Based on a 3 week (non-riding i'm afraid) trip I did in May, from top to bottom:
- Depends which side you're on. The west coast and central plateau get a lot more rain than the east. The north east in particular is quite temperate and fortunately, Derby is in the north east. Somewhere like Strahan (west coast) is particularly wet, windy and cold in winter.
- I spent the entire three weeks thinking "shit eh......perfect riding temperature". I too hate heat and humidity.
- Depends what you're after. Shit loads of walks and such.......the Wineglass Bay loop in Freycinet National Park is really good. Cradle Mountain.....Tahune Airwalk......Hastings Caves......one of the more amazing things I saw was
The Wall in the Wilderness.
- Yes. Bit more difficult to find top notch stuff in little towns but Hobart is awash with great cafes.
- Food is brilliant. If you like seafood you're in the right place. Other than that, it's all fantastic.
The Apple Shed makes top notch cider. Wineries and distilleries are plentiful.
- Everything.
http://www.tassietrails.org/
- Dutch and bushman I found.
Paid $250 return with Qantas which is perfectly reasonable as far as i'm concerned. A Corolla for 3 weeks (2400kms) was $900.