Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 14 . TASMANIA
are getting shorter and the deciduous trees are starting to turn golden. Winters
(June–Aug), especially in the high country, can be quite harsh—though that’s
the best time to curl up in front of a blazing fire. The east coast is generally
milder than the west coast, which is buffeted by the “Roaring 40s”—the winds
that blow across the ocean and the 40° meridian, from as far away as Argentina.
The busy season for tourism here runs December through February, as well
as during public holiday and school holiday periods. Unlike the rest of Australia,
Tasmanian schools have three terms. Term dates are from the second week in
February to the last week in May; the third week in June to the first week in September;
and the fourth week in September to the first week in December.
GETTING THERE The quickest way to get to Tasmania is by air. Qantas
(& 13 13 13 in Australia; www.qantas.com.au) flies from the mainland to
Hobart and Launceston. Virgin Blue (& 13 67 89 in Australia; www.virgin
blue.com.au) offers discounted trips from Melbourne, with connections from
other capitals, if you book early from their website. Regional Express (& 13 17
13 in Australia; www.regionalexpress.com.au) flies from Melbourne to Devonport
and Burnie in the State’s north.
In September 2002, two new high-speed ferry services replaced the Devil Cat
and the old Spirit of Tasmania ferry that plied the waters between Melbourne and
Tasmania for years. The new car ferries—the Spirit of Tasmania I and II—are each
capable of carrying 1,400 passengers as well as cars. They make the crossing from
Melbourne’s Station Pier to Tasmania’s Devonport (on the north coast) in around
10 hours. The ferries leave both Melbourne and Devonport at 9pm and arrive at
around 7am. From roughly December 20 to April 27, there’s also day service on
weekends, leaving both ports at 9am and arriving at 7pm. Prices are based on
“shoulder” and “peak” times: The shoulder seasons run from roughly August 31 to
December 6, and from January 27 to April 27. A one-way seat costs between A$99
and A$135 (US$65–US$88) for adults, and A$75 and A$99 (US$49–US$65) for
children. Three-to-four berth cabins cost from A$187 to A$234 (US$121–
US$152) for adults and A$91 to A$105 (US$59–US$68) for kids depending on
the season and if you have a porthole. Twin cabins cost from A$200 to A$261
(US$130–US$169) for adults and A$101 to A$132 (US$66–US$86) for children.
Deluxe cabins cost A$283 to A$369 (US$184–US$240) for adults and children
alike. Tasmanian Redline Coaches (& 03/6336 1446) connects with each
ferry and transfers passengers to Launceston, and on to Hobart. Cars cost A$55
(US$36) from December 6 to January 25, and are free to transport at other times.
Make reservations through TT-Line (& 03/9206 6211; www.spiritof
tasmania.com.au). Special offers are regularly available.
McCafferty’s (& 13 14 99 in Australia) can organize coach travel from the
eastern mainland states, with transfers to Tasmania by ferry.
Tips Tasmania’s Tricky Roads
Driving in Tasmania can be dangerous; there are more accidents involving
tourists on Tasmania’s roads than anywhere else in Australia. Many roads
are narrow and bends can be tight, especially in the mountainous inland
regions—where you may also come across black ice early in the morning
or at anytime in winter. Marsupials are also common around dusk, and
swerving to avoid them has caused countless crashes.