Finely crafted cultural and sighseeing activities
World
Class Dining
Luxury
Accommodation
Overview
Join Australia’s finest musicians in a bespoke 3 day musical weekend away celebrating Beethoven’s 250th year. From the grand ballroom of one of Tasmania’s most beautiful historic homes we will enjoy a series of 4 exquisite chamber music concerts, delivered over 2 days, by Sydney Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Andrew Haveron with the Searphim Trio and guest artists . Estate owners Jacqui and Geoffrey Robertson and head chef Ceinwen Macbeth will host us in a series of food and wine experiences to be enjoyed between concerts on the beautiful grounds of the estate and its sprawling English gardens. In addition to our weekend concert package we will tour by boat to the infamous and thought provoking Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) where we will experience Australia’s largest private collection and learn the fascinating story of Tasmanian gambler come gallery owner David Walsh. We will also enjoy a private tour and tasting at the Moorilla Winery and Vineyard.
This bespoke small group tour offers a rare and exciting combination of sublime music, the best of Tasmania’s fine food and wine, and a viewing of Australia’s largest private art collection all delivered over 3 days in the pristine beauty of the island of Tasmania. Our journey begins as we arrive and check in to Hobart’s newest, award winning 5- star luxury hotel, located in the heart of the historic Hobart waterfront.
Tour Itinerary
DAY 1 / FRIDAY 6 MARCH 2020
1st OF 4 NIGHTS AT MACQ 01, HOBART WATERFRONT
Bravura ‘Welcome’ Drinks in the lounge bar and dinner at ‘Old Wharf’
Our Tasmanian journey begins as we arrive and check in to Hobart’s newest, award winning 5- star luxury hotel, MACQ 01. Nestled in the heart of the historic Hobart waterfront, MACq 01 is a luxurious hotel that combines premium accommodation with unforgettable history and storytelling. Throughout the halls and walls, guests will find engaging stories of heroes, explorers, villains, convicts; an array of characters central to the story of Tasmania. All this whilst enjoying the most beautiful views over the Derwent Estuary and across to mount wellington. Other facilities include a glorious lounge bar elegantly wrapped around a centred fire pit, a fitness centre, cocktail making classes, guided historic walking tours delivered with panache, and an on-site restaurant that is simply described as an ‘ode to Tasmania’s best food and wine producers’!
In the early evening the group will meet each other for a ‘welcome’ drink at the chic hotel lounge bar before we head to the hotel’s charismatic Old Wharf restaurant. Led by Saffire Freycinet’s former Head Chef Simon Pockran, Old Wharf Restaurant’s seafood focus perfectly complements the backdrop of passing cray boats and fishermen. Locally sourced ingredients are delivered in a menu that hinges on Tasmania’s pure produce and latest catch. We enjoy a Chef’s Table experience with several courses from the open-style kitchen served with stories of produce origin along with some ripping Tassie yarns!
DAY 2 / SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2020
2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT MACQ 01, HOBART WATERFRONT
Beethoven Festival at Historic Epsom House (Day 1)
This morning, guests enjoy breakfast in the hotel at their leisure. For those who wish there will be a little time to sample the famed Salamanca Markets just a short walk away. Mid-morning we gather in our hotel lobby for travel to one of Tasmania’s most beautiful historic manor homes, where we will enjoy an indulgent and intimate 2 days celebrating Beethoven with some of Australia’s finest musicians, while being treated to a series of fine Tasmanian food and wine experiences on the sprawling grounds of the estate. On arrival we enjoy a welcome champagne with our hosts and estate owners Jacqui and Geoffrey Robertson, and ABC Classic presenter Christopher Lawrence. Our series of bespoke Beethoven concerts begin in the boutique ambience of the properties Grand Ballroom.
Concert 1 Romance No.1 in G Major, Op.40 (Violin & Piano) Eyeglasses Duo for Viola & Cello Piano Sonata No.21 in C Major, Op.53 “Waldstein”
Following the first of our concerts, we will enjoy a picnic style lunch with gourmet hampers in the sprawling English gardens. There will be an open bar available. At 2.30pm, we will hear a fascinating talk led by ABC Classic FM presenter Christopher Lawrence - ‘Beethoven Perspective’. Following a short break we move back in to the Ballroom for Concert No. 2
Concert 2 Romance No.2 in F Major, Op.50 for Violin and Orchestra (arr. Viola & Piano) Violin Sonata No. 9, Op.47 “Kreutzer”
At 6pm we savour a gourmet dinner menu especially crafted by the Estates wonderful chef, Ceinwen Macbeth. Good company along with fine food and wine enjoyed in the unique ambience of the properties stone-walled courtyard and conservatory combine to set the scene for a memorable evening. After dinner we will hear an introductory talk by Christopher Lawrence before once again immersing ourselves in the music of Beethoven with Concert No. 3.
