cmack

I am trying to map out our plan for 4.5 days in Tasmania. I am wondering how long it takes to drive the following distances to find out if it's even doable:
Hobart to Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain to Freycinet Nat'l Park
Freycinet to Hobart

I know we could easily spend much more time in Tassie, but do not have more time on this trip. We want to take time for hikes and stops along the way, but also want to see as much as we can.

Any advice is appreciated - areas I'm missing, etc... Thanks in advance.

ALF

Allow slightly less than 4 hours to get from Hobart to Cradle Mountain, and slightly more than 4 hrs from Cradle Mountain to Freycinet. Freycinet to Hobart should take between 2.5 and 3 hrs.

You can do all that in 4.5 days, but it would sure be a shame not to go out onto the Tasmania Peninsula to see Port Arthur and nearby sites.

KayF

A good site for distances and driving directions is www.travelmate.com.au check out the Map Maker section. To me your trip looks a bit rushed but certainly doable. You could easily spend a couple of days in and around Hobart and a few days up the east coast.
Kay

tropo

Cmack, Tasmania is a small island, and distances between towns are not that great. In fact, it is possible to drive from Hobart to Launceston and back again, all in the one day. But any good Tasmanian will tell you, "Dont rush your trip, there is a lot to see in between the towns, etc"

wlzmatilida

Cmack...always go with the mantra of "it will take longer than I think" and you'll be fine!

Yes, your itinerary is do-able..but it will be rushed. Do you want to cram everything in just to see it, or do you want to enjoy what you CAN see in the time alloted? That's a question only you can answer.

If I was planning your trip, I'd suggest just doing Hobart, Port Arthur and Freycinet. You've got to choose your time carefully as you don't have much of it; you said you want to hike and stop along the way, and you should, and enjoy it....save the rest for another trip! (just my $.02 cents).

Hope this is helpful!

Melodie
Certified Australia, Kiwi and Tasmania Specialist

cmack

Thank you, everyone, for the feedback. Would we be truly missing out if we didn't see Cradle Mountain and the western side of the state?

tropo

cmack, I agree with wlzmatilda - don't try and pack too much into your itinerary. You say you want to do so hiking. Most of the good walks in Tassie will take a few hours - which walks are you intending to do?
Firstly the "east" coast of Tasmania is considered the drier side of the state, and the "west" coast is the wet side, as the prevailing winds bring in the rain from the west, hence more rainforests on that side.
If you like scenic areas & hiking, then like Matilda, I would concentrate on just three areas, like the following:
A. Tasman Peninsula (some great walks not far from Port Arthur, like the Needles. Then to Frecyinet National Park, then perhaps, if time permits a short walk in the "Bay of Fires" National Park, just north of St.Helens.
B. Drive from Hobart to Cradle Mtn. then head south to Strahan, and take the Gordon River Cruise or Wilderness Railway trip, then head back to National Park (great streams/river, ferns, and drive further up into the Park, to see the unusual grass type trees (just can't remember their proper name)..they have walking trail there.
then after National Park drive back to Hobart.
If you want to "mix" your walking with some other sights to see, say so, and I will put together some of my favourites.
P.S. Some people forget about the walks on Maria Island.
Also remember on all your walks, nearly all the black snakes in Tasmania, are tiger snakes, and therefore dangerous, so give them a wide berth.
I still remember on the road leading to the South West Wilderness, I came across a tiger snake on the side of the road. I couldn't tell if it was alive and party run over, so I kept my distance. However, whilst I was parked there, a german tourist pulled up, and asked me what it was, I told him it was a tiger snake, and don't go near it. The silly man just walked up to it, almost standing over it, whilst the snake was moving around, to take a photo. Lucky for the tourist, the snake had been hit by a car, but it was hard to see where it had been hit. Had that tourist been bitten, it would have been a long drive to get medical help.

cmack

Tropo,
Thank you for the great information. We probably will want to see other sights - not just hiking. Now that I think about it, one couple hour hike in a great location would probably be enough for us (especially with your mention of snakes!). The rest of the time, we would want to see the sights, visit the towns, etc. Any advice? Thanks!!

Shea

My wife & I did a 4 day visit to Tasmania during our trip to Australia. We loved all of Australia. We visited Sydney, Surfers Paradise, Port Douglas, Perth, Adelaide, & Melbourne,both flying & much driving. Each location had its own special & unique attractions. Tasmania was no exception. We rented a vehicle, drove to an visited Freycinet National Park & points in between stopping at some very attactive villages. We drove to & visited Port Arthur - lots of history there. Port Arthur will take a full day. The other 2 days we spent in Hobart. I think if we tried to do more in that amount of time we would not have had as great of an experience as we did. No matter what you do when you get done you will wish you had more time because a person just cannot do it all in one visit. That was true on every place we visited. Also concerning the snakes in Tasmania - if you see one it is poisonous. All snakes in Tasmania are poisonous! Keep in mind Australia has poisonous snakes, fish, spiders, & those salt water crocodiles. You will probably see none unless you purposely seek them out. You are going to love Australia.

wlzmatilida

Cmack,

Glad to see you're thinking about limiting your time and concentrating on the highlights!

I've done the hike at Freycinet, and it's gorgeous. Stayed at Freycinet and also did Douglas Asprey National Park with a guide from Freycinet Lodge...we were the only takers that day, so we had a private guide, and upon reaching the clearing for morning tea, there were only 4 other people there, swimming.

I haven't done Bay of Fires, but I did visit the base site there and it's a first class operation. You couldn't do wrong with either.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Tasmania Specialist

tropo

cmack, I must apologise for my last reply, I think I mentioned National Park, I should have said, Mt.Field National Park. If you do happen to visit this lovely park, & see Russell Falls, make extra time, to drive higher up into the park, to Lake Dobson, and do the Pandi Walk.
I didn't want to frighten you off "hiking" in Tasmania, but just warn you of the dangers.

tropo

cmack, sorry it should read Pandani Walk. It must be too early in the day for me.