Hello,
It's definitely worth a visit but not typical of the rest of Oz, I'd say more like NZ. Hobart is a lovely small city good to walk around. Launceston is worth a visit, make sure you walk up the gorge to the lake and the outdoors swimming pool if you are there, also north of Launceston we found a little place where they bred sea horses and sea dragons - great to see the weedy sea dragons! Port Arthur, one of the first oz convict settlements is interesting. I've heard other visitors saying that the best scenery is in the Western and central areas but we never got there.
It's a lovely area but not sure if I would include it if I was restricted to a month - hmm?
The comparison with New Zealand is pretty apt. With a month, I'd skip it if you've been to New Zealand already, because then Australia has some radically different landscapes which are much more worth your time, but if you haven't been to New Zealand, then Tasmania is the next best thing. Cradle Mountain National Park is gorgeous, the rolling green hills between Launceston and there well worth driving through, and the rugged forrested scenery to the west and south totally worth visiting. Plus, Jan/Feb is a great time to be there, where for significant parts of the rest of Australia, it'd be a bad time to visit.
The way I did it was to fly into Launceston, rent a car to make my meandering way to Hobart, and fly out of there. Tasmania is small enough though, that you can basically make any kind of itinerary work.
[ 01-Nov-2010, at 15:27 by Sander ]
I completely agree with what Sander said.
Having said that though, how were you going to get from Perth to Sydney? If you're driving I recommend going via the south coast of WA, absolutely amazing beaches.
Thanks guys, I think you have sold it to me I've never been to Oz or NZ before so want to see as much as possible in my short time there. I think I am swaying towards flying to Sydney, just for the fact that it will save me some time.
Thanks for your views though, very helpful x
Completely agree with all the above comments. Tasmania is a beautiful place to visit and very different from mainland Oz. Check out my photo gallery as I have some recent shots of Hobart, Pt Arthur and the coastline that should further convince you. Enjoy.
Tasmania is a nice place especially if you want to get away from the big cities. Places like Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain, Russell Falls, St Helens, Bicheno, Launceston, Hobart, Mount Wellington (has lots of nice little hiking trails and at the summit you get a great view of Hobart ands surrounds), Tahune Airwalk, Bruny Island, Maria Island and much more are some of the nicest places in Australia and some are even regularly voted amongst the nicest places in the world (mainly Freycinet National Park/Coles Bay). It is a similar place to New Zealand. I think it really depends on what you like and want to get out of your trip. If you can not drive, then it is not worth going to Tasmania as the public transport system outside of the main cities is very limited. You can get fairly frequent buses between Hobart and Launceston, but to get to the West Coast and East Coast (the most beautiful region of Tasmania) is very tricky without a hire car.
If you wanted to make an adventure of your trip, you could possible get the Spirit of Tasmania (ship) to Devonport and travel from there or fly in and then get the ferry out. Many just fly in and out though as the ferry is overnight or in the summer some days they also have a sailing that goes during the day (very boring). All major airlines that operate in Australia have flights to Hobart and most also have flights to Launceston. Outside of those two cities the flights are very limited. Flying in to Hobart you can get Qantas (most expensive), Virgin Blue, Jetstar (usually about the same as each other in cost) and Tiger Airways (cheapest but they cancel a fair few flights and are often delayed by a fair while). Direct flights to Hobart are available from Melbourne on all of those airlines. From Sydney Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Qantas have direct flights. From Brisbane Virgin Blue does and for the summer period Qantas has on selected dates one direct flight to Hobart. From Canberra you can get a direct flight on Virgin Blue. On selected dates you can get a direct flight from Adelaide, but most go via Melbourne. From Perth and Darwin you have to go via Melbourne or Sydney to get to Hobart.
[ 13-Nov-2010, at 18:55 by aharrold45 ]
I am sold! I am flying in and out of Hobart, I have 4 nights there so not long but I may consider hiring a car for the duration to make the most of my visit I am from a small british Island myself so I can't wait to draw a comparison.. I have a bit of an island fetish! I am looking forward to it a lot now... Thanks for all of your input
Cibich3 - Just had a look at your photos... It looks beautiful!! Can't wait to get there.
If you like islands, what about islands off of islands? There is a small island, Bruny Island, south of Hobart which is a very beautiful place. Just a pub ( which claims to be the southernmost in Oz), a couple of shops and some penguins which you can watch coming back to their nests when the sun goes down. Don't miss the last ferry though which leaves quite early I seem to remember. With 4 days I suppose it's not likely to get on the list but I spent a very relaxing week there a few years ago.
Yes..definetely..you can drive around the coast of Tasmanian from Hobart to Launceston and back through Cradle Mountain..Stunningly beautiful place
Maggi
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