Packing for Tasmania? Trust me, you want to make sure you’re prepared! The weather changes dramatically, beanie and gloves one day and shorts and t-shirt the other.
Packing Guide for Tasmania
We have put together a packing guide for your trip to Tasmania. For detailed information, our preferred brands as well as some amazing pictures, keep reading!
- Waterproof & Windproof Jacket
- Vest
- Hiking Boots & Socks
- Backpack
- Mosquito Repellent
- Car Hire
- Hat
- Beanie & Gloves
- Sunscreen
- Walking Clothes
- Water Bottle
For our standard carry on check list, click here.
Detailed information & packing guide & our preferred brands for your trip to Tasmania
Waterproof and Windproof Jacket: If there is one thing you pack, make sure it is a waterproof and windproof jacket. This is an absolute must for your trip to Tasmania, no matter the season. We travelled at the end of November into December and used our jackets on multiple occasions.
I have a Helly Hanson waterproof and windproof jacket which is super lightweight and rolls down to nothing.
Jenna has a Kathmandu waterproof and windproof jacket which has an optional zip in vest for those super cold days and nights.
She also has a waterproof lightweight jacket as well which works well for days that aren’t as windy or chilly.
Jenna (because she has a shopping addiction) has a Lulu Lemon running vest which is a great light weight vest to keep your chest covered up on those mild days.
We both also have North Face vests and these are fantastic. They really keep the wind off your chest and keep you warm without overheating you when the sun comes out!
It is important to make sure you get a waterproof AND windproof jacket.
Appropriate Hiking Boots: If you’re planning on doing some hiking while you’re in Tasmania, then be sure to wear appropriate footwear. A lot of the paths are rocky and uneven so ensuring you have the correct footwear and socks are imperative.
I have Salomon Evasion Gore-Tex Waterproof hiking boots. These are great because they a) super comfy, and b) actually blend into most outfits, and you don’t compromise on quality either.
Jenna has Teva hiking boots purchased from North Face. These are waterproof, leather boots and worked really well for her.
Our socks are Merino Wool Kathmandu socks, perfect for hiking. Merino wool is breathable and they also don’t smell which means you can wear them a couple of times on your trip without needing to wash them.
Mosquito repellant: An interesting packing item, I know. But, you will thank me for it! When you’re in Freycinet National Park in particular, you will notice the mozzies and will be wishing you had packed some.
Backpack: If you’re planning on hiking, you will need a good backpack. You might need to carry layers on you as well as plenty of water to keep hydrated. For this trip, we used Jenna’s as it is a good size for day hiking and has plenty of handy compartments for bits and pieces.
Jenna’s backpack is Lowe Alpine and has a built in rain cover for those unexpected rainy days. It has a water bottle pocket plus a few extra external pockets which come in super handy.
Car Hire: I’m not sure if you can pack this.. or if it is a reminder to book your car hire, but Tassie is a massive place and the best way to get around is with a hire car. Click here for information on hiring a car in Tasmania.
Then, of course, comes some other bits and pieces which you should pack for your trip to Tassie:
- Hat
- Beanie & Gloves
- Sunscreen
- Walking Clothes
- Water Bottle
If there is one thing I noticed from being in Tasmania, is that the weather is so unpredictable. One day we’re hot and getting sunburnt and the next we’re wearing our jackets, inner vest lining and a beanie and gloves! You need to be prepared for 4 seasons in one day, that’s for sure.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
For more Tasmania posts, check out the below posts and keep an eye on our Tasmania page for future posts!
- Wineglass Bay Lookout
- Hotel Review: Freycinet Lodge
- Friendly Beaches
- Cape Tourville Lookout and Lighthouse
- Honeymoon Bay
- Sleepy Bay & Little Gravelly Beach
- Renting a car in Tasmania
- Scenic Flight over Freycinet National Park
“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.” – Wendell Berry
Looking for the perfect view over Wineglass Bay and the rest of Freycinet National Park?
You simply cannot beat a scenic flight with Freycinet Air, the view was spectacular even on an overcast day!
We checked into the Freycinet Lodge where we spent two nights and were speaking with the reception team (who might I add were great!) about the area and what they would recommend we see to ensure we get the most out of our time in Freycinet. This is where we simply couldn’t resist booking in the scenic flight, for one, Pascal, the pilot actually has a second job working at the hotel bar so we wandered down, had a chat and booked it in for first thing the next morning.
The weather throughout our stay at Freycinet National Park was fairly, no, extremely cloudy and overcast, but regardless the views from the scenic flight was amazing.
