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

THE WEST COAST 631
Moments Dune Buggy Rides
What’s more fun than scooting across the sand in a dune buggy? Four-
Wheelers (& 03/6471 7622, or 0419/508 175) offers 40-minute rides across
the Henty Sand Dunes , about 10 minutes north of Strahan. Trips cost
A$35 (US$23) for one adult and A$60 (US$39) for two. Longer trips are
offered outside the summer months.
$50 (US$33); family rooms for A$72 (US$47); and two-bedroom units for
A$75 (US$49). Another reasonable place is the Strahan Caravan & Tourist
Park, Innes Street, Strahan (& 03/6471 7239; fax 03/6471 7692). Campsites
here cost A$15 (US$9.75) for two people, and well-equipped wooden double
cabins cost A$65–A$80 (US$42–US$52). There’s a children’s playground and
barbecue facilities. More upmarket is Strahan Village (& 1800/628 286 in
Australia, or 03/6471 7191; fax 03/6471 7389; www.strahanvillage.com.au). It’s
set on the waterfront and a hilltop overlooking Macquarie Harbour. Pleasant
rooms in the Village Motor Inn here cost between A$99 and A$129 (US$65–
US$84), depending on season; and cottages and terraces suitable for families
cost from A$149 to A$172 (US$97–US$112).
Gordon Gateway Chalets These modern self-contained units are on a hill
with good views of the harbor and Strahan township. Each has cooking facilities,
so you can save on meal costs. The two-bedroom suites have a bathtub, and
the studios have just a shower. Breakfast is provided on request. Guests have the
use of a self-service laundry, a barbecue area, and a children’s playground. One
unit has facilities for travelers with disabilities.
Grining St., Strahan, TAS 7468. & 03/6471 7165. Fax 03/6471 7588. www.gordongateway.com.au. 19
units. A$100–A$130 (US$65–US$104) studio; A$185–A$230 (US$120–US$127) suite. Discounts in winter.
MC, V. Amenities: Children’s playground; tour desk; massage; babysitting; coin-op laundry; barbecues; nonsmoking
rooms. In room: TV, kitchenette, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
STANLEY
140km (87 miles) W of Devonport; 430km (267 miles) NW of Hobart
Among the least-known areas of Tasmania, the coastline east of Devonport can
throw up some surprises. Not least of them is “The Nut,” a kind of miniature
Ayers Rock rising out from the sea and towering above the township of Stanley.
The Nut is the remains of a volcanic plug that forced its way through a crack in
the earth’s crust some 12 million years ago. You can walk to the top or, if you’re
brave, take a chair lift up for A$7 (US$4.55) for adults, A$4.50 (US$2.90) for
children. Warning: Don’t attempt riding the chair lift back down again if you’re
afraid of heights—the descent is incredibly steep and there’s no getting off!
There’s a small buggy up top that will take you on a tour of The Nut for A$6
(US$3.90); free for children under 10.
ACCOMMODATIONS YOU CAN AFFORD
The Old Cable Station Darryl Stafford, an ex-logger, and his wife Heather
have turned the former exchange building for the telephone line coming over
from the mainland into a cozy B&B. The rooms are nice and comfortable; there
are TVs in two rooms, but you’ll probably spend all your time in the lounge
chatting around the fire anyway. Darryl is as Aussie as you can get and will keep
you entranced for hours with his stories. Seal cruises are offered daily, weather