Tasmania - Tips and suggestions

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I have looked at a couple of closed threads on Tassie and very interested in kpc's west coast excursion and the replies to that one (especially drron's). For us, it's a little different. We have two weeks (give or take) at end of March. Fly in and out of LST. We have no idea of what we can see in 2 weeks and which areas we should go to, in order to best utilise the time.

Our interests include activities like bush walking, kayaking etc (but we do not wish to freeze doing so) as well as wining/dining and visiting historical/art/museum type attractions.

I'd appreciate any suggestions of what is not to be missed in Tassie, how much we can reasonably expect to do in 2 weeks and everything in between like really good accommodation houses/restaurants. I'd love to see the west coast, my better half is more interested in the east coast and we have a car booked for the whole holiday.

Thanks in advance!
 
You will easily be able to do the whole of Tasmania in 2 weeks by car.A few years ago we drove around Tassie in just over a week.A little quick but 2 weeks should be OK.I did a TR on that but on TA.I will try and look that up and link to it.
You have reminded me that I intended to do a TR of the North West seeing I have spent so much time there so I will get to it.
Will come back when not working and give a few more tips.
 
I left Tassie about 15 years ago and while I have been back regularly it's never to do much touring. But here's a few thoughts for starters - more local, locals or regular tourists will I'm sure advise you better.

Two weeks is a good amount of time to spend in at least 3 different areas. I'd certainly suggest East Coast - areas like Coles Bay / Freycinet would be nice. Good location for relaxing, some water activity, walks and hikes. Weather should be good that time of year and still plenty of daylight. A bit further north is Bay of Fires which, while I've ever been, gets lots of favourable commentary.

West Coast is also very worthwhile and different. Has a good mix of stunning and diverse scenery, some local art and craft features and different historical museums.

I grew up on the NW Coast and while Burnie/Devonport themselves aren't knockout cities, there's nice places and things to do if you use Burnie as a base - go to Stanley (The Nut) for some stunning coastline. Also Rocky cape, Sisters Beach etc. Lake Barrington (south of Devonport) is also stunning. The lakes area is nice and shouldn't be too cold in March - though you never know.

While I'm going back 20 years I was never much of a fan of Launceston so can't advise what good things there are around there. But not a bad place to land as your only 3 or 4 hours max away from anywhere.

Hobart is best of course for more diverse cuisine and art. But there's a lot more to Tassie so enjoy!
 
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I'm glad to hear about 2 weeks being Ok. It was going to be 3, but my niece decided she'd have a wedding at the same time, which cut it short by a week!
 
As drron says we have been to Tassie many times. Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order.

Spent a few days at Corinna - absolutely fantastic - you need to take in food supplies with you but there is a good pub there for dinner.

Corinna | At Home In The Wilderness

MONA and lunch at Source ( BOOK AHEAD !!!) make sure you take the ferry from Salamanca as well.

Saffire at Freycinet (costs an arm and a leg - but SO worth it !!!!) otherwise Freycinet Lodge. we have stayed at both.

Cradle Mountain.

If staying in Hobart DONT stay at the Henry Jones hotel.

I am sure RooFlyer will give you heaps of tips as well
 
I forgot Cradle Mountain! Can be done as a day trip from Burnie but worth staying one night.

One other tip would be to do things anti-clockwise. So perhaps head to the NW Coast first, then Cradle Mountain. From there over to the west coast. The roads from West Coast to Hobart will ensure you see much more of inland Tassie than most people see. Easily done in a day but there may be reasons to overnight along the way. Hobart to east coast and then back to Launy. You'll avoid doubling up on roads and much of the midlands highway (which is pretty dull). If you travel from Launceston to Burnie, there are some nice small towns which you have to exit the highway to see - like Deloraine, or my favourite Penguin (where I grew up).
 
While on the West Coast you should consider a Maquarie Harbour cruise that includes Sarah Island and a trip on the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
 
If staying in Hobart DONT stay at the Henry Jones hotel.
Thanks mrs.dr.ron, that gives us some reading to do! As fate has it, we've already booked Hobart (for my wifes birthday) and did so as I got an email about 3x KF points offer at Somerset on the Pier or Somerset at Salamanca which when I looked into it, I was a bit annoyed as the points aren't based on a dollar figure, just 150 KF points per night (x3 for the promo), but then the included breakfast part of the promo is everywhere except AU hotels, so I thought that there would be no way I'd reward Ascott for being stingy, so I went looking on Agoda (with the VA point earning) and found a place for a similar rate and location as Somerset, but more suitable as it has two bedrooms (we have Miss Swanning_it with us). The property is Sullivans Cove Apartments which is a 1XL 2 bedroom executive apartment with balcony apparently overlooking the wharf and is 200m2 :shock:. If anyone has stayed there, I'd be keen for a report!

I forgot Cradle Mountain! Can be done as a day trip from Burnie but worth staying one night.

One other tip would be to do things anti-clockwise. So perhaps head to the NW Coast first, then Cradle Mountain. From there over to the west coast.

