Strahan, TASMANIA
Airing Date: Mar 5th, 2002
For the hopeless romantics, there is a luxury cruise available deep into the Franklin River wilderness aboard the Lady Jane Franklin. The boat has three standards of seating with the most luxurious being the Captain's Premier Upper Deck. The cruise starts at 8.30am and returns at 2pm.
If you have children to keep entertained and you are after a bit more action, head for the Henty Sand Dunes, which are just a 20-minute drive from Strahan. Here you can hit the slopes on a sand toboggan and an eight-wheeler motorbike.
One of the fantastic ways to explore this quaint seaside town is by bike, and a ride to the beach should keep the children entertained for the afternoon. To end the day, you can head to Tassie's longest beach to watch mutton-birds fly to their nests.
When you are finally feeling a bit peckish, head to the Fish Caf in Strahan village for some salmon and cous cous or fill up on fish and chips. Then, if you feel like some retail therapy with your full stomach, check out the hand-made woodcrafts at the KBT Gallery.
For accommodation concerns, head five minutes from the village to Sailor's Rest, home to huge three-bedroom cottages that are big enough to hold the entire family.
For something more intimate, try Franklin Manor on the other end of town - it's over 100 years old and has its own wine cellar.
The facts
Qantas flies to Hobart ever day from Sydney and prices start from $198 return. Additional taxes/levies/charges apply.
Qantas
Tel: 131313
Website: www.qantas.com
Tickets on the Lady Jane Franklin are $118 per person, which includes light refreshments, beer and wine and a smorgasbord lunch.
Gordon River Cruises
Tel: 03 6471 7187
The Henty Sand Dunes hire out sand boards for $15 per 30 minutes and toboggans for $10 every 30 minutes.
Devilish Adventures
Tel: 03 6471 7775
Rooms at Sailor's Rest start from $100 per couple per night, plus $16 per child.
Sailor's Rest
Tel: 03 6471 7237
Rooms at Franklin Manor start from $179 per night, twin share.
Franklin Manor
Tel: 03 6471 7311
Strahan Visitor Centre
Tel: 03 6471 7622
Tourism Tasmania
Website: www.discovertasmania.com.au
Four Wheelers
Tel: 0419 508 175
Suggested Reading Material
Lonely Planet
Website: www.lonelyplanet.com
Rough Guides
Website: www.roughguides.com
