Tasmainia.

[galaxy xr8]

Hi guy's the missus and I are thinking off a little trip to Tassie, we will have 4-5 day's over there, where is the best places to look, we both like the mountain's/rainforrest and the beach, we plan to fly into Hobart, look around there and port Arthur then drive up to craddle mountain and that area and then onto Launceston and fly out, now I'm not sure if we will have enought time to relax and look around, so anybody from Tassie or someone that has been there, how long does it take to do this route, can it be done comfortablely, or does anyone else have any other sugestion's on places to see and go while we are there, thank's.

[DayTE]

G'day. Firstly it's Tasmania! ;)

But to your questions, you could give yourself two weeks and still not see much, ut with the couple of things you have suggested yourself, you shouldn't have too many worries. At Port Arthur, to have a real good look give yourself at least half (12 onwards) a day and think about booking in for the Ghost Tour of a night. Consider doing the cruise that they have too. It's only about an hour if I remember correctly.

While your down South and depending on what time you will have, but consider going out to Richmond. It's a great little town, it has art's and crafts and touristy things, but there is some great history there as well.
Or you could head a little further South and go to the Tahune Airwalk. I haven't done that but I've been told it's quite good.

Travelling from South to Cradle Mt will probably take anywhere from 3-5 hours depending on which way you go. Personally I'd go over the mountains, over the central highland past Great lake and the like. It's a lot of gravel road, but I'm guessing you will be in a hire car. There is some great scenery and it's a fair bit less trafficked than the Midland highway.

Once your back on the main highway at Deloraine consider a couple of these places below. We visited them on a recent club run and recommend them highly.
www.raspberryfarmcafe.com
www.ashgrovecheese.com.au
www.tasmazia.com.au
www.anvers-chocolate.com.au

To get to Cradle I'd go up through Sheffield and check out some of the murals (if that's your thing) in the town and on the way to cradle you will drive o some of the Cethana stage, which is one of the best stages in Targa Tassie!

Depends on where you stay at Cradle they do run night spottings and walks from the Hotel/Chalet. But there is a lot to see there, and a few walks to do.

I'm sure others may have other ideas for you, but hopefully I've given you something to think about.

Have you thought about bringing you own car? I guess with travelling time it would take away from holiday time, but we have got some great roads down here.

Enjoy your trip!

[Van D]

Dove lake/cradle mountain is a great spot.

I drove up there from Hobart earlier in the year and let the GPS guide me. I went through all sorts of back roads and small towns instead of the highway and a great trip through some mountains. Had no idea where I was but it was great. I *did* make a stop at a dam somewhere though? Not sure where that might be.

I also drove towards cradle mountain from wherever the Spirit of Tassie leaves port.. There was a small town with just an IGA type supermarket and a pretty big servo that filled up for you. The mountains around there were amazing..

Sorry I can't be too specific :P

I won't fill the thread. But here's a couple pics I took along the way.

Grandma's place where I started near Hobart


Mountains along the way (bad shot)


Dove lake/Cradle mountain




This was on the drive from that town near Spirit of Tassie (does anyone know the mountain?)





And this is the dam I found (I dunno if it was the one with all the dam protests years ago?)



It had MASSIVE pipes running up the hill opposite and it was bloody steep. Was an eerie feeling as I was alone and don't think I was meant to be there (were gates before it but left unlocked, I went down nearer the bottom and there were more locked gates) and the powerlines about were loud!

That's my story. Also visit port arthur (been there a couple times) and richmond for some history. I just thought I might ad my post as they aren't really landmarks (besides the mountain) but it was my favourite part of the trip.

[Van D]

By the way, looks like T6ute beat me, and all the names of places including the great lake ring a bell to me, I went through that way. Was awesome viewing!

[DayTE]

Just quicky the Mountain looks like Mt Roland, but I'm not 100% sure, and the dam could be Cethana. But there are a few about! The town where the Spirit is is East Devonport and I think all but one servo there will have driveway service.

[Van D]

Originally Posted by T6Ute

Just quicky the Mountain looks like Mt Roland, but I'm not 100% sure, and the dam could be Cethana. But there are a few about! The town where the Spirit is is East Devonport and I think all but one servo there will have driveway service.

So really I was about as good a help as nothing :P I was about ~15k out of devonport from memory 15 at most. South east of it.

Either way, good trip!

[DayTE]

Originally Posted by Van D

So really I was about as good a help as nothing :P I was about ~15k out of devonport from memory 15 at most. South east of it.

Either way, good trip!

I'd put money on it that it is Mt Roland! But the dam is really only a guess from me!

