Cradle Mountain's Hidden Gem: AAA Granary Accommodation (Last Resort!)
Cradle Mountain's "Hidden Gem" or "Last Resort!": AAA Granary Accommodation - A Review That Doesn't Sugarcoat It
Alright, folks, buckle up. Because I’m about to take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, opinions, and maybe a few regrets. We're talking about the AAA Granary Accommodation near Cradle Mountain, which, let’s be honest, is probably marketed as a "hidden gem." But, for me, it was also very much a "last resort." Seriously, finding this place was a scramble, a last-minute booking (don't judge, Tasmania in peak season is a bloodbath!). So, was it a salvaged escape or just… well, you'll see.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Let's Get This Out of the Way First):
- Keywords: Cradle Mountain Accommodation, Tasmania Hotels, Accessible Hotels Tasmania, Wheelchair Accessible Hotels, Granary Accommodation, AAA Granary Review, Cradle Mountain Lodging, Spa Hotel Tasmania, Luxury Hotels Tasmania, Tasmanian Wilderness Hotels, Family-Friendly Hotels Tasmania, Pet-Friendly Hotels Tasmania (though be warned…)
- Metadata Description: Honest review of the AAA Granary Accommodation near Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. Details on accessibility, facilities, dining, cleanliness, and overall experience, including a few… unfiltered opinions. Tread cautiously, especially if you're expecting perfection.
Okay, Now For The REAL Deal…
Accessibility - And the Great Stairway Climb:
Let's be upfront: This place, based on my experience, is NOT entirely wheelchair accessible. They mention accessibility, which is… well, it's something. But "accessibility" doesn't always mean what you think it means. While there are some adapted rooms, navigating the property itself felt… tricky. There are steps. And more steps. And… a lot of steps. I can’t speak for the adapted rooms, but for the rest of the place, it felt less like a haven and more like a vertical obstacle course. My advice? Confirm exactly the pathway access before you book if accessibility is a key consideration.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The "Buffet of Disappointment" (Maybe):
Okay, food. This is where things get… interesting.
Restaurants: They have restaurants (plural!). But here's the kicker: the one "open" when I was there felt like it was running on fumes.
Breakfast: Breakfast… buffet, if I remember correctly. Buffet, which is to say a gathering which can be both disappointing. The selection? Standard. The quality? Variable. I recall dry scrambled eggs and a forlorn-looking fruit salad. Then again, I got up late one morning…
Coffee/Tea: Coffee and tea are there, in the room, at the restaurant and I enjoyed mine…
Snack Bar: There's a snack bar, apparently. I think I saw a lonely packet of chips.
Room Service: The elusive 24-hour room service… I didn’t test that theory, but I imagine it’s more likely to deliver disappointment (based on the restaurant situation).
Cleanliness and Safety – The Sanitizing Symphony:
Okay, credit where credit is due: they seemed to be taking hygiene seriously.
- Anti-viral Cleaning Products: Tick.
- Daily Disinfection: Tick.
- Hand Sanitizer: Tick, tick, tick!
- Room Sanitization Opt-Out: They offered some options, which is nice.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol: Hopefully. Everyone was friendly to me.
So, while the food might be questionable, at least I wouldn't catch a nasty cold.
For the Kids - A Slightly Bleak Playground
- Babysitting service: Not sure I would want to try. I would rather hire a babysitter with a better experience,
Services and Conveniences - The "It's Got Some Things" Category:
- Concierge: There is a concierge. Whether they can actually do anything useful… well, you'll have to find out yourself.
- Daily Housekeeping: Yes, the rooms get cleaned. Thank goodness.
- Laundry Service: Yes. I did not use it however.
- Gift/Souvenir Shop: Small and underwhelming.
- Wi-Fi – Your Lifeline to Sanity: Yes! Free Wi-Fi in the rooms. I have never been so thankful for Wi-Fi.
Available in All Rooms – The Bare Essentials:
- Air Conditioning: Yes, which is a welcome surprise.
