Derwent River Cottage
77 Otago Bay Road
Otago Bay
Tasmania 7017
Australia

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/21652639


Beautiful Views, Fully-Equipped Modern Accomodation

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 9
Visited: Apr-2018
Ambience & Setting: 9
Food & Beverage: NA
Service: 8
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $79 per person.
- $79 Accomodation 3D2N


Nearby Attractions: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Theatre Royal, Museum Of Old And New Art (MONA), Maritime Museum Of Tasmania, Salamanca Place, Salamanca Arts Centre, Bonorong Wildlife Park, Cascade Brewery, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington, Wrest Point Casino, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo Conservation Park / Taranna Wildlife Park, Cadbury's Chocolate Factory, Shot Tower, Lark Distillery, Derwent River, Tasman Bridge, Tasmanian Cricket Museum, Battery Point, Tasmanian Museum And Art Gallery, Hobart Convict Penitentiary, Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum


Accomodation Facilities & Amenities Provided: Free Wi-Fi, Air-Conditioning / Heater, Indoor Fireplace, Toiletries, Laundry Area With Washer & Dryer, Fully-Equipped Kitchen & Pantry, Patio, Balcony, Smart Television With Netflix & Streaming, Crib, Garden, Driveway Parking



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Introduction
Located about 25 minutes drive away from the Hobart International Airport in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, the Derwent River Cottage is a fully-equipped, modern, and comfortable accomodation beside the scenic Derwent River in Otago Bay. The 2-story building comfortably houses up to 6 people, and offers fantastic views of Otago Bay, the Derwent River, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington, and the city of Hobart.


Ambience
Ambience at Derwent River Cottage benefits from its setting within a quiet neighbourhood, teeming with native flora, fauna, and marine life. With direct access to the shoreline and proximity to the city and its attractions, such as the Museum Of Old And New Art (MONA), the place is well suited as a base for exploration, or just simply relaxing indoors. The front patio or balcony is also perfect for relaxing outdoors. Absolutely loved it here.


Room
Rooms at Derwent River Cottage are clean, brightly lit, and comfortable. Each features a large and cozy soft bed, with ample wardrobe space; in fact, the master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe. The 2 bathrooms are clean and spacious, and equipped with toiletries and modern amenities such as a towel heater. There are sufficient power outlets around for charging devices, but best of all is the stable and fast wifi / internet connectivity provided.


Food
Food at Derwent River Cottage is non-existent, as it's not a hotel. However, a fully-equipped kitchen with a well stocked pantry is available, allowing guests to prepare their own meals easily. We cooked several dinners and breakfasts here, and the range of seasonings and cooking equipment available is sufficient. Oddly, there is no barbecue grill provided. Big supermarkets are just a short drive away, so it's easy to stock up. I also loved the premium espresso machine on premises.


Service
Service at Derwent River Cottage is completely self-service, though the owners, Lynne & Stephen, are easily contactable. Household devices are generally easy to use, and come with simple instructions. I like that both a washer and dryer are provided in the laundry area, and that the fireplace can be utilised. I did feel the garden could use a little more landscaping treatment though.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at Derwent River Cottage are fantastic to occupy you indoors. Loved the option of Netflix on the television, which can also stream internet videos. The wifi allows multiple devices to be connected, and provides a stable bandwidth. However, outdoor activities are nearly non-existent, beyond just watching the view and walking around the small garden. Overall, I greatly enjoyed my stay here, and I would recommend this place.


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The Beachfront White House
58 Spitfarm Road
Opossum Bay
Tasmania 7023
Australia

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/14970589


Beautiful, Spacious, Relaxing Place

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Visited: Apr-2018
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: NA
Service: 6
Value for Money: 5
Spent about SGD $142 per person.
- $142 Accomodation 3D2N


Nearby Attractions: Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Theatre Royal, Museum Of Old And New Art (MONA), Maritime Museum Of Tasmania, Salamanca Place, Salamanca Arts Centre, Bonorong Wildlife Park, Cascade Brewery, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington, Wrest Point Casino, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo Conservation Park / Taranna Wildlife Park, Cadbury's Chocolate Factory, Shot Tower, Lark Distillery, Derwent River, Tasman Bridge, Tasmanian Cricket Museum, Battery Point, Tasmanian Museum And Art Gallery, Hobart Convict Penitentiary, Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum


Accomodation Facilities & Amenities Provided: Air-Conditioning / Heater, Indoor Fireplace, Toiletries, Laundry Area With Washer (No Dryer), Fully-Equipped Kitchen & Pantry, Barbecue Grill, Reading Corner, Beach Essentials & Kayaks, Garage



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Introduction
Located about 40 minutes drive away from the Hobart International Airport in Hobart, The Beachfront White House is aptly named. It's right in front of a private beach in Opossum Bay, and this spacious, fully-furnished and fully-equipped accomodation houses up to 7 people. While the views are great, the highlight here is the beach equipment provided, including 2 kayaks.


