Tasmania Itinerary Question
 

I’m planning the following 10-night itinerary to Tasmania and am ready to book my hotels -- but I'm having second thoughts about Stanley. It adds more than three hours of driving—and I’m not a big fan of long drives. Is Stanley an area I shouldn’t miss?

If I eliminate Stanley—where do you suggest spending the extra night?

Mon., Nov. 24th – fly from Brisbane to Hobart; drive to Swansea or Cole’s Bay

2 nts: Swansea or Cole’s Bay

1 night: Launceston

1 night: Stanley

2 nights: Cradle Mountain

1 nt. Strahan

1 nt. Lake Claire

2 nts. Hobart

Thanks so much!

I'd spend that extra night in Hobart. Two nights only gives you one full day and there's plenty to do there.

Thanks so much, Melnq8. I'm liking that idea.
I know I can't see everything in 10 days--but I hate missing the NW.
But I fear I'd be exhausted from so much driving. (I'm the sole driver. DH (!!!) is nervous about driving on the "wrong" side.

Another alternative is an extra night in Launceston and drive up to Low Head (about and hour on good roads) and go on a penguin tour. You will get within a metre or so of them.

If you want to do the NW there are plenty of places to stop off along the way to break your drive.

On your way to Cradle MTN stop at Chudleigh and visit the honey shop for 55 difference honeys, the best nougat and ice creams.

Driving on the "wrong side" is often not as bad as people think. In most places your simply can't drive on the other lane as it is either divided or cars are coming the other way. Anywhere else it doesn't really matter.

Do you not intend to go to Port Arthur and the Tasman peninsula? I would suggest a night here. The cruise along the coast really is a must do. Go will the YELLLOW Boats. They are the originals.http://www.tasmancruises.com.au/

Generally speaking ten days will give you a really good look at Tasmania. Most do it in 5 days.

Read my trip reports if you want some inspiration. They are not in the normal format of trip reports.

We have spent over 11 weeks in Tas over the last couple of years. Happy to answer any questions.

NB I will be away for the next two weeks in Outback NSW and will be out of contact.

I'd add it to Hobart or Launceston.

Seems like no one thinks Stanley is a "must-see."

peterSale: I have read your reports--and really appreciated them.
I didn't include Port Arthur because I'm more interested in scenery than history.
But that cruise looks BEAUTIFUL.

So ... considering that I can't add additional days--(if you haven't left yet) what itinerary would you suggest?

And to the others who've been nice enough to help ...
do I add Port Arthur--instead of another night in Hobart or Launceston?

I thought I had this all ready to go. AGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

<And to the others who've been nice enough to help ...
do I add Port Arthur--instead of another night in Hobart or Launceston?>

No need. You can do Port Arthur as a day trip from Hobart - we did - so possibly the best of both worlds.

The cruise company offers several tours that include p/u and drop-off in Hobart. They also offer a tour that includes the Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary, as well as the cruise. This looks great! So ... Hobart gets the extra day!

Thanks, again!

At Cradle Mountain there is a sanctuary called Devils at Cradle with highly reviewed evening feeding tours you might consider.

We are looking at a few options for Port Arthur:

1. A small group tour leaving from Hobart. $155 ea incl entry. http://www.greatexpeditions.com.au/t...ur-port-arthur

2. The yellow boat cruise, bus from Hobart, cruise on the coast, 3 hrs in Port Arthur with lunch, and bus back to Hobart. $225 ea incl entry and lunch

3. Rent a car and drive ourselves. A bit cheaper, but may not be worth the difference.

Advice? Will the 3 hours allowed with the cruise option be enough to get a good feel of Port Arthur, and is it worth shaving off the time to get in the cruise? How difficult is the drive, realizing we will be driving on 'wrong' side of the road (although we will be renting a car in other places). Other considerations?

Thanks!

Thanks for the info re: the Tasmanian devil sanctuary in the Cradle Mountain area. If we do that, we might opt for the tour jarand suggested. That looks good.

jarand: I can't answer your question re: the tour, but I will say that for me, driving on the "wrong" side isn't difficult on highways or small roads, but it can be challenging in big, crowded cities. I hate it in Melbourne and Wellington, but I'm able to do it. However ... my spouse won't do it. Makes him too nervous. So it's a personal thing.

