Tasmania - Australia 2004 - page 619

INEXPENSIVE
Adelphi Court YHA Hostel The Adelphi is a typical clean and friendly Aus-
tralian youth hostel. All dorm rooms sleep four people. There is a communal
kitchen, a dining room serving breakfast, and a barbecue area. It's situated 3km
(less than 2 miles) from the city center.
17 Stoke St., New Town (YHA Tasmania, G.P.O. Box 174, Hobart, TAS 7001). & 03/6228 4829. Fax 03/6278
2047. www.yha.com.au. 9 dorms, 16 doubles, 2 with bathroom. A$56 (US$36) per person twin/double with-
out bathroom; A$65 (US$42) double with bathroom; A$20 (US$13) dorm bed. Non-YHA members pay A$3.50
(US$2.30) per person extra. MC, V. Free parking. Bus: 15 or 16 from Argyle St. to stop no. 8A, or any bus from
Stop E at Elizabeth St. Mall to bus stop no. 13. Amenities: Game and TV room; tour-booking desk; coin-op
laundry; nonsmoking rooms; barbecue area; kitchen.
Central City Backpackers This place is typical of backpacker-type accom-
modations—cheap and cheerful, a little frayed around the edges, but right in the
heart of things. The central shopping district is right outside the door, and it's
only a short walk to the harbor.
138 Collins St., Hobart, TAS 7000. & 1800/811 507 in Australia, or 03/6224 2404. Fax [phone].
www.centralbackpackers.com.au. 80 units. A$22 (US$14) twin per person; A$44 (US$29) double; A$18 (US$12)
dorm bed. Cash or traveler's checks only. 2-min. walk from central bus terminal. Amenities: Bar (open in sum-
mer); tour desk; coin-op laundry; Internet access; pool table; kitchen; dining room. In room:No phone.
Customs House Hotel You won't find a better value than the rooms above this
historic sandstone pub overlooking the waterfront. Built in 1846, the property
offers simple, colonial-style rooms, without luxuries such as a TV and telephone.
Four have water views overlooking the old sailing ship the May Queen, which used
to carry wood up the Derwent River. Other rooms look across Parliament House.
Guests make the best of a shared TV room. Downstairs, a friendly public bar over-
looks the water, and at the back of the building is a popular seafood restaurant
known for its scallops.
1 Murray St., Hobart, TAS 7000. & 03/6234 6645. Fax [phone]. www.customshousehotel.com. 13
units, 2 with bathroom. A$75 (US$49) double without bathroom; A$80 (US$52) double with bathroom. Rates
include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars; dry cleaning; kitchenette with
fridge. In room: No phone.
WHERE TO DINE
Tasmania is known for its fresh seafood, including oysters, crab, crayfish, salmon,
and trout. Once cheap, in recent years prices have crept up to match or even sur-
pass those on the mainland. Generally though, the food is of a good quality.
EXPENSIVE
Mures Upper Deck SEAFOOD This large and bustling waterfront
restaurant offers great views of bobbing yachts as well as very fine seafood caught
on the owner's very own fishing boats. I recommend starting with a bowl of
potato soup, or the signature Mures Oysters topped with smoked salmon, sour
cream, and salmon caviar. The most popular main courses are the blue-eye filet
Martinique—a Creole-inspired sweet fish curry with coconut cream and banana
sauce—or the giant seafood platter for two. The best summer dessert on the
menu is the restaurant's famous summer pudding, which almost bursts with
berries. In winter, come here if only for the Granny Leatherwood Pudding—
made of apples and Australian leatherwood honey and served with cinnamon ice
cream. The complex also includes Lower Deck , a very popular self-service fam-
ily restaurant where you can dine very well for under A$15 (US$9.75).
Between Victoria and Constitution Docks, Hobart. & 03/6231 2121. Reservations recommended. Main
courses A$20-A$25 (US$13-US$16). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily noon-10pm.