How to get to the Freycinet scenic flight
Located just a 20-minute drive from Freycinet Lodge, it is quick and easy to get to. There is plenty of onsite parking which is convenient.
Choosing your Freycinet scenic flight
There are several scenic flights to choose from and we were lucky enough to be able to pick any of them as we had enough time. However, I would suggest pre-booking your preferred flight, especially in the high season.
We chose the Freycinet Scenic Flight which is a 45-minute flight for $175 per person. Click here for the other flight options.
The aircraft
After a short walk, we arrived at our aircraft. I must admit, it was the smallest plane we’ve ever been on! With a maximum of 4 passengers including the pilot, it was small!
The Freycinet Scenic Flight
After the plane had warmed up and all of the necessary safety checks were complete, it was time to take off. The runway is a fairly narrow dirt runway surrounded by bushland – it is quite exciting! Before we knew it, we were up and away.
Pascal was extremely knowledgable and provided us with all of the history and information about the mountains, bays and beaches.
On this flight, you will fly over Friendly Beaches and towards the Freycinet Peninsula. The colour of the water is so beautiful and soon enough you will see the Hazards and Wineglass Bay, which let’s be honest is probably the main reason for wanting to take a scenic flight!
The good thing about the flight is that you do a complete circuit of Wineglass Bay so you have plenty of time to take in the beauty.
After Wineglass Bay and the Hazards, you will fly around Schouten Island which has the historic whaling station. The western side of the coastline is filled with beautiful beaches, only accessible by boat or by long hikes (several days!!).
Check out this highlights video.
Here are a series of photos we took while on the scenic flight.
It is then time to head back to the Friendly Beaches Airstrip but not without another glimpse of Wineglass Bay.
As we were coming in for the landing, we were amazed by the lagoon filled with black swans and their babies.
You can see here the dirt runway in which we had to land!
The day was not complete without a photo with the plane and with our pilot, Pascal!
For more on Freycinet National Park, check out our other posts which you might find useful.
- Wineglass Bay Lookout
- Hotel Review: Freycinet Lodge
- Friendly Beaches
- Cape Tourville Lookout and Lighthouse
- Honeymoon Bay
- Sleepy Bay & Little Gravelly Beach
- Renting a car in Tasmania
- The ultimate packing list for Tasmania
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.” – Anna Quindlen
The Accor Live Limitless (“ALL”) loyalty program guide (previously Le Club Accor Hotels).
The Accor Group has 39 brands, from luxury to economy, you’ll find the properties spread across 110 countries with more than 4,900 properties. The reason we love the Accor Live Limitless program is because the Accor brand is consistent. It doesn’t matter whether you book a hotel in London, Budapest, Morocco or Australia, you’ll find the brand true to its name.
We are platinum Accor Live Limitless members and absolutely love feeling welcomed to the properties. The typical stay will include complimentary room upgrades, welcome drinks, handwritten notes from the property manager and the occasional bottle of wine and/or treats in your room. The benefits are not because we are travel influencers, sure we receive some perks here and there, but we are a relatively normal family with regular jobs and use money and annual leave to travel and explore the world. The benefits I mentioned above, and will expand on below, are purely related to being a loyal Accor Live Limitless member.
The Accor Group is constantly expanding, acquiring more brands, however at the time of updating the post, the Accor Group includes the following hotel brands:
We typically stay at either the Sofitel or MGallery when they are available in our destination, however we have frequently stayed at a number of the other brands and each of them were true to their brand.
Guide Contents
The Accor Live Limitless guide will cover:
- Status levels
- Status levels expiry
- Earning Rewards and Status points
- Reward points expiry
- Redeeming Reward points
- Accor Plus – free night and discounts at Accor Hotels in Asia Pacific
Accor Live Limitless – Status levels
Other than the Classic (on joining the program) there are three elite levels:
- Silver: 10 nights or 2,000 status points
- Gold: 30 nights or 7,000 status points
- Platinum: 60 nights or 14,000 status points
It is important to note that status points are different to reward points! The Status points earned during the period determines the status level (Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum) whereas the Reward points are used to redeem credit on future stays or transfer to partner programs.
Status levels are required to be earned each period, i.e. the Accor Live Limitless program does not offer lifetime status levels.
To see the Accor Live Limitless Status level benefits – click here.
Le Club Accor Hotels – Status levels expiry
Pictures sometimes say it better than words, so here we go, courtesy of Accor Hotels
Le Club Accor Hotels – earning Reward and Status points
This is where it get’s a bit tricky!