- Blackout Curtains: Yes, definitely needed.
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Yes. Good.
- Free Bottled Water: Yes.
- Hair Dryer: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Yes, essential for that emergency beer.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Hallelujah!
Things To Do / Ways to Relax - Finding Your Zen… Or Not:
- Spa/Sauna/Pool: They have a spa with a pool.
- Gym/fitness: They have a fitness center.
- Body Wrap/Scrub: They have services for body wraps and scrubs.
- Massage: They have massage, which can be helpful.
The Room – My Personal Fortress of Solitude (with minor issues):
My room? It was… adequate. Clean, yes. But not exactly oozing charm. Let's just say the decor wasn’t going to win any design awards.
- The Bed: The bed was comfy enough, though. Slept like a log, despite the slight worry about the place being too… isolated.
- The Soundproofing: The soundproofing was decent. I didn’t hear any other guests, which was a bonus.
- The View: (If you get lucky): The view wasn't something to write home about.
Getting Around – Don’t Rely on Public Transport:
- Car Park: Free? YES! Praise be!
- Taxi service: If you are going to depend on taxi service, you are out of luck.
- Airport transfer: Available? Probably. I drove.
The Verdict – A "Cradle Mountain" Roll of the Dice?
Look, the AAA Granary Accommodation is… a mixed bag. It’s functional. It’s there. But calling it a "hidden gem" is a stretch. It might be a decent option if you're desperate (like me). But go in with realistic expectations, a good book, and a healthy sense of humor. And for the love of all that is holy, double-check the accessibility if that's a must-have. Honestly, I would still rather come with a few more dollars and book a better one.
Would I go back? Mmm, maybe. If it was truly the last resort. But next time, I'd explore all the other options first. And definitely pack my own snacks.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Cebu Hotel Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into a Tasmanian adventure! This ain't your perfectly-Instagrammed, airbrushed travelogue. This is the REAL deal. The AAA Granary at Cradle Mountain? Well, let's just say it's got a charm that's… well, let's just say it's got charm.
The Tasmanian Tantrum & Trail Tracks: A Messy Cradle Mountain Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic (And Maybe a Squirrel)
- 9:00 AM: We're supposed to be on a flight, but you know what? Flights are the devil. Delayed. Again. Already grumbling. This whole "getting away" thing is off to a stellar start.
- 12:00 PM: FINALLY landed in Launceston. Hired a car. First mistake? Probably. I swear, the road signs in Tasmania are designed by sadists. Never known a country to boast so many winding roads and deceptive distances.
- 2:30 PM: Arrived at the Granary. Oh. My. God. It's… quaint. "Rustic" they call it. I call it "could use a dusting." But the view? Unreal. Mountains clawing at the sky, the air thick with the scent of… something lovely that I can't quite place. Eucalyptus and… magic dust? Who knows.
- 3:00 PM: Luggage dump + slight freak-out about unpacking. My backpack exploded. The clothes are everywhere. Think "fashion tornado meets Tasmanian devil."
- 4:00 PM: Wandered around the property. Saw a WALLABY! (I think). Or maybe it was a really fat squirrel. I’m still not sure. But I swear I saw a fluffy tail disappear into the bushes. (Maybe the magic dust is kicking in).
- 5:00 PM: Check out the facilities, and I find the amenities underwhelming at first. The gym has some old machine and the bar doesn't have my favorite beer. I am thinking to give a complaint later.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the Granary Restaurant: Lamb rack. Okay, I admit it. That lamb was INSANE. Worth the delayed flight and the fashion tornado. I think I fell in a half-sleep state.
- 7:30 PM: Walk through the resort and found a telescope, which I decided to use and stare the night sky.
Day 2: Dove Lake Drama & Hiking Highs (And Lows)
- 7:00 AM: Woken up by birds. LOUD birds. Like, conspiracy-theory-about-them-being-spies-level loud. But the sunrise… breathtaking. Even the grumpy inner travel-critic had to admit it.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast (eggs, and bacon cooked in the best way) + pre-hike pep talk (mostly to myself). This is where the real adventure begins… or the real disaster.
