Explore Magazine Tasmanian Itinerary: Spring 2015


Tasmania’s Huon Trail begins just south from Hobart and extends to Australia’s southernmost point.  Hobart is the perfect gateway to spend a couple of days at the beginning or the end of your Huon Valley Escape.  Then take the road less traveled and head south along the old Huon Highway as it climbs precariously to the summit of Mount Wellington. Rug up, enjoy the spectacular views, information displays and maybe even some snow.

Descend southwards into the Huon Valley, long famous for its apples but now becoming known for cider and wine. After lunch and tastings at Home Hill Winery, climb Mount Misery for a fascinating interpreted story including Aboriginal heritage in an extensive private habitat reserve.

Maybe stay overnight at Huon Bush Retreats in a self contained cabin or deluxe tipee or if you prefer water views, Port Huon Cottages is a great budget choice. Franklin is the centre for all things water based. The Wooden Boat Centre, Living Boat Trust and marina showcase a range of traditional craft. This is also the departure point for Franklin Eco Cruise.

Another 30 minutes drive and you reach Tasmania’s Far South. On the Ida Bay Railway, rattle your way to the deserted beach at Deep Hole then maybe continue on foot to Southport Lagoon. Buttongrass Retreat is a two bedroom eco-cabin set in a native buttongrass plain. The outdoor bath provides a relaxing view of the southernmost mountains in Australia.

Next day, explore Hastings Caves or a 20 minute drive and a 2 hour walk, takes you to South Cape Bay, Australia’s southernmost beach. Stand on the Clifftop, looking out to the Southern Ocean. Rolling waves, a bracing wind, and you are the southernmost people in all Australia. A spectacular culmination to your Huon Valley Escape.

More information phone 1800 770 224, 8am to 8pm 7 days.


Explore Magazine Tasmanian itinerary: April 2014

Explore the waterways, wilderness, wildlife and wine of Southern Tasmania. Tasmania’s Huon Trail begins just south from Hobart and extends to Australia’s southernmost point.  With plenty to see and do and a wide range of accommodation styles, Hobart is the perfect place to spend a couple of days at the beginning or the end of your Huon Valley Escape. 
Old Woostore Hotel Hobart
Hobart
Blending modern convenience and historic restoration the Old Woolstore Hotel is right in the centre of Hobart. With off-street parking it has everything you would expect in a quality city centre hotel. Walk to newly enhanced Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, fish and chips on the waterfront or Salamanca Market each Saturday.
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Hobart
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Hobart
For a unique colonial experience, try Corindas Cottages. Ten minutes walk from the city centre, this beautifully restored property takes you 150 years back in time.

For funky self contained, try 2on2, a modernised 3 bedroom Georgian holiday house.

Corindas and 2on2 share a stunning formal garden onsite or walk 15 minutes across the Queen’s Domain to the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens.
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D'Entrecasteaux
Now take the road less traveled and head south along the Derwent River to the historic Shot Tower. Another stunning garden experience awaits you at Yooringa Garden Cottage. This 2 bedroom holiday home is a perfect base to explore the wineries and cheeseries of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island.
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Huonville
Follow the waterways to the arts community of Cygnet, then onto Huonville, long famous for its apples and other fruit. After lunch at the cider museum or organic bakery, climb Mount Misery for a fascinating interpreted story including Aboriginal heritage in this extensive private habitat reserve. Maybe stay overnight at Huon Bush Retreats in a self contained cabin or deluxe tipee.
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Geeveston
A little further south at Port Huon, The Kermandie gives you four reasons to linger a while. Sass Restaurant features seafood and local specialties, wander the marina, take a protected water cruise on the historic Olive May sailing ketch or stay overnight in the classic country hotel.
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Far South
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Ida Bay
Now we reach Tasmania’s Far South. After exploring Hastings Caves, enjoy a short walk, barbeque and dip in the thermal pool. Just down the road is Ida Bay Railway. Rattle your way to the deserted beach at Deep Hole then maybe continue on foot to Southport Lagoon. Buttongrass Retreat is a two bedroom eco-cabin set in a native buttongrass plain. The outdoor bath provides a relaxing view of the southernmost mountains in Australia.
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Far South
Next day, a 20 minute drive and a 2 hour walk, take you to South Cape Bay, Australia’s southernmost beach.
A spectacular culmination to your Huon Valley Escape.
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A two hour walk, a bracing wind, never ending waves, South Cape Bay, the southernmost beach in Australia.
Pricing and availability change seasonally and even daily.  Use the form top right to request a quote for the Explore Magazine Itinerary or phone us 8am to 8pm, 7 days
1800 770 224
Pricing and availability change seasonally and even daily.  Use the form below to request a quote for the Magazine Itinerary
or phone us 8am to 8pm, 7 days
1800 770 224
    We can arrange a quote for a hire car that is allowed on gravel roads. If you need a hire car, please complete this section too.