Ambience
Ambience at The Beachfront White House is classic beachfront living. The large sun deck offers a good view of the bay, which is particularly beautiful during sunrise or sunset. The spacious living room with its large screen television is so comfortable and inviting, a nice place to gather and play games with family or friends. The only drawback; it's easy to track sand into the ground floor of the house, and it's difficult to clean it away, as there is no drainage outside the toilet, plus, the floor is partially carpeted.


Room
Rooms at The Beachfront White House are comfortable and warm. Each bed is large, with medium soft mattresses, and equipped with bed warmers. All linens and towels are provided by a vendor, and basic toiletries supplied. The lounge on the ground floor also has its own television, while the main living room has a small reading corner.


Food
Food at The Beachfront White House is non-existent, as it's not a hotel. However, a fully-equipped kitchen with an average stocked pantry is available, allowing guests to prepare their own meals, though some additional pantry items and seasonings may need to be purchased. They have an outdoor electric barbecue grill, which is easy to operate, allowing us to barbecue on the sun deck and watch the sunset. You'll have to drive to the city for the main supermarkets though.


Service
Service at The Beachfront White House is completely self-service, though the owner, Matt, is easily contactable. Household devices are generally easy to use, and come with simple instructions. Not everything was working well though, we experienced some problems with the washer and stove ventilator, and the lack of a dryer means we had to dry our clothing outdoors, where it was exposed to the elements and the salty sea breeze.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at The Beachfront White House are geared towards enjoying the beach at your doorstop. Besides beach chairs and the kayaks, there are also picnic mats and life jackets provided. However, I wasn't too happy with the complete lack of wifi and internet connectivity, and the relative lack of indoor entertainment. Also, be advised there are 4 staircases on the property (going from the lowest to the highest floor), so the elderly or mobility-challenged people need to be careful. It's also difficult if you're visiting with a lot of luggage / large suitcases. Overall, my stay here was average, and it doesn't make me want to return.


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Hobart Shops

Some examples of the shops in Hobart, whether along the streets or within the shopping malls.

Silver Hill Fisch

Some notable ones include:
ATM2Go, a business that supplies mobile automated teller machines throughout Australia, to support dispensation of cash at events
Coburg & Co, a food truck that hand makes its offerings using sustainable Tasmania ingredients
Ginger Brown Cafe, a popular and well-regarded modern cafe in South Hobart
Grizzly Hatters, a Tasmania retailer of handmade, high quality headwear
MyState Limited, a bank and financial group headquartered in Hobart, with branches throughout Australia
Salamanca Fresh, a locally owned and operated supermarket known for its fresh local produce
The Lost Sock Laundrette, a self-service modern laundrette with comfortable surroundings and reliable laundry equipment
Xotic Costumes, a popular costume rental store that offers a wide range of costumes, clothing, accessories, masks, and wigs, for themed events







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Easter 2018

Good Friday 2018

Top 5 Bicheno Attractions

All photos in this post were not shot by me, and are credited to their respective sources.


City: Bicheno
State: Tasmania
Country: Australia

A former coal mining town, the fishing town of Bicheno in recent years has become known in Tasmania and Australia as a tourist destination, thanks to its natural beauty and unique geological sights. It also acts as a base to explore the nearby Freycinet National Park, which is home to several popular attractions.

Here are the Top 5 Tourist Attractions to visit in Bicheno, all of which hold important cultural or historical significance. All these are permanent locations which can be visited and viewed at any time throughout the year.


1. The Blowhole

Source Credits

The Blowhole (Purchased Stock Image)

A rare geological feature in the town of Bicheno on the east coast of the island of Tasmania in Australia, The Blowhole sees nature at its most playful. This sea cave channels waves up to the surface, which shoots several metres up into the air in a large water spout. Marked by a natural diamond shaped boulder / rock nearby, this unique sight draws many visitors, and is the most popular attraction here.



2. Bay Of Fires

Source Credits

Bay Of Fires (Purchased Stock Image)

Stretching over 50 kilometres from the edge of Bicheno to Eddystone Point, the Bay Of Fires is a string of superb beaches with powder white sand, crystal-clear turquoise seas, and the iconic orange lichen covered granite boulders and rocks, which gives the place its name. This popular conservation area in Tasmania is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Australia, and is great for swimming, snorkelling, surfing, camping, walking, or relaxing.



