• Explore the gardens, pick fresh herbs, fruit and vegies.
• Get to know the Township (info. available) More than 30 colonial buildings and historic sites are within a 500 metre radius.
• Jackson's Emporium is next door.
• Have a massage (or foot massage) at home in your cottage.
• Visit Glen Clyde House.
• Watch platypus in the river or go fishing.
• Walk to the historic hotel and home again.
• The hill behind is a steep climb of about 100 metres with a most rewarding view (camera a must).
• Excellent photo opportunities throughout the town, and very special light particularly in the evening, enrich the experience here.

• 10 minutes - Hamilton Plains Road, see historic dry stone fences, fabulous views
  (2 km towards Hobart, turn right).
• 15 minutes - Lake Meadowbank - platypuses, water birds, trout fishing - go early or late when it is still (which is often) for magical water reflections, sometimes mists and far-away sounds.
  (8 km towards Ouse, turn left towards Ellendale).
• 30 minutes radius - Bothwell, New Norfolk, Plenty, Bushy Park, Pontville, Ellendale, Mt Field National Park.
• 60 minute radius - central Hobart, Kempton, Oatlands, Styx Valley [with the world's tallest known hardwood tree/eucalypt/flowering plant (euc. regnans over 90 metres), the world's tallest Christmas tree and the 'Chapel Tree'].
• 90 minute radius- most of southern Tasmania Lake St Clair National Park, Hobart Airport, Richmond, Ross, The Great Lake, Mt. Wellington summit and Huonville.

Why stop at Hamilton?

The drive in to Hobart down the valley of the river Derwent is one of THE most picturesque drives home - worth doing several times to see its changes. It is a good road with little traffic. All along there is fertile farmland, historic buildings, mountain and river views, and places to stop by the river or for photos.

It is a dead waste to pass through this area quickly and/or in the dark - but this is what happens for so many who drive from the west coast straight through to Hobart.

Travelling West to Hamilton from Hobart:

Take the A1 to Granton, then the Lyell Highway, A10, through New Norfolk and continue west.

Following the Derwent river the road sweeps through quite picturesque fertile farmland with heritage buildings and views of mountains and forests. Sometimes the mountains have snow caps.

The river is often mirror calm and is a bird sanctuary with black swans, little ducks and native hens about and numerous scenic stopping places.

Travelling East from Queenstown:

The A10 winds through steep wet mountain country, wild national park and state forest, across rushing rivers and around highland lakes, past some of the world's finest wild trout fishing and bushwalking for the most experienced, a plethora of hydro electric power generation infra structure, and abundant native wildlife. (Drive slowly after dark!)

There are a number of short walks and scenic points worth a stop. In particular the road to the Iron Blow for its views, the short walk to Nelson Falls and the roadside stop at the Collingwood River - a black and white issue.

We recommend taking a little time to see some of this region before descending to the calm and fertile Derwent valley farmlands and settlements.

Those thinking of incorporating a stay in an early colonial heritage listed sandstone cottage whilst visiting Tasmania/ into an itinerary find Hamilton a top opportunity.

Most find the road from Strahan through Queenstown to Hamilton over the mountains a slow and tiring drive. So taking breaks along the way is a good idea, and the clean mountain air is worth a try.

It is fine to arrive into Hamilton late if you have booked ahead. Excellent food (our menu) is available here from Jackson's Emporium until at least 8.00pm in winter and 9.00 in summer (later by phone).

Pushing on to Hobart is a bad idea.

Whilst the road from Hamilton to Hobart is quite good, way the best part of the drive goes unappreciated with the extra hour in the car too much for many.

Arriving into Hobart late, over tired and missing heaps, is a wasteful pity and not good fun. For a start you miss the opportunity to stay at McCauley's.

Hamilton is the centre of a whole district which is packed with interest. {There is much much more to all of Tassie than the well advertised 'icons'... to experience it you have to slow down...}

Many people have written that they will come back and stay longer - we suggest: learn from this and stay longer the first time.

There is quite a lot to see and do within a short drive of Hamilton.

A day trip to places south (Lake Pedder, Mt Field National Park /Russell Falls, world's tallest eucalypt, Salmon Ponds, Bushy Park) makes a lot of sense and another one or two to the north through historic and well preserved Bothwell (with the oldest golf course in the southern hemisphere), to The Great Lake and Waddamana historic power station, or historic Oatlands and the midlands work well. It is worth noting too, that most of central and southern Tasmania is within 90 minutes of Hamilton by car (see the best way to holiday in Tassie and what to see and do around here

It makes a lot of sense to stay a few days in Hamilton rather than in Hobart.

There is no matching McCauley's in Hobart, the city is great to visit - so go in for the day - as often as you like. Cadbury's Chocolate factory at Claremont is about 50 minutes drive, central Hobart about 60 and Hobart Airport 75

Handy Hints

Those with non Telstra mobile phones travelling off Highway A1 - Hobart to Burnie might consider buying a Telstra pay as you go SIM card for the trip .... $25 up front will give you a new number and mucho extra service coverage.

Hire cars are usually not insured on dirt roads, those wanting to visit edgy places should check car hire conditions or bring their own vehicle.

You can find more Tasmanian accommodation at Accommodation on Stayz ~ Roamfree.com ~ and travel advice at Trip Advisor.