Eamon

Hi There,<BR><BR>We will be in Tasmania for four days in January - flying into Hobart and out of Launceston. We were planning to stay in Hobart for two nights (spend one day at Port Arthur), then drive to Strahan for a night, and spend our final night in Cradle Mountain. Is this a doable itinerary? Any recommendations? Any must stay Hotels/B&amp;B's?<BR><BR>Thanks for help!

Melodie

Eamon,<BR><BR>this is &quot;do-able&quot;, but a bit rushed. FYI, It will take you 3-4 hrs. to drive from Hobart to Strahan (depending on how many stops you make); and of course, I don't know what time your flight from Lauceston leaves.....that could be a consideration.<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certified Tassie Specialist

Eamon

Thanks for your response Melodie. My flight from Launceston is 10:00am - do you know offhand how long it takes to drive from Cradle Mountain to Launceston?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Eamon

Melodie

Eamon,<BR><BR>Figure 2.5 hours, but allow 3 to be on the safe side. If you've got a 10AM flight, that means you should be at the airport, checking in at 8AM. I'm assuming you also have to drop off a rental car, so that's extra time added. My advice to you would be to stay overnight in Launceston the evening before your flight (or somewhere that's very close by). While it means that you may have to cut your time short at Cradle, it also means you won't have the stress about making your flight on time!<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Melodie

Aussie

I feel this is really stretching, what time do you arrive in Hobart ?<BR><BR>Hobart was first settled in 1804 so it has some rather nice buildings &amp; the wharf area is a good starting point for food &amp; accom.<BR><BR>It is a very easy State to drive around. No hassells in the city's just like driving in a large country town.<BR><BR>I agree with Melodie that you spend the last night in Launceston.<BR>The airport is quite small (not international)<BR><BR>The trip over to Strahan will be quite slow in places.<BR>It would be nice if a Tasmanian local finds this post &amp; updates travel time for you. Enjoy<BR>

Eamon

Melodie and Aussie - thank you both for your advice. All helps as I prepare to visit Tassie from Ireland - in different circumstances of course, to some of the Irish who landed there in the 1800's!!

liz

No it is not doable unfortunately. You need 2 nights in Strahan because by the time you get there ( takes about 4 - 5 hours from Hobart) the cruises will be finished for the day so that leaves the next day for a cruise down the Gordon and it will take the remainder of that day then to get to Cradle Mountain where you need at least 2 nights again - your arrival night and the next day to see the area. <BR>There is plenty to see and do in Hobart and surrounds to take the complete time you are in Tassie. You could take a nice leisurely drive from Hobart to Launceston and perhaps stay at the Launceston Casino ( v. small) which is in lovely grounds and is more a relaxation place than a Casino or Longford - about 10 minutes drive to the airport and a nice little place or even Evandale which also is about 5 minutes drive and a lovely little place. <BR>Don't worry about the time you need for dropping off a rental - thats takes about 4 minutes.<BR>Leave planning your time until you get to Hobart because there is a very good Tourist Information Centre near Salamanca where hopefully you will be staying. You will find that they can give you all the information about seeing Tassie in that short time that you will need. <BR>

eamon

Thanks Liz for your posting! I appreciate the help!

shannon

hmmm NOT nearly enough time...we flew in and out of Hobart --arriving Sunday noon and leaving bright and early on the 7am flight on Wednesday. Checked in to hotel on Sunday, had lunch at Mures (stayed at Old Woolstore--loved it!)...then got in the rental and drove out to Port Arthur..it might only be 90km but it is a 2 lane winding road with great stops/lookouts along the way. WE stopped several times and wished we had walked over to the Devil's Kitchen area but didn't want to miss daytime pics at PA. We did the nighttime Ghost Tour...ate dinner at the restaurant there (had Wallaby...mmmmmm!) and then was ready for our 8:30 tour.<BR><BR>Got back around 11/12pm (don't drive too fast at night...lots of road critters alongside)....<BR><BR>All day Monday---I think we had an 11am Cadbury Factory tour....so we got to sleep in a bit. Then drove over to the Tassie Devil Wildlife Park (name??), then drove thru Richmond, headed back to Hobart then up to MT Wellington--absolutely AWESOME view! That night we went to the Casino...Wrest Point...<BR><BR>Tuesday...drove to Mt Field Natl Park...the most incredible trees/forest I have ever seen! Passed thru HOPS fields...wish they had been growing...<BR><BR>Got home, dinner, then to bed early for our 5am wake up call.<BR><BR>those 2 1/2 days in Tassie were the BEST! WISH I had even more time to see/do what was just around Hobart. IF you are wanting to add Cradle Mtn...definitely add MORE time or cut out something else. REALLY wish we had done a few more days in Tassie instead of 7 in Sydney. Live and Learn...but now I have an excuse to go back!

eamon

Shannon - thanks for your posting. I have taken your advice and booked a room at the Old Woolstore!! I wish we had more time in Tassie as it sounds like there is tons of great stuff to do there - I guess we will just have to plan carefully! Thanks again.

Hope

Just a few pointers:<BR><BR>- In Hobart, if you are there on a Sat. go to Salamanca markets. The view from Mt Wellington is also very pretty. Food wise, Salamanca has great cafes. <BR>Italian - Da Angelos (Battery Point) or Maldinis (Salamanca).<BR>Steak - Ball &amp; Chain (Salamanca) has the best steaks I have ever tasted.<BR>Modern Australian - Rockefellars or T42<BR>Fish &amp; Chips - Fish Frenzy<BR>Pub Meals - Can't think of its name but on the corner of Murray St and the road along the waterfront is very good.<BR><BR>- The wildlife park I think the prior reply was thinking of was Bonorong Wildlife Park (in the Richmond Area) Richmond, also has some vineyards that do tastings etc, if you like the good food. There is also another really good wildlife park on the way to Port Arthur which is the Tassie Devil Wildlife Park. <BR><BR>- Strahan is beautiful but it is a bit of a hike and the river cruises are one of the best reasons to go there. If you do decide to go though the colonial cottages on teh waterfront are lovely.<BR><BR>- An alternative is to go to Port Arthur and then drive up the East Coast to Coles Bay to see Wineglass bay that will be beautiful at that time of year. You can then drive across to Launceston. In my opinion, Launceston is nothing special but there are a few cute towns surrounding with nice B&amp;Bs. If you like history Entally house is an example of the old estate houses. Deloraine has a art and craft fair around January but not sure of exact dates. It may also be possible to then do a day trip to Cradle Mtn. <BR><BR>Good luck, you picked a fabulous time of year to go