Tasmania Road Trip Suggestion & Feedback

Lancerx on 05/07/2024 - 23:53
Last edited 06/07/2024 - 14:33 by 1 other user

Hi all, I'm going to Tasmania for a road trip in July this year for a week. The starting point is Hobart. Just a bit unsure of which routes to take, and things to do. It will be just me and my folks, no kids. Mainly bringing them to experience the Southern Hemisphere winter, and sight-seeing.

Should I go from west to east, or east to west? My initial plan is to follow this route.

However, I was told that the west side of Tasmania often gets covered in snow in winter, so best not to travel through Strahan.

The other option is to travel the middle route to Cradle Moutain > Launceston > Swansea > back to Hobart (spend a day on Bruny Island)

What do you think? Any other must-see places? Appreciate your input and feedback!

Travel Tasmania

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 06/07/2024 - 00:51
    +1

    There's a bunch of self-drive itineraries here that will give you ideas for stops along the way. Cradle Mountain does get snowed-in in winter so that needs a deeper dive. You may want to be in Hobart on Saturday to visit Salamanca Markets. In addition to Bruny Island you could easily spend a day doing Port Arthur and another day at MONA with a drive up to Mt Wellington. Here's an organised tour that takes 10 days which may give you some more planning ideas.

    • Lancerx on 06/07/2024 - 01:23

      port arthur is in my mind too, just not sure if doable in 7 days

  • AustriaBargain on 06/07/2024 - 00:53

    Did you see that tourism ad about visiting Tasmania in the winter?

  • Lancerx on 06/07/2024 - 01:34

    also, is there much snow activities in Tasmania?

    • barge-in hunter on 06/07/2024 - 06:50

      Last time I went to TAS was during August; I tried to do a lap. 15 years ago though, so things might have a changed.

      Driving over cradle mountain in the snow wasn’t a fun experience- and it got quite heavy, so the road was being closed behind me as I went. Most of the little towns were shut up for the winter so very few places were inhabited. Ended up snowed in, staying at a chalet/motel for a few days until the weather cleared enough to leave.

      I recommend avoiding the west side of TAS at this time of year - you’ll have more fun exploring Hobart and heading up the East coast

      • Lancerx on 06/07/2024 - 21:36

        The middle road is better?

        • lgacb08 on 10/07/2024 - 12:15
          +2

          No, the middle part of the island is in high altitude pretty much like cradle Mountain so you'll have chance to get stuck in the snow too. Safe route without disruption is the main highway between Devonport, Launceston and Hobart.

    • Clear on 06/07/2024 - 21:27

      Ben Lomond has a ski resort that's currently active. Sometimes you can do the same at Mt Mawson. Mt Wellington has snow up the top that you can walk around if the roads are open.

  • jv on 06/07/2024 - 02:06
    -3

    e-scooters

    • Clear on 06/07/2024 - 21:30

      At unsafe speeds across the Tasman bridge.

  • jv on 06/07/2024 - 02:06
    -5

    Mainly bringing them to experience the Southern Hemisphere winter

    You don't like your parents ???

    • Lancerx on 06/07/2024 - 21:38

      Spending almost 10k bringing them there, you say?

      • Muzeeb on 06/07/2024 - 21:41

        $10k for 3 adults for a week in Tassie? WTF? Are you starting off in London?

        • Lancerx on 06/07/2024 - 21:47

          They fly in from overseas..thats why… It's kind of ticking off their bucket list

          • Muzeeb on 06/07/2024 - 21:49
            +1

            @Lancerx: That makes sense. Have an awesome time. Cheers

  • tulip99 on 06/07/2024 - 09:03
    +2

    Bicheno is a nice small beach town.

    The Huon Valley is nice and doesn't get much snow, so you should be able to drive through it and it's part of Kettering sort of where you catch the ferry to Bruny Island.

    It's cold here right now.

    There might be a big winter fest on in Hobart this month called Dark Mofo, so you could check if it's on if that's the sort of thing you're interested in. I've never been.

    • Clear on 06/07/2024 - 21:28
      +1

      Dark Mofo was last month.

      • tulip99 on 07/07/2024 - 10:14

        Oops!

  • nocure on 06/07/2024 - 10:31
    +1

    Tasmania Road Trip Suggestion & Feedback

    Don't take the lancer

    • Muzeeb on 06/07/2024 - 10:37
      +1

      I assumed the x is for Evolution X. That would be an absolute hoot in Tassie during winter.

      • Clear on 06/07/2024 - 21:29

        This time of the year in general is. I travelled a good 10km down a mountain the other day without accelerating. The ice took me.

