Explore the unique places in Tasmania. Mind-blowing nature landscapes along the journey makes you don’t feel tired driving from North to South regions. Tasmania is easy to explore by car – it is compact, the roads uncrowded and scenery varied.
Our journey start from Melbourne Airport. We took Jetstar Flight direct to Hobart, Tasmania. Jetstar offers very affordable fare to and from Hobart, Tasmania. This makes so easy to fly to this region. Jetstar flight cost was AUD209 for 2 person one-way including 20kg checked in baggage.
Day 1 – Hobart, TASMANIA | 2nd April 2012
We arrived in Hobart airport at 8:35AM after 1 hour flight journey then, catch airport shuttle to Hobart city. We checked in to our stay, Tassie Backpacker @The Brunswick hotel – Double room with shared bathroom at AUD65 for 1 night. Then we went around Hobart City by foot and city bus.
Visited places by foot like Shopping Street at Elizabeth Street Mall, Salamanca Market, Fresh market, art centre and Square. Apart from walking distance attractions, we took city bus to go some other places like Kangaroo Bay, Rosny Park and Coles supermarket.
Day 2 – Hobart to Queenstown | 3rd April 2012
Second day in Tasmania, we drive from South to North Tasmania. Early morning pick up car rental from Europcar office. Walking distance from our hotel was 600 meters away. Rental cost for 5 days was AUD196 for small car. Comfortable for 2 person.
Hobart to Hamilton: 73km
Hamilton to Tarraleah: 53km
Tarraleah to Lake Saint Clair: 55.2km
Lake Saint Clair to Nelson Falls: 63.8km
Nelson Falls to Lake Burbury: 14.1km
Lake Burbury to Queenstown: 14.2km
We arrived Queenstown at late evening. We stayed at Silver Hills Motel for AUD93 for 1 night. As soon we checked in to the hotel, we went out for quick dinner. Here, around 7pm all shop were closed, luckily we found a pizza restaurant which also is closing during that time. The girl who taking care the restaurant was so kind to cook 1 regular pizza for us before she close the shop.
Queenstown just like a death town and quiet, feel so eerie at night. The next morning we continue driving to Strahan after we filling up petrol at Caltex in Queenstown.
Day 3 – Queenstown to Cradle Mountain | 4th April 2012
Queenstown to Strahan: 40.7km
The West Coast Wilderness Railway (Strahan). A great little train ride through the rain-forest. Trips run between Strahan and Queenstown on the track which once served as the life line between the mining settlement of Queenstown and the harbor at Strahan. Built during the mid 1880s, with sheer dogged determination, this train service closed only in 1963 when road replaced rail. The line was dismantled and the engines and carriages abandoned until the 1990s when the line was rebuilt and rolling stock restored or replaced. Make sure you book to avoid disappointment as seating is limited, A cafe car serves light refreshments only at stations.
Strahan to Rosebery: 74.2km
Montezuma Falls, near Rosebery on Tasmania’s west coast, is Tasmania’s highest waterfall. Its easy 3 hours return walk along a level track takes you to the base of the 104 metre falls through pleasant park-like rainforest of leatherwood, myrtle, sassafras and giant tree ferns.
The track follows the historic route of the former North East Dundas Tramway right to the base of Montezuma Falls.
Once at the Falls a narrow suspension bridge crossing the gorge below provides a brilliant viewpoint to witness the sheer magnitude of Montezuma Falls. Beyond this suspension bridge, it looked like the track kept going though we didn’t proceed any further to find out where it went.
Its a great walk if you visit Tasmania. Asian like me, only can finish 4 hours return walk.
Rosebery to Cradle Mountain: 76.2km
We reached Cradle Mountain Chateau at night. Cost AUD166 a night for Double/twin room en-suite. After checked in to the room, we went out for night safari on our own. If you’re lucky you can see Wallaby, Tasmanian devil and other animals.
Day 4 – Cradle Mountain | 5th April 2012
What we like about staying in Cradle Mountain Chateau was, early morning as u wake up, there’s a wallaby searching for food right outside our room. Feel like you’re living in the zoo.
Today’s plan was spent the whole day in Cradle Mountain National Park. So, we checkout from the room and leave our luggage at the reception. Going to the National Park, you can easily catch the Cradle shuttle to see the mountain and lakes. The bus will alight you at Dove Lake registration booth. From here, you can choose the overland tracks according to your phase. The overland tracks are not challenging, it was an easy walk at the plank. Find the map at the registration booth.
We finish our trekking and sightseeing in late evening. We return back to the hotel and fetch our luggage then continue drive to Launceston Town, approximately 140km away. We stayed 1 night in Batman Fawker Inn – AUD 69 a night for standard twin room ensuite.
Day 5 – Launceston | 6th April 2012
Today, before we proceed to the Launceston airport, we made a detour to nearest attraction, Cataract Gorge.
The Cataract Gorge Reserve on the South Esk River is a unique natural formation just minutes from central Launceston. The Gorge has walking tacks, swimming pool, the world’s longest single span chairlift, a restaurant, cafe, a suspension bridge and panoramic lookouts with spectacular views. Peacocks and native wildlife add to the experience.
On the southern side of the river is First Basin, featuring a swimming pool and an open area surrounded by bushland. This part of the Gorge is popular with locals for picnics and barbecues. You just search in google map, “Gorge Scenic Chairlift” it will lead you to first Basin.
We only spent about 2 hours here then we were rushed to the Launceston airport to return our car rental and catch flight to Sydney, our next destination. We flew from Launceston to Sydney via Jetstar at cost AUD 249 for 2 person including 20kg checked in baggage. Departed at 12:45noon and arrived at 2:20pm.
Goodbye Tassie, ’til we meet again. Next destination, Sydney!.
TRAVEL BITE LOVE 