In September we went for a road trip around Tasmania and caught the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Devonport across Bass Strait and back to the Australian mainland.

This video is a quick guide to what it is actually like to drive your car onboard the Spirit of Tasmania.

Driving onboard is actually very quick and easy, and once parked you simply stroll right in to the ship. There is even a special area for pets to travel! Grab your overnight bag and go and relax for the trip across Bass Strait, which takes around eight hours. On board this deluxe ship, it’s a really enjoyable journey.

Tip:  It may be wise to leave your car unlocked, so that your car alarm isn’t set off by the movement of the ship. Otherwise, you may find yourself coming back to a car with a flat battery when it’s time to disembark!

To see the stunning hotels and locations we stayed in during our Tasmania road trip, read our Top 5 Amazing Tasmania Hotels blog here

Watch our video of how to drive onto the Spirit of Tasmania

Play the video to below to watch us boarding the Spirit of Tasmania…

Watch it on YouTube here

Have you ever sailed on the Spirit of Tasmania? Did you take your family car? Tell us in the comments below!

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In September we went for a road trip around Tasmania – and got caught in a major cold-snap blizzard!

We had been staying in the beautiful port town of Strahan after touring the Gordon River, and were headed next for Hobart. We were driving along the Lyell Highway, climbing up out of Queenstown when it started to snow, and it continued as we made our way through the mountains of the World Heritage Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. This is a beautiful drive at any time, but it is also one of the slower major routes in Tasmania and requires careful driving. Our whole journey that day took an epic 8 hours (with breaks) for 300kms – usually this trip takes around 5 hours.

This trip was the girl’s first experience of real snow, and they had an absolute ball, asking me to stop so they could leap out to “feel” the snow. Brooke was so excited that she forgot to put her shoes on at first, and went bare-foot for her very first snowball fight!

Going to the Tasmania West Coast? Get a 4WD hire car!

We saw no other vehicles for hours that day, and I had never driven through snow before. Thankfully we had been upgraded by Budget hire car in Hobart. We had originally booked a medium car, and we were upgraded to a 4WD hire car for free – and this was a very lucky thing too, in hindsight! In our big 4WD, we were warm, safe and secure driving through some pretty heavy blizzard conditions. If you’re travelling in Tasmania in the winter/spring months on the West Coast, I would highly recommend that you consider a 4WD. I suspect this was also the reason we saw next to no other vehicles on the road that day – the smaller hire cars just couldn’t cope with that much snow over the road – at times we could barely see the road!

Even though conditions were challenging, the incredible beauty we witnessed made it so worthwhile. We later learned at the first roadhouse we came to after descending from the mountains, that even the logging trucks had halted going back up into the mountains that day!

But really, only video and photos can tell the story, so here is a vlog record of what we saw – and it was just amazing!

To see the great hotels and locations we stayed in during our Tasmania circumnavigation road trip, read our Top 5 Amazing Tasmania Hotels blog here

Watch the video of our Strahan to Hobart national park blizzard trip

Play the video to below to watch our blizzard road trip…

Watch it on YouTube here

Have you ever been to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park? Tell us in the comments below!

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We’ve just returned from a fabulous trip around Tasmania, and we’d like to share with you some simply amazing accommodation finds you really shouldn’t miss!

We’ll list them in the order in which we stayed at them, because if we had to pick a favourite – well, we simply couldn’t do it! So here we go in no particular order, from 1 to 5…

No.1 – Freycinet Lodge, Freycinet National Park

East Coast – 2 hrs drive from Hobart / 2.5 hrs drive from Devonport

The Freycinet Lodge is a little piece of heaven in of one of the most astoundingly beautiful areas we’ve ever visited – Freycinet National Park. Located just minutes drive from the start of the world-famous Wine Glass Bay walks, this luxurious resort is located within the National Park.

The resort accommodation is made up of wood cabins spread over the expansive grounds, but they are anything but rustic. Our comfortable, modern cabin was fitted out with every comfort. The layout is spacious, and includes a separate second bedroom, living area with a dining table, kitchenette, bathroom, and a garden balcony.

The main guest lodge is impressive in its own right. An architectural marvel, it features soaring timber ceilings, stone fireplaces and a central staircase which leads down to the lounge, bar and two dining areas. One, a casual family-friendly bistro and the other an a-la-carte restaurant.

