Travel with Children

Many motels and better-equipped caravan parks can supply cots. Caravan parks also often have playgrounds, games rooms and hectares of grass on which to burn off some cooped-up-in-the-car kilojoules.

Top-end, and some midrange, hotels are well versed in the needs of guests with children. Some may also have in-house children’s movies and child-minding services. B&Bs, on the other hand, often market themselves as blissfully child-free.

Dining with kids in Tasmania rarely causes any hassles. If you sidestep the flashier restaurants, children are generally welcomed. Cafes are kid friendly and you’ll see families getting in early for dinner in pub dining rooms. Most places can supply high chairs.

Dedicated kids menus are common, but selections are usually uninspiring (ham-and-pineapple pizza, fish fingers, chicken nuggets etc). If a restaurant doesn't have a kids menu, find something on the regular menu and ask the kitchen to adapt it. It’s usually fine to bring toddler food in with you.

If the sun is shining, there are plenty of picnic spots around the state, many with free barbecues. During summer, Tassie is also a great place to buy fresh fruit at roadside stalls.

Most Tasmanians are relaxed about public breastfeeding and nappy changing: a parent using the open boot of a car as a nappy-changing area is a common sight! Hobart and most major towns also have public rooms where parents can go to feed their baby or change a nappy; ask at the local visitor centre or city councils. Items such as infant formula and disposable nappies are widely available.

In Hobart contact the Mobile Nanny Service, or check out the statewide listings on www.babysittersrus.com.au.

Child concessions (and family rates) generally apply to tours, museum admission and bus transport, with discounts as high as 50% of the adult rate. Nearly all tourist attractions offer kids' prices, with kids aged under four or five often admitted free. However, the definition of ‘child’ can vary from under 12 to under 18 years. Accommodation concessions often apply to children under 12 years sharing the same room as adults. On the major airlines, infants up to three years of age travel free (provided they don’t occupy a seat).

When it comes to family holidays, Tasmania is a winner during summer. Having said that, summer is peak season and school-holiday time: expect pricey accommodation and a lot of booking ahead for transport and beds (especially interstate flights, rental cars, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, camping grounds and motels).

If your own kids don't need to be at school, a better bet may be the shoulder months of March and April (sidestepping Easter) and November, when the weather's still good and there's less pressure on the tourism sector. Winter is even better (if you don't mind the cold and aren't into swimming and camping) – you'll have the whole place to yourselves!

Tasmania’s weather is truly fickle, even in summer, so a diverse wardrobe with lots of layers is recommended. Definitely pack beach gear for your summer holiday, but also throw in a few thermal long-sleeve tops, beanies and jackets. A compact beach tent will also be handy, given Tasmania’s capricious winds. Don’t forget hats and sunglasses – essential for Tasmania’s sharp southern rays.