I'll probably do one of the tours simply because 1) they include time on the water, and 2) I'll only have a couple of days in Hobart and it seems easier to have someone else show me all the highlights.

Whatever you do, make sure you have a meal at Fish Frenzy in Hobart. On the waterfront, very casual, walk up to order. You wouldn't believe the huge serving of fish and chips I consumed there. I usually eat small servings but couldn't stop shoveling these in. Seriously.

Also be sure to have some fresh pressed apple juice. You can often serve yourself, on the honor system, from stands along the roads. Outstanding.

Betsy--thanks for the suggestions!
Fresh pressed apple juice sounds GREAT.
Fried fish ... Nope! Not for me!!! ;-)

They do grilled fish too, songdoc.

http://www.fishfrenzy.com.au/menu/

NO FISH. I don't care if it's boiled, broiled, steamed, sautéed, fried, baked, smoked or raw! If it swims, I don't eat it. HAHA! ;-)

But actually, I do like shellfish. (Just got back from New England where I had amazing lobster twice a day!) so I will check them out for the scallops and prawns.

Thanks!

Songdoc,

I think I remembered you would skip Stanley. We are actually spending 4 days there - including Christmas this year at an eco resort on the edge of town. Looking forward to the big rainforest drives, the Nut and everything else. But it's our fifth trip to Tas, so there is much else to see. I'll let you know what I discover.
Please finish your wedding highlights on the Kauai board!

I've been too busy figuring out itineraries, and booking hotels, flights, cars, ferries, etc. for nineteen cities in NZ and Australia to work on the Kauai report--and I've been to Martha's Vineyard since then, too. Oh, my ... I might have to slow down my traveling if I can't keep up with my trip reports ;-). Seriously, working out the logistics of this trip has felt like a full time job. But the end is in sight!

I did decide to skip Stanley and replace it with an additional night in Hobart. There's just too much to see!

I hope you have a wonderful trip. I'll look forward to hearing about it.

Second the recommendation for Devils@Cradle.

During your time in Hobart, you might consider a day trip to Bruny Island as well. There's a cruise http://www.pennicottjourneys.com.au/ or you can take the car ferry (just make sure your car hire company will allow that).

MONA is also very worthwhile http://www.mona.net.au/ and there's a boat transfer available.

Songdoc - if you like lobster, make sure you have some crayfish or rock lobster while you're in Tasmania. I think the season starts in November, so they should be perfect.

I'm out of touch with Tasmania's restaurants, but someone will point you in the right direction.

There used to be a fellow selling them out of a van just near the Elephant Pass turn off to St Mary's. Sit on a blanket beside the road, unwrap & pull it apart - squeeze of lemon ...Heaven! The only problem was if I'd forgotten to get the hand washing water out before the feeding frenzy ;)

I don't think you're going that way, but keep an eye out, you might see others, or fishing co-ops if you want some for a picnic.

oliverandharry: You'll be glad to know that, thanks to you, I finished posting about my wedding on the Hawaii board!

Bokhara: Wow! Thanks for the heads up. I'm glad I'm not a lobster. :-)

I am now officially finished booking ALL of my Australia accommodations, rental cars, flights, and the Strahan cruise. I've even got my visa. The only thing left is to buy my Park pass (for Cradle Mountain) -- and I'll do that when I'm there.

It was a full-time job. I still have a couple of loose ends in NZ, but the end is in sight!!!

Songdoc:

We (3 adults) have a very similar itinerary like yours in November. We haven’t started to make any accommodation and car rental reservations yet.

After spending 3 nights at the Clarion Hotel in Launceston. we plan to pick up a car and drive around Tasmania for 7 nights.

We may end up the 7th night back in Launceston to drop off the car and fly out the next morning to Melbourne.

Would you mind sharing your Tasmania itinerary, hotel accommodations and car rental information with us? We also like to stay in cottages and cabins because we need 2 rooms in the hotel and we found out many cottages and cabins have 2-bedroom units and a bit less expensive.

Swansea 1 night
Hobart 2 nights
Strahan 2 nights
Cradle Mtn 1 night
7th night can be anywhere!

We are not high-end travelers. Moderate price is our budget!

My email is [email protected] If you prefer not to post it in this forum or send it directly to me, I understand.

If any of you want to chime in, I would appreciate for all the information you provide.

Thanks in advance.

Heartiest congratulations, Songdoc.

