Unfortunately, due to my pathetic amount of holidays, I could only spare 4.5 days in this lovely place. But it was a good break away from studies and everything in real life.
We booked this really last minute, about a month before we flew, so everything was really expensive. I couldn't find any direct flights to Hobart or Launceston so we had to transit at Sydney while going there and Melbourne while coming back. It is advisable to arrive at Hobart and depart from Launceston or vice versa to save time travelling back and forth the 2 cities. But it was cheaper to fly in and out of Hobart so that's what we did. We paid about $1600 per person on Qantas.
Day 1 - 1Jan2015
We left Singapore on 31Dec around midnight so we spent the turn of the new year in the sky! We were also really lucky because the flight was so empty, I managed to sleep across 3 seats haha.
We had some time while transiting at Sydney so we just explored the airport and had some donuts at Krispy Kreme before boarding a bus to another terminal for the domestic flight to Hobart, capital of Tasmania. It was a really short flight - only 2h. The Hobart airport is really interesting because it is TINY. There is only one belt for luggage collection, and exit from the plane was outdoors. My first time experiencing something like that haha. No customs though, since it's a domestic flight.
We had already booked a car online from Thrifty (which we also used for Melbourne in 2013), but I don't think it's really necessary because there's an entire row of car rental shops there for you to take your pick. Anyway, our car was a white Toyota Corolla that looked really new! My parents were pretty pleased haha.
Our first stop was Richmond Town, a short half hour drive from the airport. It is famous for its bridge, which we crossed to enter the town but conveniently forgot to take a picture of. (Also, Rui En was here for Sudden!) It is a really nice, peaceful town. We also had lunch here, but it took ages to come.
And then off we went to Hobart! We stayed 2 nights at Hadley's Hotel, which is very conveniently located in the city center and just 5-10min walk away from the pier.
The 'city center' is really really empty and devoid of people though.
Hobart is at the southern most part of Tasmania, next to the coast, so the pier is GORGEOUS. But really really cold. We were so not prepared for it since it was summer!!
I could stare at this view for hours and not get bored.
The pier was very lively with lots of buskers and even a man pretending to be a statue.
And we were super lucky to catch the Taste of Tasmania, Tasmania's biggest festival of wine and good food!
Some performances to coincide with the festival.
One thing about summer in Tasmania is that the days are SO LONG. The sun rises at around 6am? And only sets at around 830 or 9pm.
Day 2 - 2Jan2015
We woke up really early to get breakfast at a place opposite the pier called Harbour Lights Cafe.
Then drove to Claremont to visit the Cadbury Factory but it was closed :((((((( Because it was the holiday season. But it wasn't a wasted trip because we chanced upon this lovely view:
We also visited a mall there and bought loads of food and other random, useless stuff from The Reject Shop and Woolsworth.
After that was a really long drive back to Hobart and up Mt. Wellington. The road is quite narrow and it's very high so my dad said he didn't dare to look down while driving!
But look at this magnificent view from the top:
And then another long, 2h drive to Tahune Air Walk. On the way there, we stopped at a pretty little town called Huon Village for scallop pies, which Tasmania is very famous for.
Tahune Air Walk is essentially walking on a bridge in the forest. The whole trail took about 2h but I enjoyed it and it was good exercise. Plus, gorgeous views.
Before the trail, I also tried Eagle Gliding. The feeling of the wind brushing against your face when coming down is indescribable.
Anyway, the highlight of the Air Walk is going through 2 suspension bridges. I'm not usually afraid of such things but this was actually quite scary because I was super scared of dropping my camera or selfie stick into the water!
Then it was a long drive back to Hobart. To my horror, we reached Hobart around 9pm and by then all the restaurants near our hotel had closed. And I insist on eating decent food while travelling because you only have limited meals so why waste them!
Thankfully, we managed to find this place that served French fine dining in a casual concept. Expensive (the pork neck dish was 50AUD!), but really really delicious.
Day 3 - 3Jan2015
It was a Saturday, so we had to visit the famous Salamanca Market!! They close the roads and turn the place into what I call an 'atas pasar malam'. Because its Australia, and stuff are never cheap. I did manage to buy some stuff though, like a pair of sunglasses for 20 bucks. I desperately needed it because the sun was blazing hot that day and I forgot to pack mine along. Also bought lots of chocolates and even fruits (mums and their grocery shopping...)
