This is a free and easy self drive tour. Compared to driving in Perth, it is more difficult drive. Primary due to the narrower roads and bad road conditions. i.e The drive from cradle mountain along Zeehan highway is riddled with pot holes. This is notwithstanding the many carcasses lying along all roads. The roads are very winding and rarely there are straight roads.
Generally, the drivers in Australia are friendly. You won't ever hear anyone sounding the horn or tail-gate. You definitely can do a leisurely drive there.
For this trip, i have already planned it to be an easy trip usually starting the day slightly after 8 am. But going through it, this is most definitely a very packed itinerary. There are destinations that we skipped because of time constraints. Binalong - Bay of fires is one, another is the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park. Otherwise, we pretty much stick to our original planned itinerary. There are also days we hope we have more time to spend at place but do not have the luxury of doing so like Cradle Mountain and QVMAG museum.
Do note that alot of restaurants may close at 8 pm but the kitchen will close by 7.30 pm. This is particularly true for tasmania. So plan your meals well.
At Tasmania, we have more opportunities to see wildlife. Like penguins, wallaby, echidna and wombat. Sometimes even up-close and personal.
If you want me to sum up the trip: Outback and laidback Tassie!
Travel dates: 16 October 2014 to 25 October 2014.
Weather: Very cold for someone used to warm weather. 3 degrees to 16 degrees at Tasmania. It definitely warmer in Melbourne.
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My itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Melbourne at 7 am. Flight to Hobart at 10.45 am.
- Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
- Breakfast on flight, Lunch at The fish bar, Coffee at Yellow Bernard, Dinner at Da Angelo Ristorante
- Kettering - Rosefield Bed and Breakfast
Day 2:
- Bruny Island Cruises
- Breakfast at Rosefield Bed and Breakfast , Lunch at Bruny Island Cruises, Snack at Get Shucked!, Dinner at Smolt
- Hobart CBD - Travelodge - Hobart
- Salamanca Market, Tasman National Park (Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, Tesselated Pavement)
- Breakfast at random stores at Salamanca market, Lunch at Daci & Daci Bakers, Snack at DOOlishus， Dinner at Pavement Restaurant
- Eaglehawk neck- Lufra Hotel and Apartments
- Port Arthur*, Bicheno Penguin Tours^
- Lunch at Port Arthur （included） in Bronze pass, Dinner at Best Western Beachfront Bicheno
- Bicheno Best Western Beachfront Bicheno
*Sorell Fruit Farm and Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park is along the way from Hobart to Port Arthur. If time permits, you may wish to add this to your itinerary.
**Long drive between Port Arthur and Bicheno
Money saving tip: If you do not wish to join the ^Bicheno Penguin Tours, either stay at Diamond island resort or go to the beach in front of Sealife centre.
Day 5:
- Freycinet national park (Friendly beaches, Cape Tourville/Lighthouse, Wineglass bay, Oyster bay lookout), Bicheno Blowhole, DIY penguin watching
- Breakfast at in-room dining with Best Western Beachfront Bicheno, Lunch at Freycinet Marine Farm, Dinner at Sealife Centre
- Bicheno Best Western Beachfront Bicheno
- Cradle mountain
- Breakfast at Blue edge bakery, Packed Lunch from Blue edge bakery, Dinner at Risby Cove
- Strahan - Franklin Manor
*Join the night tour (wildlife encounters and included visit to Devil's cradle). Take the walk from ronny creek if you wish to see the wombats.
**Long drive point to point: from Bicheno to Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain to Strahan
- Gordon river tour
- Breakfast at Franklin Manor, Lunch on board tour, Dinner at Stillwater
- Launceston - Balmoral on York Hotel
*If you make your way to Strahan, you may wish to consider West Coast wilderness railway during December to May.
**Long drive between Strahan and Launceston
Day 8:
- Visit to Tamar Ridge Cellardoor, Josef Chromy Winery, J Boaq and Son Brewery, QVMAG Museum
- Breakfast at Sweet Brew, Lunch at QVMAG: Railway cafe, Dinner at random korean restaurant
- Melbourne - Pensione Hotel Melbourne
Day 9:
- Great ocean road tour - Grayline tours
- Lunch at restaurant recommended by tour guide at Apollo bay, Dinner at Young and Jacksons Cafe
- Melbourne - Pensione Hotel Melbourne
- Queen Victoria Market and State Library of Victoria using free City Circle Tourist Tram #35
- Brunch at The Grain Store
A visual map to give you a round idea of the journey.
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