Autistic Holiday Considerations

[Outdated]

I decided to go on a holiday, Tasmania’s the only state I’ve never visited and I think it’s about time that I did. I plan to go in March, the weather shouldn’t be too cold and it’s just after grape harvest season so there should be plenty of great wines to taste too.

But what sort of holiday do I want. A package tour is out, having to sit on a bus for hours at a time with a bunch of other people doesn’t sound like much fun to me, and having to make sure that you’re up and ready every morning to fit someone else’s itinerary doesn’t sound like my idea of a relaxing holiday.

So now I’m exploring a whole world of different options. Do I hire a small car and stay in hotels or do I hire a campervan and stay where ever I feel like?

Do I fly direct to Hobart and hire a car there? For two weeks I can get car hire in Melbourne $500 cheaper and then take the car on the ferry, that costs $500 return so I end up spending the same but I get to ride on the ferry as well. Would I enjoy that or not? I don’t know, it’s a 13 hour trip each way so maybe not.

And I think I’d prefer to stay in hotels rather than in a van but I’m still thinking about both options. Either way I think I’ll end up spending a week in and around Hobart and another week in and around Launceston.

What other considerations should I be thinking about?

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Are there specific things you want to see and do? National parks, scenic views and drives, geological features, special landmarks, famous restaurants, etc. I take the time to not only do some research on how long it takes to visit a point of interest, but travel time from point A to point B, map it out not only from a distance perspective, but also time. I get a better feel for how to travel, whether it be a flight, then rent-a-car, or is the drive, itself, going to be special? Camper vans typically get poor fuel mileage, then you have rental fees, and you still need to find a park where you can tap into electricity, get water, use a bathroom/shower, and all that isn't always less expensive. It just depends upon how much time you want to spend on the journey versus the destination(s).

I will often make a Word file with my daily itinerary. Give myself some "flex time" each day. I will often use Google Maps to sort a lot of this out, but also it is handy to get some detailed maps of the area that would have parks, geological features (canyons, waterfalls, etc.), hiking trails etc. I will go onto Google images and YouTube videos and decide if a particular stop is worth the time, or should I move on past and spend more time at another place more spectacular.

Planning trips can be time consuming, but sort of fun at the same time.

 

[Judge]

Take some tips from a pro. Whether for Europe or Asia...or Australia. Anywhere...

Not me...lol. - Rick Steves.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips

 

[Outdated]

Are there specific things you want to see and do?

I really only have a few vague notions of what I'd like to see, Cradle Mountain and it's surrounding cold climate rainforests and lakes. Maybe take a day trip bus tour to a winery so I can have a few drinks and not have to drive, a lot of wineries in Australia are also incredibly good restaurants.

I'm not terribly interested in their history, I grew up learning all about that in school when I was a kid. I like photographing animals in the wild and it's always a pleasure to see them but I have no interest in going to zoos or sanctuaries.

It's not an overly huge place, you can drive from one end to the other in less than 4 hours, but there is a lot of incredible places to see there.

 

[Outdated]

I'll try to keep my plans reasonably fluid too I think. On the first night in town I'll go to a pub and talk to some locals and ask what they recommend seeing. They're bound to have a few suggestions that the tourism guides don't.

 

[Judge]

I'll try to keep my plans reasonably fluid too I think. On the first night in town I'll go to a pub and talk to some locals and ask what they recommend seeing. They're bound to have a few suggestions that the tourism guides don't.

The last time I watched one of Rick Steves' travel shows on PBS, that was one of the basics he emphasized. That a bus tour was a very generic experience compared to dealing with taxis and locals who indeed had more interesting and informative things to elaborate on. That while it cost more, that it would be worth it.

Not to mention a likelihood of less crowds.

Now that I think of it, Rick has emphasized this on other shows as well...from the Cinqueterra in Italy to Belfast in Ulster.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

My wife and I have this "thing" we do when we check into a hotel. We will specifically ask where "the locals" eat. Seriously, we can go to any chain restaurant anywhere in the US, but if we are traveling and want to get a feel for the town, we will find some "mom and pop" restaurant with a handful of tables, homemade food, and great service. We walk in, the locals all turn around as if thinking "Y'all ain't from around here, are ya'." Perfect. Found my place.

 

[Outdated]

Up and down the east coast of the mainland you'd have to try hard to find a bad restaurant but that can be a little more hit and miss in less densely populated areas. Tasmania only has a population of 250,000 so it's not really very populated, but then their major industry is tourism so I imagine most places would have to be pretty good to stay in business.

An Aussie pub is something that doesn't seem to exist in a lot of other countries, they're not just a bar where you go to get drunk, they're also restaurants and family venues complete with a playground out the back for the kids. Usually the best meals you can get come from suburban pubs rather than fancy restaurants.

 

[Judge]

Usually the best meals you can get come from suburban pubs rather than fancy restaurants.

Sounds familiar even for the states...

 

[tazz]

Do I fly direct to Hobart and hire a car there? For two weeks I can get car hire in Melbourne $500 cheaper and then take the car on the ferry, that costs $500 return so I end up spending the same but I get to ride on the ferry as well. Would I enjoy that or not? I don’t know, it’s a 13 hour trip each way so maybe not.

I've travelled on a lot of ferries with my motorcycle. The longest was an overnight ferry from Italy to Greece. The sleep options were an expensive cabin or a cheap airplane-style seat. I figured the seat would be uncomfortable but I'd just stay in the bar until late to limit the amount of time I had to sit in it. However, it turned out that they closed the bar early! So I was stuck in an uncomfortable seat for a loooooong time.

 

[Outdated]

There's a plethora of different options for me. I could even fly to Hobart and hire a car there, tour the island, then take the car on the ferry and spend a few days driving the Great Ocean Road back home to Adelaide and drop the car off in Adelaide.

