dancingbear

Greetings fellow Earthlings...<BR><BR>I have an Intinery I hope you could comment on.<BR><BR>May 4th - Arrive Hobart - Visit Port Aurthur, Cadbury Factory, perhaps Eagle Neck.<BR>May 5th - Drive to Feyincent Peninsula - stay at a reasonable priced accomodation (any reccomendations)? <BR>May 6th - Drive to Cradle Mountain Resort (are there alternatives here - seems a little pricey).<BR>May 7th - Stay here another night (hiking, canoeing...)<BR>May 8th Fly out from Launceston<BR><BR>Do you think the drive from Feyincent Peninsula to Cradle Mountain is too long? If so, what alternatives would you recommend.<BR><BR>I thank you all for your help. This trip planning is really an overwhelming chance of a lifetime.

ALF

Make sure that you book the Cadbury factory tour ahead of time - they tend to fill up. That first day is going to be long one - to do Port Arthur justice requires the better part of a day. Depending on when you arrive, you might want to take the earliest Cadbury tour (8am?), and then head out to Port Arthur.

lizF

Then there are the little convict villages along the midland highway that you will want to see. The Cheese factory, the rasberry farm, the Huon Valley, Mt Wellington for the view if its clear, a tour through the old goal at Richmond and the Village itself. Mt Field National park, The Tamar Valley, the wineries around Hobart, Salamanca Markets on a Saturday in Hobart and on and on and on. <BR>I wouldn't be staying only one night at Freycinet because its a Natural wonder and you really have to experience it by walking around etc. Cradle Mt resort is worth the money because of all the other activities that you can do there.

dancingbear

All thanks for you responses... awesome information as always! A couple thoughts and questions... <BR><BR>Liz, After reading your response on Feyincent Peninsula and knowing we only have 4 days in Taz makes this tough. I guess my question is, do you think it would be wise to cut out Cradle Mt. and just stick with FP? Seems like that could keep us busy for 2 nights and Hobart 2 nights before we fly out of Launceston. What in your opinion will we see the most magnificent views and get the best hiking in? We would like a little excercise hiking, biking canoeing and judging from the distance from FP to CM, perhaps sticking with Hobart and then the eastern coast would be wise. It's a shame we have limited time here but we will make the most of it.<BR><BR>Thanks again for your valuable responses!!!

wlzmatilida

Dear Bear,<BR><BR>I think you should stay on the Eastern coast and concentrate on that area, given the time you have to spend. (too bad about Cradle, tho) Trying to do too much in a short amount of time will just stress you out and not do justice to any of the wonderful sights that await you.<BR><BR>There are several wonderful hikes that you can do in the Freycinet area (Wineglass Bay being one of course)and you can kayak and canoe there too. If you're really into the convict history I'd highly recommend staying overnight in the Port Arthur area so you can see it all. I was in Port Arthur twice this year and I still didn't see everything (due to poor weather on the last visit in December) You could stay in Hobart, then do Port Arthur overnight and then up to FP and Launceston. <BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certified Tasmania Specialist

dancingbear

Thank you melody. Very good advice. I think I shall do that. I was hoping to experience some nice winding road experience through the CM area. <BR>Do you think we need a rental car the first day in Hobart or is Public Transportation pretty good? Thanks Again,<BR><BR>DB

lizF

Depending on what time you are arriving into Hobart, where you are staying and what day it is then perhaps you won't need a car the first day. <BR>I have just checked and its a Saturday that you arrive and hopefully it will be early enough to see the Salamanca markets. There is also the Antarctic exhibition around there and there will be street performers etc and plenty to do. If you like seafood then stay down at the wharves and eat at Fish Frenzy - its very cheap and you can get alcohol there and just take in the old area. Alternatively the Drunken Pirate is a great place for dinner and its only on the other side of the wharf area. You will find that half of Hobart will be down there on a Saturday and everyone eats around Sullivan Cove and Salamanca. <BR>The following day drive to Port Arthur and spend the night there and go on one of the Ghost tours. Its such a pretty spot. Also you may like to take a light plane flight around that area and down to the very bottom end of the peninsular as its rather lovely. Your trip to P.A will take a full day. Enroute to Freycinet detour into Richmond ( or do that on your way to P.A.) Coles bay and Wineglass bay and/or a trip to Maria island ( I think thats the name of it) would be nice and then hike that area. <BR>On your way to Launceston go through Ross and Campbelltown which are both nice little villages - I like Ross the best though. There is also a lovely little village about 5 miles south of Launceston airport which is worth snooping around in. <BR>I have been to Tassie 5 times and I am still to see it all. I love the place as its so relaxing and the food is just wonderful. <BR>I have never been game to go to Cadbury's chocolate factory.<BR>Unfortunately although Tasmania is a small place you really will not have the time for CM nor the other areas that are worth seeing. Hopefully you will see some cute little fairy penguins on the eastern coast. <BR>Enjoy Tasmania because its a little treasure.

dancingbear

Wow! So much information! Good Stuff.<BR><BR>Liz, unless the Oz Calendar is different from mine or I'm just losing it, May 4th is a Sunday this year. As much as I want it to be Saturday so we could see the Salamanca Markets. We will still enjoy the restaurants and pubs you mentioned, just with less traffic! Anyway, I think we'll stay in Hobart the first night, Port Aurthur the 2nd (ghost tour sounds neat), then drive up to Feyincent Peninsula, stay one night (maybe 2), and perhaps visit Ross on the last night. Can't wait to check out all the special places like Wineglass, Coles bay, Maria Island, etc. Thanks again for your help! We will cherish our moments there!

lizF

You are right about the date - I looked at the wrong diary. <BR>There are some lovely places to stay in Ross - one is the Pub which doubles as a B&amp;B type thing and another is a B&amp;B there but the last I saw it was up for sale so I cannot give you up to date information about it. You will see plenty of places to stay and you can just pick out whatever you fancy. In Hobart stay near Sullivan's Cove in perhaps the Old Woolstore, which is self contained or there are wonderful places in Salamanca Place itself. <BR>I know friends of mine stayed in a B&amp;B at Coles Bay last year and had a terrific time there and walked themselves silly. <BR>Have fun and sorry about the date!<BR><BR>Liz<BR>