Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - 8 day Tasmania holiday. Nov 9 to Nov 17.

My friend & I are flying into Hobart and out from Launceston. We are renting a car and trying to keep expenses down. (staying in hostels/backpackers, etc)

We are thinking of doing the East Coast drive. Our very tentative itinerary is as follows:

Nov 9. Arrive Hobart late afternoon from MEL. Take bus to CBD.
Nov 10. Pick up car in CBD. Explore Hobart area. Overnite near Port Arthur.
Nov 11. Coles Bay
Nov 12. Coles Bay
Nov 13. St Helens
Nov 14. St Helens
Nov 15. Open
Nov 16. Launceston
Nov 17. Fly out Launceston in mid afternoon to MEL.

We have been to Australia 4 times (SYD, MEL, Brisbane, ADL, Perth, etc). I drove in Perth, ADL, Gold/Sunshine Coast, & 2 times in NZ. I did OK driving on the left.

This is our first time in Tasmania. Only things reserved at this moment are air & rental car. We plan to have accomodations booked fairly soon. I have read the various threads on FT and I bought the Lonely Planet Tasmania book.

We enjoy many different things. A light/medium bush walk, seeing coastline, meeting people & seeing beautiful sights.

There is so much to see and we are aware that 8 days won't be long enough but we want to make the best of it. We are also spending 8 days in South NZ after we leave Tasmania.

Thank you for your help and we welcome your suggestions. :)

EVERYONE does the east coast road. The Midlands Highway is lovely and has some lovely quaint towns as well.
Are you intending to go to Port Arthur? If so thats a whole day gone.
Douglas Aspley National Park has some lovely walks and if you are feeling brave, swimming holes as well.
Not sure on Accomadation around there, but you need to probably go to Frecineyt if you are staying on the east coast and Wineglass Bay.

This (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/970441-tasmania-toddler.html)thread contains some more suggestions by TIMP and myself.