Tasmania in three days? It can't be done.
Many people look at a map of the island state while planning a holiday and underestimate how much time they'll need.
Roads twist and turn, rise and fall, and can be covered in ice or darting wildlife.
It means that estimating an average driving speed is nigh impossible.
And that's before taking into account all the necessary scenic stop-offs.
But travellers on a tight schedule shouldn't rule out enjoying a taste of Australia's southernmost gem.
Leaving Melbourne on a 7.30pm crossing of Bass Strait, passengers arrive at Devonport in northern Tasmania about 6am the next day.
It's rarely rough and not a tough crossing as the Spirit of Tasmania ferry offers a range of accommodation options, even a pretty decent restaurant and bar.
Once back on terra firma head northwest along the coast, passing through the quaint centres of Ulverstone, Penguin (so named for its popularity as a home for the flippered, flightless bird), Burnie and Wynyard.
Destination one is Stanley: an appealing fishing village which dates back to the early 1800s and has an intriguing geographical feature named "the Nut".
Jutting into the sea with steep rocky sides and a flat top, the Nut actually has volcanic origins but is now a tourist drawcard.
There's a chairlift to the top or those up for a challenge can embark on the steep walking path before following a network of tracks leading to lookouts that are surrounded by grazing wildlife.
Stanley's main appeal is its hospitality.
A hearty meal of fresh local seafood accompanied by Tasmanian beer or wine can be followed by a seat in front of an open fire with a couple of mouthfuls of island fudge.
Meanwhile staff at the waterfront cottage, @VDL, are turning down a bed and ensuring a night of luxury at the tastefully renovated bluestone house.
Snuggle in for the night and listen to the distant sounds of whipping winds and crashing waves.
Strahan on Tasmania's west coast is the destination for day two.
Reaching the west coast locale requires a spectacular drive through the state's varying landscape.
The road at first winds through rolling hills of dark, rich, potato-growing soil and lush green pastures where dairy cows graze away their days.
But the scenery soon changes to one covered in tall regrowth and native forest.
The road crosses creeks and passes through reserves, and in cooler months it's common to be driving through falling snow, which adds a fairytale-feel.
Escape the elements at Strahan's Franklin Manor: a tastefully restored homestead dating back to the late 1800s and perched on a rise overlooking the water.
Another seafaring village, Strahan can be as relaxing as a tranquil cruise along the mirrored Gordon River, or as exhilarating as a rain forest four-wheel driving adventure.
Day three on the road will head south, but not quite reach Hobart.
The destination is New Norfolk and a night of luxury at Woodbridge on the Derwent.
The convict-built 1825 waterfront homestead boasts a ballroom and numerous sitting rooms and has been restored to five-star pleasure.
Some guests arrive by seaplane at a private jetty in front of the property.
New Norfolk and the surrounding district boasts a variety of antique shops, cellar door sales, even a boutique brewery.
Just 30 minutes' drive from Hobart, it's also possible to make a dash to the capital city before heading north to again board the Spirit of Tasmania and complete a round trip of the island in just a few days.
ALONG THE WAY
* Burnie
Stop at the historic north coast port city of Burnie, once home to a major pulp mill and paper production operation responsible for famous brand, Reflex. Visitors can join a paper-making workshop at the contemporary waterfront museum and art gallery.
* Henty Dunes
Not far from Strahan down an unsealed trail, a steep climb up soft sand puts energetic visitors on the crest of a visually impressive collection of dunes. Although kilometres away past undulating sand hills, the distant wild ocean sends in surf spray and wind buffets tumble weeds and clumps of grasses and ensures footsteps are quickly erased.
* The Wall
Artist Greg Duncan has created a larger-than-life timber sculpture wall, depicting scenes of life and nature from Tasmania. A work-in-progress, the wall - made of metre-wide and three-metre-tall carved pine panels - will be complete and 100 metres long by the end of 2015.
GETTING THERE: The Spirit of Tasmania offers daily and twice-daily Bass Strait crossings for passengers with and without vehicles. Visit www.spiritoftasmania.com.au
STAYING THERE: Accommodation at Stanley's @VDL starts from $175 per night, while rooms at Strahan's Franklin Manor start from $165 including continental breakfast, and at Woodbridge on the Derwent from $495 with breakfast.
GETTING AROUND: For travel advice visit www.discovertasmania.com.au
* The writer was a guest of the properties featured.
Source: AAP
