1: Swansea Backpacker's Lodge

96 Tasman Hwy, Swansea, TAS 7190, Australia   [+61(03)62578650]    website

Recommended by Kelly who stayed there late December 2007.

2: Central Backpackers Hobart

138 Collins St, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia   [+61 3 6224 2404]    website

Nice and cozy with a friendly staff and carpets, which make a big difference.

3: Bark Mill and Tavern

96 Tasman Hwy, Swansea, TAS 7190, Australia   [03 6257 8382]

4: Port Arthur

Port Arthur, TAS, Australia

Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. Known for its harsh conditions, dark history and stark beauty, it is located approximately 60 km (40 mi) south east of the state capital, Hobart.

5: Launceston

Launceston, TAS, Australia

Established in 1805, Launceston is one of Australia's oldest cities.

6: Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay Lookout Track, Freycinet, TAS 7215, Australia   website

Kelly's favorite spot. Like a desert secret island out of a James Bond film.

Good day Travelers!

I just had a brilliant two weeks in Tasmania (aka Taz or Tazzy) taking in tons of natural beauty, defending myself against the hole in the ozone layer, watching a yacht race and breaking all the speed limits.

It’s just as well I’m typing this and not saying it because I have managed to totally destroy my vocal cords due to singing (or screaming) along to my newly purchased CD entitled, BBC Top Gear Anthems, which is a truly top buy. Because radio reception in Tasmania is terrible, a decent CD- no you can’t have mine- is a must for anyone driving the island. But wrecking my larynx is not all in vain, as whilst breaking every speed limit in my rented Hyundai Assent, because I discovered ‘Here I go again’ by Whitesnake, which is now a part of my life’s ever growing soundtrack.

Every Aussie I spoke with said that it’s jumper weather in Taz, which I did not find to be the case. Having spent a couple of weeks there I can honestly say that, yes it is a bit windy and yes we have had some rain, but cold it ain’t. Being from Wales, 28 degrees, cloudy or not is quite warm and perfect for exploring the alpine forests, turquoise lagoons, and the Tasmanian tundra.

Hiring a car to explore Tazzy is a must, but make sure to get unlimited mileage. Distances don’t seem to be as long from one place to another. I found, as a rule, that I could knock off 30 minutes from my estimated travel time, however, I do drive quite fast. The popular sites such as Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park and my personal favorite, Wineglass Bay are all close together and about 35-40 minutes drive from Swansea, which I made my base for seven days. Wineglass Bay is a truly cool haven for ramblers who enjoy walking, exploring and seeking out wildlife. There’s lot of small enclosed private areas amongst the alpines for activities like picnics, camping, sunbathing and catching a quick snog, but please not with the wildlife! This area has a Robinson Crusoe (by the way, I linked to the whole book, which is free in case you want to read it) deserted island type flow going on with its dry bush, green pines, rocky rocks and the odd wooden hut boarder and beaches. At one point I started singing the theme to the 1974 Bond film Man with the Golden Gun after a rather ponderous conversation with my mate about secret islands and the wondrous vista we were absorbing. If I remember rightly, our conversation ended with my saying that I wouldn’t do Nick Nack, no matter how much money he had!

Christmas in Swansea is quiet as most travelers move up the coast to Coles Bay, which is exactly where we headed once we realized that we were about to spend Christmas in solitude. But alas, Coles Bay was all booked up and as there wasn’t an inn we drove our deflated arses back to Swansea. On Christmas day we made the best of it with a hot buffet lunch in the Bark Mill and Tavern which we followed up with a private party of two on the beach, with only the sounds of the surf, clinking glasses and a beautiful orange moon for company; aahh…anyway, moving on.

Hobart and New Year celebrations fared much better in that they offered a more populated experience.

The stars on my Tazzy tree were the Taste of Tasmania Festival and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race finale. The throng of people moving through the streets down at Salamanca ( a strip of tidy bars and restaurants) and the harbor was intense yet exciting. There was even a fair with a merry-go-round, candy floss –aka cotton candy- and street performers. If you’re looking for a place to taste the new year in absolute loony mode, spending your days having a laugh with friends at an air guitar competition, enjoying a wine tasting sesh with the girls, munching your way through nearly every type of cuisine on the planet, listening to a band thrash one out, all while watching eye candy; oh sorry, I mean yachts float majestically into the harbor. This experience reminded me of my idol days of lounging on the lush grass of Battery Park, having just carried over copious amounts of wine and freezing cold beers from the taste camp. I recall my mind drifting towards thoughts of the wet, cold, dark Christmas of home when a rather smug smile began to emerge on my face. Laying back, chilling and listening to the many sounds of my dynamic surroundings I became certain that others would feel pretty content and satisfied with a New Year spent here in Hobart, Tasmania.

Kelly’s stuff to remember:

• Hiring a car is a must to explore Tazzy.
• Make sure that you get unlimited mileage, as I learned when I had to pay a 25c per mile penalty.
  
• Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race leaves Sydney on Boxing Day (12/26) and the boats begin to float into Hobart a day later.
• The Taste of Tasmania runs for seven days: December 28th to January 3rd.
  
• Salamanca Place has a market every Saturday that sells anything from bibles to burgers and has a great nightlife scene.
• The weather is variable in that one minute it will be rainy with clouds and the next minute you’re peeling skin off your nose.
• Wearing sun lotion, even on cloudy days is highly recommended. Remember that the ozone hole is still there.
  
• Tasmania is pretty small so day trips by car and sometimes bicycle are feasible out to Port Arthur or Cradle Mountain. Top of Tasmania is Launceston and the bottom is Hobart. It is a 3-4 hour drive between the two.
• Coles Bay is a popular traveler destination during Christmas so make sure to book ahead.
• I found the City Center Backpacker Hostel in Hobart to be cozy and comfortable and well located.

Happy Travels,

Kelly

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