Thanks to all of the wonderful posters on this forum, I've realized that we can add Tasmania to our
October visit to Australia (from reading guidebooks, I'd thought it would still be too chilly in early October!).

But, here's the thing, now that we're thinking of going--there are so many places we want to see. Our trip is already several weeks long--so I'm trying to keep this addition to a minimum (preferably about 6 nights--I have to consider how long I can have the dogsitter at home, etc.!!).

Anyway--here is what I've come up with--but it is 7 nights, so I should really cut something. Oh, and one more thing, we are trying not to change accomodations too often, and we also don't like to be really rushed...

Day 1: Arrive Hobart late in day (we'll be coming from Cairns--this will be our longest travelling day during the trip).

Day 2: Port Arthur/Tasman Peninsula sights/Tasmanian Devil Park (we like wildlife--a lot!). Spend night in Hobart.

Day 3: Huon Valley--be sure to do Airwalk--maybe do sidetrip to Richmond.
Spend night in Hobart.

(hopefully one of the days in Hobart will be a Saturday, and we can spend time at the Salamanca Market).

Day 4: Mt. Field National Park--then drive to Freycinet area--spend night in Coles Bay.

Day 5: Hike around Freycinet National Park and do Penguin Tour at night. Spend night in Coles Bay.

Day 6: Drive to Cradle Mountain (take detour to Ross). Spend night at Cradle Mountain.

Day 7: Hike around Cradle Mountain. Spend night at Cradle Mountain.

Day 8: Drive to Devonport and fly to Sydney.

I was thinking that maybe we could cut out visiting Mt. Field National Park-- (and drive to Coles Bay right after touring around the Huon Valley). I hate to miss it--but, since we will visit Cradle Mountain, maybe we will get enough of the rainforest there (or, does it make more sense to cut out cradle mountain??).

Would love your opinions!!

Hello again Caligirl! Sounds like you've done your homework and your itinerary looks good to me.

Mt Field National Park isn't that far from Hobart - there are a few nice walks there, but if it were me and I had to choose between it and Cradle Mountain, I'd choose Cradle Mountain hands down.

Cradle Mountain was a highlight for us and we saw loads of wildlife there.

You are zig zagging around a little - these are two lane roads and the twistiest I've seen outide of rural Ireland. Slow going. Richmond and the Huon Valley esp. the airwalk in the same day is just not doable unless you like racing around. While it's true the Huon is only about 45 minutes out of Hobart, the airwalk is a good hour south of there. The side trip to Ross is a little odd from Coles Bay on the way to Cradle Mountain. I would plan to stay in the Huon at Matilda's at least one night if you can, but also want to encourage you not to miss Salamanca Market on Saturday. If it helps, Tasmania is about the size of Arkansas.

Maybe I'm confused about exactly what comprises the Huon Valley, but we did exactly what Caligirl plans to do on Day 3 without the side trip to Richmond.

Here's an excerpt from my trip report regarding our route:

Later that morning we took Sandy Bay Road south and picked up the Huon Trail. Along the way we stopped at the Shot Tower and climbed the 315 stairs to the top. The views over Hobart made the climb worth the effort. We continued our drive turning on A6 at Kingston. In Grove, we stopped at Doran’s Jam Factory and Museum where we learned about the fruit industry in Tasmania and sampled and purchased some jam. When we reached Geeveston, we saw signs for the Tahune Forest Airwalk, (www.forestrytas.com.au) and decided to go take a look (29 km). The Airwalk looked intriguing, so we paid our $11 and walked amongst the trees. We both enjoyed the Airwalk; I liked being above the trees.

On the way back to Geeveston, we stopped at Big Tree and viewed the heaviest tree in Australia (a Swamp Gum) at 405 tons. Once in Geeveston, we continued on to Dover, where we encountered lots of curvy roads. We stopped at the Dover Hotel Pub, where we had a pint and were entertained by a guy strumming a guitar and singing Waltzing Matilda. We wanted to continue on to Southport, but it was getting late and I’d had my fill of squiggly roads, so we returned to Hobart (1 hour 15 minutes).

Granted, we didn't see the entire valley on the above trip, but we saw some of it.