Photo 6 isn't far from the Cethana stage that I mentioned, now that's a good drive! :eclipsee_

[wulos]

Looking at the images Van D has posted.
Image5 - Round Mountain. Looking towards the North at the back side of Mount Rowland.
Image6 - Mount Rowland.
Image7 - Lake Cethana, which is used as a storage dam for the Hydro.

These last 3 shots are all part of the route that we took to Launceston from Cradle Mountain.
4-5 days will be a VERY hectic trip, especially given the distances involved. From experience Tasmainia is NOT nearly as tourist friendly in regards to food / accommodation as mainland Australia - most establishments operate 9-5, so be prepared to arrange food for meals early, or take it with you, and also be sure to be early with you book in times etc. This can make it difficult when travelling between locations. With the amount of roadkill / wildlife I would recommend against travelling at night if you can help it (/me looks around nervously to see if "Crash" is reading this)
Might I suggest 1 day in Hobart & surrounds.
2 days at Cradle Mountain and surrounds. Cradle Mountain is ALL about the bushwalks - and due to the nature of the area - you WILL end up getting rained on at some time or another. (we set aside 5 days for Cradle due to this - and it was clear on only 1 of them)
The last day I would set aside to do the Northwest coast - From Cradle Mountain make your way up to Stanley (The nut), can check out Dismal Swamp(and it's slippery dip lol) then follow the coast route back via Devonport to Launceston.
If you can stretch the budget / itinerary might I suggest pencilling in a guided tour/Cruise to Bruny Island. When I was down we went on a trip with them, and it is without doubt one of the highlights of my time down there. If I get a bit of spare time I will whack up a couple of pics from the various areas to show you why....

[Dark Horse]

Yes thankyou Mark. Just read it.

I'd thoroughly recommend taking the boat and taking your XR with you, as the roads down there do come begging for something more akin to what you have over the average rental.

But since you've allocated a Hobart to Launie mission in 4 to 5 days via the scenic route it is more driving and not enough sightseeing (we were down there for a fortnight - which in my opinion was still too short).

Cradle is a must, Bruny Island is also a must. Something that also comes recommended (which we didn't end up doing) is the West Coast Railway from Queenstown to Strahan.

Oh, and one final point - the Dismal Lakes slippery dip is awesome! :

[Director]

You have some great suggestions here, this might not suit your plans but try not to miss driving up the east coast and going into Wine Glass Bay (Freycinet national park). If you like to go trout fishing go up the guts and throw out a fly at Little Pine Lagoon or a lure at Arthurs Lake - best trout fishery on the planet.
In all honesty it doesnt matter which direction you go in there is plenty to see, and as mentioned by dark horse the roads are great - especially going from Richmond (prev mentioned) to Oatlands

[SPK-250]

Freycinet Peninsula is where it's at. My family has a shack down at Swanwick near Coles Bay and it is awesome, especially the fishing!

[galaxy xr8]

Thank's guy's you have given me some great help and we will be checking out some off those spot's, we haven't decided on when we are going yet, but it will be soon.

[XR6-VCT-2000]

Wow, some nice pics , i think im gonna have to add Tasy to my trip around Australia, I've allways wanted to fish the trout in Tasy too. I cant wait .

[Nostalgia]

Tasmania is a beautiful place. If you go to Hobart be sure to do the drive up Mt. Wellington. The top of that mountain is the best place on earth as far as im concerned.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by EAadam

Tasmania is a beautiful place. If you go to Hobart be sure to do the drive up Mt. Wellington. The top of that mountain is the best place on earth as far as im concerned.

I've been told that numorous times aswell.

[jd dad]

Originally Posted by EAadam

Tasmania is a beautiful place. If you go to Hobart be sure to do the drive up Mt. Wellington. The top of that mountain is the best place on earth as far as im concerned.

Second that, but take a coat and hat. Went up there in April years ago, was about 20 degrees at the bottom and about -20 up top and blowing like you wouldnt believe. Went to Port Arthur(was pre the shooting) and after the long drive there wasnt all that impressed with it. Went on a boat cruise from near Strachan I think it was, fantastic scenery up to the mouth of the river and back.

[Jeld-Wen Falcon]

Mt Wellington is underrated for sure. Theres some amazing history up there if you know where to look, some fantastic walking tracks and I think its a must.

[Nostalgia]

Originally Posted by jd dad

Second that, but take a coat and hat. Went up there in April years ago, was about 20 degrees at the bottom and about -20 up top and blowing like you wouldnt believe. Went to Port Arthur(was pre the shooting) and after the long drive there wasnt all that impressed with it. Went on a boat cruise from near Strachan I think it was, fantastic scenery up to the mouth of the river and back.

