Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Getting Out and About in Tasmania
Adventure Activities and Experiences
What are the driving times and distances between major destinations in Tasmania?
For detailed maps and directions using Google Maps, please click here. For suggested touring itineraries of 3, 5, 7, and 10 days, please click here. What's the weather like at different times of the year? Although Tasmania is known for quick changes in weather as if showcasing all seasons within a single day, there are four distinct seasons through the year. Rainfall varies dramatically across the different parts of the island. Summer months (December, January, February) are the warmest (17-32° C / 62-73° F), and this is the season of fun and festivities (including the annual Taste of Tasmania running for 10 days at the end and start of the year). Autumn months (March, April, May) typically have calm, sunny days, with spectacular turning of the leaves. Winter months (June, July, August) see crisp, clear weather (3-11° C / 37-51° F) with dustings of snow on highland peaks. Spring months (September, October, November) are cool and fresh, when gardens come to life and Tasmania celebrates the Blooming Tasmania festival. Please download "Preparing for Tasmania" (PDF) for more information. What major events are happening? (Why is it so busy?!) Please click here for our Events Calendar. Be sure to book your accommodation well in advance, especially during times of the biggest annual events (such as the Sydney-Hobart yacht race and Taste of Tasmania in summer). What places around Tasmania do you offer accommodation? We are pleased to book accommodation at any of six properties in Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Launceston, and Hobart. Saffire Freycinet, opening December 2009, will be available for bookings soon an. We invite you to register your interest in receiving the latest news and updates via email. What are the addresses of your properties? (useful for GPS devices!) Strahan Village: The Esplanade, Strahan, TAS 7468 (click for directions) Cradle Mountain Chateau: 3718 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, TAS 7310 (click for directions) Freycinet Lodge: Coles Bay Road, Coles Bay, TAS 7215 (click for directions) Country Club Tasmania: Country Club Avenue, Prospect Vale, TAS 7250 (click for directions) The Henry Jones Art Hotel: 25 Hunter Street, Hobart, TAS 7000 (click for directions) Wrest Point: 410 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005 (click for directions) What are the most popular things to see and do in Hobart? Tasmania's capital is a city of sails, sunshine, seafood, culture and heritage -- bustling with activity all year round, and the ideal base for exploring Southern Tasmania. Salamanca Market every Saturday is a "must do" while in Hobart over the weekend. Historic Port Arthur, site of Australia's largest former convict settlement, is fascinating. On the water, the Peppermint Bay Cruise and Bruny Wildlife Adventure offer experiences of beauty, wildlife and superb food and wine. Please click here for more details about what to do in Hobart and the surrounding region. Where can I try the best Tasmanian wine and food? You never will be far from outstanding food and wine no matter where you are in Tasmania! The capital city and port of Hobart teems with fresh seafood, and several wineries proudly showcase award-winning cool-climate wines are only a short drive away (click here for more details). Please click here for details about where to experience the best food and wine all around the state. How do the accommodation rates on here compare with what's available on Wotif and other booking websites? You always get the "best available rate" on this website, so there's no reason to look elsewhere for any less expensive rate. Do you have information guides that we can print out easily? Please click below to download PDF documents packed with useful information and easy to print.
What should I wear for the outdoor experiences you offer? Comfortable, loose-fitting and non-cotton clothing is ideal (cotton takes away heat very quickly from your skin, so avoid cotton clothing). Thermal-type shirts and bottoms are excellent. Many people wear shorts for bushwalking in Tasmania (overpants are provided on all Pure Tasmania walks). We encourage footwear appropriate to the activity (e.g., for walking, stout sandshoes are suitable, but be aware they may get muddy, and for activities in the water such as kayaking, footwear is provided). Furthermore, please note that on all Pure Tasmania experiences, all safety gear is provided as well as specialist clothing (e.g., rainwear) and all equipment (e.g., packs) required for your adventure. Please also ensure you bring any required medication (e.g., inhalers) with you on the activity. How safe are the Pure Tasmania activities? All Pure Tasmania activities are prepared, managed and run by our own guides to a high company-wide operational standard. All guides are fully trained and experienced. They also carry satellite phones, first-aid kits and EPIRBs (rescue beacons). While risk is an inherent part of any adventure-based activity, you can participate in the knowledge we have tried to minimise these risks as much as possible. What happens if the weather is bad? Generally if our programs can be run safely and comfortably within a given weather situation, we will run them. This is one of the reasons we provide all of our guests with top-of-the-range clothing -- namely, to keep you warm and dry. After all, there isn't such a thing as "bad weather" in Tasmania -- just inappropriate clothing! If, however, the weather makes the activity unsafe, we will either offer you another activity, postpone the original activity until a later time (usually the next day) or offer you a full refund. How difficult are the various walks and other adventure experiences? Pure Tasmania offers a range of guided walks that vary from "easy" (typically less than 2 hours with "no strenuous activity") to "challenging" (longer treks of 5-8 hours that require a higher level of fitness and stamina, thus for the more serious hiker). However, please note that each person's fitness perception is a personal and subjective one. The below therefore should be treated as a rough guideline only. "Easy": No strenuous activity, tending to be short duration (less than two hours) on good paths and at low altitudes. Examples: Bonnet Island (Strahan); Dove Lake Circuit Walk and Chateau Nature Trail (Cradle Mountain); Blue Stone Bay 4WD Tour (Freycinet). "Moderate": Longer walks (2-4 hours) at low altitudes, but may involve some amount of ascent and descent with difficult track conditions. Some previous hiking experience beneficial. For water canoe/kayak activities, distances are 5-10km on predominantly flat water. Examples: Piners and Miners (Strahan); Ballroom Forest Walk and Dove Lake Canoe (Cradle Mountain); Wineglass Bay Lookout Walk (Freycinet). "Sporty": Even longer walks (more than 4 hours) and/or above 1000m, and may involve some amount of ascent and descent with difficult track conditions. For water canoe/kayak activities, distances are 10-15km on predominantly flat water, but may at times be current and/or wind affected in a semi-remote location. Examples: Gordon River Paddle (Strahan); Hanson's Peak Walk (Cradle Mountain); Wineglass to Wine Glass walk (Freycinet). "Challenging": For the more serious hiker and outdoor adventurer who has some experience and/or is happy to be extended by the activity. Thus a higher level of physical fitness and stamina is required. Trekking hours are longer (some 5-8 hours in a day), walking distances are longer, and they may involve over 1000m of vertical ascent or descent in remote country at altitudes up to 1600m. The terrain is more challenging. For water canoe/kayak activities, total paddling distances are over 15km on predominantly flat water, but may at times be current and/or wind affected in a semi-remote location. Back to top |
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