I am planning a two weeks holiday over the Christmas and New Year in Tasmania, and can't decide over an itinerary with durations.
Therefore, I need your help (which has always been valuable), please.

We're three adults arriving in Hobart on the 20th December afternoon. Our departure will be from Hobart on the 3rd January afternoon. The tickets have been purchased, so no way around this, we can't leave from Launceston or anywhere else.

We are thinking of being in Hobart for the New Year's (any other suggestions for where to spend the New Year's?). We'd definitely like to catch a bit of the Food and Wine festival there.

Our interests include nature, wilderness, history...

From what I've read, I think we'd like to visit Freycinet, Lake St.Claire, Cradle Mountain, Huon, Grimelwald, Stanley, probably Gordon River...

However, I can't decide on the finer details.

Which way to go please?

Leave out Grindleward for starters - I spent a dreadful night there at the resort and it has nothing going for it at all but other than that you are not at any disadvantage in arriving and leaving from Hobart and perhaps you would like to start by going to Port Arthur and from there up to Freycinet across the top from St Helens to Launceston and over to Cradle Mountain - along the North West is some lovely beaches like Two Sisters Beach and places like Table Cape which is close by. Another is Port Sorell and Hawley Beach.
From Cradle Mountain go to Strachan and the Gordon River cruise then back to Hobart via Mt Field National Park and on to the Huon Valley - do a search on each of these areas and you will find a lot of things written about them. Try and be in Hobart from somewhere for a Saturday when the Salamanca Markets are on. Try this site for some information www.discovertasmania.com.au and then get back to us for specifics when you have narrowed things down somewhat.

I agree with Lizzy about Grindelwald - we spent two nights there a few years back and it was a real joke. It's just a kitsch Swiss village and it's all pretty lame IMO. The lodging was not up to par, breakfast consisted of toast and tea and I just didn't get the whole concept.

If you want to experience a real Swiss village, suggest you visit Grindelwald and Gimmelwald in the Berner Oberland of Switzerland - fantastic.

If you're looking for a good lodging option near, but not IN Launceston, suggest you take a look at Rosevears Estate. We spent three nights there on one of our visits to TAS and we loved it. It's located very near the Tamar Valley and all it has to offer.

Forgot to mention that I have two detailed trip reports on TAS posted here on Fodors. If you search under my screen name, you'll probably find them. We visited all the places you've mentioned, so the routing in the reports might be of some help.

Good luck with your planning. Loads to see and do in TAS.

I'm with Mel on Rosevears-on her recommendation (sorry I never told you this before) my friend and I went there for lunch and it was LOVELY. I wanted to stay, but we had other plans.

We loved Cradle Mountain Lodge-we stayed in a room that was NOT in the main lodge but a short walk away. I think at that time it will be summer so it may be very warm. I went in March 2008 and it was just right. I hate the heat but the walk around the lake was nice..just got a little hot after a while (for me).

We also loved the Friendly Beaches and Freycinet. FYI-if you go to Coles Bay make a dinner reservation ahead of time. Who knew it was more selective to get a reservation than NYC? Probably because there were about 2 places to eat in town! We found food, all worked out ok.

Hobart was amazing. We only spent a day there which was a mistake, but we crammed in a lot. It's very cosmopolitan and beautiful, and for a small city had a lot of great looking places to eat/drink. I'd go back in a second.

Be careful when you are driving-there are a lot of wombats and other animals which leads to a lot of roadkill. Unfortuntately my friend happened upon one while we were in Coles Bay...sorry to say the poor thing didn't stand a chance.

Don't go to Launceston-there is nothing going on there.

People were so friendly, scenery was terrific. I was also with great company so all in all it was the best vacation I've had in a while (plus I got to return to Sydney, the city of my dreams!). Have a blast.

Thank you all for your replies. You gave me some work to do now.

Melnq8, I found your reports and saved the links. I'll read them soon.

Thank you for your tips, Lizzy and Skiergirl.
We'll leave Hobart on Saturday the 3rd January in the afternoon, so if the Salamanca Markets are on that day, then we'll be there.

Once I narrowed down an itinerary I'll get back here.

I read more info, Melnq8's reports and other materials.... and I have only 14 days available.

So here's where I am now. December 20th late afternoon arrival in Hobart. On 21st morning going to Freycinet National Park and Bay of Fires.
On 24th morning leaving for Tamar Valley. Morning of 26th going to Stanley, then on 28th to Cradle Mountain.

