What to Do in Tasmania – According to Qantas Frequent Flyers
Connecting with nature soaking in wild waterholes and melting in a floating sauna: this month’s Qantas Frequent Flyers fully immersed themselves in Tasmania. Here they share their travel highlights including hiking the Overland Track, motorcycling from Hobart to Launceston and spending a thrilling winter weekend in the Tassie capital.
“Waking at dawn, we saw echidnas, wombats and tiny pademelons.” – David Vaughan, Bronze Frequent Flyer
“At the beginning of the year, I hiked Tasmania’s Overland Track – a seven-day trek in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, through some of the most beautiful and remote wilderness I have ever experienced. The weather we experienced was hot, sunny and clear, but you really need to prepare for all weather conditions so I carried about 20 kilograms of food and gear as I set out with two mates, travelling north to south along the track.
“The landscape shifted along the way: from alpine heath near Cradle Mountain to open grassland then temperate rainforest by the final stretch. There were massive gorges and waterfalls and the rock pools at the bottom were ice-cold. We swam in freezing water then sat in the sun to dry off. Our day-packs were ideal for us to explore off-track – summit hikes providing panoramic views as far as the eye could see. Waking at dawn, we saw echidnas, wombats and tiny pademelons.
“With no mobile phone coverage, you can completely switch off and live in the moment, just walking, talking, eating and sleeping. The track has been recently upgraded and there are beautiful new cabins along the way. We used the cooking facilities then camped in tents each night, playing cards and falling asleep early. Returning to the real world was jarring. I even missed my flight home – luckily I was put on the next one!”
David flew Melbourne to Launceston.
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“They call MACq01 a storytelling hotel. Each of the 114 rooms are themed around a real Tasmanian character.” – Sally Prosser, Platinum Frequent Flyer
“MACq01 on the Hobart waterfront is, in my opinion, the best accommodation in Australia. I’ve stayed many times and each visit reveals new secrets. They call MACq01 a storytelling hotel. Each of the 114 rooms is themed around a real Tasmanian character, from ANZAC soldiers to beekeepers and other local legends. The last time we checked in, we were lucky enough to get a top floor suite with a bath and balcony.
“If you have the time, the storytelling tour is incredible. Free to hotel guests or with a fee of $35 for the general public to join, hotel staff will guide you through any unoccupied rooms, sharing the personal histories of people who shaped Tasmania. There are even artefact cases in each room. The property’s location on the working docks of Hobart’s Old Wharf is also unbeatable for restaurants and the building itself is a wonderful blend of heritage and modern design.
“During our holiday we took our own private daytrip to Bruny Island and were completely charmed by the Bruny Baker Bread Fridge – an old refrigerator on the side of the road filled with freshly baked bread and treats that runs on an honesty system. In the historic riverside town of Franklin, Turkish café Cinnamon and Cherry was a real find. It’s run by a husband-and-wife team and has the best shakshuka I’ve ever tasted.
“My partner and I also joined the Dark Mofo Nude Solstice Swim. Drums start beating at sunrise and fires burn in barrels on the sand before flares go off and 3000 people run into the icy Derwent River. It was wild, euphoric and oddly communal. We loved it so much we’re planning to do it again this year.”
Sally flew Brisbane to Hobart.
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“I bought as many jams and preserves as I could fit in my saddlebags at Amish-run cafe Springfield Tea Room.” – Chris Bevin, Gold Frequent Flyer
“I’m originally from Tasmania but it still surprises me every time I go back. I spent a week riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles from Hobart to Launceston and back with my partner and a couple of friends, kicking off with a four-night stay at Hobart’s Henry Jones Art Hotel. I booked a Deluxe Spa Harbour View room with an infinity spa and views of Mount Wellington and the Hobart waterfront.
"We rode up the east coast through Orford and Swansea then took the Lake Leake Highway through Campbell Town – the bends are phenomenal for motorbike riders. At Barnbougle, a world-class golf resort, we stayed in a luxurious four-bedroom house overlooking the dunes. The town of Derby in north-east Tasmania was an unexpected gem – it has a sauna that floats on a lake, where you heat up before jumping into the freezing water – it’s good for the soul.
“Another surprise was visiting a tiny Amish community just out of Scottsdale. I bought as many jams and preserves as I could fit in my saddlebags at Amish-run café Springfield Tea Room, where an exceptional cinnamon scroll with a cup of tea costs just a few dollars. We rode into Launceston to stay at Peppers Silo Hotel, which is built into old wheat silos with views over the Tamar River. The circular rooms inside are really beautiful. Of course, while in Prospect Vale we had to visit the Iron Horse Bar & Grill, a Harley-Davidson-themed pub inside the celebrated Richardson’s Harley-Davidson dealership. It was a pilgrimage of sorts – and the food is great!”
Chris flew Brisbane to Hobart.
“Everywhere we went, the food was fantastic” – Jonnene Fowler, Bronze Frequent Flyer
“My husband and I got lucky on our Tassie trip: there was snow at Cradle Mountain, and we saw little penguins come ashore in historical Stanley, on the eastern shore of Circular Head. While there, we stayed at The Ship Inn, which was stunning. Built in 1849, it’s been converted into a boutique hotel with cosy interiors by Melbourne stylist and decorator, Lynda Gardner.
We loved wandering the misty forests and watching the waterfalls flow down hillsides of the west coast – en route to Strahan from Cradle Mountain, we also saw The Wall, a 100-metre Huon pine carving depicting the history of Tasmania, by sculptor Greg Duncan. We stayed at some spectacular places such as Risby Cove. And everywhere we went the food was fantastic. We had the most incredible wagyu at Stillwater restaurant in Launceston and delicious lobster rolls and cold beer from The Lobster Shack in Bicheno.”
Jonnene flew Perth to Hobart via Melbourne.
“The 360-degree views of Bruny Island’s rugged beauty were well worth the 300 steps up to Truganini Lookout” – Sue Park, Bronze Frequent Flyer
“Hiking, biking and eating were my plans for a long weekend in Hobart and, after upgrading to Business class, I was ready to roll as soon as I touched down. I rented a bike from Hobart Bike Hire to ride from the historical Cascade Brewery at the bottom of kunanyi/Mount Wellington to gorgeous Cornelian Bay, stopping by the renowned Jackman & McRoss bakery in Battery Point for a scallop pie. I had the most refreshing swim on a trail run through Tasman National Park down south near Port Arthur, which led to stunning – and totally deserted – Crescent Bay Beach. Over on Bruny Island, I sampled amazing produce: oysters from Get Shucked and raw milk cheese at Bruny Island Cheese Co., then balanced it out with a hike up nearly 300 steps to Truganini Lookout. The 360-degree views of Bruny Island’s rugged beauty were well worth the climb.”
Sue flew Sydney to Hobart.
“Watching glowing bioluminescent water in pitch black locations was magical” – Valent Lau, Bronze Frequent Flyer
“We had a very loose itinerary on our family road trip from Hobart to Launceston – we’d check Google Maps for nearby attractions and then stop at oyster shacks, lavender farms and beaches. The kids, aged eight and 11, loved the spontaneous nature of a driving holiday.
Up north, our Launceston base was Leisure Inn at Penny Royal Adventures, a theme park with cliff walks, rock-climbing, rides and trails. Natural wonders such as Cataract Gorge were within walking distance of the city and a miniature village and mazes at Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot proved a real hit. We’d check Facebook groups to find out where people had seen bioluminescence then drive out to these pitch black places to watch the glowing water. It was magical.”
Valent flew Sydney to Hobart.
