If you prefer to travel by ferry, you can take the Spirit of Tasmania from Melbourne to the city of Devonport on Tasmania's northwest coast. You can sail overnight or during the day. A ferry trip is a relaxing way for you and your family to reach Tasmania. You can take your car on the ferry, and you will have your own transportation when you reach the island.
If you sail overnight, you can spend the night in a comfortable cabin. Dinner is available at the Leatherwood Restaurant or The Captain's Table. You can have pastries or cereal for breakfast before the ship arrives in Devonport. Your children will find plenty to do if you sail during the day. They can play in the playroom or play games in the arcade. Hot food, cold food, drinks and snacks are available in the ship's lounge during the day.
You will find plenty of family-friendly accommodations after you arrive in Tasmania. If you want to stay near the ferry terminal, you can stay in a four-bedroom holiday apartment on the beach at Alice Beside the Sea. You will be able to walk to a supermarket to buy groceries so you can prepare meals in your full kitchen.
If you prefer having your meals prepared for you, you can stay at the Aspect Tamar Valley Resort in Grindelwald near Launceston. The Alpenrose Lakeside Bistro here serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room service is available. Accommodations here include hotel rooms, chalets and villas. A chalet will accommodate up to nine people, and four guests can stay in a villa. Amenities here include an indoor pool, a spa and outdoor play areas.
The whole family will fit in a cabin at White Beach Tourist Park near Hobart. Children will enjoy the park's playground and being right on the beach.
If you want to be close to some of Tasmania's beautiful scenery, stay in a cabin at Cradle Mountain. The two-bedroom cabins here will sleep six. A tour of Cradle Mountain National Park will take you past Lake St. Clair, waterfalls and through the mountains.
If you want accommodations with plenty of space for your family, stay in a lodge with four or five bedrooms at White Sands Estate on Tasmania's southern coast. This property has a private beach, a canoe lake, an outdoor swimming pool and a cinema.