Tasmania - Tips and suggestions

[BAM1748]

West Coast Wilderness Railway of course, it's pricey but worth it, try and do the whole line.

Couple of less well travelled places that I found interesting historically.

Near Queenstown, Lake Margaret hydro power station and the wood stave pipe line, built in 1918 and still operating, you can visit.
Hydro Tour: Lake Margaret via Queenstown

Zeehan, visit the musuem they did have one of the worlds great mineral collections, I worked for Renison Goldfields (ie Goldfields House in Sydney) back in the 1980's 90's and they donated a magnificent collection to Zeehan when they closed Mt Lyell and Renison Bell was on the rocks in an effort to be a good citizen, it's been 20 years since I've been there so of course could have changed.

Also in Zeehan, drive up to the back of the golf course, just follow your nose, and you will find the Key Hole Tunnel, an old railway tunnel which as the name suggests is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top like a skelton key wheich when you drive through has a monument (or did have) at the far end. The web site below shows you can walk but years ago you could drive, if you still can watch the centre in case you get bogged, being narrow and depending on vehicle you can't open the door.
Spray Tunnel in Zeehan - Discover Tasmania

Plenty of funny pokey things to see all over the place.

eg Home | Ida Bay Railway - Far South Tasmania which is also near some caves and hot springs you can swim in.


Matt

 

[RooFlyer]

To the NW fans ... I wasn't skipping 'The Coast' per sey, but fitting a trip into 14/15 days, and including Cradle Mtn! . But while the NW Coast is pretty and has great foodie attractions (OK, and penguins), I think the west/south/east has more to offer :mrgreen:

So, to swanning_it, looks like you are up for 3-4 more days to include the NW coast!!

(I agree Launceston has little or nothing to offer except the Cataract gorge and that's not worth a diversion for itself)

 

[kermatu]

To the NW fans ... I wasn't skipping 'The Coast' per sey, but fitting a trip into 14/15 days, and including Cradle Mtn! . But while the NW Coast is pretty and has great foodie attractions (OK, and penguins), I think the west/south/east has more to offer :mrgreen:

So, to swanning_it, looks like you are up for 3-4 more days to include the NW coast!!

(I agree Launceston has little or nothing to offer except the Cataract gorge and that's not worth a diversion for itself)

Or of course two trips!

 

[smatho10]

Bangor Wine and Oyster Farm at Dunalley (on the way to Port Arthur) if self driving to the Tasman peninsula or at least get a crayfish roll/home made Wagon Wheel in Dunalley...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

WOW.........thank you to all respondents. The ideas and suggestions are 100 times more than I possibly expected. I'm wondering when the bill will arrive from RooFlyer for such a well constructed itinerary!

I've just come back from lunch (including a bottle of champers) so please give me time to review your wonderful array of ideas. (and if I open another bottle here, it might just be tomorrow )

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

The paper mill and the cheese factory in Burnie have closed down ( actually have been closed for a while now ! ) The cheese factory has been swallowed up by a brewery ( don't think they do tours though) and the paper mill was knocked down and replaced by the biggest Bunnings I have ever seen.

The Makers Workshop in Burnie have small areas that show craft people working ( spasmodically ! I have only ever seen one person actually doing something!!) And you can buy the cheese at the coffee shop.

As to Saffire - they don't take children - it is an adults only resort :mrgreen:

 

[kermatu]

I knew the mill closed but thought the cheese factory still ran - albeit now owned by Lion (parent company of brewers). Been a while since I've been back in Burnie, I must admit...

 

[RooFlyer]

If we make this a thread for all Tasmanian experiences, them the Three Capes Track on the Tasman Peninsula has to get a mention.

A brand new built track and experience, opened a week or so ago. 'Luxury' roughing-it huts (wi-fi available also phone/tablet charging stations but still BYO sleeping bag) and views to die for.

It costs $500 (adult) but this includes:

* Site entry, car parking and secure lockers at Port Arthur Historic Site

* Pennicott Wilderness Journey cruise departing Port Arthur at 11:30 and 2:00pm daily (to get to the start of the track)

* 3 nights’ accommodation in cabins on track

* Bus transfer from Fortescue Bay back to Port Arthur Historic Site

* “Encounters on the Edge” guide book with maps

* A walking experience that will redefine track-based tourism

 

[drron]

Now a past TR of mine where the first 20 or so posts are of various Tassie experiences with pictures-though some have disappeared due to my not understanding picasa rules!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ass-strait-to-black-sea-40761.html#post638652

Also found a couple of other TA reports-
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...Burnie_part_5_Trips_to_the_east-Tasmania.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show..._Part_3_whisky_and_other_tastes-Tasmania.html

 

[drron]

I hope it is a holiday weekend for you swanning_it.Gradually finding my TA reports-
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...04-Trip_report_Hobart_at_Easter-Tasmania.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...st_and_a_detour_to_Bruny_Island-Tasmania.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...-Rambling_around_the_North_west-Tasmania.html

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Having been to Tassie 5 times over the years,

Without ignoring your post (I'm writing a list and placing all the sites mentioned here......it may take me a little while), I do have a little story about visiting Tassie....