I saw lots of buskers. There were even 3 young girls singing Let It Go! I particularly loved the performance by this lady, who sang Falling Slowly. I would have stood there for ages if not for us having such a packed schedule.
We also passed where Rui En's character in Sudden busked with the male lead! It's the junction between the main market and Salamanca Square. Though I didn't find out about this until after I came back.
We had brunch at this cafe called Machine Laundry Cafe in Salamanca Square which is really famous and the first place we had to queue for. Literally a laundry shop and a cafe!
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| Salamanca Square |
Then started on our long long journey to Freycinet. Around the 1.5h mark, we stopped at Devil's Corner Vineyard for some wine tasting. And of course, you feel obligated to buy.
We finally reached Freycinet to see the Wineglass Bay, but to our horror, all walking tracks were closed due to high risk of bushfires :O And yes, it was ridiculously hot. Even I, as a Singaporean used to hot and humid weather all year round, felt like I was melting.
Nevertheless, we got a view of this gorgeous beach.
And so we continued on our journey to Launceston. Saw lots and lots of sheep and dead kangaroos on our way :(
We finally reached Launceston around 6, and checked into Hotel Charles.
Clueless as to where to eat, we just went online to check for tripadvisor's recommendations. Number 1 was Stillwater but it was closed for a private function :( So we went for a restaurant at country club nearby. I didn't know it was fine dining and went in slippers haha! Singaporean to the bone.
The food was AMAZING.
And we saw lots of beautiful and reasonably priced art pieces at the club which we kept wanting to buy. But really, ain't it pretty.
Day 4 - 4Jan2015
Our last day in Launceston. Unfortunately. It's a really beautiful and serene place.
We had breakfast at Stillwater because we were determined to try the number 1 rated restaurant. It used to be a mill, thus its unique appearance. They have a little shop and art museum above the eatery where we bought some photos that are hanging in my living room now :D
Cataract Gorge is a really short drive away. We took the 'World's Longest Chairlift' for this spectacular view of the place:
And crossed the Alexandra Suspension Bridge that Rui En crossed too!!!!
Then we explored the 'city center' of Launceston that was once again, ridiculously quiet.
They have pretty good shopping though. I managed to buy quite a lot of stuff in 2h of shopping. Target is wonderful for cheap stuff!
And then we visited the National Automobile Museum for around $13AUD per person because I absolutely love vintage cars. It is my dream to own one next time.
So after less than 24h in Launceston, we had to leave. There isn't much to do there but it still felt really short. We took a different route back to Hobart, using the inland highway instead of the one along the coast. The inland one is much shorter and only takes 2h.
On the way back, we stopped at Ross Town, which has the 'cafe' where Rui En's character Chuning met the male lead. It was closed when we were there (somehow everything in Tasmania is always closed haha) but I don't think it was even a proper cafe. I didn't have time to rewatch Sudden before I went to Tasmania so I only found out about about this while rewatching it recently. But it really cracked me up that in the show, Chuning and the guy 'met there everyday' when in reality, Ross Town is so tiny and no one would stay there for more than 2h! I think there were like 5 shops and 10 houses there.
That 'cafe' Rui En visited:
But they had a Tasmanian Wool Center which was quite interesting. So many different types of wool!
And had a late lunch at like the only cafe open that was surprisingly good.
Then back to Hobart! This time, we stayed at Somerset on the Pier, a beautiful apartment literally next to the pier.
Look at this view!!!!
Our last dinner at Maldini, an Italian restaurant with really good food.
Day 5 - 5Jan2015
Our last morning in Hobart!
Caught our last view of the amazing pier, and had breakfast at a random little cafe with posters of iconic movies.
And then a short half hour drive to the airport to return the car and board the plane for Melbourne.
The transit was only 1h so we had to run at the Melbourne airport to catch our flight back!
Post-trip comments
I love Tasmania so much!!! Especially the gorgeous pier. Due to our really limited time, we couldn't visit several places but I would definitely love to come back to visit Hobart and Launceston again, as well as the places we missed like Bruny Island, Wineglass Bay, Stanley and the Tasmanian devils.
It is a really chill, almost quiet place. Perfect if you want to get away from the hustle & bustle of city life.