Le Club Accor Hotels has different earn rates depending on both the property Brand as well as your own Status level. The Accor Group is a French multinational hotel group, which means the earn rate is based on the amount you spend, based on the Euro currency. Therefore, to earn 14,000 status credits it would equate to €5,600 which could be a variable amount of your local currency depending on the year of your spend.
Points will be earned on the accommodation, incidentals as well as any meetings at an Accor properties.
The table below shows the varying levels of earn (both Reward points as well as Status points) based on the Status level and property Brand. This is accurate as of December 2019 so click here to see the current earn rates. The page includes a helpful online calculator which you can use as well!
Le Club Accor Hotels – Reward points expiry
The Reward points expiry appears to be 12 months from your last stay.
This should not be a challenge, you only need to complete one night for an eligible stay and given you are currently reading the guide, I suspect you are either planning a trip or a frequent traveler yourself.
Accor Live Limitless – redeeming Reward points
You’ve earned some Reward points and not sure what next? Luckily this is much simpler than the earning points scale above. Quite simply, you either:
- Redeem 2,000 points for €40 (Euro) Accor credit; or
- Transfer Le Club points to an Accor partner (airlines, rental cars, and partner hotels)
The Accor Partners are a great option if you’re looking to accumulate your airline points, you can either select when to convert the points, or have these automatically convert to your preferred partner. The benefit (if you do like the idea of converting to a partner) is that if you automatically convert, you won’t have a minimum threshold. Any number of Accor points you accrue after you opt in will be transferred on a regular basis to your preferred partner.
Now, you might be wondering what is better value, well, it depends! Determining a value for all the partners would simply be too complicated to work out! Each of the partners would have their own inherent value attached to their loyalty program. But what I can help you with, is that the general rule is that 4,000 Le Club Accor Hotels converts to 2,000 airline points, with a few exceptions (including Qantas) where 2,000 Le Club Accor Hotels points equal 2,000 Qantas points.
Accor Plus – free night and discounts!
If you enjoy staying at Accor properties, you’re almost certain to love Accor Plus!
The program is paid for, however, you do receive a Stay Plus benefit (complimentary night) in a participating Asia Pacific property and plenty of discounts. We have been members for a few years now and at the time of writing, do not see me cancelling our membership. Click here to be taken to their website.
“It is not down in any map; true places never are.” – Herman Melville
So you’ve planned a trip to Tasmania and you’re wanting to see as much as you can possibly fit in. The only way to see Tasmania properly is by hiring a car and doing it yourself.
Which car hire company do you choose?
We booked our car through Hertz. The booking process is simple and hassle free and their prices are competitive. We are also Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members, so booking through Hertz is a no brainer for us! Keep reading for information on the Gold Plus Rewards.
What is the best car to hire in Tasmania?
When you’re looking online at your rental options, you probably start looking at the cheapest option. That can often be fine, but you need to remember you will be driving around Tassie, you will have luggage (and probably more than one small bag) and you will no doubt be leaving luggage in the car from time to time while you’re in between your accommodation and out exploring some of the magical beaches or walks.
So, with this in mind, it is important to take note of how many suitcases can fit into your car and how many of you will be travelling. Even though there were only two of us, we each had a large bag plus a carry on bag each (remember, hiking boots and clothing for all types of weather conditions take up space, as well as your camera gear).
We hired a larger 4WD vehicle and when we arrived, received the keys to a brand new Holden Trailblazer! The boot was large enough to fit our two large suitcases and two small suitcases so no one could see these when we parked the car out in public. The car was also a diesel which is simply a must when travelling long distances. We only had to fill up 3 times (and the last time, the car wasn’t even empty!). A diesel car goes much further on a tank than a petrol car – so another thing to consider.
Is it worth taking the full insurance?
When you get the price for full insurance, you are probably frustrated that it is just about the same price as the car hire itself… BUT we always take out full insurance (particularly in Europe – read more here) and the last thing you want on a trip is an excess when something goes wrong. Remember, it’s called an accident for a reason!
The piece of mind is absolutely worth it – we absolutely loved the amount of wildlife along the roads, we had kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and more. These guys generally sit along the side of the road but on more than one occasion did we have to slow down and be a bit more careful when driving (especially at dusk and dawn). The last thing you would want is a) to injure an animal, and b) pay for the excess to a vehicle you’ve driven for a week or two.
It is worth mentioning is that no car hire company (that we could find) will insure you on an unsealed road in Tasmania, so keep this in mind (there are a lot of unsealed roads in Tassie) so regardless of your full insurance, you want to be careful on those roads.