This will be my 3rd time to Tassie (Lisa's first).

Both previous times were only for a day.
Both trips were in 1981.
Once to Wynyard and once to Burnie.
Both previous times were for funerals.
Both times I did not know the deceased, nor their families.
Both days included a trip to the pub.
Both trips were on Gooney Birds.
I've never worked for a mortuary nor undertaker and I don't have a fascination (morbid or otherwise) with funerals!

Work that one out! (I hope this trip does NOT include a funeral)

 

[drron]

The last of my lot-
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...atrobe_A_series_of_observations-Tasmania.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...reycinet_and_Tarraleah-Tasmania.html#25763570

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....otos/mini-tr-a-day-mona-28110.html#post403216

Any questions I would be happy to answer.As you can see I love Tassie.In the last 8 years have worked there just on 2 years now.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The last of my lot-
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...atrobe_A_series_of_observations-Tasmania.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Show...reycinet_and_Tarraleah-Tasmania.html#25763570

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....otos/mini-tr-a-day-mona-28110.html#post403216

Any questions I would be happy to answer.As you can see I love Tassie.In the last 8 years have worked there just on 2 years now.

Thanks to all! I'm slowly working my way through this info.....the response to my questions has been fantastic and I thank everyone! (No doubt there will be questions)

 

[kpc]

Thanks to all! I'm slowly working my way through this info.....the response to my questions has been fantastic and I thank everyone! (No doubt there will be questions)

The very best of AFF on display here.....my dream weekend without taking a single day off work...work Friday in Sydney, leave a little early from work and straight to airport, fly from Syd-Lst on JQ (cheap $60 fare) in late afternoon, pick up a car, drive to Cradle Mountain and stay in a lodge there; have dinner (with +1) with a glass of red in front of an open fire (winter!)...explore Cradle Montain on Saturday or surrounds, stay a 2nd night here or alternatively drive down leisurely to Hobart on Sat and stay a night here and explore Hobart on Sun. then early dinner, head back to Hba airport for a cheap JQ Sun evening flight back to Sydney ....arrive home about 1030pm, good night's sleep, and back to work Monday am ....and my annual leave balance is unchanged:mrgreen:...in fact might see if I can fit a long weekend to Tassie again sometime in 2016...have yet to visit MONA in Hobart.

 

[Steady]

Lemonthyme Lodge near Cradle Mountain is a nice with some short walks in the surrounding bush

 

[irv]

Accommodation recommendation if staying in Lanceston is Alices Cottages. They date back to the 1800's and have been fully restored, well worth consideration.

 

[drron]

Just came across this article-
Six of the best Tasmanian day walks

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Just to update.....the silly season is now over and I'll have a bit more time to devote to trawling though these many excellent posts! (read.....I'm back at work )

 

[tammy]

Seems that you have had some good suggestions. If you would like to give me your itinerary as it is so far I would be pleased to comment. Have lived in Hobart for some 30 years and traveled most of the island in that time. Cheers

 

[doctau]

Going from Launnie to the East Coast (or vice versa) you have two main routes to choose from, via Scottsdale and the Weldborough pass, or the start of the midlands highway and the St Mary's pass. In general I recommend people take the first but there are some things along the second.

If you do go via Scottsdale, some things along the way:
* The several wineries along Pipers Brook road (including Jansz) just after Lebrina. Once you get to the other end of the ~15km road, you an either turn right if you want to go to Bridport and the Barnbougle gold course, or turn around (picking up a few more wines on the way back
* 10 minutes down the road to Scottsdale is the Bridestowe lavender farm which is nice if it's in season
* Getting close to the east coast, you'll pass through Pyengana where you can visit the cheese factory and the Pub In The Paddock


Last time I was down there, we stayed overnight in Swansea in a very 70s style place. Just south of there is Kate's Berry Farm, and I was going to recommend Kabuki By The Sea for a meal, except that seems to have closed in 2013.

Down in Hobart, The Lark makes good whisky (although I slightly prefer Hellyer's Road) and their pepper berry gin is great. their whisky bar is near Salamanca. Others have covered a lot of the things to do.


If you're interested in that kind of thing, you can do a brewery tour at Boags in Launceston or Cascade in Hobart. There are also lots of small breweries in Tasmania, as always with them, which ones you'd like depend a lot on your taste so suggesting which beers to try probably won't be too helpful.