Outside, a large wrap-around veranda showcases panoramic views over Great Oyster Bay – particularly at sunset. This is when everyone stops in their tracks and gathers to witness the spectacular sunset, which casts not just a ribbon of gold over the water, but also a kaleidoscope of changing colours on the surrounding Hazards mountain range.

If you want to wow yourself, put the Freycinet Lodge on your Tasmania accommodation must-stay-at list.

Things to do near here

Watch the sunset from the resort veranda. Climb the family-friendly constructed path up to the Wine Glass Bay lookout, hike to Wine Glass Bay beach.

Prices

Rooms start from $329 per night for the school holidays

Take a look for yourself – watch our cabin walk-through

Learn more or book at the official website here

No. 2 – Cradle Mountain Hotel

North Western Wilderness – 4 hrs drive from Hobart / 1 hrs drive from Devonport

The Wilderness World Heritage area of Cradle Mountain is like stepping into an incredibly beautiful dream-world. Massive snow-capped mountains with cascading water falls surround the still, still water of the ethereal Dove Lake. Just a short drive away from the national park entrance you’ll find the fabulously comfy and cosy –  yet elegant and impressive – Cradle Mountain Hotel.

This high-quality hotel is set within a beautiful wilderness, and has attractions all of its own to offer guests. The grounds are teeming with unique Tasmanian native animals, including the adorable Pademelons – a small wallaby-type marsupial. These little guys practically knock at your hotel balcony door, begging for some attention! The wildlife odyssey continues with an exclusive rainforest boardwalk directly connected to the hotel. This unique complex is truly at one with nature, whilst sacrificing none of the creature comforts.

Inside, the large main lodge lounge and restaurant areas offer plenty of space to watch TV, play pool, or just relax. Numerous cosy wood fires are also dotted throughout the complex. The hotel rooms are modern, luxurious affairs, some with spa baths, and all with balconies to take advantage of the incredibly picturesque setting.

An impressive gallery is also located on-site, offering activities for the children and exquisite artworks for mum and dad to peruse – plus there is an expansive gift shop. This great hotel has a lot to offer holidaying families.

Things to do near here

Walk around Dove Lake (3-4 hours, mostly level, although with some moderate climbs), trek the Overland Track (you may see wombats here!), visit the Visitor Centre, see Tasmanian Devils and Quolls close up at Devils@Cradle Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary.

Prices

Rooms start from $334 per night for 2 adults & 2 children during the school holidays

Take a look for yourself – watch our room walk-through

Learn more or book at the official website here

No. 3 – Strahan Village

West Coast – 4.5 hrs drive from Hobart / 3 hrs drive from Devonport

Perched up on a cliff over-looking the picturesque village and fishing port of Strahan, Strahan Village is the perfect place to recharge.

This lovely hotel services every need for the weary traveller. Attentive service, great housekeeping, ample parking, a lift to the second floor, a guest laundry – the list goes on. There is a really lovely lounge, bar and restaurant area with panoramic views over the Macquarie Harbour and Strahan township. Breakfast (and dinner too, available seasonally) has the best view in town! It’s not just the main hotel areas which feature the wonderful view, but also many of the guest rooms (including ours).

Even though the hotel is located up on a higher level than the township it is still central. It only takes a couple of minutes to walk down to the town and ship docks via a footpath and stairs – or just a minute to drive.

Our split-level hotel room was absolutely charming. Toasty warm (believe me, this matters in winter/spring when it can get very chilly outside!), there were large, comfy beds with electric blankets, and an ultra-modern bathroom with a fabulous shower.

Located on the lower section of the room, a delightful little sitting area featured a lounge and two arm chairs to relax on, plus a great little free-standing tea/coffee area. I loved this idea – it meant I wasn’t roaming around trying to find a power-point to dangerously perch the hot-water jug near every time I wanted a cuppa. Here also was a floor lamp, large flat-screen TV, and a desk with plenty of power sockets to recharge all of my devices.

Outside, a generously-sized balcony with outdoor furniture was a great place for us to relax and enjoy the view. Not only were we booked onto a Gordon River Cruises cruise, but we could even watch the boat dock from our room!

Our stay at Strahan Village was so cosy and comfortable – it really does tick every box.

Things to do near here

Take a Gordon River Cruises cruise down the Gordon River, or to Bonnet Island, take a ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, visit the local Huon Pine sawmills, see the historic (seasonal) live play “The Ship That Never Was” at the Strahan Visitors Centre.