    Please describe your group, number singles, number couples and any extra info that might be helpful.

Explore Magazine Tasmanian itinerary: February 2014

We love nature, fine food and wine and prefer the road less traveled. That’s why we chose Southern Tasmania, with its reputation for less driving, more adventure.

We spent 10 minutes on the phone speaking with Paul from Huon Valley Escapes, who designed a custom nine night itinerary for us, focusing on the type of holiday experiences that we most value.

A bit of city culture, lots of waterways, some history and a good dose of wilderness and wildlife. Two nights in most places means less packing and unpacking.
Old Woostore Hotel Hobart
Hobart
Our Huon Valley Escape began in Hobart with 2 nights at The Old Woolstore. Our apartment had everything we needed, with free parking, laundry and kitchen. But tonight, we wanted to slow down to Tasmanian speed so a room service dinner provided the answer.
Next morning downstairs for breakfast in the hotel restaurant, then a 10 minute walk along the waterfront to the Mona Ferry. The Museum Old New Art left us lost for words, I can’t do it justice in this brief story.
Departing Hobart, we headed south to the Historic Shot Tower for spectacular views and a light lunch. Then a one hour return walk to Snug Falls. The short section of gravel road, made us glad that Paul had organised a hire car allowed off the bitumen. Looking across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel we saw tantalising glimpses of Bruny Island, which we hope to visit another time.
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D'Entrecasteaux
Pulling up at the front gate of Yooringa Garden Cottage, the fragrances of the garden welcomed us. Next was our “do nothing day” to sleep late, then brunch on the deck. We had picked up some local wine and cheese so spent the afternoon with a blanket on the lawn, surrounded by tiny daisies and mature spreading trees.
Day 5, we followed the convoluted coastline through Cygnet and Huonville in time for a lunch cruise on the historic ketch, Olive May.  At The Kermandie our hotel room had been beautifully restored in 1930 style, but had the modern convenience of an en-suite. Downstairs we found a public bar, funky Tapas bar and fine dining restaurant.
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Ida Bay
The Ida Bay Railway, rattled us 7km to the coast where we began our walk to the completely deserted Southport Lagoon for our picnic lunch. Then the late afternoon train back to Buttongrass to enjoy the sunset.
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Far South
Buttongrass Retreat became home for the next 2 nights. An eagle cruised past and guided my eye to the Southern Ranges. The outdoor bath seemed a little odd at first but once I settled into the warm water with a moon and crystal stars, it seemed just perfect.
 The road ends at Cockle Creek, the gateway to the wilderness area. A gentle two hour walk took us to South Cape Bay. As we stood on the deserted beach, a bracing wind blowing up from Antarctica and big waves rolling in off the Southern Ocean, we were the southernmost people in Australia !
Hartz Mountains provided a beautiful detour on the way to Huon Bush Retreats.
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Huonville
With end of valley privacy, Huon Bush Retreats.lives up to its name. Two nights of tranquility in our self contained eco-cabin surrounded by wildlife and protected forest.
The day was spend climbing Mount Misery and exploring the 5km of well made walking tracks, rainforest and waterfall. Interpretive panels discuss Aboriginal and recent occupation of the mountain.
On the way back to Hobart, we detoured via Mount Wellington. This was the perfect end to our Huon Valley Escape.

Tassie Short Break Magazine Specials

For a short break just south from Hobart, you can't beat the $10 Second Night Sale. Pay full rates for the first night and just $10 per person for the second night. Available at Home Hill Beach House, Yooringa Garden Cottage, Buttongrass Retreat and Huon Bush Retreats. On these heavily discounted rates, full payment at time of booking, no refunds, no changes.  Available now for stays until 1 September 2014.
 Use the blue buttons below to check availability, see discounted pricing and book online. If the first button shows no availability on your preferred nights, try another button. Note that the prices listed are already discounted to the special rates.
Yooringa Garden Cottage (D'Entrecasteaux Channel)
2 people, 2 nights:
First night $300
Second night $10 +10
= $320 total for 2 nights
Buttongrass Retreat (Ida Bay)
2 people, 2 nights:
First night $350
Second night $10 +10
= $370 total for 2 nights
Home Hill Beach House (Hobart suburbs)
up to 4 people as 2 couples, 2 nights:
First night $300
Second night $10 +10 +10 +10
= $340 total 4 people for 2 nights
Deluxe Tipee (East or West)
2 people, 2 nights:
First night $145
Second night $10 +10
= $165 total for 2 nights
Studio Cabin (Acacia, Bigtree or Streamside)
2 people, 2 nights:
First night $295
Second night $10 +10
= $325 total for 2 nights
If the first button shows no availability on your preferred nights, try another button >>>
Two bedroom Cabin (Wallaby or Clifftop)
4 people, 2 nights:
First night $395
Second night $10 +10 +10 +10
= $435 total 4 people for 2 nights
If the first button shows no availability on your preferred nights, try another button >>>