- 9:00 AM: Dove Lake walk. OMFG. Seriously. The view. Dove Lake reflects Cradle Mountain so perfectly it's like staring at a postcard. Almost made me forget the blister I got from forgetting my hiking socks. Almost.
- 11:00 AM: Hike to Crater Lake. Should be "easy," the brochure promised. Liars. My calves are screaming. I'm pretty sure I saw a tiny glimpse of hell during that slog. But the view from the top? Mind.Blown. Worth it. Totally. (Now, do my legs agree? No, absolutely not).
- 1:00 PM: Picnic lunch by the lake. Ate half the cheese and forgot the crackers. Classic.
- 2:00 PM: More hiking. This time to the Waterfalls. Beautiful, rushing, refreshing. The trail? Surprisingly muddy. I slipped and nearly plunged into the creek. My dignity took a hit, but hey, at least my phone stayed dry!
- 4:00 PM: Back at base. Soaked to the bone. Legs are screaming. But the feeling of accomplishment? Priceless. (And the hot shower was heaven).
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at the Granary. I ate more lamb, it was so good.
Day 3: The Cradle Mountain Challenge & The "Almost Made It" Award
- 7:00 AM: Another sunrise. Another bird concert. I'm starting to think I should have brought earplugs. But… the mountains. They pull you in. Seriously.
- 8:00 AM: Attempted to go to the summit of Cradle Mountain. Big mistake. (Kidding… kind of). It's described as a challenging hike, but they glossed over the fact that you're basically rock-climbing at certain points.
- 10:00 AM: The "I almost made it" moment. Reached a spot where I could see the top. The thought of another hour crawling my way up a jagged rock face was too much for me. I opted for a different approach to reach the summit.
- 11:00 AM: Decided just to have a walk and admire the scenery, and take photographs instead.
- 1:00 PM: Return to the hotel, had dinner.
- 4:00 PM: A long, hot shower.
Day 4: Farewell & Lingering Longing
- 7:00 AM: Woke up. Bird concert got a little annoying. Time to leave.
- 8:00 AM: One last Granary Breakfast. Tears. (Okay, maybe not. Maybe just a slightly watery eye and a lingering sadness).
- 9:00 AM: Departed from the Granary. This place has a pull to come and visit again. The way back felt long, really long. No more mountains. No more Wallaby.
- 12:00 PM: Landed at home. Sigh. Back to reality. But the memories… the muddy boots… the breathtaking views… they're all swirling around in my head!
Post-Trip Ramblings:
Tasmania in general, and the Granary in particular, is a magical, maddening, utterly wonderful place. It's messy, it's real, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. But if you're looking for an adventure that leaves you breathless, bruised, and blissfully exhausted, then get yourself to Cradle Mountain. And maybe bring some REALLY good hiking socks. And a sense of humor. You'll need it.
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AAA Granary Accommodation: The Last Resort That Might Actually Surprise You (Or Not!)
Okay, first things first: What the HECK *is* AAA Granary? And why is it called a "Last Resort?"
Alright, settle down, because that's a perfectly valid question! AAA Granary is… well, it's accommodation, duh. But let's be honest, it *feels* like someone's quirky (and slightly eccentric) aunty’s spare room, shoved right in the heart of Cradle Mountain. Now, the "Last Resort" bit? That's because, during the peak season (read: when EVERYONE wants to be at Cradle Mountain), it's often the *last* place with a bed available. My personal experience? I booked it because everything else was booked solid, and I was staring down the barrel of sleeping in my car. (Don't judge! We've *all* been there, right?)
What kind of rooms are on offer? Is it all just tiny, cramped boxes?
Okay, let's address this one *honestly*. 'Tiny, cramped boxes' might be a slight exaggeration. But… yeah, some rooms are definitely more... *cozy* than others. Think charmingly rustic, not necessarily spacious. They’ve got a range, from basic doubles to family rooms. The actual *charm* of the room often depends on the weather. I’m talking about the kind of charm that comes from a crackling fireplace (if your room *has* one – and trust me, you’ll *pray* for it in winter) and a view that isn't directly into your neighbour's window.