On 31st morning return to Hobart and stay there until the 3rd of January afternoon.
That's a Saturday, so the morning will be reserved for Salamanca Markets and after lunch we go to the airport.

I think that I'll have to miss the Gordon River cruise. Should I skip something else in order to include this cruise? Should I skip anything in order to stay longer in a certain area or to include something else?

Is there anything that you can tell me in terms of fine tuning, adjustments, "skip that and include that", or "do it like this rather than..." etc?
We are mainly after nature (incl. flowers - lavender fields), wildlife, history.

Now I have to decide the exact time to spend in each area in order to book accommodation, as I want to avoid as much as feasible the "one night stays".

If possible I'd put the Gordon river cruise back in (an overnight is Strahan is more than enough), it's one of the key points of access to that western Tasmanian wilderness area and it is amazing.

The cruise also takes you to a convict island on the way, I can't remember what it's called.

Sarah Island.

OK, I'd like to put the Gordon river cruise back in. Where do I adjust to make space for it, what shall I cut?

Shall I give up to the Bay of Fires and leave Freycinet straight for Tamar Valley after two days (instead of spending three days in the area)?

Sarah Island! Thanks Always.

Two days in Freycinet would be OK, we found it too cold to swim there even in January so walks were our main activity and unless you go on the 3 day walk there's really only one main walk--from Wineglass Bay in a circle.

Hey Gabriel,

If you are talking about Christmas New Year this year you had better hurry up and decide quickly and get your reservations happening.

Tasmania is extremely busy at that time of year and I'm not sure what sort of accommodation style you would want but I would have to say that regardless of style - the place fills up!

I'm heading for Hobart next Saturday - so will take note of warning about eating at Coles Bay.

And check out MelnQ8's reports.

We don't have an itinerary yet - just a couple of days with my friend at Margate - and then..off! Do I need to make reservations??

I loved the Gordon River Cruise. I was there during the Franklin River controversy and I thought it was one of the great trips. Things may have changed over 20 years or so, though.......

Where in Margate are you going Margo_oz ? I live in Margate

Blowfly Road? Sandfly Road?? Something like that. You turn off to the left as you're heading south from Hobart. I don't know the address (she uses a postbox)!

OK, I finally came to an itinerary. It looks like this:

Day 1 - afternoon arrival in Hobart, stay one night;
Day 2 - Go to Strahan, stopping at Russell Falls and Lake St. Clair, 1 night;
Day 3 - Gordon River Cruise, then go to Cradle Mt., 3 nights;
Day 6 - Go to Stanley and Arthur River, 1 night;
Day 7 - Go to Tamar Valley (looking for lavender fields) 2 nights;
Day 9 - Go to Freycinet, 2 nights;
Day 11 - Go to Richmond and Hobart, 4 nights.
Days 12 to 14 will be in Hobart and surroundings.
Day 15 will be a Saturday, so that morning is be saved for the Salamanca Markets.

Departure will be in the same afternoon.

I've already booked accommodation for our first night.

Any ideas of a special way to spend the New Year in Hobart?

We spent 10 days in Tasmania during Easter week of 2008. It was fanatastic, and although moving and sight-seeing each day, it was delightful. Our route was 2 nights in Hobart, up to Strahan for two nights via the Wall and Queenstown for a picnic (did the Gordon River World Heritage the next day- lovely) then over to Lemonthyme 2 nights for Cradle Mountain (went to Cradle mountain the next day-loved the wombats and the letterboxes in the cute town nearby)down to Launcestown to the casino for a night, over to Freycinet for the beautiful water color and pink mountains- spent one night in a lovely home there, and then down to Port Arthur pennisula for the most fantastic jet boat trip around the pennisula. Came in late that night to Hobart and flew out the next morning. Fantastic trip- saw the entire island and feel like we have seen Tasmania. Wouldn't have missed a thing!

Blowfly Road? Sandfly Road?? Something like that. You turn off to the left as you're heading south from Hobart. I don't know the address (she uses a postbox)!


That would be Sandfly Road and you would turn right as you head south from Hobart unless you were going down the Huon Valley Hwy and then it would be left. That is unless there is a Blowfly Road, and if there were I think I would want it changed. Anyway thats not too far from me anyway.
I am at 59 Frosts Road - in case you have the time and inclination!

Lizzy

You're right, of course - it is Sandfly Road - I remember remarking that there was a place called Sandfly - and of course you do turn right off the highway - I've never driven there, so am a bit addled.

Not sure what she has in store for me yet....