What to see in Tasmania
When it comes to planning your itinerary, keep an eye on our Tasmania page as we are constantly adding new posts! Here are a few of our posts to get you started.
Wineglass Bay Lookout, Freycinet National Park
Friendly Beaches, Freycinet National Park
Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Lookout, Freycinet National Park
Honeymoon Bay, Freycinet National Park
Sleepy Bay & Little Gravelly Beach, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
The ultimate packing guide for Tasmania, Australia
Scenic Flight with Freycinet Air, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program
Hertz has this wonderful program called the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. It isn’t like most gold status rewards programs in the sense that this one is free to join.
The benefits include:
- Choose a car you like better on the spot
- Receive vehicle updates or select an upgrade right on your phone
- Pay no additional driver fees
- Redeem your points on hertz.com.au anytime
Plus plenty more. To join this great program, click here.
Here are a few snaps of our beasty car in Tassie!
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous
Just past the wonderful Freycinet Lodge, you will see a sign to the left for Sleepy Bay and Cape Tourville – Lighthouse.
Once you have parked in the carpark, it is a quick and easy 10-minute walk down to the lookout of Sleepy Bay, which has been known for its rough seas!
Once you’ve relaxed and enjoyed the views of Sleepy Bay, you can take a 30-minute return walk down to Little Gravelly Beach.
We spent probably about an hour down on the beach, enjoying the rocky landscape and exploring every part of the beach.
The walk down to the beach has a few steep sections but is still a fairly easy walk and most definitely worth it.
We were virtually the only people down on the beach and it was so peaceful.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
Here are some of our pictures from Little Gravelly Beach.
For more Tasmania posts, check out the below posts and keep an eye on our Tasmania page for future posts!
- Wineglass Bay Lookout
- Hotel Review: Freycinet Lodge
- Friendly Beaches
- Cape Tourville Lookout and Lighthouse
- Honeymoon Bay
- Sleepy Bay & Little Gravelly Beach
- Renting a car in Tasmania
- Scenic Flight over Freycinet National Park
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
Hotel: Holiday Inn Old Sydney
Location: The Rocks, Sydney, Australia
Room: King Superior Room
Perfect for: Couples, Families.. anyone wanting to explore Sydney!
Category: 4 Star
If you’re planning a trip to Sydney and want to stay in the heart of the city, the Holiday Inn Old Sydney fits that bill. Located in Sydney’s historic precinct, The Rocks, the Holiday Inn is close to Sydney city’s main attractions and with the Holiday Inn you can Explore the Rocks and get a feel of the beauty that is Sydney. It is also a heritage listed site.
How to get to Holiday Inn Old Sydney
Getting to and from the hotel from the airport is simple. Simply jump on a train to Circular Quay which takes only around 15 minutes and from there the hotel is only a 5-minute walk. That is certainly the quickest way to get there and the only way I would recommend in peak hour traffic, but then again, renting a car can be a great idea depending on what you may have planned and the hotel has on-site parking which is always a bonus.
Our welcome experience…
We arrived at the hotel early, as we were participating in the Rocks Walking Tour. We were greeted by Stephanie and Jun and they were extremely welcoming and accommodating. The hotel kindly stored our luggage and let us park our car in the car park until it was time to check in.
Explore the Rocks Package
We experienced the Explore the Rocks Package. It is the best package to choose if you’re wanting to discover the history behind The Rocks. The package includes:
- one night accommodation for two
- two adult passes to The Rocks Walking Tour
Continue reading for detailed information on the hotel and the walking tour.
The Room…
The King Superior Room was spacious and comfortable for the two of us.
What is probably the best part of the room is, of course, the view. We were in room 601 and you can see the harbour from your bed and if you look directly out, you can see the Opera House and Circular Quay, or a cruise ship, or both like we got to see!
The room has everything you need and expect in a hotel room, plus a bit more a bit of luxury with robes, slippers and toiletries in the bathroom if required.
Meals…
Breakfast is served in the Playfair Terrace Restaurant which overlooks the lobby. The variety of the buffet was great and I was happy to see that the chef cooks eggs to order, which for me is an absolute must for a hotel breakfast! After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
Lunch and dinner are also served at the restaurant and the menu includes a variety of seasonal menu items.