 

[Mary Terry]

I decided to go on a holiday, Tasmania’s the only state I’ve never visited and I think it’s about time that I did. I plan to go in March, the weather shouldn’t be too cold and it’s just after grape harvest season so there should be plenty of great wines to taste too.

But what sort of holiday do I want. A package tour is out, having to sit on a bus for hours at a time with a bunch of other people doesn’t sound like much fun to me, and having to make sure that you’re up and ready every morning to fit someone else’s itinerary doesn’t sound like my idea of a relaxing holiday.

So now I’m exploring a whole world of different options. Do I hire a small car and stay in hotels or do I hire a campervan and stay where ever I feel like?

Do I fly direct to Hobart and hire a car there? For two weeks I can get car hire in Melbourne $500 cheaper and then take the car on the ferry, that costs $500 return so I end up spending the same but I get to ride on the ferry as well. Would I enjoy that or not? I don’t know, it’s a 13 hour trip each way so maybe not.

And I think I’d prefer to stay in hotels rather than in a van but I’m still thinking about both options. Either way I think I’ll end up spending a week in and around Hobart and another week in and around Launceston.

What other considerations should I be thinking about?

Air BNBs, Vacation Rentals by Owner, etc. I like to rent a condo with a furnished kitchen when we vacation so I can cook for us and not depend on restaurants for every meal. Plus, it gives me freedom to explore the local cuisine by buying local ingredients. But then, I like to cook which many people don't like to do.

 

[Progster]

If I were in your situation, I would probably book an AirBnB place and use that as a base to explore. It's a good idea to hire a car. You can get AirBnB accommodation at around the same place as a hotel room, but with more privacy and be able to cook meals for yourself in the accommodation.

If you're quite a sociable person and want to talk to locals, Couchsurfing might work. You sign up and get a bed or couch for one night or more in someone's home, but there will probably be the expectation to socialise with them, so not for everyone, and not everyone likes to stay in a stranger's home.

I've been on ferries enough times for the novelty to completely wear off, and find them noisy, often crowded places... I would avoid that one, much better to fly. But if you want the experience of it, then that's another matter.

 

[Shamar]

I decided to go on a holiday, Tasmania’s the only state I’ve never visited and I think it’s about time that I did. I plan to go in March, the weather shouldn’t be too cold and it’s just after grape harvest season so there should be plenty of great wines to taste too.

But what sort of holiday do I want. A package tour is out, having to sit on a bus for hours at a time with a bunch of other people doesn’t sound like much fun to me, and having to make sure that you’re up and ready every morning to fit someone else’s itinerary doesn’t sound like my idea of a relaxing holiday.

So now I’m exploring a whole world of different options. Do I hire a small car and stay in hotels or do I hire a campervan and stay where ever I feel like?

Do I fly direct to Hobart and hire a car there? For two weeks I can get car hire in Melbourne $500 cheaper and then take the car on the ferry, that costs $500 return so I end up spending the same but I get to ride on the ferry as well. Would I enjoy that or not? I don’t know, it’s a 13 hour trip each way so maybe not.

And I think I’d prefer to stay in hotels rather than in a van but I’m still thinking about both options. Either way I think I’ll end up spending a week in and around Hobart and another week in and around Launceston.

What other considerations should I be thinking about?

I agree with Cradle Mountain. I was there for a day, and a really pleasant place (for some reason, geologists are not allowed to stay in pleasant places). A lot of great hiking. Queenstown and Zeehan are also worth visiting, especially if you are interested in mining history, some good museums. The Wee Georgie Wood train ride in Tullah is fun, if you are into that. For many years, it was the only way in and out of the town. The temperate rain forest is interesting (very different from the tropical variety), just stay out of the swamps (tiger snakes). The ferry is a nice ride, but I suggest a cabin. The chairs are not comfortable, and its like riding a seagoing bus. I can be a rough overnight ride. And don't drink the Bundaberg, although I understand they made significant changes 20 years ago. Launceston I liked, some good museums. I wanted to stay a bit, but that darn "pleasant places" rule kept coming up. Never made it to Hobart.

 

[Aspychata]

Have a great trip. If you get a chance, click some pics for us armchair travelers.

 

[Outdated]

I like to rent a condo with a furnished kitchen when we vacation so I can cook for us and not depend on restaurants for every meal. Plus, it gives me freedom to explore the local cuisine by buying local ingredients. But then, I like to cook which many people don't like to do.

That's definitely a consideration, but as I'm by myself I think I'll just treat myself and eat out. It's not often I spend any money, one fortnight won't hurt the bank balance too much.

A lot of caravan parks in Australia also have small cabins to rent, they're no cheaper than a hotel but you do get more privacy and your own kitchen. They're usually a good option. There's no way I could stay in a backpackers or any sort of share accommodation, I need my own space.

And don't drink the Bundaberg,

I grew up drinking Bundaberg. Thanks for the tips about things to visit though.

 

[Shamar]

That's definitely a consideration, but as I'm by myself I think I'll just treat myself and eat out. It's not often I spend any money, one fortnight won't hurt the bank balance too much.

A lot of caravan parks in Australia also have small cabins to rent, they're no cheaper than a hotel but you do get more privacy and your own kitchen. They're usually a good option. There's no way I could stay in a backpackers or any sort of share accommodation, I need my own space.


I grew up drinking Bundaberg. Thanks for the tips about things to visit though.

Ever drink Bundaberg on a rolling and tossing ship with not enough sleep?

 

[Outdated]

Ever drink Bundaberg on a rolling and tossing ship with not enough sleep?

No, but by the time you're getting near the end of the bottle it often feels that way. Bundy and Coke is still a very popular drink here. These days I drink very little though, I don't have the same tolerance for it that I used to.