I wish you both Love, Health, Prosperity & Happiness - and many, many years to enjoy.

Your enthusiastic & generous spirited travel down here has given you two such a special place in our hearts, I'm sure everyone on the Australan & NZ forums would join me in sending our best wishes.

It'd be great to meet you anytime you're here. Might even shout you an apple juice :)

bokhara: thank you so much for those BEAUTIFUL words. They really touched my heart. It would be great to meet. Where are you located???

teatravel:
I’m not sure if our choice of lodgings will be appropriate for you, as we only needed one room. We booked moderately priced accommodations that have kitchenettes (except for the one night in Lake St. Claire that has such limited lodgings). But here’s our info:

In every instance (throughout New Zealand and Australia), we found the best rental car rates at Ace Rental Cars—but Tasmania was the exception and we found the best price at Europcar -- booked through Hotwire. (It might have been because we're picking up in Launceston--and returning in Hobart).

Hotels were booked through Orbitz when available, using their 15% discounted promo code GOODTIMES. Each booking earned credits that were applied to the next booking. The prices listed reflect these discounts.

Here's our Tasmania itinerary with prices:

EUROPCAR p/u Launceston 11/24 – return Hobart 12/4 -- $291 (USD)

Swansea -- Monday, 11/24 (2 nts.)
Swansea Motor Inn $270 (total AUD) booked @ their website;

Launceston – Wednesday, 11/26 (1 nt.)
Leisure Inn Penny Royal Apts. $91 USD ($66 after discounts & Orbitz credits)

Cradle Mountain – Thurs., 11/27 (2 nts) (total: $402 USD -- $382 after discounts)
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village, Cradle Mountain Rd., Cradle Mountain

Strahan – Sat. 11/29 ($131 USD -- $126 after discount)
Franklin Manor, The Esplanade, Strahan, Strahan, TS

Sun. 11/30
World Heritage Cruise $105 pp AUD w/lunch (booked at their website)

Lake St. Claire Lodge -- Sun. 11/30
W/BRKFST $235.00 booked @ their website
Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, Lake St Clair Road, Lake St Clair,

Hobart – Old Woolstore Apts. (studio apt.)
Mon. 12/1 – Thurs., 12/4 (3 nights: total $561 -- $467 USD after discounts)

I hope this helps!

Hello Songdoc:

I just read about your wedding in your Hawaii post. Congratulations.

Thank you so much for your quick response. Fodorites are the best and very knowledgeable in everything. I certainly will use some of the info you gave me. We will miss each other. My husband and I will leave SFO to LAX and arrive SYD on Oct. 30 and meet up with our adult son who will fly from Sakhalin Island to Seoul and meet us at SYD to fly to LST together to attend a wedding on Nov. 1.

We will see the penguins in Bicheno instead of Phillip Island because our son won’t be able to join us the rest of the trip. He will fly out of LST and back to work! We will drive the GOR (3 nights) and be in Melbourne (3 nights). Fly to Cairns for 4 nights and then Sydney for 4 nights. Not enough time to see what we want to see. Just try to get a small sample of the areas.

I know you will enjoy NZ, especially the info from Melnq8. She is very helpful. We were there for 3 weeks 10 years ago using Melnq8’s info and hotel recommendations. Easy driving and lots of open roads in South Island.

I am going to start working on our hotel and car rental reservations right away! I haven't started to plan for the other 3 cities. I am sure I will have more questions for Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney in the next few weeks.

Thanks again.

Hi Songdoc

I'm in Sydney. There are a few of us here - and I can think of a couple of others who would love to come in to meet you.

Drop me a line - Bokhara 77 at hotmail dot com

I think you avoid your long drive.If you interested feel need more information and you are an Australian Resident we highly recommend you register your details with Smart Traveler.
learn more: http://www.mygapyear.com.au

I'm back from the Outback. A day trip from Hobart to the cruise with some time in Port Arthur would be my advice also.

Cheers.

How was your trip? We are planning something similar next Feb. and wondered if you have any advice on where to go, what to see and places to stay. Have you posted a trip report?
Look forward to hearing from you.

lynny2 -

You'll find Songdoc's TAS trip report here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-honeymoon.cfm

You can see Tasmanian devils all over. There's a zoo near Hobart and I believe there is a devil sancturary elsewhere. You do not have to go way out of your way to a specific devil sanctuary.