We decided to choose the Australian Dinner Special. You’re probably wondering what is an Aussie dinner special? Well, the meal consists of Kangaroo fillet, kumara mash, broccolini and a glass of Australian Wine. I have had Kangaroo before, but Jenna hadn’t so it was her first time trying it (and for those who know Jenna, know she is pretty fussy…). The kangaroo was lovely, even Jenna enjoyed it! It goes nicely with the glass of Australian red.
Tip: Kangaroo is best-ordered medium-rare to rare as it is quite a lean meat which means if overcooked can become tough to eat.
There is also a bar area in the foyer which serves drinks and snacks. It’s a perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring the area. There is also games there for the kids.. or the big kids if you’re like us!
Health and Fitness…
The hotel has a lovely heated outdoor pool, so if you fancy a few laps with the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge or Opera House as your backdrop, then this is the place to do it!
Hotel Grounds
There is only one word to use to describe the views from the rooftop pool and spa area… and that is AMAZING!
When we first arrived, there was a large cruise liner docked in Circular Quay, which is still lovely to see but it did block the Opera House… Luckily enough, the cruise ships are generally docked for around 12 hours. This time she sailed into the sunset around 6 pm and then our view became even more spectacular!
The pool area was busy during the day and the evening. It is a lovely place to unwind and relax. Pool towels are available from the pool area, along with a vending machine and separate bathroom. The great part is there is a pool menu so you can pick up the phone supplied and put an order in for some lunch or dinner and some cold beverages without having to leave the rooftop!
Good to know…
There is an on-site guest self-laundry which is fantastic if you’re travelling and haven’t been able to do your washing. Not a lot of hotels have this option so it is worth mentioning as I know most people after travelling for a while like to make use of this facility. It is much more convenient than finding a laundromat elsewhere and also much cheaper as well!
The hotel also has a car park which is fantastic for an inner city hotel. It is valet parking and costs $45 per night (as at January 2017)
Tourist attractions at The Rocks, within walking distance from the Holiday Inn Old Sydney
If you’re staying at The Holiday Inn Old Sydney, you will be able to explore the historical centre of Sydney. Within walking distance, you will be able to see:
The Rocks Walking Tour: As part of our Explore the Rocks package, we joined The Rocks Walking Tour for a historical tour of the area. Sally, our guide was extremely informative. For more details on the walking tour, read our full post here.
Here is a short video of The Rocks Historic Walking Tour and the Holiday Inn Old Sydney.
The Rocks Markets: The Rocks markets are on each week. Friday night is the food market and Saturday and Sunday between 10 am – 45m you have the famous Rocks Markets. At the top end of George Street towards the back of the markets, you will find the delicious street food. We ordered a few things, but you can’t go past the pizza! It is hand made in front of you and cooked in a wood fire oven. Authentic Italian, made by Italians – perfecto!
We did a spot of shopping while we were there! There is something for everyone at these markets.
Sydney Harbour Bridge: There are so many vantage points to get a good snap of the bridge. From the hotel, you can walk in many different directions to get all different aspects of this incredible structure. You can even climb the 200 stairs to get to the top of the pylon for incredible views of the Bridge, Opera House and city!
Sydney Opera House: The Opera House is definitely one of a kind. You can walk to the Opera House in next to no time and the walk is pretty much flat.
Westfield Tower: If you’re looking for a view over the entire city, check out our post on the Sydney Skywalk and the observation tower.
Darling Harbour: Darling Harbour always has plenty going on. You can spend ages just walking around and enjoying the scenery. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, a fantastic park for families to spend hours and of course the harbour!
Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife Centre & Madame Tussauds: While you’re in Darling Harbour, why not check out these attractions. Perfect for everyone, but particularly families – it will keep the kids entertained for hours!
Royal Botanical Gardens: The gardens are beautiful. If you have time to walk around and enjoy the gardens, you will be pleased you did. You must walk around to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for a spectacular view of the entire city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge!
Tourist attractions around Sydney, a short distance on public transport or a drive
Within a short distance by public transport or by car, you can see:
Taronga Zoo: This is probably one of the best Zoo’s we have been to. A short ferry ride from Circular Quay will take you to the gondola for the zoo. The zoo is fantastic and the views the giraffes have over the harbour bridge and opera house – superb! If you have a day free in Sydney, be sure to check it out.
Manly Beach: A 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay can bring you to Manly Beach. And the beauty of this is that you don’t need a car to see it all. When you get off the ferry, you head straight to the beach and can enjoy a nice coastal walk over to Shelly beach and have a swim and relax.
Manly Sea Life Aquarium & Shark Dive: Fancy a swim with the sharks while you’re in town? For more information on swimming with the sharks, read our post here.
