Abby43

Hi everyone-
My friend and I (mid 30s, one American/one Australian) are going to Tassie for 5 days/6 nights in mid-March. I have some ideas for the itinerary and hotels but would like extra input please. Here is what I am thinking:

1. Saturday PM-flying from Syd to Launceton-hotel in Launcey
2. Sunday-drive to Tamar Valley, do wine tastings (are they open on Sunday?)-hotel in Launcey
3. Monday-drive from Launcey to Cradle Mountain/hike/overnight in CM
4. Tuesday-CM and then drive to Freycinet/Coles Bay
I would like info on places to stop along the way and also need a good hotel in the Freycinet area
4. Wednesday-Freycinet/Coles Bay, drive to Hobart-hotel in Hobart
5. Thursday-explore Hobart, fly back to Sydney

* Need hotel recommendations for Launceton, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet/Coles Bay, and Hobart
* Prefer more boutiquey type places, not too pricey but will pay for 4* and the like
* Is this itinerary feasible? We will have a car and are very flexible with our itin and driving
* We just want to roam around, sightsee, take it easy really!

Thanks so much! I have been to Australia 4 times already (I'm in lurve....with Aussie!) and can't wait to branch out to Tassie.

Melnq8

Hi Abby -

You might consider Rosevears Estate, which is located in Rosevears, a tiny township 17 km north of Launceston and at the beginning of the Tamar Valley Wine Route. We really enjoyed our stay there.

We also enjoyed our stays at the
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village and at Pelican Bay B&B in Coles Bay.

In Hobart we've stayed at Motel 429 on Sandy Bay Road and at Bath Street Apartments in Battery Point -both were reasonably priced and worked well for us.

We booked a few of the above via www.wotif.com and ratestogo.com as our first trip to TAS was put together at the last minute.

Susan7

We stayed at Swansea when we visited Freycinet, it was about 50 minutes drive from the park. The B & B we stayed at Meredith House was really good value with a fantastic cooked breakfast (best breakfast we had in Tasmania) and very nice hosts.
http://www.wotif.com/hotels/meredith-house.html

In Cradle Mountain we have stayed at the hotel Melnq8 suggested which was good value and last time we splurged and stayed at Cradle Mountain Lodge. The splurge was worth it, there are lots of animals roaming round the lodge in the early morning, afternoon and night.

For Hobart we used Wotif and got a very good deal for the Wrest Point Casino. A room with a phenomenal harbour view was $AU160. We walked into town via Battery Point and it didn't take very long.

Looks like a great trip, my only comment on your packed itinerary is could you add in an extra night at Cradle Mountain? I find 1 night isn't enough, what with late check-ins (usually 2 pm) and early check-outs (usually 10 am), your time gets carved up.

longhorn55

When we were in Hobart a few years ago, we stayed at the Salamanca Inn. The location was fabulous but it's too bad you won't be there for the market.
We had a 2-bedroom suite (family of 4) and it was quite comfy. There are smaller options too which should suit 2 people. They also have a rooftop indoor pool and spa which were very nice indeed.

Abby43

This information is so helpful! Thank you very much, and keep the suggestions coming!

lavici

hi abby43 i decided to go to tasmania also and stay for maybe 10 days. if you have the flexibility to move around and are staying in launcie and i've read that rosevears near launceston is beautiful, there are some beautiful cottages in ross http://www.greenwoodguides.com/listi...ntry=Australia
on the way up or down to hobart, i'm staying at the convict station after my freycinet trek, and in hobart all the other suggestions you've received are fine. i don't know how much you want to spend but the herny jones art hotel looks so cool, and also the islington seems gorgeous but very $$$ ;> janine

pat_woolford

We stayed at the Norfolk Bay Convict Station last March, its close to a great restaurant which constantly turns up in Australia's good food guides, Mussel Boys. Just the best fresh oysters and mussels from some of the cleanest waters in the world.

lavici

pat wolford how great!! tell me.. did you like your stay at norfolk's? was breakfast great? i absolutely love oysters and mussels! i will stay there for a couple of days for a little R&R before continuing my trip. any other suggestions are very welcome. janine (lavici)

Abby43

Thanks! This has totally stressed me out for no good reason. We are going to pass on Rosevears to stay more in Launceston because we are flying in late at night. We will pass by there on Sunday on our way up Tamar Valley and then onto Cradle Mountain. I am trying to book at Cradle Mountain Lodge and a private home in Freycinet. No one is writing back...I'm getting nervous!!! I keep reminding myself to just breathe.

pat_woolford

hi lavici - Norfolk Bay B&B is right on waterfront and an interesting historical building with lots of local and convict history displayed. Its only about 10 kms from Port Arthur.

We only stayed one night, but because had eaten so well at Mussel Boys the night before didn't have a full cooked breakfast, which was available, I think, at extra cost. One of the owners makes a huge variety of jams from local produce, so I think we just had toast and jam and cereals.

As you love mussels and oysters, do stop off at Freycinet Marine Farm, its on the road to Coles Bay. Just a small roadside sign, going towards Coles Bay you turn down a dirt road on right. No cafe, there's tables with umbrellas set up on grass outside sales area, so enjoy them there or take them with you.

Susan7

Abby43 did you use the Voyages website for the Cradle Mountain booking?

http://www.voyages.com.au/

They usually respond within 24 hours.

Abby43

I sent them an email last night and haven't heard back. I had my friend in Sydney call them but he didn't book the room!! Grr...so I guess I should book on the website now that I have the answers I needed that he got from that call. But no, they haven't written yet and it's been about 24 hours.