3. Penguin Tour

Source Credits

Penguin Tour (Purchased Stock Image)

The nightly Penguin Tour in Bicheno is the best way to see penguins up close and safely. The daily guided visits to a private rookery of fairy penguins on the east coast of Tasmania only takes about an hour, but is an exciting and educational Australia wildlife experience as the guides are knowledgeable and experienced. Not to be missed as the birds are so cute and cuddly.



4. Wineglass Bay

Source Credits

Wineglass Bay (Purchased Stock Image)

Located near Bicheno, Tasmania, Australia in the Freycinet National Park, the picturesque Wineglass Bay with its signature crescent of white sandy beach, clear turquoise waters, and green forested mountains, makes for a perfect aerial photograph from the Lookout Point, or from Wineglass Beach itself. Beautiful from any angle during the day, the sight evokes emotions of awe; while at night, the vast expanse of twinkling stars and shooting stars feels magical. Many agree that it's among the most incredible places to visit.



5. The Hazards

Source Credits

The Hazards (Purchased Stock Image)

Named after local whaler, Captain Richard Hazard, the mountains called The Hazards in Freycinet National Park near Bicheno, Tasmania, Australia, are reowned for their unique geological composition. The granite rocks here are covered in orthoclase, a pink feldspar, which gives the mountain range a vibrant pink hue. Views are best during either sunrise or sunset, when the 4 mountains glow the most brilliantly and brightly, and can be seen from either Coles Bay, Hazards Beach, or Muirs Beach. The walking and hiking trails up the 4 mountains (Mayson, Amos, Dove, and Parsons) vary in difficulty, but offer a view of the pristine and serene landscape below.





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SunSurfnSand
2 Gordon Heights
Bicheno
Tasmania 7215
Australia

https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/15918770


Huge, Family-Friendly, Modern Accommodation

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Visited: Mar-2018
Ambience & Setting: 9
Food & Beverage: NA
Service: 7
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $118 per person.
- $118 Accomodation 3D2N


Nearby Attractions: Bicheno Aquarium, The Blowhole, Redbill Beach, Waubs Beach, Bay Of Fires, Whalers Hill Lookout, Penguin Tour, Diamond Island, Wineglass Bay, Natureworld, The Hazards, Freycinet National Park, Governor Island Marine Reserve, Douglas-Apsley National Park, Bicheno Motorcycle Museum


Accomodation Facilities & Amenities Provided: Air-Conditioning / Heater, Toiletries, Laundry Area With Washer (No Dryer), Fully-Equipped Kitchen & Pantry, Barbecue Grill, Arcade Console System, Reading Corner, Crib, Toy Corner, Movie DVDs, Garage



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Introduction
Located about 2 hours drive away from both the Launceston Regional Airport in Launceston and the Hobart International Airport in Hobart, the SunSurfnSand is a spacious modern accomodation in Bicheno, in the east of Tasmania, Australia. The fully equipped place is family-friendly, and sleeps up to 7 people, but the highlight is the ample amenities available, and the beautiful views from the balcony.


Ambience
Ambience at SunSurfnSand is cozy and comfortable, well suited for relaxing. Despite its urban location, the quiet surroundings have ample natural greenery, plus, there's also wildlife like wallabies and rabbits around Bicheno. I fell in love with this 2-storey house because it's just so comfortable and relaxing here.


Room
Rooms at SunSurfnSand at clean, bright, and spacious. The bedrooms have large wardrobes, and the master bedroom even has a walk-in wardrobe. Beds are large and comfortable, we slept so soundly here. There are 2 large living rooms with large-screen televisions, while the 3 toilets / bathrooms are clean and well-stocked with toiletries.


Food
Food at SunSurfnSand is non-existent, as it's not a hotel. However, a fully-equipped kitchen with a well stocked pantry is available, allowing guests to prepare their own meals easily. We cooked all our dinners here, and I find the wide range of seasonings and basic ingredients available to be very useful. They have an outdoor electric barbecue grill, which is easy to operate, allowing us to barbecue on the balcony and watch the sunset. Plus, there is a big supermarket just a short 5 minutes drive away.


Service
Service at SunSurfnSand is completely self-service, though the assigned property manager is easily contactable. Household devices are generally easy to use, and come with simple instructions. As the place is managed by a real estate corporation (LJ Hooker), the interaction feels more impersonal than other accomodations, but is actually more efficient when tasks / requests need to be fulfilled.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at SunSurfnSand are the best I've had in an accomodation. Multiple family-friendly options for leisure are provided, from movie DVDs, to board games and toys, to a full arcade console system that is loaded with classic arcade games. The laundry area has a washer and detergent, and while there is no dryer, the in-house heaters can be repurposed for drying clothes. The only drawback; the lack of wifi or any sort of internet connection on the premises. Overall, I greatly enjoyed my stay here, and I would recommend this place.


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