We recently spent seven nights in Hobart and actually didn't get to see as much of the city as I thought we would. We did hire a car but you seem to have sorted the public transport issue out. The good thing of course about having your own car is that you stop and start as you please. For instance when we did the day trip to Bruny Island we missed the elusive white kangaroo but on the way home we had stopped at the Neck lookout and talked to people who had seen it and told us where to see it so we turned around and went back and saw it!!! You couldn't do that on a tour. We also did a day trip to Port Arthur which was fantastic. And a day trip to Huonville and beyond - another great day out. We also caught the catamaran down to Peppermint Bay for lunch, highly recommended. Make sure you are in Hobart for the Salamanca Markets on Saturday, definitely worthwhile. On another day we went up to Mt Wellington and just drove around looking at the sights. Another day was Bonorong Wildlife Park as well as Sandy Bay. I think we managed one day wandering about the city itself.

Lots to see and do, that's for sure. I think to do Tassie properly you need a couple of weeks. Have fun.

Thanks Mac123. Appreciate the suggestions. While I understand that having a car is easier on Tasmania, unfortunately, it's not an option for us, but we intend to make the best of it between public transport and car with driver (expensive, I know). As for the time, I don't intend my first trip to Tasmania to be my last so the plan is to slow down, linger, and enjoy small slices of it. This will already be my third trip to Australia.

Can't comment on public transport as we've hired a car each trip, just linking my photos (obviously you already know how beautiful and varied the landscape is)

https://flic.kr/s/aHskfFLewS

We love Tasmania. Somehow we've never had a day without rain in Cradle Mountain, though, so be prepared. Hail in mid December, torrential rain in April. Last trip was a week just in Cradle Mountain (Highlander cottages) just for walking, so beautiful. Previous trip was too rushed, it looks a tiny island and while we saw a lot, we now know that Tasmania lends itself to a slower type of holiday. Accept your 'smaller slice' of Tasmania and you will really enjoy it. It looks to me that Hobart offers a variety of daytrips/ tour options.
Just did a quick search and Tahune airwalk, Russell Falls, and Port Arthur seemed popular.

Thanks Adeleidean. Your photos are beautiful. We are looking forward to it.

Have any of you visited King Island in the Bass Strait and, if so, what is your impression? The food, the walks, and the sheer remoteness have piqued my interest.

Haven't been, but always wanted to - the cheese piqued my interest:)

Some sites that might help in your research:

http://www.kingislanddairy.com.au/

http://www.kingisland.org.au/

Would love to hear back if you do include it in your itinerary.

Cheese!! Thanks for sharing the links for the two sites; I've done some poking around them.

I will have more to say about Tas in my next trip report installment, but in the meantime, let me put in a plug for Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. We really liked it, or, more specifically our two-bedroom spa chalet with kitchenette. We were "welcomed" by a little echidna schnuffling in the leaf litter outside reception, and a pademelon family hung out outside our cabin.

Though CMWV has a restaurant, we were tired of restaurant meals by then, so we cooked our own dinners (I'm not sure any of the Cradle Mtn restaurant options are noteworthy), but even if you eat dinner out, being able to make your own bfast and lunch for hikes is a plus in my book. It's right across from the visitor center (but up a hill and quiet), so easy to pick up the shuttle. When I was looking, Peppers was pricier. In person (we took a dusk walk on the little streamside "enchanted" walk nearby), it looked a little worn from the outside, but perhaps it's better kept up inside.

Thanks PortiaLucy. Thanks for your tip on Wilderness Village; will add it to my list to research. Looking forward to your report.