Checking out…
Checking out was quick and easy. There is an express check out option if you’re looking to duck out quickly or have somewhere to be!
Above and beyond…
Stephanie at the front reception was fantastic. It is like she knew what we were going to ask before we asked it! She was super helpful and made our stay that much easier.
The not so good…
Our only criticism (and it’s a small one) is that at peak times (such as Sunday morning), there should be two egg chefs! I told you – only minor but the chef making the eggs was pretty busy which meant for a small wait. The wait was worth it though!
The verdict…
If you’re visiting Sydney and want to be central to everything that’s going on… then this hotel is perfect. It is a family friendly hotel and in a super convenient spot that you can walk just about everywhere.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Here are a few more snaps of the hotel and grounds.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
Have you ever wondered what The Rocks and Circular Quay looked like 150 years ago? It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? Close your eyes, take away the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay… actually, take away everything and that’s where the story begins. If you’re wanting to get to know the history behind Sydney’s The Rocks then be sure to hop on the only walking tour in The Rocks area.
As part of our Explore the Rocks package at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney, we joined a 90-minute walking tour with The Rocks Walking tour.
We’ve been to the rocks so many times, but during this walk, Sally took us down streets I had never seen before in my life. It was a real eye opener that’s for sure.. from what the harbour looked like when convicts first arrived, to what the first hospital and houses looked like.
How long is the walking tour?
This guided tour is around 90 minutes and is just the right amount of time to get a glimpse of Sydney’s incredible history.
Is The Rocks walking tour an easy walk?
The tour is at a gentle pace so there is no need to be able to walk fast. However, there are a lot of stairs at The Rocks so if you’re in a wheelchair or have children in a pram then this might not be suitable.
Where does The Rocks walking tour depart from?
Only a 5-minute walk from where we stayed at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney is the meeting place for the walking tour. Located in the Clocktower Shopping Centre (on the corner of Argyle and Harrington Streets) is The Rocks Walking Tour shop front. Here, in the air-con, is where you can buy your tickets and meet your guide.
What do you see on The Rocks Walking Tour
Without giving too much away (because you really should do this tour), you get to see so many alleyways, streets and buildings (or remains of buildings) you would often just walk past without realising the history behind it all.
Did you know that each convict had a different marking on their sandstone so their work could be told apart? or that the convicts who worked with clay bricks, marked every 100th brick with their fingers? We didn’t either but this is just one of the things we learned during our walking tour!
Here is a quick video of The Rocks Walking Tour as well as our stay at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney!
Here are a few photos from our walking tour. But for the history and stories behind the photos, be sure to jump on a tour to find out for yourself!
Our guide showed us where there was a dog paw print and a kangaroo print in the clay bricks!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller
Honeymoon Bay, can you get a nicer sounding bay than that? Located at the edge of the beautiful Freycinet Lodge, Honeymoon Bay is a gorgeous swimming spot and the water is crystal clear.
Although we had slightly overcast weather, the area was pretty. We walked from our lodge, through the hotel grounds and to the bay. We walked through a bushy walkway where we saw some local wildlife and then walked over the rocks to get a view of the whole bay.
It is worth stopping at Honeymoon Bay and parking is available which is great as you will no doubt be driving in your rental car.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
Here are some of our snaps of our visit to Honeymoon Bay.
For more Tasmania posts, check out the below posts and keep an eye on our Tasmania page for future posts!
- Wineglass Bay Lookout
- Hotel Review: Freycinet Lodge
- Friendly Beaches
- Cape Tourville Lookout and Lighthouse
- Honeymoon Bay
- Sleepy Bay & Little Gravelly Beach
- Renting a car in Tasmania
- Scenic Flight over Freycinet National Park
“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman
Did you know that Sicily is actually the largest Mediterranean Island? Nope? Well, I didn’t either until I started planning my holiday there!
A bit about Sicily
Located in the central Mediterranean Sea, Sicily’s most famous landmark is Mount Etna, which happens to be the tallest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world.
Sicily has a very typical Mediterranean climate, which means nice and hot in summer! We went in August and the weather was hot but pleasant.
How long to spend in Sicily
When planning your trip to Sicily, it is important to remember that the island isn’t small.. it is actually quite big (hence why it is the largest of the Mediterranean islands!) so you need to take this into account when planning your trip.
If you’re really wanting to make the most of your time on the island, we would suggest 5 days which is enough time to see just about all of the highlights without feeling too rushed. But, if you have longer… an extra couple of days wouldn’t go astray!
