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

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CHAPTER 14 . TASMANIA
Peregrine Adventures (& 03/9662 2800; www.peregrine.net.au) runs rafting
tours of the Franklin River, which carves its way through some of the most
beautiful, rugged, and inaccessible wilderness in the world. Another good operator
is the Roaring 40’s Ocean Kayaking Company (& 1800/653 712 in Australia;
www.roaring40skayaking.com.au); both companies offer paddling
expeditions lasting from 1 to 11 days. Tasmanian Expeditions, based in
Launceston (& 1800/030 230 in Australia, or 03/6267 5000; www.tasmanian
expeditions.com.au), runs a whole range of cycling, trekking, and rafting trips
around the country, some starting or finishing in Hobart.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES Planning my first trip to Tasmania, I’d pack
my walking boots, raincoat, and shorts, and head off first to either Launceston
or Hobart, the island’s two main cities. I’d take in Freycinet National Park for
its wonderful scenery and abundant wildlife, stop in at Port Arthur for its beautiful
setting and disturbing convict past, and head to the central highlands for a
stomp around Cradle Mountain. If I had more time, I’d drive to Strahan on the
far west coast to discover the southwest wilderness, take some time off to go trout
fishing in the central lakes, and head off to the quaint coastal towns of the north.
1 Hobart
198km (123 miles) S of Launceston
Tasmania’s capital (pop. 129,000), second in age only to Sydney, is an appealing
place worth visiting for a few days. Hobart’s main features are its wonderful harbor
and the colonial cottages that line the narrow lanes of Battery Point. As
with Sydney, Hobart’s harbor is the city’s focal point, attracting yachts from all
over the world. Down by the waterfront, picturesque Salamanca Place bursts
with galleries, pubs, cafes, and an excellent market on Saturdays. Europeans settled
in Hobart in 1804, a year after Tasmania’s first colony was set up at Risdon
(10km/6 1 ⁄4 miles up the Derwent River). Hobart, the most southerly Australian
state capital, is closer to the Antarctic coast than it is to Perth in Western Australia,
and has long been regarded by navigators, whalers, and explorers as the
gateway to the south. One of these was Roald Amundsen, who anchored his vessel
in the River Derwent off Long Point, Sandy Bay, rowed ashore, and
telegraphed the King of Norway to inform him that he’d reached the South Pole
before the ill-fated Robert Falcon Scott.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE Qantas (& 13 13 13 in Australia; www.qantas.com.au)
and Virgin Blue (& 13 67 89 in Australia) carry passengers from the mainland.
The trip from the airport to the city center takes about 20 minutes and costs
about A$25 (US$16) by taxi. The Airporter Bus (& 0419/382 240) meets
planes and drops off at hotels in the city and further afield.
Car and camper rental offices at the airport include Hertz (& 03/6237 1155),
Advance (& 1800/030 118 in Australia; www.advancecars.com.au), Avis (& 03/
6248 5424), Budget (& 1300/362 848 in Australia, or 03/6248 5333), and
Thrifty (& 1800/030 730 in Australia, or 03/6234 1341). Cars cost around A$55
(US$36) for 1 day, A$50 (US$32) per day for 2 days, A$45 (US$29) per day for
4 days, and A$40 (US$26) per day for a week or more. You might find even better
bargains in town with lower-priced rental companies such as Lo-Cost Auto
Rent (& 1800/030 023 in Australia, or 03/6231 0550) and Range Rent-a-Bug
(& 03/6231 0300).