Is the Granary actually *near* anything? Like, Cradle Mountain itself?
Yes, thankfully, the Granary is actually pretty well-situated, which is a massive bonus, considering it’s often the last man standing. It's within easy driving distance of the Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre and the start of most of the popular walks. You can practically feel the fresh mountain air the second you step outside (which, let’s be real, you’ll be doing a *lot* of). However, the distance does mean that evenings are quiet. Don’t expect a buzzing nightlife scene. Thank God.
What are the amenities like? Am I going to freeze, or will I not get any Internet?
Okay, brace yourselves. This is where it gets… interesting. Amenities are… *basic*. Don't expect a spa, a gym, or a mini-bar. The internet? Let's just say, pack a book. Seriously. I spent an entire evening wrestling with the Wi-Fi. It was a fight I ultimately lost. As for freezing? That depends on the room and the season. Ask for extra blankets. A lot of them. I will say, the staff is pretty good at keeping things running. And in the winter... the fireplace *really* comes into its own.
Tell me about the food situation! Do I need to pack rations?
Alright, food. AAA Granary *does* have a restaurant, but it’s not exactly five-star dining. More like hearty, filling, and definitely welcome after a long day of hiking. Think big breakfasts, warming dinners, and maybe the occasional questionable salad (I'm looking at you, iceberg lettuce). My advice? BYO snacks. Granola bars, trail mix, chocolate... you'll be glad you did. Also, definitely check the restaurant's opening hours. Don't get caught hungry!
Any specific quirks about the accommodation I should know about? Secret handshakes, hidden treasures, etc.?
Oh, you betcha! The Granary is FULL of them. Firstly, the parking can be a bit of a free-for-all. Get there early to snag a good spot. Secondly, the decor... it’s… *rustic*. Think taxidermied wall decorations, and (sometimes) uneven floors. And the real kicker? One of my friends swore she heard a particularly rambunctious wombat scratching at her window in the middle of the night (no, I wasn't there!). Honestly, it's more a part of the charm than anything else.
Would you recommend AAA Granary? (Be honest now!)
Okay, the big question. Honestly? It depends. If you’re a high-maintenance traveller who needs luxury and perfection, run. Run far, run fast. But… if you’re looking for a genuinely unique experience, a place to rest your head after conquering Cradle Mountain, and you approach it with a sense of adventure and a sense of humour, then yes. Absolutely. It's not perfect, but it's memorable. And sometimes, the imperfections are what make a trip truly unforgettable. I'd go back. (But I'd pack more chocolate.) * **[My Over-Share on My Particular Stay]** Let me take a moment to really *hammer* this home. The ONE time I stayed? It was a winter trip; absolutely freezing, and the heating in my room was… *temperamental*. One night, I woke up shivering like a leaf in a Tasmanian gale. The wind HOWLED outside, the rain was chucking down, and my room was colder than the inside of a freezer. I mean, seriously, it was *Arctic*. I huddled under every blanket I could find, including a rather thin, scratchy one that smelled faintly of… well, let's just say 'old woolens.' I nearly cried. I almost went to sleep in my car and then I'd never come back. I eventually found a spare, tiny, electric heater…which promptly blew a fuse every damn time I turned it on. It was the only time I ever said, "I truly envy the wombats in their burrows right now." But god, I'll never forget that. It was miserable, I'll never forget it. I found my room, and I cried, and I'll never forget it. The next day? The clouds parted, the sun came out, and I saw the most breathtaking view of Cradle Mountain I’ve ever witnessed. And, you know what? I kinda felt like I'd earned it. So… yeah. If you’re up for embracing the chaos, the Granary might just surprise you.
Anything else I should know?
Pack layers. Seriously. And a good book. And a sense of adventure. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit of luck. Because at the Granary, you're going to need it! Happy travels.
