Smalley

Anybody had any experience with Lo-cost auto rent, one of the local companies in Tasmania?
Any other suggestions welcome, of course.

lizF

They seem to be a lazy lot this week in not answering your question. Anyway here is a website that may help otherwise to a google search on Tassie and see if there is anything else. I have generally stayed with the big 4 though because I got FF miles so cannot help from experience.
http://car-rentals.hotelsbycity.com/Australia/tasmania/

Smalley

Thanks for the link Liz.
At 309 AUD for 7 days for an Economy model, Avis came out the cheapest of the major firms, Hertz was 314 and Alamo 374. Booking through Alamo in the Netherlands would be 456.
I also had a look at an Avis free upgrade offer on the Jetstar site and that would cost me 519! Crazy!
Lo-cost auto rent haven't yet got prices for March 2005 but I reckon they'll be in the area of 265-290.

lizF

Come to think of it and depending on with whom you are flying check also www.qantas.com.au and www.webjet.com.au as they could have some specials as well. If you are flying with Qantas to Australia ask them if they have any specials going or just check the site.

Smalley

Qantas came up with 519 too, just like Jetstar. Think the local Lo-cost guys will do me fine.
Just wondering now whether we'll drive much more that 700 km in 7 days (in which case we'd go for the cheaper 100 km/day rate). Anybody got an opinion on what an 'average' weeks travelling would be?

ghostboy

Smalley - my wife & I booked a Ford Falcon (sedan) last October for 8 days out of Hobart; we were upgraded to a Hyundai Santa Fe (4WD). Total cost was A$429 inc GST, and we did 1,600km over the 8 days. Cheers.

Smalley

Thanks Ghostboy. Do you recall the company you rented the car from?
And what were your top-3 do's or see's in Tassie?

tropo

Smalley, to ask for the 3 top sees or do's in Tassie is a difficult one to answer. I think Strahan and the Gordon River cruise would have to be one of the must sees in Tasmania.

ghostboy

Apologies Smalley - the company would help! It was Hertz. For me, the Top 3 would be:

1) Port Arthur
2) Freycinet Peninsula/Cradle Mountain
3) Strahan

Some accommodation options for you; these are the places we stayed at...

Hobart - The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel (http://www.wotif.com.au/Hotel.jsp?hotel=3211)

Swansea - Piermont Retreat; our favourite! (http://www.piermont.com.au/)

Launceston - Hotel Grand Chancellor (http://www.wotif.com.au/Hotel.jsp?hotel=3054)

Cradle Mountain - Cradle Chalet (http://www.cradlechalet.com.au)

Strahan - Aldermere Estate; a close 2nd favourite (http://www.aldermere.com.au)

Let me know if you need any other info.

Cheers.

Smalley

Thanks Tropo and Ghostboy. Most appreciated.