Fine tuning trip - questions re KI and Tasmania etc
 

Have a 24 day trip planned which includes 2 nights on Kangaro Island and 7 nights on Tasmania....but now wondering if the scenery and wildlife is similar. Maybe we should leave out KI to allow more time in Tasmania then we could do a circular drive around the island. With 7 nights it only really allows time to explore the west OR east coast starting in Hobart and leaving from Launceston. Comments please.
Plan is: 3 nights Adelaide, 2 nights McLaren Vale ( for shorter drive to ferry) 2 nights KI, Robe, Warmabool, Apollo Bay (are these the best places to over night on the way to Melbourne?), Ballarat, Yarra Valley, return car when we reach Melbourne for 4 nights, 3 nights Hobart, 2 nights Strahan, 2 nights Launceston.
If we leave out KI we would stay long in Adelaide and day trip to McLaren Vale.
Is it worth spending a night in each Ballarat and Yarra Valley?

I've not been to KI, but I have driven to Cape Jervis (where the ferry leaves) and as it's a bit of an effort to get there, it strikes me that only two nights (one full day) is giving it short shrift.

Having said that, I've been to TAS twice, easily spending two weeks on each visit, and still want to return.

I'd also recommend you spend those Launceston nights in Cradle Mtn - the wildlife there is tremendous, whereas Launceston is just a town, and IMO rather charmless.

I'd cut the nights in Strahan back to 1 night, the main attraction is the half day river cruise, there's not a lot else to recommend Strahan other than that.

You could add in an overnight at Derwent River/Lake St Claire if you are driving from Hobart. There are some good walks in that part of the National Park.

I agree with Melnq8, Cradle Mountain is a major highlight. I would try to have at least two nights there, if not there. It's one of the most spectacular places in Tasmania and has the most walks of the national parks I've visited.

Two nights on Kangaroo Island is not enough unless you are a professional tour. The time between places are great as the roads unless greatly improved are made of a round gravel. Much like driving on ball bearings.

Given the rest of the trip, will see similar things in Tasmania and along the Victorian coast.

Ballarat is well worth visit. Be sure to do the "Blood on the Southern Cross" Sound and Light show.

When travelling along the Victorian coast stay at Port Campbell rather than Warrnambool. About half an hour's drive out of Port Campbell is Melba Gully, part of the Otway National Park. If you go to the gully at night there are glow worms along the track and it is truly spectacular.
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/pa...do/melba-gully

There is no need to stay in the Yarra valley. It is an easy day trip from Melbourne. Spend the extra night in Tasmania.

Tasmania is Brilliant. The distances between a wide variety of environment types are very short. There are plenty of wineries in Tasmania as well, if you run short of time in McLaren Vale. McLaren vale has predominantly reds from memory. Tamania has a wide variety.

Hartzview winery has DELIOUS DESSERTS and fantastic fruit liquors and great views.
www.hartzview.com.au/

7 nights in Tasmania will give you a very good overview. We have spent over 11 weeks in total and only doubled up about four days worth.

Look at my two trip reports for some insights and ideas.

The scenery in Tasmania is much more dramatic than KI to me. There are different species of kangaroos and wallabies on KI vs Tasmania but those differences may seem minor. There are koalas on KI. We saw many more echidnas on KI. We've only seen one echidna on Tasmania in two trips. That said, given your limited time I would lean toward cutting KI and adding it to Tasmania. Cradle Mountain, Narawntapu and Bruny Island are excellent for wildlife viewing.