betharwein

My husband and I will be in Melbourne for a few days and then plan to fly over to Tasmania. Actually we are leaving the US on July 7 adn will fly from Melbrourne on the 13th of July for 3-4 days in Tasmania. wE would prefer not to rent a car in Tasmania. Can we go on tours or can we get around OK without a car? Is there enough to do for 3-4 days without having a car? Should we fly into Hobart? How about a good B&B. Any good suggestions. Thanks much. Betty

LaurenKahn1

Remember it will be winter in Australia and, unlike most of Australia, Tasmania has a real winter.

I haven't been to Tasmania so I cannot help you with the rest of your questions. I'd love to go someday, but in summer.

Driving in Australia is not difficult. You adjust to driving on the left quite easily. The best way to get around is with a car. I drove over 3,000 km on my trip to Australia in July-August 2008 and did not have problems with the driving at all. Just take it easy at first and you will be fine.

oliverandharry

If you only have 3-4 days in Tasmania, I would stay in Hobart and do an organized tour, perhaps to Port Arthur. There is a centrally located TI office in the center of Hobart. Try to be there on Saturday for the Salamanca Market. I personally would not go without a car, you will miss a lot. I have only stayed in hotels and apts - most of the B&Bs are out of the city a bit. We returned two weeks ago and had five days of rain. There is no central heating and in July you will be cold so pack accordingly. Enough to do in 3-4 days? Oh, indeed, probably for a month or more.

wlzmatilida

Hi Beth!

I agree with Oliverandharry, Hobart's the best choice for you. Not only is it a charming city but it's compact and easily walkable, you won't need or want a car, in fact, parking could even be considered a hindrance! As Oliver said, if you're there on a Saturday, do go to the Market; I'm not even a big shopper and I loved just walking around, talking to vendors, and of course...eating (home to "the World's Smallest Pancakes").

There are walking tours you can take around the city, or just do some research or get a guide book and self-guide, whatever your style is!

Port Arthur is a "must do" and there are lots of other day trips using Hobart as a base -- Bruny Island, Cadbury Chocolate Factory & Derwent River (free samples at the Factory); the Huon Valley & Tahune Forest Airwalk, Mt. Wellington (great photo ops), Bonorong Wildlife Park - zip zap! There go those 3-4 days now!

Hope this is helpful!

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

ivenotbeeneverywhere

Real winter!!!!!! I don't think so, or not in comparison to other places in the World. If its sunny then the temps will be in the mid teens and usually the lowest they go for a max temp is about 12 deg celcius. For night temps perhaps about 5 deg celcius would be the coldest. Certainly not anywhere as cold as most places more than 50 miles from the coast in Australia - with the exception of the far north.
Having said that: There are lots of nice B&Bs in Hobart but I personally would stay at the Salamanca Apartment Hotel - especially if you are going to be there on a Saturday for the markets. The tourist bureau is close to that area and all the bookings for boat rides are only about 300 mtrs away ( approx 300 yards) There is a Maritime Museum and many lovely eateries around there as well. Plenty to do and see and everywhere I have stayed in has central heating - in fact I cannot imagine where oliverandharry could have been NOT to have had central heating or at least sufficient heating so that you are comfortable. A trip to Port Arthur would be lovely as its a beautiful place and would take up an entire day. Then there are boat trips around Bruny Island and you are given big warm coats to wear. There are lots of other trips as well and you would have a lovely time I am sure.

Susan7

Another possibility, fly into and out of Launceston and get a transfer to Cradle Mountain. This is a great place for walks and seeing wildlife. 3-4 nights would be ideal.

ivenotbeeneverywhere

If you go to Cradle Mountain then you will get "real winter" as that is a cold place in winter but they do have heating inside. Outside would be very cold and you would need to take a lot of winter woolies and down-filled jackets BUT the experience there at that time of year would be worth it.

oliverandharry

I don't think I implied there was no heat in Tasmania, which is currently in winter, whether you think that's the same as winter in Minnesota, which it is not. My point about "central heating" is that people do not have furnaces as we know them in the US, and have instead those reverse cycle units high on the walls. We just stayed in a Hobart apt. that had a single standing electric heating unit, like a space heater, which actually did the job, but it was a very small apt.! Melodie: Cadbury no longer does the factory tours, you can go to the gift center and buy chocolate, but it's not open to the public anymore. We were sad

betharwein

These replies were very, very hellpful. Coming from Minnesota, I udnerstand cold. You have made the trip to Tasmania far more possible for us. Thanks much. Betty