Prices

Rooms start from $89 per night for 2 adults & 2 children during the school holidays

Take a look for yourself – watch our video room walk-through

Learn more or book at the official website here

No. 4 – Salamanca Wharf Hotel

Hobart – 3 hrs drive from Devonport

Located in the most charming and historic area of Hobart, you’ll find the boutique Salamanca Wharf Hotel. This diamond of a hotel is just a stones-throw from the famous Salamanca Markets of Battery Point.

Our top-floor loft apartment was the epitome of style and comfort. A plush main bedroom featured a beautiful pedestal bath, complete with decadent Mor bath crystals – a luxury impossible to resist! More elegant toiletries were to be found in the stylish bathroom – bliss! There was an ultra-modern kitchen with a fabulous array of coffees and teas, and a well-stocked mini bar too.

Elegant bedding with fur throws, leather lounges, large flat-screen mounted TVs – the Salamanca Wharf Hotel is a fabulous spoil-yourself accommodation option which you deserve on holidays – yes you do!

In the morning, if you don’t feel like self-catering you can head straight down to the Salamanca Wharf Café for a delicious breakfast – which is exactly what we did. After filling up at the café, we headed out to explore the surrounding historic buildings, docks and a wonderful variety of craft, specialty and gift shops. With free parking and wifi too, the Salamanca Wharf Hotel is the perfect Hobart base.

Things to do near here

Specialty shop at Battery Point anytime, shop at the famous Salamanca Markets on Saturdays, walk 10 minutes or catch a taxi to the Hobart city centre shopping area. (Mount Wellington summit 30mins drive, Port Arthur Convict Settlement and Tasman Peninsula 90mins drive)

Prices

Apartments start from $250 per night for 2 adults/1 child during the school holidays – larger families can book connecting apartments.

Take a look for yourself – watch our video loft apartment walk-through

Learn more or book at the official website here

No. 5 – Spirit of Tasmania ferry

North Coast – 3 hrs drive from Hobart

Why fly when you can really enjoy your journey to Tasmania? Whilst not strictly speaking a hotel, the Spirit of Tasmania was one of the most fun and adventurous accommodation choices we made on our trip.

You can travel with or without your car, but for us the ease of driving on, enjoying a luxury overnight cruise with cabin, and then driving off at the other side made the Spirit a very easy and convenient option. Taking your car with you also means you can pack it up, with no overweight baggage charges you would incur if you were flying. Plus you save on hire car costs when you arrive.

All common-sense reasons aside, cruising on the Spirit of Tasmania is a fun adventure! You are on a ship, crossing Bass Strait through the night (day cruises may also be available). It’s beautiful, exciting and memorable. The Spirit isn’t just any ordinary ship – this is a way to really enjoy your journey.

Just like any other luxury cruise ship, Spirit has lots of on-board entertainment.  Cinemas, live music bars and lounges, a restaurant and gift shop. You won’t get bored. Then when it’s time to turn-in for the night, head back to your comfy cabin for a good nights rest. We had a four berth port-hole ensuite cabin. With a full moon lighting the way through Bass Strait, we found ourselves just sitting together watching the ship make its way through the night. Memorable? Incredibly so.

Make no mistake – booking onto the Spirit of Tasmania is a fabulously exciting way to start your holiday to Tasmania.

Things to do on-board

Watch the ocean go by, go to the cinema, dine at the buffet restaurant, listen to live music, relax in the light-up lounges, watch TV, play in the games arcades, play on the free play-station centre, take the little ones to play in the play-gym or watch kid’s TV. Special school holidays entertainment is also available.

Pricing

Special school holiday prices start from $156 per night for 2 adults and 2 children one way without a vehicle, right up to around $1500 return for 2 adults & 2 children with a vehicle and cabin/s. Prices and availability vary according to dates, whether or not you take a vehicle and type of cabin selected. Sailings do book up quickly during school holidays, however there are still vacancies as I type – so book fast!

Take a look for yourself – watch a video of our Spirit of Tasmania cabin walk-through and what it’s like to drive onboard here

Learn more or book at the official website here

Have you ever visited Tasmania, or do you plan to go one day? Tell us in the comments below…

All driving times are approximate and do not include breaks. Pricing is based upon the September 2017 school holidays. All information is correct as at September 2017, but prices can fluctuate – check supplied website links for any price and availability changes.
Let’s go Mum were hosted guests at all of the above hotels and Gordon River Cruises, however all opinions remain firmly our own.

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