Flying into oz from the states around may or june next year. Considering spending a bit of time in syd or mel, but also just flying straight into hobart. question: are there a. more interesting ways of getting there (hobart) and 2. what might be the most economical option, also for flying into oz in the first place?

Heading to Oz in May/June is getting towards low season and you couyld use the Boots search for fares to compare with what else you can find available with the likes of www.mobissimo.com kayak or travelocity etc.

You'll have to fly into one of the mainland capitals, Sydney or Melbourne probably best as Tasmania does not have international airports, but many daily connections from Syd./Mel.to Hobart and lesser to Launceston or Devonport.

To check that you do not get ripped off for an add on, www.webjet.com.au will give you Oz internal flights, and often good specials on, and Syd./Mel. to Tasmania can be obtained for under $100.

You could also take the ferry from Melb. to Devonport on Tasmania north coast for about the same $ as a flight, ferry takes about 12 hours as an overnight trip.

I have never found cheap flights on webjet I would suggest checking out the individual airlines websites.

qantas
virginblue
jetstar

jetstar being the el cheapo arm of qantas (not sure that qantas actually fly to Tassie anymore, probably a codeshare with jetstar)

also would sign up for their newsletters as they frequently have specials. jetstar recently having a 2 for 1 sale.

another option to get to tasmania is via the ferry, or for the fun of it one way fly one way boat.

Just to clarify, you will find from the site that webjet isnot an airline but does list flights of all airlines, thus

quote:

To check that you do not get ripped off for an add on, www.webjet.com.au will give you Oz internal flights

After the comma, yes it is airlines who determine specials but i have seen specials prices reflected on the webjet site - one site to see all flights.

Once you have found a flight, it is simple enough and avoids extra booking fees to book directly online or by phone (additional cost) with the particular airline that has best price.

Also worth noting that as with specials anywhere they are only on sale at particular times and for a certain validity dates and like all airlines, the closer to date you book, it is likely that normal lower priced tickets are no longer available.

The ferry is the Spirit of Tasmaina http://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/

It is supposed to be pretty cool. The boat for a "Ferry" is HUGE!

The Spirit is usually a lot more than a flight if you want a cabin, even for a dorm. There are exceptions, but if you book in advance flights are usually a lot cheaper. You can just book a seat on the ferry (I've done it) and it's not too bad ... but I wouldn't bother. I *think* that in the winter there are only overnight sailings, so you don't see anything anyway.

Qantas still flies into Hobart but not very often. Sign up to get Virgin Blue's specials and book when they're cheap.