    • Lancerx on 06/07/2024 - 21:38

      Sold now lol

  • battler on 06/07/2024 - 13:42
    +1

    My 2c.
    This is a must if you go to Strahan:
    https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/things-to-do/arts-and-cu…
    https://www.roundearth.com.au/ship.html

    Franklin river cruise out of Strahan is good but would consume one of your days.

    Port Arthur should be done. That and Bruny Island are top of Tripadvisor for good reason.

    Freycinet you would only go to if driving past. Only thing there is a hefty walk to a summit to take a photo of a nice bay. "Folks" would need an element of fitness.
    Don't prioritise this place.

    • Lancerx on 06/07/2024 - 21:47

      Sounds like Port Arthur is a must see. Any suggestion what to do there? Spend a night there I guess?

      • Muzeeb on 06/07/2024 - 21:50
        +1

        Any suggestion what to do there?

        Walk around some old buildings. That's what everyone goes there for.

      • sumyungguy on 06/07/2024 - 21:56
        +1

        It far exceeded my expectation when I visited. There are complimentary guide talks and also additional tours at extra cost. It was a penal settlement where the convicts built ships among other things. You can easily day trip from Hobart. It really depends on what your parents are interested in…

      • tulip99 on 07/07/2024 - 10:15
        +1

        It will take all day to have a good look around Pt Arthur and experience it all. I would stay nearby overnight. I was there about 19 years ago and you couldn't drink the water at the nearby motels so check that they've fixed that if you go.

  • tulip99 on 07/07/2024 - 10:16
    +1

    There is the Female Factory at Hobart but it's not intact like Port Arthur, and the Cascade Brewery -not sure if they still do tours.

    • Lancerx on 10/07/2024 - 23:26

      Cheers! Love my Cacade lemon lime bitter, so definitely should pay a visit there.

  • scottb721 on 08/07/2024 - 23:41
    +1

    Nice thread. I'm in Launceston for the next two weeks working and booked this Sat night down in Hobart. Hopefully some interesting places to check out over the weekend.

    • Lancerx on 10/07/2024 - 19:52

      Do keep me posted, of interesting places you been to.. Cheers

      • sumyungguy on 10/07/2024 - 19:57

        Are you and your parents foodies? Do you want dining tips? Just mention what cuisines you prefer

        • Lancerx on 10/07/2024 - 23:25

          We like our food for sure :) Normally we go for Asian cuisine, but we don't mind any. Appreciate any tip, especially in Launceston & Hobart where we spend two nights each. Thanks!

          • sumyungguy on 10/07/2024 - 23:45
            +1

            @Lancerx: Me Wah in Hobart does excellent yum cha, so good that on a typical weekend visit to Hobart I'll go there on consecutive days. Sunday is trolley service, two sittings. Other days (Tue-Sat) a la carte. There's also a Me Wah in Lonnie but only the Hobart one does yum cha. Also worth checking out in Hobart: Fico (Italian degustation), Pitzi (pasta bar by Fico), Landscape Restaurant & Grill (steak), Urban Greek (Cretan). If you're in the mood for a cheaper casual meal: Mure's Lower Deck. Make sure you find a decent quality scallop pie while you're down there. As for Lonnie, I haven't been since 2019 so don't have any current insight.

  • Lancerx on 10/07/2024 - 23:35

    UPDATE: Below are my current booked itineraries. I appreciate your input and feedback, especially on places to see and activities to do Thanks!

    20/7 Arrive late afternoon
    21/7-22/7 Cradle Mountain (Hiking to Lake St Clair?)
    22/7-24/7 Launceston (exploring Grindelwald and driving toward Bay of Fire)
    24/7-25/7 Swansea (going down the east coast, stay at Swansea, then visiting Port Arthur on the way back to Hobart)
    25/7-27/7 Hobart (Bruny Island and surrounding, visit Salamanca market early Sat morning)
    27/7 late afternoon fly back

  • tulip99 on 11/07/2024 - 09:24

    Fish Frenzy on the Elizabeth St(?) pier has the best fish and chips but I haven't been for a few years now.

  • sam-1966 on 12/07/2024 - 22:25

    We did a Pennicott Wilderness Cruise near Port Arthur - cruise in the morning and Port Arthur in the afternoon. Both were fantastic.

    When we went, the suggestion of the friend we were visiting was to avoid the highways and take the smaller roads. It worked well.

    Are you into anime at all? Kiki's Delivery Service fans flock to Ross in Tasmania. https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/tasmania/ro…

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