Tasman Island, Tasmania

I had no idea what to expect, it definitely wasn't the spectacular scenery we experienced on our cold trip out to Tasman Island.

We did this as part of a day trip from Hobart, which also included a side trip to Port Arthur.

We even got to wear these dry suits, which even though aren't that attractive were more than welcome in the wet, windy and cold conditions.

The three hour boat ride takes you up the coast, stopping at major points for pictures and an explanation by the boat crew.





The trip ends with spectacular views of Tasman Island, before heading back to the starting point.

Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia

I love history  even though my Convict history is poor I've always wanted to visit the Port Arthur site and to be honest I had no idea what to expect.



We did a day tour which included a boat trip out to Tasman Island, and unfortunately promised three hours at Port Arthur, but there was only less than two.



To me it had a very similar feel to Williamsburg in the US. I don't know if it was the weather  the green scenery or just that it was a similar time period.



We only had a couple of hours to spend and really it would be easy to spend the whole day here, we missed most of the museum and we didn't get out to the boys prison or the Isle of the Dead (I love checking out old cemeteries).

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

On another early flight for a long weekend in Hobart, Tasmania.

Friday in Sydney had been over 30C and we arrived into a crisp and cool, but sunny Hobart.

Notice the snow on the hills?

We checked into the Islington Hotel and then headed down the hill to the Salamanca markets. We enjoyed some hot donuts and hot coffee, while walking around the different market stalls.

We took a quick walk to Battery Point, before the rain came down.

We had an early lunch at Tricycle in the Salamanca Arts Center, before heading back to the hotel to spend the afternoon.

That night was a seafood dinner in Mures, which showcased Tasmanian salmon in multiple ways, Bruny Island oysters also in multiple ways and a variety of other seafood.

Stay
We wanted to stay at the Henry Jones but it was booked out, so we stayed just out of town at the gorgeous Islington Hotel

Eat
Coffee and Donuts at the Salamanca markets
Lunch at Tricycle





Seafood dinner at Mures

Do
Day trip to Tasman Island and Port Arthur (post to follow)
MONA (post to follow)
Salamanca markets
Salamanca Arts Center

Wish List: Overland Track, Tasmania

Another great walking holiday. The overland track is located in Tasmania and is a 6 day, 65 km walk.

There are a number of options for doing this walk, including the DIY variety, but of course I much prefer the option of the Cradle Mountain Huts. This way you enjoy private accommodation, hot showers and cooked meals without having to lug all the basics with you

This company runs the traditional 6 day walk, as well as a shortened 4 day for those who want to be able to do it on a long weekend.

Another perfect way to get out, see something new and get away from it all.

Wish List: The Freycinet Experience

Even though we've recently done the Inca Trail, my idea of hiking is more along the scale of the Freycinet Experience. You stay in lodges, your meals are cooked and you only carry a day pack. But at the same time you get to see a beautiful part of the world, immerse yourself in nature and take a break from reality.

The Freycinet Experience is a four day guided walk covering the entire length of the Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s East Coast, including the iconic Wineglass Bay. Each night you return to the Friendly Beach Lodge and hot showers.

With a number of such walks in Tasmania, it's hard to choose which one to do next.

Wish List: Saffire Lodge, Tasmania

Luxury Lodges seem to be my thing. One of the newest is the Saffire in the Freycinet region in Tasmania, Australia.

With only 20 suites, in three different categories, designed to relax and rejuvenate.

Located in the Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania in a stunning part of the world, overlooking the Hazards, and with Wineglass Bay in the vicinity.

Wish List: Maria Island Walk

We did the Bay of Fires Walk in Tasmania earlier in 2011, and it was a wonderful experience. Just you and 12 other people on an isolated beach, alone (or relatively in today's world) with nature.

Recently I stumbled across another great walk of Tasmania, the Maria Island Walk. We looked at doing this walk at Easter 2012, but it's so popular that it was already booked out!

On their slogan is "four days that will last a lifetime". The walk covers 34 km, on a small Island off Tasmania. There are different accommodation types for each night, with extraordinary food along the way.

So who's coming with me?

Bay of Fires Walk: The good, the bad and the ugly

April 2011

Before and after booking our trip I found it hard to find many reviews about the Bay of Fires walk or area, Tripadvisor was extremely limited and even googling training plans it was hard to come up with much, so I've put together my (not DHs) good, bad and ugly, so that you might have another resource when trying to decide if it's the right thing for you.

Good

• The scenery is stunning, it's one of the many locations where the photos you find online (including here!) don't do it justice, it really is that good

• The isolation. There's something special about there only being 12 people on a stretch of beach in Tasmania

• The weather. I understand it can get hot in the summer months, but we only had a bit of rain and the tour company really does supply you with the right packing list and kit
• The food. I love taking food shots, but the food was so good I didn't get any but what was for lunch on the last day. Breakfast and dinner are cooked and served to you, lunch is a spread that you pack in your lunch box for the day of walking. The food was delicious, in particular the salmon you have on the first night and the roast vegetable salads we had for our last lunch.

• The lodge. In hindsight I should have skipped day 3's activities and just chilled at the lodge. I could have easily spent a week just at the lodge.

Bad

• We had been running 5 k twice a week, cross training with a PT once a week and then doing a 10 - 16 km walk every second weekend. This was not enough, towards the end of each day both DH and I struggled. My tip would be to do more beach walks with a pack (more on the pack coming up), we only did one beach walk, and never carried more than 2 kg on our backs
• The pack. In all fairness DH weighed mine on the first morning and it weighed 20 pounds or around 9 kg, which isn't too bad, and I used everything in my pack except my swimming costume (which would have weighed very little). But we didn't train with a pack and that was a mistake.
• The amount of food. I think is due to the fact that I'm overweight as DH didn't have an issue, but there were times where I didn't feel satisfied. I got around this by packing extra bread for lunch.

Ugly

• It was 38 km over 4 days. And while that doesn't sound like a whole lot we weren't as prepared as we thought. If your feeling the first 2 days of walking then I recommend you skip day 3's activities, because it's really more than a stroll and a canoe. Really that's my only "complaint", that I wish someone had given us more of a guideline how to prepare. Now we just have to figure it out for the Inca Trail at the end of the year....

Resouces

Some of the reviews/write ups that may be helpful

Mr and Mrs Smith

Sydney Morning Herald

Australian Traveller

The Age

Bay of Fires offical site

Bay of Fires Walk, Tasmania, Australia - Day 4

April 2011

Once again woken up for breakfast, but what a beautiful morning! Breakfast started again with fruit, cereal and toast, and the main of the day being homemade baked beans.

After packing I spent the morning reading in both the library and the main deck, while DH went for a walk along the beach.

After a nice walnut and chocolate brownie we headed off on a 3 km bush walk to the road with our packs for the last picnic lunch of smoked salmon, vegetable frittata and roasted salads before heading on the bus for a 3 hr trip back to the estate.

We travelled through the bush and along the coast past St Helens, Scamander, St Marys, Fingal, Avoca, and Perth before getting back to the estate to unpack and say goodbye to our group over canapes and champagne. What a way to spend 4 days.