Friday, August 19, 2011

AUSTRALIA-TASMANIA

BERRIDALE
Restaurants
Source Restaurant at Moorilla Estate – 655 Main Road; 011-61-3-6277-9900; moorilla.com.au; destination restaurant.

Sights & Sites
Museum of Old and New Art – 655 Main Road; 011-61-3-6277-9900; mona.net.au.



COLES BAY
Hotels
Saffire Freycinet – 2352 Coles Bay Road; 011-61-3-6256-7888; saffire-freycinet.com.au; 20-suite boutique property; worth special trip.



EAST COAST
Hotels
Bay of Fires Lodge – Mt. William National Park; 011-61-3-6392-2211; bayoffires.com.au; among 4 Australian “Anthology” resorts; guided walks; impossibly great.



GREAT OYSTER BAY
Hotels
Saffire Freycinet – 011-61-3-6256-7888; saffire-freycinet.com.au; gorgeous; must visit location.



LAKE ST. CLAIR (includes Cradle Mountain)
Hotels, Lodges & Resorts
Cradle Mountain Huts – Cradle Mountain (in Lake St. Clair National Park); 011-61-3-6392-2211; cradlehuts.com.au; among 4 Australian “Anthology” resorts; guided walk begins at Cradle Mountain, passes through various landscapes (mountain lakes, streams, and waterfalls) arriving at Australia’s deepest lake, Lake St. Clair; weather permitting, climb Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt. Ossa; 5 huts designed to complement surroundings, offering privacy and expansive views; only private accommodation permitted in World Heritage Area; each contains twin share accommodation, hot showers, toilets, heating, and kitchen facilities; rustic dining (hearty 3-course meal prepared by guides).
Orrsome Tassie Trout – orrsometassietrout.com.au; private trout-fishing lodge.
Lodge at Tarraleah – tarraleahlodge; more luxurious; set on remote plateau overlooking central Tasmania’s highland wilderness; originally created in 1930s; 9-room, art deco-esque lodge is sparkling jewel amid pristine scenery, abundant wildlife, and trout fishing; cliff-top hot tub and large library; warmest months are January-March Suite 5 has extra space, private deck, and uninterrupted valley views.
Pumphouse Point – Pumphouse Point, 1 Pumphouse Point Road (Lake St. Clair); 011-61-4-2809-0436; pumphousepoint.com.au; 18-room design gem in former 1940 hydroelectric pump house at end of 900'-long dock; restaurant, Lakehouse, is on mainland.

Restaurants
Lakehouse – Pumphouse Point, 1 Pumphouse Point Road (Lake St. Clair, at Pumphouse Point Hotel); 011-61-4-2809-0436; pumphousepoint.com.au; on mainland.



MARIA ISLAND
Sights & Sites
Maria Island National Park – ferry departure from Triabunna (Tasmanian east coast); 1-61-3-6428-6277; parks.tas.gov.au/?base=1490; Maria Island is natural wildlife sanctuary & off-shore retreat; historic ruins, sweeping bays & dramatic cliffs; contains most intact example of convict probation station in Australia; stone Commissariat Store, 150 metres from jetty, is island’s oldest building & now visitor center; excellent cycling & walking (short walks explore Darlington buildings & ruins, ghost town with convict & industrial past); Reservoir Circuit sheltered from coastal winds, providing glimpse of history & wildlife as you wander through open woodlands into tall eucalyptus forest; former limestone quarry at Fossil Cliffs provides fascinating close-ups; Painted Cliffs (Hopground Beach) are beautifully patterned sandstone shaped by mineral-rich water & wind (& worth special trip); fascinating tidal-zone marine life; Bishop & Clerk, island’s towering peaks, can be reached on 3-5 hr return walk past sea cliffs, through grasslands, open forest & tall woodland to rocky slopes; scramble over boulders to reach summit & be rewarded with spectacular views over island, Freycinet Peninsula & Tasman Sea; among Tasmania’s great bird watching hot spots; 11 of state’s 12 endemic species seen here, including endangered 40-spotted pardalote & rare & unique Cape Barren goose; wombats seen around island, as well as pademelons, Forester Kangaroos, Bennetts wallabies & Tasmanian Devils; waters around Maria Island include Marine Nature Reserve, regularly by seals & whales

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