Concert 3 String Trio in C Minor, Op. 9, No.3 Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Major. Piano Trio in Bb Major, Op.97 “Archduke”
Following the performance, there will be time to enjoy a post-concert drink with the performers before we are collected by coach and transported back to our waterfront hotel for the night.
DAY 3 / SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2020
3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT MACQ 01, HOBART WATERFRONT
Beethoven Festival at Historic Epsom House (Day 1)
After a delicious hotel breakfast and leisurely morning, we meet in the hotel lobby at 10am for travel to Epsom House. On arrival we are treated to a short morning tea before enjoying the final performance of our series, Concert 4.
Concert 4 String Quartet in C Major, Op.59, No.3 “Razumovsky” Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat Major, Op.19 (arr. Piano and String Quintet)
Following the final performance head chef Ceinwen Macbeth will treat us all to a delectable long and leisurely gourmet lunch. With an emphasis on fresh, locally grown produce and the opportunity to sample several of Tasmania’s top wines, we will while away the afternoon with the performers and our hosts. Explore the property’s charming English gardens and many rooms, pick a book and curl up in the cozy library, or simply relax and soak up the history, romance, charm and ambience of the rare treasure that is Epsom House.
In the late afternoon, we will be transported back to our Hobart hotel where we have a free afternoon/evening with time to explore Hobart and the waterfront. NB There will be the option to attend an organised dinner at nearby and newest trendy restaurant Aløft for anyone interested. Located on top of the floating Brooke Street Pier, Aløft has spectacular, sparkling views of the Derwent River that add excitement to the understated glamour of Nordic-style blond-wood interiors under a peaked roof. The focus is on meticulously sourced local ingredients in clever Asian-accented dishes. There is pedigree in the kitchen too with chefs Christian Ryan and Glenn Byrnes of Vue de Monde and Taxi Dining Room.
DAY 4 / MONDAY 9 MARCH 2020 (PUBLIC HOLIDAy in TAS, VIC, QLD)
4th OF 4 NIGHTS AT MACQ 01, HOBART WATERFRONT
A luxurious day of wine and art at MONA
Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art, is Australia’s largest privately-owned gallery and museum. Showcasing the diverse collection of its owner, Tasmanian gambler and maths nerd David Walsh, Mona exhibits everything from ancient Egyptian funerary objects and modernist masterpieces to a word waterfall and a machine that mimics the human digestive system. The Mona site—perched on the banks of the River Derwent, not far from Hobart—is also home to the Moorilla winery and vineyard, as well as luxury accommodation, bars, a restaurant and more.
After breakfast, we kick off our Moorilla Experience by sailing from Hobart to Mona on the super-flash, high-speed ferry, complete with onboard bars and sheep to sit on. We travel in style in the ferry’s Posh Pit, which includes complimentary Moorilla wine, Moo Brew beer, canapés and a private deck (ferry departs Hobart at 9.30am). Arriving at Mona, we begin an exploration of the underground galleries. At 11.30am, Moorilla’s Wine Ambassador—a bone fide expert in all things wine—will take us on a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Moorilla winery and vineyard. We will taste the wine as it’s being made and delve into the fascinating backstory of Moorilla, David Walsh and Claudio Alcorso, who planted Moorilla’s first vines. The tour includes an exclusive tasting of the best wines from Moorilla’s Cloth Label and Muse Series—decanted into fancy glassware, ooh la la—in the moody and glamorous surrounds of the subterranean tasting room.
At 1pm, we indulge in a delicious two-course lunch of seasonal local produce at Mona’s stellar restaurant, with matched wines from Moorilla’s Cloth Label and Muse Series. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the rest of the museum before heading back to Hobart on the ferry at 5pm.
We will organise an optional low-key final Tassie Tour Group dinner at a nearby restaurant for anyone who has the energy to kick on!
DAY 5 / TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2020
TOUR CONCLUDES
Following a final breakfast at MACQ our wonderful long weekend concludes.
Costs and Information
There may be some changes to the itinerary.
Flights from Sydney to Tasmania are not included in this itinerary.
Dinners listed as ‘optional’ are not included in the overall tour cost and are to be paid on consumption.
HOBART TOUR
Fri 6th March - Tues 10th March 2020: 4 nights
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDING WATERFRONT ROOM AT MACQ01 HOTEL
COST: $2500 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single Supplement: 750
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDING SUPERIOR ROOM AT MACQ01 HOTEL
COST: $2300 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single Supplement: $700
NB Tour costs are based on a minimum number of 10 participants, and are subject to change depending on the number of participants