where to visit when in Tasmania
 

hiya...will be going to Tasmania for a tour, any great places to recommend?

Spent a week on Taz three years ago. Despite truly horrible rainy weather, we had a great time, but the highlight was definitely Cradle Mountain Lodge. Shooing the wallabys away from the door to our private cabin and building a fire for warmth was fun. And the hikes they had planned were wonderful and educational.

I could not agree more with Patrick--we were also there three years ago and spent three terrific days hiking at the Cradle Mountain Lodge--although it sounds as if we had better weather. We had a Pencil Pine Cabin in the woods--the room was quite nice and had a great fire place and enjoyed the wonderful breakfasts before each day's hike. WE also spent a couple of days in Hobart using it as a base for a trip to Port Arthur (very interesting) and the Huon Valley which was also gorgeous. We were there at the end of August and it was relatively decent weather-- it was cool and sunny most days although it did snow one day at Cradle Mountain. We also enjoyed a stide trip to Strahan on the coast on our way up to Cradle Mountian and half of a day in Launceston before flying back to the Mainland. Overall, we had a fantastic time in Tasmania and would totally recommend a visit!

As a Tasmanian I agree with everything already said but would include some of the following: drive around to the west coast but do all the little side trips on the way. As you drive up to Queenstown/Strahan you go through New Norfolk detour up the western side of the Derwent river and call into the Salmon ponds at Plenty, Hamilton is a good place to stop for lunch. Call into Lake St. Clair national park there is a great interpretive centre there (don,t forget to get an all parks pass before exploring the state, it is a lot cheaper to get one that covers you for your visit than buying individual ones)also nice walks around the lake or stay overnight in some of the accomadation there. Further allong the road are some other walks such as the walk along the side of the Franklin river, Donaghy's hill which gives you views of the Junction of the Franklin and the Collingwood rivers as well as Frenchmans Cap. A really worthwhile walk is a ten minute walk into the Nelson Falls through absolutely beautiful rainforest to the very picturesque falls, don't miss it. If you have time when in Queenstown drive through town past the golf course and about 10 kilometres up to Mt.Jukes along a Hydro road at the top are magnificent views of the king river valley the dam below and the mountain ranges beyond. An interesting diversion is to drive up to Lake Margaret Power Station which used to supply all the power the Mt.Lyell Copper mine. An interesting feature is the woodstave pipe made out of King Billy Pine which takes the water to the power station. The staff at the power station will more than likely show you through this little power station which is immaculately kept and polished within an inch of its life. While at Strahan investigate the Teepokana forest drive, Hogarth falls and Ocean Beach river tours up the Gordan River are expensive but worth it. Drive to Zeehan from Strahan rather than back tracking up the windy road to Queenstown. The museum in Zeehan is worth a look, so much to see it is a bit hard to take it all in but lots of old trains for kids to investigate. If you have time there is a rough road out ot Trial Harbour take your time and take it easy but 2 wheel drive vehicles can manage it. Other trips put of Hobart; Drive up to Mt. Field National park, lots of well marked walks suitable for all ages and abilities. Contiue on to Maydena and the gatewey to South west heritage area, great views of the west coast scenary, creepy crawlie interpretive walk, etc., Strathgordan and hydro lakes and dams, not always pretty but engineeringly interesting. South of Hobart through Huonville down to hastings caves then on to Cockle Creek the southernmost road in Australia. In hobart an interesting tour to do is Locally Known as the 'Sewer Tour" a tour of the Hobart rivulet which is now covered over by most of the city centre, see convict built round brick pipes and hear about early Hobart. Richmond is interesting full of craft shops, the old gaol is a must. On the east coast a trip to Maria Island is recommended as is calling into coles bay via a side trip into the friendly beaches. If you continue up to Scottsdale go onto Bridport then to Launceston (Lonceston not Lawnceston) via the wineries like pipers brook. There is lots to see and don't expect to see it all. Tasmanians judge distances in time not kilometres. E.G. for a local Queenstown is about 3and a half to 4 hours away driving pretty much straight through even though it is only about 180 kilometres. Mainlanders forget about the bends and the hills. Watch out for log trucks, pull over to the side of the road if you have someone on your tail because they are probably a local who knows the road and they have seen it all before and may not havea s much time as you. It only takes 10 seconds to pull over. Have a great time there is lots and lots I have missed out but enjoy your stay.

In addition to places already suggested, my husband and I would recommend an overnight stay on the Freycinet Peninsula with a walk to the beach at Wineglass Bay. It's a 1-2 hour walk, but was beautiful. We also loved our hike around Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain and lunch at the Lodge. We loved our week in Taz!