Hi! we'll be going to Tassie for 8 days in dec with a 1yr old baby. Was wondering if anyone can suggest some nice places to visit and where to stay.<BR><BR>We like nature,parks, lakes, animals but it can't be too rough because of the baby. We have shortlisted Cradle Mt but are open to suggestions for others.Is Freycinet good? <BR><BR>Where is a better place to stay overnight near Cradle Mt, Devonport or Launceston?<BR>Can you recommend some hotels? We prefer smaller hotels or B&Bs and our budget is up to A$250 a nite.<BR><BR>Thank you!

Hi Wayne,<BR><BR>Just back on Monday from two weeks in Tasmania (We are from Brisbane, Aus and it was our first trip).<BR><BR>Freycinet is wonderful. We spent two nights in a very comfortable cottage looking over The Hazzards, an amazing pink granite group of mountains rising above Coles Bay.<BR>The cottage was part of the Edge of the Bay resort - much quieter than the Freycinet Lodge- and completely self-contained including well equipped kitchen, log fireplace, outdoor BBQ, sun deck, wallabies coming right up to say 'hello'. The cottages are hidden from each other in the bush just metres from really quiet beaches. The views from the living room and master bedroom were beautiful. <BR>There is a restaurant and a bar over at the resort HQ. Tennis courts, bikes and rowboats were available.<BR>We didn't book because we were travelling at a quiet time - $160 for the first night, $110 for the subsequent night.<BR><BR>I would avoid Devonport and Launceston in such a short time - just head for the beautiful wild or historic places. Pretty little heritage villages such as Evandale, Ross and others have lovely B&Bs. You wouldn't need to spend more than $160/night at these.<BR>We got standby rates and paid much less - unless you're travelling during the Dec school holidays you shouldn't need to book- just play it by ear unless a weekend at a popular place like Cradle Mtn is involved.<BR>We stayed at Highland Cabins - self contained cottages at Cradle Mtn. It is beautiful up there.<BR><BR>If in Hobart stay in Battery Point. Dozens of desirable BB&s or Lenna. See this website - I did heaps of research over the Net.<BR>www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/index.cfm?SiteID=105<BR><BR>The roads are quiet, distances short - but winding. The trip from Lauceston in the north to Hobart in the South takes only two hours - you won't be able to resist visiting quaint villages on the way though.<BR><BR>You'll come back feeling so relaxed. Have fun!<BR>

Great info Wendy. Thanks for your help. Did you drive? Can you tell me the the highlights of your tour?<BR>

Other good places to visit:<BR><BR>Lake St. Clair Park, at the other end of the Overland Track from Cradle Mtn.<BR><BR>Spectacular rugged coastline at Eagle Neck, specifically, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, and Tessellated Pavement.<BR><BR>A wonderful boat trip from Strahan, across Macquarie Harbor and on up the Gordon River to Heritage Landing.<BR><BR>Of course, the Port Arthur Historic Site, where you will gain a much greater appreciation of Oz's convict history. A nice boat ride there too!<BR><BR>The Tasmanian Devil Park at Tarrana, has the Tassie Devils, as well as 'roos, echidnas, wombats, etc.<BR><BR>Also, Bonorong Wildlife Centre, at Brighton. A fun place to feed 'roos and wallabies, and see koalas, etc.<BR><BR>Can't tell you much about places to stay, as we drove about in a campervan.

Hi Wayne,<BR><BR>We picked up our hire car from the airport - think country town style - your car will be practically right outside the exit door. You'll soon find yourself adapting to the wonderful laidback pace of life Tasmania style-for us this was one of the highlights of the trip!<BR><BR>Hobart - Loved wandering around Battery Point admiring pretty Georgian cottages with late roses blooming, Salamanca Place and the docks area - the latter is right at the end the CBD. Glimpses of water at every turn.y Try Jackson&Something bakery in Hampden Rd, Bettery Point - we enjoyed goodies from there regularly.<BR><BR>West Coast from Hobart - the longest drive -we broke it by staying at a B&B in Hamilton. <BR>Visit Mt Field-just of the Lyell Hwy-for the Russell Falls - beautiful walk through mossy, tree fern woods -takes around 15 mins. Easy with a baby.<BR><BR>Stopped for a walk at Lake St Clair - worthwhile. Tas has very good info centres at their National Parks. This one has restaurant and bar facilities together with information from helpful rangers. <BR><BR>Seaplane ride from Strahan was great - over the wilderness areas that are so vast in this state. We had to wait several hours for the weather to clear but it was worth it.<BR><BR>Cradle Mtn - a must. Dove Lake walk and a couple of others could easily be done with a baby. We quite envied those hikers setting off for the 6-8 day Overland track hike.<BR><BR>Little villages and historic homes. Woolmers near Longford (est 1815) has been in the same family for seven generations. Nothing was ever thrown out. Georgian architecture might perhaps be dime a dozen to you but for Australians it's practically medieval!<BR><BR>Port Arthur- beautiful autumn day. Bit sad though esp in light of more recent events. Check out Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen on the way - you can park your car right nearby. There's some kind of animal shelter that would be good to look at animals on the way down.<BR><BR>Freycinet as I've said earlier. The beaches are so undeveloped and deserted. Heaven!<BR><BR>I know this is a Fodor's site but we used the LP Tasmania guide throughout and found it good.

I love Tassie and I am sure you will too when you have wandered around a bit. <BR>The last time I was there ( February this year) I stayed at the Woolstore Apartments which is one block back from Constitution Dock where EVERYONE goes in the evening for dinner ( well just about everyone anyway) and where all the boats are moored and where there are some absolutely wonderful fish and chips places ( FishFrenzy is absolutely fantastic so get there early and get an outside table and feast for about $10 Aust per person. ) Make sure you are there for Salamanca Markets at Saturday morning.<BR>The Woolstore is a modern hotel which was built around the remains of the old dock woolstores. The apartments have a bedroom, lounge/dining, kitchen with dishwasher stoves microwave and of course the bathroom has washing maching and dryer. There is a TV in the bedroom as well as the lounge and these apts are really comfortable. There is a bar on site and restaurant. You can also get meals and room service too. Wonderful value for $180 Australian or thereabouts. <BR>Alternatively if you wished you could stay at Richmond ( the little convict built village which you will visit if you go to Tassie) I have also stayed there at: The Stables which is part of the Richmond Hotel and also the 2 bedroom cottage at Hatchers ( a B&B on a farm) again both of these places are wonderful and have everything you need. <BR>One should stay at Cradle Mountain Lodge is you are going there because its so nice to have that right on the spot so to speak. <BR>I have also stayed in Hamilton at the wonderful little convict cottages in the main street. They are absolutely delightful and the owner made sure that when we got there the wood was stacked up in the fire grate ready, the other heaters were on, and everything ready for a wonderful stay. <BR>There are so many wonderful places to stay wherever you go - there is a particularly nice little B&B just before you get into Port Arthur - right hand side of the road and overlooking a pretty little bay with a jetty. Its a hertitage place and I even went by so I could get the name of it - cannot remember it though - however I have noted it for a future visit. <BR>Hope this helps a bit. Enjoy one of the last laid back R&R places on this planet. The food is fantastic, the people friendly and the pace is slow. Enjoy