Life can be boring at times, so it was decided that we should visit my good friends that live in Tasmania. Instead of just visiting my friends, why not make a week long trip to Tasmania and see a few different places...

We took the Spirit of Tasmania across to Tasmania, spent the first 2 days with my friends who are in Hobart. They are fantastic friends and will always be fantastic friends.

Time came to leave... We decided to visit Strathgordan and Mt Wellington. Mt Wellington was exceptionally cold, but at least we got to see it. Stayed in Strathgordon for the night. The hotel was reasonable, but nothing to write home about.

The next day we took off and went to Port Arthur, and stayed in Nubeena, The Hotel was absolutely gorgeous, and yes, you would write home about it. We were not that interested in finding exceptional accommodation, for us hotels are somewhere to lay your head at night after seeing what the place has to offer. As long as it has the basic, clean, hygienic, and I stress hygiene, then it does not matter if the place is not a 5 star establishment.

From Port Arthur we drove along the East Coast. We stayed the night at Swansea. Absolutely nice place with a gorgeous dog that will make you feel as though you are at home {look at the pictures of him", then from there went on to see Bicheno and stopped at various places along the ways, then the last stop was at St Helens. The Hotel at St Helens was nothing to write home about. The first room that they offered us, I asked if we could be moved. The shower looked like it was just put in a closet, and the room had furniture {a couch} that definetely needed a bit of a clean. I know that St Helen's has a reputation for being a Fishing Village, but the hotel was not exactly somewhere you would want to sleep. I dont think any woman would have slept in the room that was first offered to us. We went back to reception to ask for another room and it looked as though the lady was ready and waiting to give us the key to another room. The second room we were offered was reasonable. Again, nothing to write home about but at least we could get a few hours sleep before our drive to Launceston the next day.

The last day in Tasmania we spent driving around, we looked at all the gorgeous places left to see, and then spent the night in Launceston. We went to an Irish Pub in the middle of Launceston, probably the only place with people on a Friday night, and in all it was a fun night.

The Saturday was spent driving around and back on the Spirit of Tasmania for the trip home to Melbourne.

So many people talk about the Ship being rough, and not to eat before going on the Ship to make the crossing. We had a wonderful experience and would recommend the Spirit of Tasmania to anyone. The Service was fantastic, the people were wonderful and we could not fault it at all....

Overall, it was great week away in Tasmania....

Seems to me on a recent trip to Tasmania that it is pretty much closed for business. We went to Mt Field, Bothwell, Port Arthur and up the east coast via Barilla BAy to Freycinewt, coles BAy etc. . More was closed than open. What was open was good - and welcome. Like the gallery in Swansea where we dropped about $700 - probably just becasue it was open! Bicheno - closed, Swansea, Closed, Orford, closed, except for one cafe, Hamilton, closed, Bothwell, closed, Port Arthur - closed except for the historic site (and it's awful food in the cafe) and a wonderful find - Taylors Restaurant. Make a point of going there. We hear Mussel Boys is also good but they take it inturns with Taylors to be open on weekdays in winter - a good idea! Tayors was Outstanding in a sea of average that's for sure. Freycinet Marine Farm - we called ahead, they said open but when we got there, open but nothing to offer - no seafood, no people, nothing; but not closed. Barilla Bay - nothing - closed. Freycinet Lodge - lovely, and kyaking with Simon from Freycinet adventures? Priceless. OUr advice, Tassie - don't go unless you know where you are headed and check to see what's actually open - forget eating after 7.30pm - especially avoid Bicheno - mainly closed but dreadful food and extremely poor value.

Part of the Family Parks Group, we had a one night stay at Dover. Very comfortable, clean & warm Cabin. It had 1 bedroom with ensuite, with separate lounge dining/kitchen area. The tourist park is located opposite the beach and only a short drive or walk to shops, food outlets etc.
Dover being a small fishing area 1hr south of Hobart was nice and quiet. We stayed overnight on our trip down to Cockle creek after our trip through Geeveston & out to the airwalk and Hartz Mountains. We had a very filling and enjoyable salmon dinner at the local family oriented Hotel which overlooked the bay.
All year round cost for cabin is $100. they also had other styles of cabins, powered & unpowered sites and good amenities block. There were a few mobile homes there also on the night we stayed, otherwise fairly quiet at this time of year. Andrew, the park manager was very obliging with local and regional info.

Myself with wife visited Hobart from 1-10 May 08 and here are few photographs. Hobart is one of the most beautifull city visited by us.
A.R.Jambekar, Mumbai, India