In a self-contained garden studio, Blossom’s is bright and cheerful, with a cast-iron bed, blackwood timber floors, leadlight windows, a small kitchenette and a couple of easy chairs under a silver birch. Great value. Fullsome breakfast basket provided.

The newest eatery in town (they were still putting the signs up when we visited), this upbeat outfit splits its attention between selling natural olive-oil soaps and quality cafe fare, such as breakfast burritos, soups, toasted panini and buttermilk pancakes. Saturday-night pizzas were also looking like a distinct possibility.

An appealing patch of green near Ross Bridge on the banks of the fish-filled Macquarie River. Utilitarian, sandstone, barracks-style cabins sleep two to four people (with cooking facilities) and are the cheapest accommodation in town. Bathrooms are shared; BYO linen. Reception is at the Ross Motel.

One of the town’s best options for families is indeed made of stone (amazingly detailed!), with a truckload of kids’ toys and DVDs and an expansive garden with established fruit trees. The country kitchen with a long wooden table is perfect for lazy lunches and dinners. Sleeps seven.

The independently owned Ross Motel offers spick-and-span Georgian-style cottage units (reasonably inoffensive reproductions), each with microwave, fridge and TV. Family units sleep four. Quiet and central, with breakfast provisions included for your first morning.

Overdose on savoury carbs, pies, astonishingly tall vanilla slices and Saturday-night wood-fired pizzas in summer, plus virtuous soups and salads of all kinds. The owners get up at 4am every day to light the 1860 wood oven.

Dinner options in Ross are scant, but the town’s heritage pub offers an old-school pub menu, including beer-battered east-coast flathead, homemade rissoles with chips and veg, chicken Kiev and roast o' the day. There's a beaut beer garden out the back that's all raised decks and brollies.

There are unpowered sites at Darlington (fees apply, but no bookings required), plus free sites at French’s Farm ( GOOGLE MAP ) and Encampment Cove ( GOOGLE MAP ) three to four hours' walk from the ferry pier. There are BBQs, toilets and showers ($1) at Darlington. Fires are allowed in designated fireplaces (often banned in summer). French’s Farm and Encampment Cove have limited tank water – bring your own.

The brick penitentiary once housed the island’s convicts. These days it's simple, sensible accommodation, with six-bunk rooms, shared bathrooms and coin-operated showers ($1). BYO linen, lighting (there's no electricity), food, cooking gear and ability to dismiss the possibility of ghosts. It's often full of school groups, so plan ahead.

This hip backpackers, next door to the Bark Mill, was purpose-built a few years ago, and is still looking sharp. Inside are smart, spacious public areas and a shiny stainless-steel kitchen. Rooms surround a shady deck and are clean and shipshape. The bar is right next door.

This brick-and-sandstone 1844 mansion was built by convicts, and was the centre of 'Great Swanport' before the action shifted a little to the north. Decorated in simple, masculine Georgian style (no frills), its huge rooms now house antique beds and bathrooms. The history-buff owners do a mean pancake breakfast, and have perfected the art of making shortbread.

These 20 chic, self-contained, grey-and-blue chalets are just steps from Jubilee Beach. The best ones have amazing 180-degree water vistas – high, wide and handsome. There’s also a BBQ pavilion, a games room and an outdoor pool if the beach doesn't do it for you.

Down a hawthorn-hedged driveway, 10km south of Swansea, these 21 stylish stone cabins array out from an old farmhouse close to the sea. Each unit has a fireplace and a spa. There’s also a pool, tennis court, bikes for hire, sea kayaks and an eponymous restaurant (%03-6257 8131; www.piermont.com.au; 12990 Tasman Hwy; mains $32-38, degustation with/without wine $150/120; h6-8pm, closed Aug) that's been getting positive press. Big on weddings (book ahead).

Tucked behind Richardsons Beach, these camp sites are seriously popular. From late December to mid-February and at Easter, site allocation is via a ballot system: download the application form and submit it by 31 July. Outside the ballot period, book via the Freycinet National Park Visitor Information Centre. National park entry fees apply.

Iluka is a big, rambling park that’s been here forever and is an unfaltering favourite with local holidaymakers – book well ahead. The backpackers section is managed by YHA; there are six four-bed dorms, a double and a predictably decent kitchen. The local shop, bakery and tavern are a short stroll down the hill.