On our second visit we did a loop of the Huon Valley - our route went like this:

Loop from Hobart via A6/B68 to Kingston, then on to Margate, Kettering, Flowerpot, Middleton, Cygnet, Huonville and Grove, then B64 to Fern Tree, up to Mt Wellington, and back to Hobart.

This took the better part of a day and included stops at a vegetable stand, a cheese factory, a winery for tasting and lunch, a side trip to Eggs & Bacon Bay, a drive to the top of Mt Wellington and a short hike.

Neither route felt rushed; I hate to rush, believe me.

Definitely spend lots of time near Cradle Mountain. If you can get one of the cabins in the park, preferably the ones further in, not the ones closer to the entrance, you will see lots of wildlife during the day and night (wombats and paddymelons, etc, very close by). Great day hiking and well worth spending more than one night if you can.

We will take the advice to keep cradle mountain in the itinerary. If we have to cut something it will be Mt. Field.

I am figuring that it will be between 4 and 5 hours to drive from Coles Bay to Cradle Mountain (without any stops)--does that sound about right?

oliverandharry--is it a mistake to stop at Ross during that drive? I was hoping it would be a reasonable sidetrip, because I wanted to see the bridge (the carvings sound interesting). We won't be back through there, because I'm thinking that we'll fly out of Devonport.

Another question: does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Hobart to Coles Bay? What about Bicheno to Coles Bay?

Melnq8--what is Eggs and Bacon Bay like?
I'm encouraged by your description of your travels through Huon Valley. Sounds like you had a lovely trip!

caligirl -

We had two lovely trips and all this talk is making me want to go back again!

This site will help with Tassie travel distances:

http://www.rentforless.com.au/distances.htm

Coles Bay to Bicheno isn't listed on the above site, but according to my map, it's about 38 km. It looks like about 119 km from Coles Bay to Ross.

Eggs & Bacon Bay is one of many nice stops along the gorgeous Huon Valley. Great picnic spot.

Here are my two trip reports if you're interested:

October 2004:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34540728

March 2006:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34790967

we are starting to plan a trip to oz
your taz itinery looks good
what does the rest of your trip look like -- maybe we can get a head start with the research youve done - if thats ok with you
what kind of lodgings are you staying at - we are 5 of us
thank you

caligirl56: Sure, go to Ross if you don't mind backtracking. The road from Swansea to Campbelltown is a flat hour, so add on Coles Bay for another 45 min. When you get to Campbelltown you go south to Ross, then back north to Launceston and on to Cradle Mountain. Here's a map:

http://www.tas.gov.au/tasmaniaonline/about/map.asp

and some information about Ross, including a great pic of the bridge:

http://www.discovertasmania.com/pdf/...ageHighway.pdf

Cheers.

caligirl -

I found these photos of Eggs and Bacon Bay online - apparently the photographer is into letter boxes with a view. The photos of Eggs & Bacon Bay are the second and third from the bottom. There are several others from the Huon Valley as well:

Oops - premature posting.

http://www.around-oz.com/best_in_oz/...ith_a_view.htm

BTW - Eggs and Bacon Bay is not on the route to the Airwalk. It's located off B68.

melnq8 and oliverandharry--thanks so much for all of the links, etc. Very helpful. (the one with all the mailboxes was a lot of fun to look at; looks like pretty country at Eggs and Bacon Bay!)

melnq8: I had actually already read one of your trip reports as I was researching Tasmania through this forum. But I had not found the other. So, thank you! You do wonderful trip reports (and clearly, you plan fantastic trips!)--so they have both been invaluable to me as I make plans!

Anyway thanks very much to everyone who has responded. You have been a huge help!

Gurpreet,
I am happy to give you our tentative itineray, but I'll warn you in advance that since it is just my husband and me travelling, it is not really set-up as a family vacation with all of the fun kid-friendly activities that I would have added if I were travelling with my children.

I've written it in your previous thread where you ask for help with your Australia itinerary. Go there and you'll find it!!

thanks caligirl56
Like I said I'll absorb the researched
itinerary in my 'quiet time'
thanks again
gurpreet

When you are at Coles Bay you MUST walk to Wine Glass Bay and if possible rather then back track ,cross the isthmus and walk back the long way - allow 5 hours
another MUST is to Kayak at Coles Bay

hope you have a great time