Tasmania > Tasmania Experience

Advantages: Chocolate factory, Mt Wellington, Harbour, Salamanca Market
Disadvantages: It gets spookily quiet at night

...in my decision to go. Hobart is the Brummie bit of Australia in so far as it's a city with few redeeming features beyond a Cadbury's factory hidden in its suburbs. However that's where the similarities end. Nestled between the Derwent River and the imposing Mount Wellington, Hobart very much resembles a colourful Alpine village surrounded by rolling green hills with huddles of Terracotta houses adorned with rooves of teal and charcoal and lime. ...
...tables occupied. In Hobart attractions are limited. You can climb Mount Wellington for fantastic views of the city and beyond, but it's a 4 hour upward trek so I opted for the much more refined coach trip up to the summit. For $16 you get a 2 hour round trip with live commentary and plenty of photo opportunities. It's well worth doing if you're wrapped up warmly and steady on your feet as the severe winds at the top threaten to blow you over with ... Read review

Advantages: Stunningly Beautiful, Unspoilt, Unique
Disadvantages: Located at the very end of the world...

...Australian continent. The rest of Tasmania became an early penal settlement, but Bruny was largely forgotten. Today, it is a very quiet island, a small number of tourists represent its only 'industry', and its population numbers fewer than 600 people. There are several small hamlets on the Island, the largest among these probably being Adventure Bay. THE POPPIES: We spent our three nights on Bruny Island in a little A-framed cottage known as The ...
...isolation, directly on the beach. A very friendly couple that live about 5km away, a little further along the road to 'Adventure Bay,' owns the cottages, which forms part of their 'Morella Retreat' business. They themselves have a pretty Edwardian weatherboard, set on a 25 acre site that was established in the 1940's as a flower and bulb farm. There are two further, self-contained cottages available on this larger plot, which is dotted with massive ... Read review

Advantages: Perfect if you are looking for outdoor activities
Disadvantages: Not as perfect if you are looking for night life

I went to Tasmania a couple of years ago and since I wrote a diary during my travels I decided to share my experience. I flew to Lauceston from Melbourne while a couple of friends came across with the ferry so that we could take the car with us. I do not know much about tranport in Tasmania but if you can choose , get a rental car and drive aroud yourself because the petrol is cheap in Oz and this state is so small compared to Queensland or the ...
...a bit. Day 1 We drove to Swansea and from there we got to the real attractions: Freycenet Park and Coles Bay which are in the East Coast. There you can choose to do different walks, long or short, depending on what you are up for. We walked for 6 miles through the best scenery I have ever seen: rolling hills, perfectly blue sea, white beaches, kangoroos hopping around with their joeys. The silence topped it all up, it was better that what I thought ... Read review

Advantages: pretty, cheap, plenty to do
Disadvantages: nightlife virtually non existent

...love a bargain or two. Hobart won't disappoint - it has all the major chains seen in other Aussie cities such as Myer (although a very small one!), Sportsgirl and well known book stores. From our hotel the shops were easily accessible and within walking distance. * Food * Always an important part of my holiday - restaurants are plentiful! Our breakfast was taken at Kafe Kara which was five minutes walk down the hill from our hotel. This was a relaxed ...
...later we were back in Hobart and back at the hotel by 5pm. It was a fab day full of different experiences and I can highly recommend the tour. * Salamanca * This is one of Hobart's famous markets which is every Saturday from 8.30am to 3pm. A brilliant atmosphere, music, food and shopping all in a short space! We got there early and enjoyed an omelette in a roll for a paltry 4 bucks (£1.60). Stroll around and pick up a bargain or three. There's ... Read review

Advantages: Wonderful, unspoilt wilderness and super friendly people
Disadvantages: A very long way away

...images the island state of Tasmania conjors in people's imaginations, but I'm willing to bet that the reality surpasses anyones most optimistic expectations. Tasmania is an absolute jewel. A greater percentage of Tasmania is given over to national reserves than any other state in Australia and one visit is enough to convince you that you have indeed found the last unspoilt wilderness on earth (well, geographically it's pretty much the end of the ...
...anywhere in the state for stunning views, a relaxing atmosphere and spectacularly friendly people. If I had to pick a favourite place, I'd suggest Launceston and it's surrounding region. Launceston itself is a charming town with a wonderful gorge that takes a full day to explore. Then, just an hour or two out to the west, is the Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clare national park. Do not miss this opportunity to hike in some of the most rugged, exciting ... Read review