This is your hub for renting (mostly older-style, affordable) holiday houses and beach ‘shacks’ in and around Coles Bay. Prices swing wildly between summer and winter, and minimum stays apply for long weekends and Christmas holidays. One option, 81 On Freycinet, has heaps of charm – the stone-and-timber house has three bedrooms, a spiral staircase and Hazards views (double $180).

These two beautiful Tasmanian-oak and rammed-earth studios are 4km north of Coles Bay. Each unit has its own kitchenette, timber deck and comfortable king-size bed. The immaculate Beach House is here, too, sleeping four. All guests have access to BBQs; eat outside as wattlebirds dart in and out of the foliage. The property is a five-minute walk to Sandpiper Beach.

Saffire is an architectural, gastronomic and wallet-slimming marvel that sets the bar for top-notch Tasmanian hospitality. There are 20 luxe suites here, ‘where the cerulean sky collides with the azure ocean’. The curvilicious main building houses a swanky restaurant, self-serve bar, library, art gallery and spa. There's also a menu of activity options, many included in the price.

Away from the main holiday hubbub, right on the beach about 4km north of Coles Bay, this small resort dances to the beat of its own drum. It has keenly decorated waterside suites, great staff and cottages sleeping five. Once you've woken up, there are mountain bikes, dinghies and tennis courts for guests to serve-and-volley on. There’s also an excellent restaurant ( GOOGLE MAP ; %03-6257 0102; www.edgeofthebay.com.au; 2308 Main Rd, Edge of the Bay; mains $25-39; h6-8pm).

This congenial backpackers has dorms spread across two mural-painted buildings, plus the Shack ( GOOGLE MAP ), a 12-berth house a block away on Foster St (set up as six doubles). The communal kitchen is the place to be. There’s also free luggage storage, and the friendly owners can help with bookings.

This neat, decent park with plenty of grass (not many trees) is right in the middle of town and has BBQs, a camp kitchen, laundry facilities and a kids’ playground. Cabins sleep up to seven. If you're slumming it in the back of a campervan, showers are available for non-stayers ($5).

A scatter of architecturally interesting chalets in wildlife-rich bushland a few kilometres south of town, close to the sea and with show-stopping views. Tune your ears into the raucous bird life (including a peacock wandering around), or browse the herb garden for edibles. Minimum stays apply, depending on the cabin and the season.

About 2km north of Bicheno, this complex of 27 sun-soaked apartments is surrounded by lawns and has winning views north along the coast. There's private beach access, or a swimming pool if you'd rather have chlorine than salt in your hair. Wander over to namesake Diamond Island itself when the tide is low. On-site Facets ( GOOGLE MAP ; %03-6375 0100; www.diamondisland.com.au; 69 Tasman Hwy; mains from $24; h5.30-8.30pm) restaurant, and free penguin tours for guests.

This park rolls itself across a green hillside 1.5km south of town and has plenty of family-centric amenities (games room, jumping pillow, playground, swimming pool). Shoot for one of the smart row of blue-and-cream villas running up the hill. Decent camp kitchen.

Spick and span, laid-back and spacious – this main-street hostel has a ‘flashpacker’ section upstairs (good for families) and a couple of dorms out the back with super-chunky handmade timber bunks. Hang out on the deck or ponder the amazing wall of beer-bottle labels (not that this is a party place – keep it down after dark).

Some 7km out of St Helens en route to Binalong Bay, take the (steep!) drive up and up through the trees to reach this secluded, stylish timber home. There are two plush apartments, tastefully furnished and with private decks, spas and verdant views. Rates include afternoon tea or pre-dinner drinks, and a cooked breakfast.

These five well-kitted-out cottages have a million-dollar location overlooking the bay. Interspersed with native scrub, all have mesmerising views in which you can lose yourself as you prod the BBQ on your deck. There are full kitchen and laundry facilities in each unit.

Lasso some like-minded amigos and book this architect-designed beach house, with polished floorboards, granite benchtops and a wide curvy deck backed by a phalanx of sliding doors. About 50m away is a classic Bay of Fires scene: white sand, rocks studded with orange lichen, and gently rolling waves. Sleeps four; no kids under 12.

Binalong Bay's only business means business: a fantastic food room overlooking the water, serving top-flight meals all day. Roll in for some Huon Valley mushrooms on toast with Tasmanian truffle oil for breakfast, hit the surf, then come back for Moulting Bay oysters and Bass Strait calamari with spicy tomato relish for dinner. Great coffee and even greater wine list.