Getting to the island
The two main airports that service Sicily are Palermo and Catania. We picked up some pretty cheap flights from London to Palermo, but if you’re planning a bit of a road trip then you could pick either airport to start and end your holiday.
How to get around Sicily
The best way to get around Sicily is by rental car. We booked our car through rentalcars.com and had no problems whatsoever. I’d highly recommend reading our blog on hiring a car in Europe for some tips and tricks when choosing this option!
It is important to remember that rental car companies will charge a fee if you pick and drop your car off at different airports, so if you can start and finish at the same spot, you’ll save yourself that charge!
It is helpful to have a GPS, so either rent one from the car company or use your mobile phone for Google Maps. Just make sure you read our tips on using your mobile phone abroad so you aren’t stung with massive data fees on your next bill!!
The roads are pretty good. There are well-lit freeways and also windy mountain roads – you get it all in Sicily! There are toll roads so always be sure to keep some loose change on you (Euros) so you can pay the toll.
Our 5-day Itinerary in Sicily, in a nutshell
Day 1: Arrive at Palermo Airport, pick up a rental car and head to Cefalu. After lunch, head to Milazzo.
Day 2: The Island of Salina
Day 3: Taormina, Catania and Syracuse
Day 4: Agrigento and Realmote
Day 5: The Island of Favignana and Palermo
Here is a map of our stops so you can see how much of the island you can cover in 5 days!
Day 1: Cefalu
After picking up our hire car from Palermo Airport, we were on the road and on our way to Cefalu. It is a gorgeous little beach town and has plenty on offer. We stopped here for a walk around and some lunch.
We decided to eat here as it was perfectly located on the water and the food looked great (as you can see from our photos!).
As the sun started to go down, the old square was lit up and it was really quite pretty.
We then jumped back into the car for our first night in Milazzo.
Day 2: Salina Island
We were up early and jumped on the hydrofoil to the island of Salina which is located just north of Milazzo. For details on booking your ferry, click here. It is important to note that there are two ferry terminals on Salina. We got off on the wrong one! And although was easy enough to jump in a taxi and get to our hotel, it would be have been much more convenient and cheaper for us to get off the right stop to start with!
The two terminals are Santa Marina Salina and Rinella. Santa Marina Salina is the most popular stop with taxis, scooters and convenience stores. However, it is only convenient if you’re on that side of the island, or wanting to rent bikes or scooters.
We were so excited to get off the mainland and see what this island was all about.
We stayed at a lovely B&B with incredible views and was within walking distance to restaurants and the water (well, walking distance depends on how much you like to walk!!). The sunset views from our patio area were perfect!
This incredible windy road took us down to the water and also the restaurants. It wasn’t an easy walk (coming back up anyway..) but definitely do-able. Just make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes!
Here are some other snaps from our time on Salina.
You can see here the walkway that leads down to the beach – towards the bottom right of the photo!! Quite a walk 🙂
We enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant… It is safe to say that the locals don’t really speak a whole lot of English.. so we had to quickly learn how to read a menu.. in Italian… Once we picked that up, we were ok!
Day 3: Taormina, Catania and Syracuse
After an early start to the morning, it was off to the ferry terminal (the right one this time!!) and it was a pretty spot to watch the sunrise…
We got back to Milazzo and jumped in the car and we were off to our next stop which was Taormina, followed by Catania and Syracuse.
Taormina would have to be one of my favourite parts of the island, I could have spent a week just here relaxing and enjoying the area. We parked up on the main street and walked down the beach. This is the view you have after you’ve parked your car…
The beach was a rocky beach (as a lot of beaches are in Italy), but it means the water is perfectly clear. There were cafes on the beach, and the dramatic cliff faces that surround you were picture perfect.
We then decided to continue our drive to Catania (which is where the other major airport is located).
The beach there was sandy, and a typical beach, much like we have in Australia.
Although they all seemed to be part of a ‘resort’ style place, so you pay to enter their area which has umbrella’s, chairs etc and you can use their amenities as well. We picked up some lunch at a cafe on the beach.
After Catania, it was off to our accommodation for the evening in Syracuse.
Day 4: Agrigento and Realmonte (Scala dei Turchi)
Jenna had been looking forward to this particular day of the holiday and of course visiting The Scala dei Turchi, which translated means the Turkish Steps. On our way to Realmonte (where The Scala dei Turchi is) we stopped into this gorgeous little town called Agrigento.
