6/7 days in Tassie - itinerary check and accommodation info

[nquinn]

Hi all,

I've worked my way up the east coast of Australia, and will be flying to Hobart on Dec 3. Need to be back in Sydney for a 12:20 flight on the 11th, so that leaves me around 6.5 days to explore (sadly cut down from my goal of 8 or 9)

Here's my take at an itinerary. Questions to follow:

Tassie plan

Dec 3
arrive hobart evening 8pm (flight booked)

Dec 4
Hobart explore and research (could skip)

Dec 5
Drive to tasman peninsula (90min) /
Eagle hawk
Tesselated pavement
Cape hauy
Sleep where?

Dec 6
Drive to cape Raoul (1hr), explore 5hrs
Sleep port arthur?

Dec 7
Drive to freycinet early (3hrs)
Explore half day, sleep

Dec 8
Half day freycinet
Drive to Cradle mountain (3.5hrs)
Where should I stay this night?

Dec 9
Cradle mountain summit
Sleep nearby (where?)

Dec 10
Half day cradle, drive to Launceston by 3-4pm
Flight options:
Jetstar 8:40pm-10:15pm ($55) - book???

Dec 11
Flight option:. Jetstar arrive syd 11am
Flight home from sydney 12:20pm

Specific questions:

- I'm currently considering driving+hotels or a camper van which I've never done before. Would most of these places have a place to park?
- For tasman peninsula And cradle mountain if I decide to use hotels/motels, where would you suggest staying to be close by for day hikes? (Or are cabins in the parks an option?)
- Should I limit tasman peninsula to just one cape?
- Kind of whatever on freycinet - should I add days elsewhere and gut this part of the trip?

[eggs]

The Cabins at Waldheim are great.
http://www.cradleinfo.com.au/accom_result1/waldheim-cabins-cradle-mountain/
I believe access on the road are currently somewhat restricted - but I am sure you would be advised what to do.

If you had a tent, etc, you could camp at Fortescue Bay.

[nquinn]

The Cabins at Waldheim are great.
http://www.cradleinfo.com.au/accom_result1/waldheim-cabins-cradle-mountain/
I believe access on the road are currently somewhat restricted - but I am sure you would be advised what to do.

If you had a tent, etc, you could camp at Fortescue Bay.

Cabins at Cradle are all booked up except the 8 person one for 185/night... damn

[RonK]

Hi all,

I've worked my way up the east coast of Australia, and will be flying to Hobart on Dec 3. Need to be back in Sydney for a 12:20 flight on the 11th, so that leaves me around 6.5 days to explore (sadly cut down from my goal of 8 or 9)

Here's my take at an itinerary. Questions to follow:

Tassie plan

Dec 3
arrive hobart evening 8pm (flight booked)
That's a Saturday - Friday would be a better day to arrive so you can visit the Salamanca Market, always a highlight. A drive to the summit of Mt Wellington is a must-do. Breakfast or brunch at Jackman & McRoss, Battery Point. Dinner at Fish Frenzy on Elizabeth Street Pier. Try the blue eye trevalla. Or the seafood chowder.

Dec 4
Hobart explore and research (could skip)

Dec 5
Drive to tasman peninsula (90min) /
Eagle hawk
Tesselated pavement
Cape hauy
Sleep where? Base yourself at Stewarts Bay Lodge. Your day 5 & 6 destinations are either en route or easily accessable from here.

Dec 6
Drive to cape Raoul (1hr), explore 5hrs
Sleep port arthur?

Dec 7
Drive to freycinet early (3hrs)
Explore half day, sleep Freycinet Lodge - one of my favourite destinations. But you really need to stay two nights and walk at least the Wineglass Bay - Hazards beach Circuit. You'll regret if you don't. A drive up to Cape Tourville is also worthwhile.

Dec 8
Half day freycinet
Drive to Cradle mountain (3.5hrs)
Where should I stay this night?

Dec 9
Cradle mountain summit
Sleep nearby (where?) Cradle Mountain Lodge

Dec 10
Half day cradle, drive to Launceston by 3-4pm
Flight options:
Jetstar 8:40pm-10:15pm ($55) - book???

Dec 11
Flight option:. Jetstar arrive syd 11am
Flight home from sydney 12:20pm

Specific questions:

- I'm currently considering driving+hotels or a camper van which I've never done before. Would most of these places have a place to park?
- For tasman peninsula And cradle mountain if I decide to use hotels/motels, where would you suggest staying to be close by for day hikes? (Or are cabins in the parks an option?)
- Should I limit tasman peninsula to just one cape?
- Kind of whatever on freycinet - should I add days elsewhere and gut this part of the trip?

Forget about the campervan - hire a small car and treat yourself a stay at the lodges, you will be much more mobile and will make better use of your time. The lodges I've mentioned are not exactly budget accomodation, but the cost won't be that much different from campervan hire.

[nquinn]

Thanks for the awesome reply! Main issue is that many of these lodges seem to be booked up now :/

[MickyB]

Dec 4
Hobart explore and research (could skip)

I would skip this and spend the extra day exploring elsewhere

Dec 5
Drive to tasman peninsula (90min) /
Eagle hawk
Tesselated pavement

If you are stopping at Eaglehawk and Tesselated Pavement make sure you also stop at Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen.

Dec 8
Half day freycinet
Drive to Cradle mountain (3.5hrs)
Where should I stay this night?

Dec 9
Cradle mountain summit
Sleep nearby (where?)

We recently stayed at Cradle Mountain Highlanders and enjoyed it. Discovery Parks is probably the cheapest option and is located nearly opposite the visitors centre.