Gaby and Andy enjoyed 16 days on their Tasmania road trip, and this is their story!
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Who are you?
Gaby and Andy, and we are from New South Wales
When did you do your Lap of Tasmania?
Spring – October 2019
How many days did you spend in Tasmania?
15 nights / 16 days
What vehicle did you use?
A Mitsubishi Outlander
What car hire company did you use?
We used Europcar
What were your favourite experiences?
- Seeing wildlife in the wild! We saw pink breasted robins, echidnas and wombats while walking.
How many of the ‘Big 12’ did you see?
We saw 8 of the ‘Big 12’:
- Mt Field
- Strahan
- Cradle Mountain
- Stanley
- Cataract Gorge
- Tamar Valley
- Freycinet
- Richmond
What was your itinerary, and where did you stay?
- (2N) Bruny Island – AirBnB ‘Thanet at Adventure Bay‘
- (2N) Hobart – AirBnB ‘Annie’s Room‘
- (1N) Derwent Bridge – Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel
- (2N) Strahan – Strahan Wilderness Lodge (learn more)
- (2N) Cradle Mountain – Cradle Mountain Highlanders Cottages (learn more)
- (2N) Burnie – The Duck House (learn more)
- (2N) Launceston – Alice’s Cottages (learn more)
- (1N) Bicheno – AirBnB ‘Central Studio‘
- (1N) Hobart Airport – AirBnB
What was your favourite accommodation?
The Duck House in Burnie was delightful! Our host was friendly and knowledgeable, and the cottage is walking distance to the penguins and the Makers Workshop.
Alice’s Cottages in Launceston had so much character and the hosts thought of everything. These are a row of original workers’ cottages, sympathetically restored to afford all the creature comforts without sacrificing the charm. We stayed in the Welsh cottage.
‘Central Studio’ AirBnB in Bicheno was sparkling new and pristine, with the best shower I’ve ever had!
Strahan Wilderness Lodge was a more traditional B&B with a shared living space. It was in a beautiful location with gorgeous grounds and views.
These all suited us as a couple, but I don’t think they would be appropriate for a family with young children.
What tips and advice do you have for other travellers?
- Avoid 1 night stays – it’s just too rushed. Make it a minimum of 2 nights.
- Make sure you try a scallop pie, as they are unique to Tassie!
- Do not listen to anyone who tells you the Dove Lake Circuit walk will take you 2 hours, and that it’s a doddle! It includes steep inclines and flights of stairs! Take lots of water, as there is none at the bus-stop.
- Some of the most enjoyable walks we did were on this list of 60 Great Walks. Don’t turn your nose up at them just because they’re not challenging. We saw wildlife, waterfalls and rivers, all on walks that took less than 30 minutes!
- If you go on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, spoil yourself and buy the premium tickets in the Wilderness Carriage. You have a better carriage with a viewing platform and a constant flow of food and beverages 😋
- We highly recommend the Lonely Planet Tasmania Guide to Tasmania. It was our constant companion, giving us historical context and suggestions for what not to miss.
- In Strahan, don’t miss the West Coast Reflections exhibition at the Visitors Centre. It costs $2 to enter, and it’s fantastic. The exhibit includes rainforests, caves, and oral history.
- The drive from Derwent Bridge to Queenstown, and then Strahan is challenging! Allow plenty of time to navigate the ’99 Bends’.
- Stop at Willie Smith’s in the Huon Valley for a piece of their amazing apple pie!
How would you sum up your Lap of Tasmania holiday?
“We covered 1973km in 16 days and experienced a great mix of wilderness, history and culinary delights. Our next trip will concentrate on the north-east coast, which we couldn’t fit in.
Our favourite area was the Huon Valley – green rolling hills, picturesque villages and fabulous produce!“
