If you plan to be in Melbourne, or have a car you want to take over, a good way to get to Tasmania is across the Bass Strait on the TT Line Spirit of Tasmania   ferry from Port Melbourne to Devonport (departing Port Melbourne Mon 7.30pm, Wed & Fri 6pm, arriving Devonport 8.30am; departing Devonport Tues & Thurs 6pm, Sat 4pm; tel 13 2010, www.tt-line.com.au ). If a fourteen-hour overnight trip doesn't worry you too much, this is the best way to travel. There are restaurants, bars and entertainment, and every passenger has a bed: there's a hostel section ($152 one-way), as well as private cabins ranging from basic to luxury suites ($184-354 per person one-way); in low season prices can drop by around twenty percent. You'll need to book in advance in summer, especially if you want to take a vehicle. Whatever standard of accommodation you choose, you'll pay between $40 and $55 extra to take a car across, and $27 for a bicycle. There is also a summer-only high speed catamaran , the Devil Cat , which takes six hours to cross between Port Melbourne and George Town (Jan-April departing Port Melbourne Tues, Thurs & Sat 8.30am; departing George Town Wed, Fri & Sun 2pm; one-way passenger $175; vehicles as per Spirit of Tasmania ), but prepare for a rough ride. Cheaper Apex return fares (21-day advance purchase) are available on both boats, and packages, including on-ground travel passes or accommodation and tours, are also worth looking into.

 

Several airlines fly from the mainland to Tasmania, as well as to King and Flinders islands. You can fly with Qantas from all the major cities, usually changing planes in Melbourne; it's always cheaper to fly to Launceston direct from Melbourne, and you'll save money if you book well in advance, with an economy return at $428 and an Apex return at $267. Other return fares are Melbourne-Hobart $525/$300 and Sydney-Hobart $756/$411 ($668/$377 to Launceston). Look out for special offers that can reduce prices further. There are also several Tasmanian- and Victorian-based airlines worth checking out. The major player is Kendell Airlines (free call 1800 338 894), a subsidiary of Ansett, who as well as connecting both Melbourne and Sydney to Launceston and Hobart, also fly from Melbourne to Devonport (return $470), Wynyard (Burnie Airport; return $441) and King Island (return $338). All Kendell flights operate from Ansett Australia terminals, who provide reservation services and some ground handling at major capital city airports. RegionAir (free call 1800 818 455, www.regionair.com ) flies from Moorabbin, just outside Melbourne, to Launceston ($420 return) and Flinders Island ($349 return); they are the only carrier flying to Flinders Island in a jet. Island Airlines (free call 1800 645 875) offers the same two routes - from Melbourne to Launceston ($210 one-way) and Flinders Island ($175 one-way). At the time of writing Virgin Airlines was also planning to extend its Virgin Blue services to Tasmania.

Fly-drive packages , which include accommodation, can be particularly good value: ask at travel agents about the availability of special deals. There are no international flights to Tasmania.