We’ve just returned from a week in Tasmania, Australia’s most southern state. Offering spectacular nature-based experiences, culinary delights and wildlife encounters, this really is a special corner of Australia.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Tassie with a variety of activities designed to please the whole family. The pace was relaxed, and it was the perfect example of a trip packed with accessible adventures without the need to set a cracking pace that leaves you needing a holiday from the holiday. In fact, we didn’t drive more than two and a half hours on any one day. Our last visit to Tasmania was in 2013 and a lot has changed since then: not only is Tassie more accessible, but we found business owners keen to understand more about accessibility and the needs of travellers with a disability. It was incredibly heartening to see the willingness of operators to learn.
Accessible Tasmania
Flying from Sydney to Launceston only took an hour and a half, the ideal length of flight for restless flyer Braeden.
On arrival at Launceston Airport, we picked up a Kia Carnival from Avis which comfortably fitted our family of four and our copious amount of luggage.
Within 15 minutes of loading the car we were in Launceston CBD – so easy! Our first three nights in Launceston were spent at the Hotel Verge in two rooms. The accessible accommodation gets a big thumbs up so stay tuned for the review coming soon.
Book accessible accommodation at Hotel Verge here.
We always value staying in accommodation where we can wheel or walk out the door and have attractions and dining in close proximity, exactly what Hotel Verge offers. City Park is right across the road and dining in George Street is only a few minutes away.
Our first day in Launceston was a relaxed one with a visit to Cataract Gorge, the Queen Victoria Museum and Queen Victoria Art Gallery. We were all engaged by the combination of time in fthe great outdoors and the attractions offered within the museum and art gallery.
Day tripping from Launceston provided one of the surprise hits of the trip at Seahorse World. Next door to Seahorse World, we popped into the Platypus House and nearby we toured the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre. Both excellent.
Our itinerary then took us south of Launceston to Hollybank Forest Reserve, Bridestowe Lavender Estate (lavender ice cream and scones are yum!) before checking into Little Beach Co Resort. The boys stayed in an access-friendly water view villa, while Amelia and I got our glamping on in a dome tent where we had wallabies as our curious neighbours.
Book accessible accommodation at Little Beach Co Resort here.
Waking up fresh after a good night’s sleep we had a date with some famous Aussie furry friends. At East Coast Natureworld we nursed Tasmanian Devils, hand fed wallabies and an echidna before heading to the beach. A little drizzle wasn’t deterring us from using a Hippocampe beach wheelchair in Bicheno. For us it was too chilly for a swim but it was wonderful to get the sand between our toes.
The next day it was time to check out and hit the road to the Freycinet Peninsula where we joined Pennicott Wilderness Journeys for a cruise to Wineglass Bay. Sunshine greeted us and we marvelled at the emerald waters at our lunch stop where we dropped anchor.
On our way to the cruise Braeden excitedly reacted to spotting ATVs so we squeezed an ATV tour in with All4 All Terrain Tours of Freycinet where we bumped along the tracks in the national park before arriving at a couple of stunning viewing points. Braeden’s grin was wider than the Cheshire Cat for the whole two hour tour.
Access-friendly accommodation with a view is a rare find so we were thrilled to stay at Edge of the Bay To hear that there are plans to build more accessible cabins in the future was really exciting.
Book accessible accommodation at Edge of the Bay here.
We are big fans of the TrailRider so we were pleased to have the opportunity to use one in the beautiful Freycinet National Park. Braeden enjoyed being a part of a walk where everyone greeted him warmly and marvelled at the TrailRider.
Our final two nights in Launceston were spent at Pepper’s Silo Hotel, a stunning property which offers excellent accessible accommodation with a view of the Tamar River. From the hotel we were able to walk/wheel to Tamar River Cruise tours for a boat tour of the river and Cataract Gorge and visit the neighbouring Riverbend Park.
Book accessible accommodation at Pepper’s Silo Hotel here.
I’ll be sharing individual reviews on the accommodation and attractions I’ve mentioned above in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned for more information. Accessibility on our trip varied and some activities and accommodation will be more suitable to travellers with mixed ability like Braeden, and others cater well to people with higher access needs. Hopefully, the detailed information we provide will allow you to decide what’s right for you.
We hope that our reviews will inform and inspire you to put Tasmania on your future travel wish-list. We certainly can’t wait to go back and explore more.
We were hosted for our trip but as always our reviews will reflect our experience during our trip.
