In Geelong, we’ll visit the National Wool Museum, where we can dive deeper into Australia’s wool story and explore the important role wool, fiber, and textiles have played in the country’s history. The museum’s collections and exhibitions bring together stories of industry, craftsmanship, and the people behind Australia’s enduring connection to wool.

We’ll then head to Ballarat and Sovereign Hill, a living-history experience that brings the world of 1850s gold-rush Australia to life. We will wander historic streets, explore demonstrations and traditional crafts, and experience what life was like during one of the most transformative periods in Australian history.

We’ll also visit a woolen mill before spending time at a Wildlife Park, giving us another chance to connect with the landscape and wildlife of Australia. Together, these days offer a wonderful mix of wool, history, traditional skills, and the natural world as we continue our journey across the country.

AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW

It’s time for one of the highlights of our adventure down under—the Australian Sheep and Wool Show! We’ll spend two days immersed in all things sheep, wool, and fiber, with plenty of opportunities to explore the show, connect with fellow fiber enthusiasts, meet local producers and makers, and enjoy the energy of this incredible celebration of Australia’s wool industry.

This is a great place to bring your knitting! If you find yourself with some downtime, settle in with your project, enjoy the atmosphere, and see who you might meet along the way. You never know when a quiet bit of knitting might turn into a conversation—and perhaps a new friendship with a local knitter!

MELBOURNE & BEYOND

We’ll spend these days discovering Melbourne and the surrounding area at a relaxed pace. We’ll start with a walking tour before enjoying some free time to explore the city at your own pace. You might wander through the neighborhoods, seek out a local yarn shop, or even hire a bike and follow the Yarra River as it winds through the city.

We’ll also venture to Phillip Island to experience its famous penguin parade, with the option to visit the colorful Brighton Beach Boxes along the way. During another free half day, you can choose your own adventure before we come together at Australian Tapestry, where you’ll have the option to join a workshop or talk, or simply explore and take in the incredible work on display.

With a mix of shared adventures and time to make Melbourne your own, these days give us plenty of opportunities to explore, create, and discover the city together.

FAREWELL

Our Australian adventure comes to an end today. After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes and head off to the airport for flights home from Melbourne.

If you’re not quite ready for the adventure to end, you can choose to extend your journey with us for an additional six days in Adelaide, discovering even more of what Australia has to offer.

EXTEND YOUR AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE

Not ready for the adventure to end? Join us for an additional six days as we continue on to Adelaide, where we’ll discover another side of Australia through fiber, creativity, culture, and landscape.

We’ll journey to Adelaide by overland train, with a special workshop led by our Fiber Ambassador, Jo, along the way. Once in Adelaide, we’ll have opportunities to explore local yarn shops and markets, venture into the beautiful Adelaide Hills, and take part in an Aboriginal art workshop that offers a chance to learn, create, and connect with the culture of the region.

This extension is the perfect way to keep exploring together, with new places to discover, new creative experiences to enjoy, and plenty more opportunities to connect through our shared love of fiber.

Jo has lived in New Zealand since the mid 90's after emigrating from Ireland and the UK as a child. Fifteen years was spent growing up in Australia in New South Wales.

Her love of fibres started as a child when her mum taught her how to crochet, and her nana taught her to knit. She has a love of all things fibre, so embroidery, mixed textiles and fibres, are like a chocolate box of yummy things to choose from. Jo did weaving as a major work at High School and loves to be creative when she has the opportunity.

She is an active relaxer so there is always something on the go. For over thirty years, Jo has traveled to over 50 countries and led tours around the world. New Zealand is one of the best places for beauty, culture and friendly locals coupled with wonderful fibres to touch and create with.

Did you know there used to be more sheep in New Zealand than people?!

Kay comes from New Zealand, a family of knitters, farmers, shearers and foresters, growing up around woolsheds and farms. She loves wool and textile arts, knits and has dipped into wool felting, wanting to do more with Gotland wool. She is also fascinated with the history of wool and craft in communities and how people connect and build relationships and become friends through craft in their communities and more widely.

Kay has traveled for work and pleasure in New Zealand and to other countries.  She hunts out agricultural events and shows, including New Zealand’s national agricultural field-days, and is following New Zealand’s wool industry’s innovations. 

Kay has worked with New Zealand's primary industries, having worked with farmers, horticulturalists, viticulturists/winemakers, and foresters. Most recently, she advocates for New Zealand's rural communities so that people living in rural areas can prosper and achieve their aspirations. 

In her spare time, Kay gardens on the coast northwest of Wellington where she raised her two sons, knits, reads, practices yoga, cooks, enjoys music gigs, and finds a beach for an any-season swim.

🧶 "Rowan Tree finds interesting people and places the average tourist wouldn’t ever see. Combining travelers that share a common interest make these tours easy to go on even if you have never met another participant." Katherine Y

🏛️ "Rowan Tree Travel presents unique adventures for knitters who want to enjoy their craft outside of the US. They are gifted in combining knitting and cultural experiences with beautiful accommodations, great restaurants and delightful and well spoken guides." Kathy T

🧳 "If you are a fiber person, Rowan Tree Travel tours should be on your bucket list. The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable and warm. The activities are varied and interesting. The accommodations are lovely and unique. The other travelers are curious and wonderful to explore with. I have been on two different tours and loved them both." Catherine M