Tasmania-where to stay for Freycinet Park,Launceston,Cradle Mt?
 

My daughter and I are doing a two week drive around Tasmania in the latter part of March. We are starting in Hobart for 4 days,2 days in Port Arthur and I am now trying to figure out where to stay while looking around Freycinet Park? (I am also trying to go up to Launceston,Cradle Mountain before heading back for our return flight out of Hobart to the states.)
How many days would you allow in Freycinet if you don't plan on doing all of the walks in the park-would like to be around the beaches in the area as my daughter is an oceanographer? I am torn between Coles Bay,Bicheno,Swansea,etc.
Anyone have any places that they like up in Launceston or in Cradle Mountain?
Thanks for any help!

Do you and your oceanographer daughter scuba dive? Because the diving in Bicheno was great. We saw many weedy sea dragons and pot-bellied seahorses on our shore dive. The sea dragons can only be seen in south and east Australia. Sea dragons are star attractions in many aquariums, so it was amazing to see them in the wild. The kelp forest here is also worth seeing, and the kelp forests of Tasmania are in decline.
http://www.bichenodive.com.au/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.co...sh/sea-dragon/
http://www.geog.utas.edu.au/kelpwatch/facts_d.html
We stayed right at Freycinet Lodge in the national park and it was convenient. The views from the restaurant were great.

We enjoyed our stay at Cradle Mountain Highlanders http://www.cradlehighlander.com.au/

Cradle Mountain Lodge would be even more convenient but is more expensive http://www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au/

We stayed at Meredith B & B at Swansea, amazing breakfasts and very unobtrusive hosts.

In Cradle Mountain, I've stayed at both Highlanders and the Lodge. I think the Lodge is worth it, as the animals come around the cabins at night. Also it means you don't have to drive to eat. It's right beside the park so you can walk to the shuttle into the park.

Launceston I like Charles Hotel, it's reasonably priced usually and has nicely designed modern rooms. It's also close to the fabulous place for breakfast, Fresh. Fresh also has rooms, I've heard they are a good place to stay also.

Thanks for your tips-am checking on them.

Is there just one lodge at Cradle Mountain as it seems like there are alot of various places with a name and then lodge after it.
The Charles Hotel looked great Susan7 but not available everyday that we need it so appreciate the tip.
If we were going to leave Cradle Mountain and head back to Hobart via the main highway,which town would you spend the night before heading back to the Hobart airport for the last night. Thanks everyone!

Cradle Mountain Lodge (second link above) is the only lodge right next to the park. There are several walking tracks accessible right from the lodge. See the map on the bottom of this page http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?base=3301

I believe Highlanders is the next closest accommodation to the park. We stayed there and also had wildlife around our cabin and grounds. There's no restaurant on site but our cabin had a kitchen and we also ate at the Lodge.

How about the serviced apartments at Fresh, they are in Charles st, Launceston. I've also stayed at Clarion Hotel City Park, it's OK, nearer to the walk to the Gorge, but the rooms are a bit stuffy.

http://www.freshoncharles.com.au/apartments

Heading back to Hobart, you could do an overnight at Lake St Clair (the other end of the overland track from Cradle Mountain).

We stayed at this Lodge below before returning to Hobart, there's also a good cafe attached that turns into a restaurant in the evening.

http://www.lakestclairlodge.com.au/