East Coast Car Rentals Hobart #ThereStartsHere Winner
East Coast Car Rentals #ThereStartsHere photo contest is a monthly contest where our renters share their photos and stories from our 11 East Coast Car Rental locations. With the chance to win $500 CASH each and every month we eagerly await all the great snapshots and inspiring travel stories from all our participating East Coast Car Rental customers each day.
The lucky winner for our April #ThereStartsHere contest rented from our East Coast Car Rentals Hobart team this April. Pleasantly surprised by Tassie and all its wonders, Peta completed a 9 day solo lap of Tasmania, tripping up to Strahan, through the Cradle Mountain National Park, over to Launceston, and down to the Bay of Fires before making it back to Hobart all in her trusty Hobart car hire.
“My expectations were blown away when driving around Tassie, with such beautiful natural surroundings to explore. No matter which route you take, the island offers stunning scenery to explore until your heart is content. I could not help but stop during the West Coast winding roads to capture the aerial view of the curves as I drove through the area.” – Peta – Winning as seen above.
The West Coast of Tasmania as many might know is particularly remote. The twisting highways navigate through dense forests, national parks, and isolated mining towns. The adventure from Hobart to Strahan (one of Tasmania’s most remote locations) takes 4hours 22min to travel 301KM via the Lyell Highway, this depicts just how winding these roads really are! But don’t you worry there are plenty of opportunities for pit stops your Hobart car hire for a quick photo-op at Lake St Clair or Nelson Falls before stretching your legs and grabbing a bite to eat at the Risby Cove Restaurant in Strahan, as recommended by this month’s winner, Peta.
“Making time for various walks on the west side, Mount Field and Cradle Mountain were my two top places for exploring the natural beauty of Tasmanian at it’s best,” was Peta’s recommendations when exploring Tasmania for the first time.
For many people that’s exactly why they decide to explore Australia’s island state, to fully immerse yourself in an outdoor experience unlike any other place in Australia, or the world for that matter. From rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, surfing, camping – the list goes on. There really isn’t anything you can’t do in Tasmania with a Hobart rental car.
“What surprised me the most was the wildlife; I saw an Echidna, Platypus and a Wombat all wild in their natural habitats.” Said Peta. The cooler climate and lack of predators in Tasmanian have allowed the Platypus population on the island to thrive. These iconic mammals can be difficult to find, so if you’re on a hunt to spot the cute little guys, Tasmania is as good as any!
Located in the North West of Tasmania is the infamous Cradle Mountain National Park, a popular tourist destination to domestic and international travelers alike. The National Park is a 4-to-5 hour drive from the East Coast Car Rentals Hobart airport car hire, depending on which route you take. Alternatively, if you’re renting from our Launceston airport car hire it’s only a quick 2 hour drive to the iconic mountain range.
“Cradle Mountain was one of my favourite stops along the way; with great facilities, many walks regardless of your fitness ability, good for short day trips or longer stays,” said Peta. Accessibility to a variety of walking trails is part of what makes this area of Tasmania so special, and the thriving natural wildlife means wombats and wallabies are easily spotted right from your Hobart car hire as soon as you enter the iconic national park.
Trips like these often go by quicker than you’d anticipate, Peta says “I wish I spent more time on the eastern side at the Bay of Fires specifically, as I only had one night here and it was raining at the time.” The Bay of Fires is just one of many excellent stops to make on the East Coast of Tassie. Far more populated than the other side of the island yet still oddly remote, the East Coast is riddled with fishing towns providing ample opportunity for tasty pitstops in your Hobart car hire along the way.
Ultimately small and vast all at the same time, Australia’s island state is well worth visiting more than once. Even a 9-day solo trip isn’t long enough to see all the great things this state has to offer. With East Coast Car Rental locations in both Launceston and Hobart the options for the perfect Tasmanian road trips are truly endless.
Don’t forget, every time you rent with us you have a chance to win a $500 cash prize. Simply upload your prize winning photo and share a little bit about your road trip adventure with us – it’s as easy as that. Let us share the memories you create on the road, and inspire travellers around Australia and the world!