Tasmania - Australia 2004 - page 607

(June-Aug), especially in the high country, can be quite harsh—though that's
the best time to curl up in front of a blazing fire. The east coast is generally
milder than the west coast, which is buffeted by the “Roaring 40s”—the winds
that blow across the ocean and the 40° meridian, from as far away as Argentina.
The busy season for tourism here runs December through February, as well
as during public holiday and school holiday periods. Unlike the rest of Australia,
Tasmanian schools have three terms. Term dates are from the second week in
February to the last week in May; the third week in June to the first week in Sep-
tember; and the fourth week in September to the first week in December.
GETTING THERE The quickest way to get to Tasmania is by air. Qantas
( & 13 13 13 in Australia; www.qantas.com) flies from the mainland to Hobart and
Launceston. Virgin Blue ( & 13 67 89 in Australia; www.virginblue.com.au) offers
discounted trips from Melbourne, with connections from other capitals, if you
book early from their website. Regional Express ( & 03/13 17 13 in Australia;
www.regionalexpress.com.au) flies from Melbourne to Devonport and Burnie in
the State's north.
In 2002, two new high-speed ferry services replaced the DevilCat and the old
Spirit of Tasmania ferry that plied the waters between Melbourne and Tasmania for
years. The new car ferries—the Spirit of Tasmania I and II —are each capable of
carrying 1,400 passengers as well as cars. They make the crossing from Mel-
bourne's Station Pier to Tasmania's Devonport (on the north coast) in around 10
hours. The ferries leave both Melbourne and Devonport at 9pm and arrive at
around 7am. From roughly December 20 to April 27, there's also day service on
weekends, leaving both ports at 9am and arriving at 7pm. Prices are based on
“shoulder” and “peak” times: The shoulder seasons run from roughly August 31 to
December 6, and from January 27 to April 27. A one-way seat costs between A$99
and A$135 (US$65-US$88) for adults, and A$75 and A$99 (US$49-US$65) for
children. Three- to four-berth cabins cost from A$187 to A$234 (US$121-
US$152) for adults and A$91 to A$105 (US$59-US$68) for kids depending on
the season and if you have a porthole. Twin cabins cost from A$200 to A$261
(US$130-US$169) for adults and A$101 to A$132 (US$66-US$86) for
children. Deluxe cabins cost A$283 to A$369 (US$184-US$240) for adults and
children alike. Standard-size cars cost $55 (US$36) from December 6 to January
25 but are free to transport the rest of the year.
In early 2004, the Spirit of Tasmania III will commence sailing between Syd-
ney and Devonport. The ferry will depart Sydney at 3pm on Tuesday, Friday,
and Sunday, and Devonport at 3pm on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The
trip will take 20 hours and cost from A$230 to A$371 (US$150-US$242),
depending on accommodations. Prices are one-way and cars travel free.
Make reservations for any of the ferries through TT-Line ( & 03/9206 6211;
www.spiritoftasmania.com.au). Special offers are regularly available. Tasmanian

Tasmania's Tricky Roads
Driving in Tasmania can be dangerous; there are more accidents involving
tourists on Tasmania's roads than anywhere else in Australia. Many roads
are narrow and bends can be tight, especially in the mountainous inland
regions—where you may also come across black ice early in the morning
or at anytime in winter. Marsupials are also common around dusk, and
swerving to avoid them has caused countless crashes.

Tips