We are going to be in Australia for three weeks for the end of December and beginning of January. We are going to be in Sydney for 5-7 days (husband has work) and I will be sight seeing with the kids (6,11,14) while he works during the day. We are also going to Melbourne for 5 days and are trying to decide if we should go to Tasmania in between the two trips or after Melbourne. We wanted to do the Western Highlights but hear that we can not find a place in Cradle Mountain. We are now thinking maybe we should do the east coast stopping in Freycinet National Park, Port Arthur, etc. any ideas for where to go and accomodations? Thanks, Sandy

Just stay in Hobart and do day trips - there are plenty of things to do and see

As an ex-Tasmanian, I really think you should try to get out of Hobart for a while (BTW definately go to Tassie - it has the nation's best scenery). Try for a B&B or hotel in Sheffield, not very far from Cradle. There are several day walks right around the northern end of the park at Dove Lake that are ideal for the kids. As for Freycinet, yes indeed. You can stay in Bicheno or Swansea. Sadly, you have picked the busiest week of the entire Tassie holiday season, but I guess it can't be avoided. if you throw in the towel and decide to stay in Hobart, do day trips to the Huon Valley (and Thermal Pool and Newdegate Cave - brilliant); also Port Arthur and the rest of the Tasman peninsula -must not miss- ; Richmond; the top of Mt Wellington. Definately spend a day at Mt Field Nat Park with its many waterfalls, tall trees and wet forest - just over an hour from Hobart!! Hobart's highlights will take about a day - try for Saturday for the Salamanca Markets in the a.m.

There is an absolutely lovely B&B about 20 minutes out of Sheffield on the road to Cradle Mountain. It is on acreage and there are cows roaming about and you can see out to the ocean one way and the mountain range is behind. I cannot think of the name of it just at the moment but it has a flat which is self-contained with kitchen a double bed, single and a sofa double bed in it. You are within striking distance of cradle Mountain and also the caves and the north coast so its a great location. I didn't mean you should stay in Hobart all day in my previous post but base yourself there to do day trips. I have found cramming things into a short time in Tassie very tiring.

My two boys were born in Tasmania, where we lived for six years.<BR>Holiday highlights with them were trips to Cradle Mountain, where we stayed in the $20 per night huts near Waldheim Chalet, where the native animals and birds come right inside to greet you.This may be mpractical, but do try at least to see the native animal feeding at Cradle Mountain Lodge every night (Tassie Tigers, possums, wallabies, native cats etc)<BR><BR>Launceston is also a good central location, wherever you go, you'll need a hire car. The Gorge in Launceston is a lovely place for short bushwalks, chairlift ride, large swimming pool and suspension bridge (free). My kids spent hours watching the Japanese monkeys' antics in the park in Launceston too. They swim and dive, as well as play. Just before feeding time is best.You could do a day trip to Cradle mountain from Launceston, or closer still, Deloraine.<BR>Boat Harbour is a lovely safe kids' swimming beach.<BR><BR>Cole's Bay on the Freycinet Peninsular is an ideal place for accommodation, it's my favorite place in the whole world! There's a youth hostel there, as well as expensive B and B's. <BR><BR>Tassie weather can be changeable, and distances are deceptive, due to winding mountain roads on the west coast, and between Strahan and Hobart.

A word of warning - if you are hiring a car and intend to go into Cradle Mountain national park - we were told that our car would be uninsured and that we would be fully responsible if we drove on unmade roads and had an accident. The bitumen stops at the entrance to the park. Consequently we had to decide whether we took the car into the park and accept the costs if there was an accident. Just check with your hire car company to see if they have the same rule.

Are you arriving by ferry? If you want to visit Cradle Mountain, but cannot get accommodation there - you could do a quick day-trip from Devonport.<BR>Would definitely recommend the East Coast, particularly Coles Bay area (try for accommodation at Freycinet Lodge, or the Edge of the Bay). Main highlight is to walk into picture-perfect Wineglass Bay (no road access). If you like Japanese food, don't miss Kabuki-by-the-Sea just south of Swansea - spectacular setting right on the ocean. For accommodation further north, try the Bay of Fires resort.