Western Explorer in Tasmania - good news on the way
Submitted: Monday, Feb 17, 2014 at 10:48
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Motherhen
For those who will be in Tasmania this autumn, you may
well be luckier than those who were unable to take the Western Explorer this summer due to the landslip last August.
The good news is that the re-routing is
well under way, and the route is expected to be open during March.
This has been discussed on previous threads, but a search did not find them.
For those currently touring Western Tasmania, please note that the road heading east from
Couta Rocks to the Western Explorer northern end will be closed for three weeks commencing 11 February for the installation of a new
Nelson Bay River
Bridge. We took this road as part of a loop drive taking in the southern Arthur Forests.
Motherhen
Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Monday, Feb 17, 2014 at 11:12
Monday, Feb 17, 2014 at 11:12
Thanks MH, hopefully by the time we get there the track will be nicely graded and the hire car will just sail through.
Cheers
Dunc.
AnswerID:
526651
Reply By: Member - Chooky and Wobble - Monday, Feb 17, 2014 at 19:57
Monday, Feb 17, 2014 at 19:57
We are heading that way on the 22nd of February, so it looks like we may miss out.
The plane was to travel anticlockwise around Tassie.
The other option I will look at is to bypass that area, do the rest of the trip and head there before we come
home at the end of March, do you think it will be open by then?
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Feb 17, 2014 at 22:30
Monday, Feb 17, 2014 at 22:30
Hi Chooky and Wobble
Weather dependent which is always and unknown on the wetter western side, it certainly should be open before the end of March. The distances are not great, so leaving it until last then going if open and you have time will not take much extra travel from
Devonport, and there are a number of different roads for your return to avoid a lot of double running.
As we couldn't fit on the barge to cross the Pieman River at
Corinna, we went south on the Murchison Highway, leaving the Southern Arthur Forest and the Western Explorer until the end to do if time, with the idea of returning from
Corinna via Savage River and
Waratah. There was not time to do the Western Explorer. We managed a long day trip through the Southern Arthur Forests, returning to the caravan at Black River near
Stanley, via
Couta Rocks and
Arthur River. We were aware that the
Arthur River had been closed for roadworks so were really concerned when we saw the signs at dusk. To our relief we saw a small sign saying "Car Ferry". The people waiting ahead of us just fitted on with their camper trailer. We were the last to cross that night.
Car ferry during Arthur River Bridge repairs
While in Tasmania, phone
Police on 131444 for up to date information on road closures.
Have a great trip; you will not be able to see much in your short time frame.
Mh
FollowupID:
809010
Reply By: Member - mepvic - Thursday, Feb 20, 2014 at 09:57
Thursday, Feb 20, 2014 at 09:57
We are tripping around Tassie in March and were also wanting to do the Western Explorer. Looking at a clockwise route to go up the track hoping it would be open.
Just got onto the Department of Energy and Resources (DIER) and looks like the road will be closed for months. Details from their website below. Click on the link and
check out the photos. No wonder the road is closed.
Western Explorer Road Update - February 2014
The Department of
Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, (DIER) is progressing the reconstruction of a section of the Western Explorer Road which slipped away in recent heavy rainfalls.
The area around the landslip is impassable to traffic and for this reason the road is closed until reconstruction works are complete. The closure is estimated to be at least five months enabling DIER to deliver a sustainable solution.
The design strategy includes lowering the road to reduce the risk of future landslip and rebuilding the road up gradually in layers.
The Department is committed to reopening this important route for North West tourism as swiftly as possible. Public safety is paramount and all drivers must obey all regulatory road signage around the state, including road closures.
For more information: www.transport.tas.gov.au/infrastructure_projects/western_explorer_road
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Thursday, Feb 20, 2014 at 10:03
Thursday, Feb 20, 2014 at 10:03
Hi mepvic
Despite the updated dates, the report on DIER website has retained the same wording since August last year.
Progress is
well under way and expected to be completed for the road to open during March.
Mh
FollowupID:
809232
Follow Up By: Member - mepvic - Thursday, Feb 20, 2014 at 12:36
Thursday, Feb 20, 2014 at 12:36
Hi MH.
I spoke to a bloke at the Tarkine Hotel and
Corinna Wilderness Experience Office this morning. He was talking to a few of the workmen a few days ago and they are saying the same thing. Still months away. They are only sampling obtainable gravel at the moment. A big unknown is the weather too. Raining over this morning.
Ring the Wilderness office on 03 6446 1170 before you commit to that part of the trip. We will ring when we get over there on the off chance but it doesn't look to good. Fingers crossed.
Mal
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 11:54
Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 11:54
Hi Mal
See today's news on the bottom of this thread. You may be in luck, but phone first.
Mh
FollowupID:
809516
Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 11:42
Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 11:42
The latest news: Reconstruction works are nearing completion.
The road is expected to be opened to traffic, under one lane, in the week commencing 24 March 2014.
The repairs are expected to be fully completed by the
Easter holiday break.
For further enquiries about this project please call 1800 753 878.
Maybe, just maybe, those still in Tasmania late March will get through :)
Mh
AnswerID:
527119
Follow Up By: Member - mepvic - Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 19:02
Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 19:02
Thanks for that info Mother Hen. Dates are a bit late for us but we will call into
Corinna via
Waratah and Savage River and see if we can get a further update. Leave Sunday for 2 1/2 weeks.
Will post what info I can get from
Corinna.
Mal
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 19:12
Monday, Feb 24, 2014 at 19:12
Have a wonderful trip regardless Mal. You won't fit everything into your short timeframe, and Western Explorer was one we had to skip in the end as there wasn't enough time.
Mh
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