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.