My husband and I are planning a 3 week trip trip to AU to visit family in Adelaide and Melbourne in April 2026. We’ll spend 10+ days between Adelaide and Melbourne. I don’t need help with that, but would like any feedback on a 7-8 day self-drive trip to Tasmania. Four relatively active seniors will start with a flight to Hobart. 1-2 nights. Then on to Cradle Mt for an overnight. Two nights in Launceston (one person will be fly fishing and the others wine tasting). Next day Bay of Fire area, maybe St. Helens. Then a night in Freycinet NP, Coles Bay? Return to Hobart and fly back to Melbourne. Any thoughts? Must sees? Moderately priced accommodations. Hotel, cabins or apartment type. Thanks.

It appears almost doable, although rushed. Cradle Mountain is about 4.5 hours, without stops. 2 days would be better here. By the time you arrive you'll have limited time to see anything.

Note that Easter is in April 2026, as well as school holidays, so peak travel time. You'll need to book soon at places like Cradle Mountain.

No suggestions on accommodation - it's quite a while since we've been. We stayed at Freycinet Lodge, which was excellent. I can't recall any other places we stayed which I could recommend. We stayed at a place in Moina, near Cradle Mountain. Would NOT recommend.

Can you fly into a different airport if your first stop is Cradle Mountain? Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, Deloraine? are all closer. Fly into the north of Tasmania and out of the south, travelling in one direction will save time.

Flying into or out of Launceston or Devonport was a consideration. We were going to do this trip several years ago and that was the plan. We are planning on arriving in AU after Easter and wouldn’t head to Tasmania until the 17th or later. Thanks for the info.

Cradle Mountain has been in the news a bit lately as visitors have been unprepared for sudden weather changes and have had to be rescued. Helicopters could not be used because of the poor weather which meant rescuers had to hike in. The weather there can change very quickly. We were there in the middle of summer once and it was freezing cold.

Around the Launceston area (sorry to be vague but can't remember where) there is a lavender farm with cafe/shop and a strawberry farm where they welcome visitors too. They grow a lot of poppies in the north of Tasmania. Obviously what is available to see depends on the time of year.