We then continued on our journey to get to Realmonte and The Scala dei Turchi. The white colour is formed by marl, which is a sedimentary rock which is white. Located between two sandy beaches, the limestone rock formation is in the shape of stairs, which is how it got its name – the Turkish Steps. It is an incredibly unique beach and one that you can spend hours on.
When you’re there, you will see most people getting some of that white chalky rock and covering their body in it, so you may as well jump in and do it too, right? Apparently, it helps your skin glow.
We enjoyed a few hours at the beach, it was a really great day!
We drove to Palermo for our accommodation.
Day 5: The Island of Favignana with the famous Cala Rossa beach and Palermo
After waking up early, we wanted to catch a ferry to the island of Favignana. Little did we know, it would be home to one of the most incredible beaches we’ve seen… EVER. But, I’ll get to that shortly…
From Palermo, you can get a ferry over to the island. We bought our tickets on the morning, but in peak season it might be worth booking these in advance.
You stop in at a few other stops along the way to the island… I swear every island is amazing out here!
When you arrive on the island, you can either jump in a taxi and they can take you to the beach or you can take a local bus. They tend to take you from beach to beach. They aren’t fancy, or air conditioned.. but is a cheap alternative for getting around.
And while you’re waiting for the bus, you can enjoy views like this…
Our first stop was Cala Rossa. We had heard it was a lovely beach, but nothing prepared us for how amazing it was in person.
The colours are simply breathtaking and are as blue and green as these photos show.
To get to the beach, you have to walk down a rocky path so comfortable shoes are a must. But, trust me – it is worth the walk down! If you have rock shoes, it would be worth bringing these as well.
The rock shoes I mentioned… definitely recommended, the above photo shows you how to get in and out of the water! Yep, you have to jump into a rock pool, and then over some rocks and then into the water and I can’t say it’s much easier to get out! You have to rely on someone else to give you a hand, but everyone helps everyone so it’s ok! When you’re in the water though, it is perfect.
There was also a local walking around selling pieces of coconut – a nice snack to have on the water!
We then hopped onto the bus and went to another beach to see what it was like – it was also really lovely and worth stopping in it.
After a full day on Favignana – it was time to get back on the ferry and head back to the mainland.
Palermo in the evening is quite pretty. There is so much happening, performers on the streets and plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Day 6: Back to London
Unfortunately, it was our last morning and we left for Palermo airport to drop the rental car off and head back to London.
Where to stay
Night 1: We stayed at Locanda del Bagatto and found the rooms to be lovely. We only used it as a base to sleep as we got there late and left early the next morning.
Night 2: Salina – We stayed at Al Belvedere Salina. The hotel was lovely and the sunset views are incredible! If you don’t mind walking, it is convenient to get to the beach and ferry.
Night 3: Our accommodation in Syracuse was at the Mercure Siracusa Prometeo. It was convenient for our stay and you can’t go past an Accor hotels.
Night 4 and 5: We stayed for 2 nights at Ambasciatori Hotel, Palermo. The hotel was fairly central to everything and had a lovely rooftop dining area.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Lookout offer some beautiful views. The walk is only 20 minutes to do the whole 600m circuit, so it is worth stopping in, even if you only have a short time to visit.
Some helpful information can be found on the Tasmania Parks Website.
- From Tasman Highway (A3) take road C302. Once inside Freycinet National Park, follow the main road, then turn left onto the Cape Tourville Road. (The 7km Cape Tourville road is unsealed but is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles.) See map
- Park entry fees apply.
- Toilet, picnic and electric barbecue facilities 7.5km away at Ranger Creek and Honeymoon Bay.
- Level 1 The track is wide, with even surfaces and gently graded slopes. It may suit wheelchair users, who have someone to assist them, and walkers with strollers
- Supervise children, hazardous cliffs, stay within barriers
It is easy to get to, simply type in Cape Tourville Lighthouse into Google Maps and it will take you directly to the carpark at the base of the lighthouse. It is a lovely drive up, we were the only car heading in that direction!
For those not able to hike up to Wineglass Bay Lookout, this is a good alternative and definitely worth stopping into.
Here are a couple of pictures from our trip to the lighthouse.
For more Tasmania posts, check out the below posts and keep an eye on our Tasmania page for future posts!
- Wineglass Bay Lookout
- Hotel Review: Freycinet Lodge (coming soon)
- Friendly Beaches
- Cape Tourville Lookout and Lighthouse
- Honeymoon Bay
- Sleepy Bay & Little Gravelly Beach
- Renting a car in Tasmania
- Scenic Flight over Freycinet National Park
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” – Anais Nin