True, i shouldve mentioned that. Me and My Wife drove up to the top and it was 25 in Hobart. Up top of Mt Wellington it was absolutely freezing and blowing a gale. Hobart is definetely my place of retirement. Only got to wait 33 years !!!

[Van D]

Originally Posted by XR6-VCT-2000

Wow, some nice pics , i think im gonna have to add Tasy to my trip around Australia, I've allways wanted to fish the trout in Tasy too. I cant wait .

Won't regret that at all. When I was driving around I felt like I was in NZ or something half the time, totally different to mainland in parts.
Me and my mates are planning a camping trip for a week or so when we can all get time off nearer chrissy. Taking a few cars and a dinghy over on the spirit and camping/fishing for the week :

Have to agree with Mt Wellington too, went up a few years ago with the family, fantastic views.

[TadKa]

Originally Posted by EAadam

Tasmania is a beautiful place. If you go to Hobart be sure to do the drive up Mt. Wellington. The top of that mountain is the best place on earth as far as im concerned.

I run from the casino to top of mount welington in a fun run every year. and let me tell you. to a fat bastard like me. when you get to the top. It is absolutely the best place on earth.

also I love Frecinet. I usually pop up there a couple of times a year to get away from it all. Cooks beach is my favorite but it's generally a walk in one day. walk out the next.

St Helens is probably my favorite town in Tas.

[TUF_302]

Ive lived in tasmania all my life (20 years) and still aint seen Cradle Mt. Port arthur or many other hot spots in this state lol!, so id surgest comming over for a bit longer hahah!

[Nostalgia]

Originally Posted by TadKa

I run from the casino to top of mount welington in a fun run every year. and let me tell you. to a fat bastard like me. when you get to the top. It is absolutely the best place on earth.

also I love Frecinet. I usually pop up there a couple of times a year to get away from it all. Cooks beach is my favorite but it's generally a walk in one day. walk out the next.

St Helens is probably my favorite town in Tas.

Good on you mate for doing the fun run. Sounds like fun. Me and Mrs (actually) I parked the car about a quarter of the way up Mt Wellington and thought it would be nice to take a stroll. I kid you not, three hours later we found our car again and went back to motel for a nap. Beautiful place but dont lose sight of your car. It takes a long time to find it again.

[commsirac]

Time to go is now.....before its pulped!

[awsome4.0]

Originally Posted by T6Ute

Just quicky the Mountain looks like Mt Roland, but I'm not 100% sure, and the dam could be Cethana. But there are a few about! The town where the Spirit is is East Devonport and I think all but one servo there will have driveway service.

Yep Mt Roland my mums farm is smack bang at the bottom of it.
When you walk out her back door you are about 3 ks from the base of it.
Its a awesome site to see.

[galaxy xr8]

Just to bring this topic back up again, we have decided to go and stay at Hobart and spend the 1st day looking up around wine glass bay and then back, and on the 2nd day around and down at the hastings caves and that area and back, and on the 3rd day we are going down to bruny Is and spending the day there and going on the cruise, and as we only have 4 days/3 nights down there now, we are limmited to where we can go, but does anyone have any other nice places to go and see while there, places worth seeing, we are really into the mountain's/forrests and the wild seas.

[ford_baute]

I went there earlier this year for a few days. Flew into hobart stayed at the grand chancelor hotel. Im going back for sure such a nice place. Went to port aruthur and richmond so much history there. Checked out Mt Wellington the wind chill was so cold and the view was somthing to be believed. Next time i go back going to hire a camper and go for a few weeks. Im sure you will have fun

[galaxy xr8]

where are some nice hotels ect appartments to stay at down in Hobart.

[DJR David]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

where are some nice hotels ect appartments to stay at down in Hobart.

i always like using quest apartments. I think they have 2 different one s there for this company. self contained, usually quite nice

[ABoringUsername]

Not sure if this has been said before, but if you are a fan of old technology, Waddamana power station museum might be with a look, if you go up the highway (lol) through Bothwell, you will see the sign for it about 30ks past. 20K dirt road and you are there. it is free and open 7 days. they also have picnic and (i think) bbq facilities there. If you have a spare day, you could also drive to Lake Pedder in the southwest. about 2.5 - 3hr out of Hobart (depending on how comfortable you are with twisites...). good scenery. That is the dam that caused all the controversy in the 70s... There are quite a few good camping sites near Scotts Peak dam. It might be worth a drive up the west coast too, lots to see there.

[galaxy xr8]

Thanks guys I will look your ideas up.