So do we assume there are penguins in Penguin? ;) Funny enough, we had already decided to do it anti-clockwise. As we arrive mid afternoon, we were going to just head straight out of LST to wherever we decide for the first night and do LST on the return.
 
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Re penguins in Penguin - yes indeed. In fact I've always seen one giant Penguin just up from the beach, without fail. :)

And there's a proper observatory in Burnie.

Penguins
 
Re penguins in Penguin - yes indeed. In fact I've always seen one giant Penguin just up from the beach, without fail. :)

Penguins
Thank you. So it says Penguins come ashore between September and March. Are they still there mid to late March, or pretty much petered out by then?
 
Thank you. So it says Penguins come ashore between September and March. Are they still there mid to late March, or pretty much petered out by then?

I don't know for sure - my guess is yes though tours may not be offered. Might be worthwhile giving the number a call.
 
And also on that site I linked to - I'd recommend the paper making, cheese and whiskey tours. Depends on your tastes of course, but they are all good and a great sample of old, new and adaptive local businesses making a go of it in the changed and global environment.
 
Re penguins in Penguin - yes indeed. In fact I've always seen one giant Penguin just up from the beach, without fail. :)

And there's a proper observatory in Burnie.

Penguins

There is also a penguin viewing area on the eastern end of Lilico Straight / beach (near Devonport)

I would also recommend if driving past Dismal Swamp (West of Smithton) not to bother calling in - it is aptly named IMO
 
And also on that site I linked to - I'd recommend the paper making, cheese and whiskey tours. Depends on your tastes of course, but they are all good and a great sample of old, new and adaptive local businesses making a go of it in the changed and global environment.
My tastes include both cheese and whiskey, however the last time I tried eating paper, I seem to recall not overly enjoying it! ;)
 
If you have time and don't mind gravel roads, the Western Explorer Road is a good drive, as mentioned earlier Corinna has a nice pub to wait for the ferry. Stanley is worth a visit.
Boat Harbour beach between Burnie and Stanley is a pretty little spot and there is a major bulb producing farm at Table Cape, if flowers are your thing.
I would say that you could drive anywhere in Tassie and see something of interest!
Between Devenport and Ulverstone there is berry picking at Turner's Beach as well as a nice little cafe and providore.
Just make sure you avoid Targa time as it can get very crowded and busy. In 2016 it is in mid April so you should be ok.

The cheese factory at Pyengana nearish to St Helens is also worth a visit and if you are golfers, Barnbougle and Lost Farm near Bridport are world renown courses.
 
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I think people have covered all the highlights. Two weeks will just be enough without rushing. My suggested itinerary would be as follows (will work going either way round).

Day

1. Arrive Launceston. Spend rest of the day driving up and down the Tamar valley doing wineries. There is a 'Wine route' for this. Overnight at or near Launceston

2. Take A3 across the north-east; overnight St Helens. Dinner at the Blue Shed (seafood, on the waterfront). Visit Bay of Fires a bit north if time permits.

3. Drive to Coles Bay. Stay 2 nights at either Saffire (expensive, but worth the splurge!) OR Freycinet Lodge OR there are plenty of self-catering places which will be great value. (Disclosure: I have one of these :) ). Spend rest of day walking beaches around Coles Bay, driving to Cape Tourville Lighthouse in the Park (Parks Pass required - you can get it on line or at the park entrance). Sea kayaking available here. Dinner at Saffire if you are a guest (only!) else one of the several eateries at the Lodge. Booking a good idea.

4. Pack a picnic lunch (including a bottle of wine, water and a couple of plastic glasses); climb Mt Amos (strenuous and some rock scrambling) and / or walk to Wineglass Bay over the saddle lookout, then down to the beach for lunch, walk across the isthmus to Hazards Beach and back to the car park via the loop track (use insect repellent!!). Relax on the deck of your chosen accommodation with some nice local wine, Tas cheeses etc.

5. Drive to Port Arthur, stopping at some wineries between Bicheno and Swansea (there are about 6 or 8 in all). Swansea has some nice lunch options and a good local museum. No recommendations for accommodation near Pt Arthur, sorry; haven't been for many years.

6. Visit Port Arthur convict station and the Tasman Peninsula in general; there's a Tas Devil park there somewhere. ** As an option or addition, check out Pennicott Wilderness Journeys for fantastic jet boat trips at Tasman Peninsula and other places - highly regarded.

