So I managed to score a UA Mileage Plus first class saver award SMF-SFO-SYD-MEL-AKL-LAX-SMF for late October. Outbound on United Airlines, return on Air New Zealand. I have a week planned on the ground in Australia.

Based on suggestions from my post over in the UA forum, I decided to spend five days in Tasmania.

So here's my plan. Thoughts?

Day 1 - arrive MEL on a Wednesday morning, settle into hotel (Batmans Hill hotel looks very convenient to the Skybus airporter service).

Day 2 - Melbourne. I have already booked the 90 minute experience here:
http://www.flightexperience.com.au/ first thing in the morning. It's within walking distance of the hotel according to the nice folks I talked to when booking the flight.

Question: What "can't miss" afternoon and evening activities would you suggest within walking distance of the CBD or easily reachable by public transit?

Day 3 - Midday flight on Virgin Blue to Hobart. Booked the Gattonside Heritage B&B for 4 nights.

Day 4 - It's a Saturday so I plan to wander over to the Salamanca Place market first thing in the morning. Considering the Peppermint Bay boat cruise - is that worth an afternoon?

Day 5 - Booked the "mega all day tour" here: http://www.adventureislandtours.com/

Day 6 - Kicking around the idea of renting a car and heading over to the Tahune Air Walk.

Day 7 - Mid-day flight to Melbourne. Have decided to overnight at the Hilton Melbourne Airport. Anything of interest easily reachable nearby by public transportation?

Day 8 - Flight home via AKL (no stopover; not enough time) on Air New Zealand.