Heading for Tasmania

[John Maddison]

Hi All

I'm starting to plan a holiday to Tassie in mid-January and am keen to hear from ANYONE of their favourite sights, things-to-do, walk trails, eateries, home-made pie shops, budget accommodation, pubs, etc etc ... including wood merchants

Will be travelling in a hire car with my 26 year old daughter who's mad keen on photography, and 15 year old son (who I've bribed away from his fixation with online gaming for 10 days by telling him we'll be touring a chocolate factory).

Any responses will most appreciated. If you are living on the Glorious Isle and are up for a coffee/quick visit while we are there, please PM.

Cheers

John M
ALBANY WA

[Bob Connor]

Well John. Where do I start? I grew up there but am now a resident of Geelong.

Wood Merchants

Gunns in Launceston have a fine timber shed that'll have most of the Tasmanian Species in it at a reasonable price.

Britton Brothers in Smithton have been around for years and will have some wonderful Blackwood and Myrtle.

Corinna Timbers are also worth a look

If you get down the west Coast to Strahan make sure you drop into Morrison's (Tasmanian Specialty Timbers) which is near the docks for great Huon and King Billy.

Strahans a great spot. There is a terrific cruise up the Gordon River or take a flight ove the Southwest.

Most of these places won't have guitars sets cut but will have lumber that you can go through and find suitably quartersawn stock.

There are also inumerable craft shops that also sell minor species wood. I pick up some from a craft shop in Ross which is half way between Launceston and Hobart.

Speaking of the drive from Launceston to Hobart it's fairly boring unless youy like sheep and paddocks. There is a great woollen jumper shop in Oatlands called Cassaveen. Not cheap but very high quality Merino wool jumpers. You probably don't need them in Albany.

Richmond is an historic village worth a look (just out of Hobart) the gaol is very well preserved and there's the best lolly shop in the country which sells Esmeralda Balls (you won't find 'em anywhere else but Tassie)



If you drive down the East coast from Launceston to Hobart it'll take a heap longer but the views are stunning and you'll want to spend a bit of time on Freycinet Peninsular. Accom there is pricey so you're probably better off staying in Swansea and doing day trips.

There's a brilliant Japanese restaurant south of Swansea called Kabuki by the Sea - great food and views over the Hazards( Freycinet peninsular and Schouten Island)

Hobart itelf is very picturesque, Make sure you drive to the top of Mount Wellington. The view is sensational. If you travel south down the Huon Valley stop at Geeveston to do the skywalk through the rainforest. There are some wood suppliers in Geeveston as well (bit pricey though)

Sounds like you've got the Cadbury tour sorted - Make sure you wear something with lots of pockets as there a stations along the way where you can fill them up for free.

Further south the limestone caves at Hastings are worth a look as is the thermal swimming pool close by (set in the Rain forest)

South East of Hobart the Tasman Peninsular is worth a day trip to Port Arthur (drive into Doo Town at Eaglehawk neck and check out The Blowhole and Tasman's Arch) They used to have a seaplane flight from Port Arthur over Tasman Island (the highest sea cliffs in the country)

Heading up the west coast the roads are not that good and are quite windy so you won't make as good a time as you think you would from looking at the map. Fairly rugged country and it rains something like 300 days a year.

Strahan would be the spot. Furners is the pub I think and it'd be wise to make a booking at that time of the year.

Further North is Cradle Mountain National Park which is worth a day trip to have a look at Dove Lake. If you fancy a walk take the left side of the lake up to Twisted Lakes for a liesurely stroll as opposed to the right hand side up Marions Lookout which is a gruelling climb.

The Devil Park is a nice Wildlife Park at Mole Creek where you can get to pat the Tasmanian Devils. (I wouldn't put me fingers anywhere near the bloody things)

The Tamar Valley is full of wineries and for a good pub meal in Launceston try O'Keefes. Ask if Grant is about and tell him Bob sent you in. He's a mate of mine. There is a tour of the Boags Brewery too I believe.

That's a start I'll ad more as I think of it.

[John Maddison]

Cheers Bob
have you ever thought of giving up lutherie and moving into Tour Guiding? Keep the hot spots comin', but we only have 10 days ... and thanks for the tip re Cadbury's tour, will pass on to son Sam.
John