7. Drive to Hobart; 4 nights
Accommodation: Sullivans Cove Apartments have a number of locations around the waterfront. No opinion on them, sorry, but being on the waterfront is good. Let me know which ones you are thinking of and I can check them out. Somerset on the Pier - I have stayed there, some time ago. Quite OK, but no idea what you'd pay for them. If you go to 'View from my office' thread, you'll see the apartments behind some of the yachts I photographed (I think I called them Elizabeth St Pier Apartments ...). Make sure you ask about parking arrangements ... it will be on the street, I'm pretty sure, unless they do valet. Actually, same goes for Sulivans Cove Apts. If there is scope for another choice, check out the Woolshed Hotel. Also very close to the waterfront. Grand Chancellor there too, but probably needlessly expensive. Again, I haven't eaten on the waterfront for ages. Muirs 'downstairs' is a good bistro type option right on the docks; Muirs 'upstairs' is said to have gone 'off' (the more expensive option). 'Frank' is an Argentinean restaurant on the waterfront; Ball and Chain for steaks; Fish Frenzy at Somerset has good fish and chips for lunch.
Day 7 & 8 activities: See MONA, (take their ferry from the Hobart docks); drive to top of Mt Wellington; Salamanca Place markets (waterfront) Saturday morning is a 'must'; walk round Battery Point (behind waterfront) for historic houses and antique shops; Cadbury Chocolate Factory visitors centre has CLOSED; half day trip to historic Richmond and many wineries around there. Frogmore Creek winery just past Cambridge is highly recommended for lunch - book ahead.

9. Day trip south on B68 to Bruny Island (check ferry timetable) - maybe another Pennecott cruise or just visit gourmet food places; lots of small wineries; Captain Cook's landing place at Adventure Bay.

10. Day trip on B61 to Gordon Dam past Maydena and Strathgordon in south-west National Park. Huge double arch concrete dam; spectacular scenery along the way. Maybe stop and visit Mt Field NP for walk to waterfall and fern glades

11. Drive A10 and B24 to Strahan; past historic New Norfolk; stop in at Derwent Bridge and maybe Lake St Clair for lunch (byo). Past Derwent Bridge its very winding through the west coast rainforests; cross the famous Franklin River. Queenstown worth a stop and a look, but stay at Strahan, possibly at the Federal Hotels place, but there are some magnificent olde houses B&Bs there.

12. Gordon River Cruise from Strahan. Might be able to also do the Abt Railway trip from Strahan up into the wilderness (check whether its going)

13. Drive B27 to Zeehan, stop and visit the Mining Museum. Carry on A10 to C132 to Cradle Mountain; stay 2 nights. The Lodge is the traditional place to stay, in the park but lots of other options nearby too I think.

14. Cradle Mtn walks - up to the tope of 'Cradle' if its fine. Quite strenuous, but lots of gentler boardwalks as well.

15. Drive to Launceston via Mole Creek (option to visit caves there).

This misses the NW coast unfortunately, and no penguins (Penguins are nice, but nothing 'Tasmanian' about penguins ...)
 
My tastes include both cheese and whiskey, however the last time I tried eating paper, I seem to recall not overly enjoying it! ;)

We did multiple paper (mill) and cheese factory tours at school. Probably a good thing the distillery wasn't around in those days...
 
I remember this thread and trip well....bar one day, it rained the whole week we were there (January) :(
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ssion/suggestions-things-see-do-nw-26854.html

Having been to Tassie 5 times over the years, over 2 weeks, you should be able to cover all, if not close to all, the places below which i would recommend; in no particualr order:
1) Cataract Gorge just outside Launceston. Launceston itself is BORING!
2) Cradle Mountain - spend at least a night there
3) Strahan and Macquarie Harbour cruise
4) Corinna Lodge and Pieman river cruise (this is real wilderness with no phone, radio, internet...). one or 2 nights...we stayed 1 night.
5) Stanley (and the "Nut")
6. Penguin or Burnie (to see Penguins)
7) Tamar Valley for wine tasting and you can visit the nearby Beaconsfield mine.
8) Bay of Fires
9) Freycinet National Park (we stayed at Coles Bay just outside the park: Holiday Unit - Coles Bay Waterfronter unit 2)
10) Bicheno Blow hole
11) Port Arthur (outside Hobart)
12) Derwent River cruise (Peppermint Bay | Cruise. Dine. Entertain.) in Hobart
13) Mount Wellington (just outside Hobart for views of city and surrounds)
14) Salamanca markets in Hobart on Saturdays


I will leave the routing to you but if you pin all the places you want to go to on Google maps, it will be pretty obvious the direction you need to go. Remember roads are windy and narrow in Tasmania (apart from highway bet Hba and Lst) so a 100km drive might take 1.5-2 hours.A good option is to fly into Lst and out from Hba or vice versa so you don't have to back track:idea:

edit: Roo Flyer has given you a great itinerary above but the list above is what I have done / where I have been, and enjoyed.
 
I'd like RooFlyers post if not for the suggestion of skipping the NW coast.

Otherwise lots of great suggestions here already. Makes me want to go home...
 
I'm with you kermatu and my TR on the NW coast should open his eyes!
So I've found a couple of our reviews on TA.as mrsdrron said we loved Corinna.she did the review on TA-
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...9-TR_Corinna_Tarkine_Wilderness-Tasmania.html

Further down the coast the place we stayed at Strahan-
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...dation-Strahan_Tasmania.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

And on the way to Bruny Island which is a fantastic place to visit-
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...et-Oyster_Cove_Tasmania.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

more to come.
 
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