Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Tasmania with a toddler

We're going to a wedding in late October in Hobart so will be spending the weekend there, returning to Syd on the monday. We have booked for the whole week before though, so looking for tips and recs.

Travelling with a then 20 month old does limit us a little, she usually has a nap late morning/lunchtime for an hour or 2 which we like to be back in the room for.

I know it can be cold down there - I was there in Jan 10 years ago and it really surprised me! So not sure if swimming is on the agenda..playgrounds and the like always handy for a bit

When I went alone 10 years ago I drove round the entire island is 3.5 days, which was completely crazy but that was before I got my head around the size of Australia.

Loved the look of Freycinet, and generally like beautiful natural scenery, but am open to suggestions

thanks!

Hi morepointsplease! Micro DUF is of similar age and we have traveled all across Australia.
In my experience it is difficult to have too much time in the car and it always is a good thing to stay at one place for more than one night. So here is what I would do:

- Drive up to Freycinet and spend 2-3 nights there. There is plenty to do in the park but it is also a good base for trips into the area. The lodge there has some nice accommodation and is also good for kids.

- Then go to Cradle Mountain and stay 2-3 nights at the Cradle Mountain lodge. There is plenty of wildlife right at your doorstep so your little one will have some fun. There are also nice walks on which to take your little one especially if you have a baby carrier.

Weather wise it can be cold and rainy in October. The more wind, the less rain usually. So if you want to go swimming I would take a good wetsuite.

thanks DUF, that sounds like a great plan! yes, avoiding too many long trips definitely a good idea, I think your itinerary is a good balance and includes my favourite spots :)

Hi morepointsplease! Micro DUF is of similar age and we have traveled all across Australia.
In my experience it is difficult to have too much time in the car and it always is a good thing to stay at one place for more than one night. So here is what I would do:

- Drive up to Freycinet and spend 2-3 nights there. There is plenty to do in the park but it is also a good base for trips into the area. The lodge there has some nice accommodation and is also good for kids.

- Then go to Cradle Mountain and stay 2-3 nights at the Cradle Mountain lodge. There is plenty of wildlife right at your doorstep so your little one will have some fun. There are also nice walks on which to take your little one especially if you have a baby carrier.

Weather wise it can be cold and rainy in October. The more wind, the less rain usually. So if you want to go swimming I would take a good wetsuite.

You will also need to decide how to get back to HBA. It might make sense to break the journey in Strahan and do a river cruise from there into the World Heritage Area. And the little one will love to be on a boat.

You will also need to decide how to get back to HBA. It might make sense to break the journey in Strahan and do a river cruise from there into the World Heritage Area. And the little one will love to be on a boat.

i thought Strachan was the opposite end of tassie from HBA?

I had read about a cruise near HBA/port arthur seeing great wildlife, interested in that though it seems a bit pricey and not sure the timings would work for us..

i thought Strachan was the opposite end of tassie from HBA?

I had read about a cruise near HBA/port arthur seeing great wildlife, interested in that though it seems a bit pricey and not sure the timings would work for us..

Yes, but you will need to get back from Cradle Mountain which is also on the other side of the Island compared to HBA.

Was it this cruise you were talking about: http://www.tasmancruises.com.au/

You could always do a few nights in Hobart and do day trips to places like Tahune airwalk. Not sure about Freycinet as I havent been there, but Strahan is lovely, and she might enjoy the train trip along the Abt Railway. Its a good day trip and includes lunch etc.

If you arrive the Saturday I'd suggest spend Saturday in Hobart getting sorted - if you arrive early enough you can wander the markets, and the fountain in Salamanca square seems to fascinate little ones for some reason.

Sunday drive to Strahan - spend Sunday night, Monday night, and Tuesday night in Strahan. On Monday do the Abt Railway and on tuesday either do some of the short walks around Strahan (there is a lovely one that is about 20 minutes to some pretty falls in the Regatta grounds) or the Gordon River Cruise. Both are really great and 20 month old can look out the windows and there is usually things passed around to touch and feel and taste.
On Wednesday head back towards Hobart but take the detour up towards Cradle mountain for a couple of days. On say Friday head back towards Hobart, but stop at Tarraleah and stay at one of the cottages. The little one can talk to the Highland cattle and its a lovely place for them to run around it. IIRC there is a walk where you might see platypus if you are lucky.
On Saturday finish the journey to Hobart.
Sunday wedding
Monday home.