10 days in Tassie - how best to do?

[Flashback]

If you had a week and a half in Tassie, LST or HBA? In one and out the other? In and out of the same and do some driving? Paging Roo Flyer

 

[Flashback]

I see a mod moved this, can the title that was made up be changed to "how best to do"?

Looking at using either AA miles or BA miles to get to HBA/LST, the cash fares are incredible!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

These are a few of my favourite places -

Corinna | Wilderness Retreat

Saffire Freycinet | Luxury Lodge Australia | Luxury Hotel Tasmania

Bruny Island Tasmania

Cradle Mt

MONA

 

[serfty]

I see a mod moved this, can the title that was made up be changed to "how best to do"?

- The grammar police will be after that mod ...

 

[serfty]

Looking at using either AA miles or BA miles to get to HBA/LST, the cash fares are incredible!

What dates are you looking at?

 

[RooFlyer]

What flight origin are you looking at?

Into Hobart or Launceston probably makes no difference as to start point, as you will be doing a loop anyway.

Hobart and surrounds, then up the West coast, along the NW coast and/ or cradle mountain, Launceston and surrounds, then either down the Midlands or down there east coast.

More later if needed.

 

[Major]

You just have to drive to Strahan and cruise the Gordon River as well as take a trip on the Wilderness Railway

 

[Flashback]

Starting in ADL (just over £1300 return in J from ARN, can't complain!); was getting about $800 return for 2 in Y on QF. Thinking Avios or AAdvantage miles might be decent value here.

Looking around Sep 25-Oct 5.

 

[snabbu]

+1 for Cradle Mountain, simply breathtaking.

What I think you are aiming for here Flashback is exactly what I plan to do sometime in the next few years so following with interest.

 

[Flashback]

Never made it to Tassie when I lived in Aus, wife hasn't been either (not that she's from Aus herself) so figure it's time we finally get over! It's been suggested to rent a house on wheels and tour around in that.... could be interesting!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

...................It's been suggested to rent a house on wheels and tour around in that.... could be interesting!

That isn't what I would call it !

 

[Steady]

A Macquarie harbour cruise and Wilderness railway both ex Strahan are both worth doing - as is Port Arthur

 

[Daver6]

What sort of things do you like doing?

10 days seems a shortish time to do all of it. You could consider just focussing on a smaller region if you want to avoid changing accommodation too frequently.

 

[drron]

Done the odd report on Tassie here-
Rambling Around NW Tasmania.
Ronnie in Lonnie.
And the first page of this one has Bruny island-recommended and Corinna-definitely a place to go.
Bass Strait to the Black Sea.

 

[serfty]

Looking around Sep 25-Oct 5.

right smack bang in school holidays.

Victoria School Holiday Dates 2018 | Victoria School Holiday

 

[Flashback]

What sort of things do you like doing?

10 days seems a shortish time to do all of it. You could consider just focussing on a smaller region if you want to avoid changing accommodation too frequently.

We often like going for walks / a hike, so that's on the cards. Other than that keeping active really.

Changing accommodation isn't really a problem, that's why we're thinking of maybe getting one of those Britz Campervans..

right smack bang in school holidays.

Victoria School Holiday Dates 2018 | Victoria School Holiday

Certainly is - works best for seeing some of the family due to their schedules (plan is for them to come with us).

 

[RooFlyer]

Certainly is - works best for seeing some of the family due to their schedules (plan is for them to come with us).

In which case rent early as there is pressure on availability during Tas school holidays and also for price reasons.

If you like walks/hiking, then definitely Cradle Mountain day walks around Dove lake and up to the mountian (but take care - weather can be very changeable); even Russell Falls out of Hobart for a short but very scenic ramble; for a multi-day experience check out the Three Capes Track walk (booking and fee payable).

Also check out Pennicott Wilderness Adventures jet boat trips around the Bruny Island and Port Arthur areas.

Freycinet National Park on the east coast is great - the walk to Wineglass Bay by that time will be all by well constructed track (they are doing the second half right now), but also look at walking/scrambling up Mt Amos, beside it. Saffire at Coles Bay is great (but expensive!) you can also rent a self contained holiday house for a fraction of the cost - but do it direct with one of the agencies (Freycinet Rentals of Freycinet Holiday Houses) - you'll pay more going AirB&B.

You'll discover, like many before you, that Tas lacks many of the 'chain' hotels, and booking becomes a problem. Check out Federal Hotels for their chain of high quality places, also the RACT (Freycinet lodge for instance). Is;lington hotel in Hobart is great, but out of the CBD. See the thread here which refers to 'What to do in Hobart' for suggestions there.

This site has just about everything you need to know and book: https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/

 

[Flashback]

Thanks - some great starting points. Will explore over the next few weeks and will then need to decide whether we go for car & hotels or camper van & sites to pitch up!

 

[dxwell]

I grew up in Tassie.
10 days is a good amount of time.
It all depends on your interests and travelling style, but I think that seeing what is unique about Tasmania is more important than more days in Hobart (great place) or Launceston (mmm...

If you're physically capable, the Walls of Jerusalem are a much better walk than Cradle Mountain. This is where they filmed the TV show walking with dinosaurs some years ago. Completely unspoilt, no crowds, true untouched wildernesses.

The west coast is exposed to the brunt of the southerly gales. Try getting to Granville Harbour, Couta Rocks, Arthur River. You won't find much civilisation there, but that's the point.

Try Stanley and the Nut on the north west coast. They've really tried to build a foodie scene there.

Try the Far East coast - Bay of Fires is a hidden treasure. All down the eastern seaboard is lovely.

From Hobart, take a small plane down to the South and South West. You'll see areas with no trace of man and a wild beauty that many takes days to walk into. Davies Harbour's history is wonderful to know beforehand and then immerse yourself in it.

Other than that, everything listed on the travel brochure is good.

 

[Flashback]

Slightly distracted with work, but finally have a few days to look at this... thanks for all the great tips guys! Next step is to review camper van & dock each night somewhere style vs car & hotel style; I think the best way to do it is just get a rough ballpark figure (taking into account accessibility of sites etc. also with car vs camper van) and then see what the difference is (4 adults, so will be 2 rooms each night).

If going the camper van option, would it be worth winging it each night or actually trying to book/reserve a plot now as part of planning? Having never travelled that way it's all Dutch to me