Originally Posted by TIMP

that will get you some nice mid range places. If you are lucky you might get one of the higher ends at that price too. Henry Jones (A gorgeous hotel) has a Bed and Breakfast package in a harbour view room with King sized bed and double shower for $350/night. They do have cheaper packages as the link shows. I'll vouch for the H.Jones suite being absolutely AMAZING and mind blowing and the bath being bigger than my bathroom at home. (I stayed there overnight last year - it was a surprise 30th b'day present from my other half) The resturant is good as well.

Originally Posted by TIMP

DEFINATELY NOT!


4 nights in Hobart and surrounds is plenty. Save Lonnie and the NW for another trip.
Definately rent a car.
The cruise is very boring. Its generally an O/N, but during Feb they do day sailings, but you lose a day.

We will skip the cruise then.

VERY long day - with some "interesting" choices for stops. Personally I'd skip it.

As anyone who went on this during Ozfest #5 will tell you, its worth it.


Remember you can not do actual tours of the chocolate factory now - due to workplace health and safety apparently!! Salamanca is a lovely touristy way to spend a Saturday Morning - get there before about 9:30 and you can see the locals getting all their stuff bought before the tourists decend!


Then there are Lots of walks you can do on the mountain, and down the valley.


I'd say if you have 4 days.
1 day Port Arthur/remarkable cave etc
1 day Huon Valley/Tahune Airwalk/Hastings Caves etc
1 day Hobart and surrounds (Choc factory, Cascades tour, Female factory etc etc)
1 day driving either up the east coast or the Midlands highways stopping at all the little towns etc on the way.

Hope this helps!
TIMP

Thanks!

Originally Posted by alanstar

I did a trip last year that included some of the spots you're heading to, including Tassie, MEL, and SYD. There's a link to my trip report in my signature; please feel free to ask any questions - after all the help others gave me in planning my trip, it'd be a pleasure to pass on any knowledge!

Alan

Originally Posted by bseller

Yes, surely! I'll PM them to you as they then won't appear as 'advertising' to the denizens of FT!!
I did thoroughly enjoy the privacy and the fact that I decided what I would see/do/visit on this one day trip around SYD. It was not pre-ordained as to where the tour would go and there was no one else along to want to do something ELSE.
NOT cheap, however, fyi.

The other things that I enjoyed so much in SYD are more "self-guided" stuff. The Opera House, the Gardens, the Quay, the zoo (you really should have your hotel concierge arrange "private zoo tour" - FANTASTIC!), the harbour cruise were all things I just did on my own.
SYD is small enough to navigate easily and a small guidebook is sufficient to tell how to spend time as YOU wish.

Sure! I'm a Starwood guy, so this may or may not help you at all. I stayed at FourPoints Darling Harbour more than once and as Platinum got upgraded to water front suites with balconies.
Nonetheless, it is not that nice of a hotel, IMO - and my next stay will be at Sheraton on the Park. SOTP is 1/2 block from the subway which significantly reduces cost of Airport/City travel and is quite a nice hotel that gets really good reviews here.

Best wishes on Everything!!
Dave

Originally Posted by Downunder girl

I have stayed at both the Sheraton on the Park and the Four Points and I agree with Dave .

The Sheraton on the Park is a far nicer property. Currently they are running some good promos for stays with breakfast for 2 included and access to health club/spa/pool and parking (which you may not need) for around $259 per night ( I think its called Summer escape, or surprise IIRC). Its a great property. I loved it ^.

I have had good stays at Four Points, and been upgraded to water front suites which are nice. However it doesnt have a pool and the dining options are not as nice IMHO. Four points deal like above is similar but cheaper at around $220 per night with inclusions. OOPS hope this doesnt sound too much like an SPG advert....I dont work for them .

Congrats on the wedding and have a great honeymoon :-:.

Originally Posted by bensyd

IMO the SOTP is well worth the extra $40/night.