Local knowledge

Taxis

Distances can be vast here, so taxis tend to be expensive. Try East Coast Taxis (+61 (0)3 6376 2999), which operates out of St Helens.

Tipping culture

Tipping isn't expected, but is always appreciated. If you're happy with the service, 10 per cent will do nicely.

Siesta and fiesta

Local shops and banks open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and often between 10am and 4pm on Saturday. Cafes usually open for breakfast at 8am and close at about 4pm. Restaurants and pubs will often start trading at midday and close up when it gets quiet (during winter that could be quite early).

Packing tips

Binoculars for wildlife spotting, hiking shoes for bushwalks and, if you're planning to take a dip beyond the height of summer, a top-to-toe wetsuit.

Recommended reads

A Guide to Tasting Tasmania by Graeme Phillips is the definitive guide to eating and drinking on the wee isle, including east-coast highlights. For a rollicking combination of social history and familial discovery, pick up a copy of In Tasmania by British novelist and short-term resident Nicholas Shakespeare.

Cuisine

Seafood is the star here, so snap up Great Oyster Bay oysters, crayfish, abalone and all manner of fish, including tuna, perch, marlin, whiting, flounder and wrasse. The cool climate is perfect for berries, and the pristine farmlands produce top-notch beef, lamb and dairy goods.

Currency

Australian dollar (AU$).

Time zone

GMT +10 hours.

Dialling codes

Country code: +61; Tasmania: (0)3 (drop the 0 if dialling from overseas).

Do go/don't go

There are four distinct seasons in these parts, and even summer (December–February) isn't a scorcher. It's the peak season, so if it's peace a quiet you're after, perhaps plan for another time.. Autumn (Marc–May) and Spring (September–November) are mild, while winter (June–August) is just plane chilly.