Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a farm in the country or arrange accommodations in one of the many boutique
B&Bs found throughout Tasmania. Contact
Heritage Tasmania Pty Ltd.,
P.O.
Box 780, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005 (
&
03/6233 5511;
fax 03/6233 5510). Nightly
B&B rates range from about A$60 (US$39) to around A$160 (US$104) for a
double. There are 20
YHA youth hostels
in Tasmania, including ones in
Devonport (
&
03/6424 5696
), Bicheno (
&
03/6375 1293
), Coles Bay (
&
03/
6257 0115
), Mt. Field National Park (
&
03/6288 1369
), Stanley (
&
03/6458
1266
), and Strahan (
&
03/6471 7255
). Most have dorms as well as inexpen-
sive double rooms. The state YHA office is located at 28 Critereon St., Hobart
(
&
03/6234 9617
).
VERY EXPENSIVE
Hotel Grand Chancellor
If you prefer standard hotel accommodations to
a stately old homestead, then you should book a room at this imposing property
overlooking the yachts and fishing boats parked in Victoria Dock. Standard
rooms are large and comfortable, with large polished granite bathrooms. More
than 50% of the rooms have water views. Eight rooms are equipped for travel-
ers with disabilities. The lobby is an impressive marble-and-granite construction
complete with a large curved window to catch the action on the docks. There's
also a first-class restaurant specializing in innovative Tasmanian cuisine.
1 Davey St., Hobart, TAS 7000.
&
03/6235 4535.
Fax 03/6223 8175. www.hgchobart.com.au. 234 units.
A$260 (US$169) double; A$365 (US$237) executive suite. Extra person A$30 (US$20). Children under 15 stay
free in parent's room. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge with good views; heated
indoor pool; health club; concierge; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry
service. In room:A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, hair dryer, iron.
Wrest Point Casino
A pricey face-lift in 1998 transformed this Hobart
icon, built in 1973, giving birth to Australia's annual A$2 billion (US$1.3 billion)
casino industry. Beside the Derwent River, 3km (almost 2 miles) from the city
center, the complex looks out across the harbor and the city and up to Mount
Wellington. All rooms feature Tasmanian oak furniture and plush carpets, and the
more expensive rooms have exceptional views. While it may not be as convenient
to the city center as the Hotel Grand Chancellor (though it's certainly walkable),
the views make it a class above. Adjacent to the casino is the 61-room
Wrest Point
Motor Inn,
which has nice rooms costing between A$120 and A$131
(US$78-US$85). Taxis from Wrest Point to the city cost around A$7 (US$4.55),
and the bus operates to and from the city every 15 minutes.
410 Sandy Bay Rd., Sandy Bay, TAS 7005.
&
03/6225 0112.
Fax 03/6225 3744. www.wrestpoint.com.au.
197 units. A$242-A$264 (US$157-US$172) double; A$330 (US$215) suite with Jacuzzi. Extra adult A$33
(US$21). AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 3 bars; nightclub; large indoor pool; 9-hole
putting course; 2 lighted tennis courts; health club; children's playground; concierge; business center; 24-hr.
room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; harbor boardwalk with indoor and outdoor entertain-
ment; boutique casino. In room:A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Booking Accommodations Online
Asia Travel
(http://asiatravel.com/australia.html) offers substantial savings
on some of the properties recommended in this chapter if you book
online. At the time of writing, these included the Hotel Grand Chancellor
in Hobart, the Colonial Motor Inn in Launceston, Freycinet Lodge, and
Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Value
