Caravaning in Tasmania

Thank you Phil 'n Jill of measuring your van and especially for the hint 're van brake adjusting for the downhill sections. We travelled 18,300 km around Aus last year but this is our first venture into Tasmania. we will be taking our time.

Hey Fleggy, John was not happy doing it in the rain a few years ago!!!
And that was with the camper trailer.
I have been here for 4 months, towing 20ft on my own and coping OK.
Yet to do the West Coast.
Parking van at Somerset Caravan PK & flying to King Island for a months farm sit.
Tassie food & people are great.
Cheers Heather

Pleased to hear you are still 'out there' Heather - yes it is a wonderful bit of our country and worthy of the visit - bit different from that stretch between Halls Ck & Fitzroy Xing where I had to borrow a spare from you - oh so long ago....

The farm sit should be fabulous - envious.

All the best.

Cheers - Phil & Jill

Phil 'n Jill, you traveled from east to west, our plan was to head west to spend time in Stanley and on the North West coast first before heading down the Murchison Hwy to Queenstown and Strahan and eventually heading east. Is there a preferred direction to travel the Lyell Hwy to Hobart. We're still in the planing stages so can change direction and start on the east coast if we need to. Greg

Hi Greg - We just took pot luck & I don't expect it will matter either way. We spoke to locals in Queenstown who regularly do the 'weekend trip' back & forth between there & Hobart for business or family visits - but they wouldn't be towing the van.

The issue to be aware of is watching your mirrors so you know when traffic is behind you. There are many sections where you can pull to the side to let traffic through - nothing like our passing lanes, but enough for you to pull aside. You have to keep an eye out for them though as there is no indication. This was why I referred to it being slow work. I don't like to hold up other traffic & will take every opportunity to let others through. Nobody in their right mind would try to pass in too many places when you are in the hills.

Have fun - regards, Phil

Thank you Phil

Thank you Notso, we will be heeding all the hints and warnings that we are given.

Thank you baznpud (Tassie), at this stage we intend spending at least six weeks in Tasmania. I know we won't see it all, there is so much of Australia that no matter how long we spend travelling, we will never see it all.

baznpud, as you appear to know Tassie, I'm sending you as well as Phil 'n Jill this followup and would appreciate your and anyone else's opinion. Our plan was to head west to spend time in Stanley and on the North West coast first before heading down the Murchison Hwy to Queenstown and Strahan and eventually heading east. Is there a preferred direction to travel the Lyell Hwy to Hobart. We're still in the planing stages so can change direction and start on the east coast if we need to. Greg

Greg,
You haven't given a date as to when you are coming, so weather dependent, off boat 6.30ish in the morning, have a look around Devonport, then head along the NW Coast, won't mention the smaller towns, but some are worth at least a drive through.

At Burnie, stop at the Cheese Factory for a tasting, there's a whiskey place near by,you never know you may want to leave some of your foreign coinage here (lol), no stopping from Devonport it will take you no longer than 45mins to get to Burnie, about 50ks.

Stanley is a quaint little town, a trip to the top of the Nut is worth while, there is a cvp on the foreshore at Stanlet, and free camping at Black River just before the turn off to the township, well small donation.

If this far along the coast, would suggest a trip to Marrawah, and down to Arthur River, plenty of camping here, and you can do a boat trip up the Arthur River, have a look at the "Edge of the World", then you could do the Western Explorer road to Corinna, you will be to long to go on the Fat Boy, so turn left and travel to Waratah, and end up on the Murchison Highway (MH) some 60 ks south of Burnie, or drive from Arthur River to Couta Rocks then left on the Rebecca Road which will get you back to Smithton.

Down the MH to Rosebery, then swing right to Zeehan, the museum is worth a look, also the spray tunnel (but i haven't been there) then on to Strahan, if in to free camping (little charge) the camp at Macquarie Heads is worth a go. Also a trip on one of the boats up the Gordon River, sometimes they will take you out through Macquarie Heads in to the Southern Ocean.

The road from Strahan is twisty, but slow and steady, not a problem, Queenstown is the next town, believe you can camp on or near the only gravel footy oval in Oz (my Dad played on it), or some ks out of Queeny there is free camping, Lake Burbury.

Travel to Derwent Bridge, camp at Lake St Clair for a charge or Lake King William for free, seven ks or so out of Derwent Bridge is "The Wall", if you don't stop and look at anything else, stop and look at this, it's a must.

From Derwent Bridge you come to Tarraleah, Ouse, if it's lunch time the Lachlan Hotel puts on great meals, you can't jump over them, take a doggy bag in, Hamilton then New Norfolk, at this stage you are 45 minutes from Hobart, but depends if you want to go west to Lake Pedder, Strathgordon, it's a sealed road, but hilly, may be better to CVP in New Norfolk and do a day drive.

Hobart to the Huon Valley, would suggest the cvp in Huonville, green grassy sites and friendly people run it, more like a farm stay, day trips to Cockle Bay, Ida Bay Railway, Hastings Caves, and thermal pool.
, take yu toggs.

Then south east to Port Arthur,, back to Sorell, and up the East Cost, takes a couple of hours from Sorell to Swansea, longer if you have stops,and you will, on to Coles Bay, and Freycinet Peninsula, at least walk to the top of the hill that over looks Wine Glass Bay, wonderful, tale water with you it's a bit of a climb.

On to Bicheno, some 40ks north of Bicheno, call into the Ironhouse Point mini brewery, good beer and food, well was when we were there a few months back.

Then St Helens, out to the Bay of Fires, free camping, by now you could be running short of time, head to Scottsdale, Bridport, along the coast to George Town, down to the Batman Bridge, left to Exeter, and right along the Frankford Highway which will bring you out at Devonport.

I haven't covered the middle at all, but if you have time, you can change direction from any of the highways and be in the Midlands with in a couple of ours.

Hope this helps, travel safe, and enjoy our piece of Gods country.

If in the Huon Valley, and i can be of any help 0418517131

Barry

Greg, if you want any further info, click on My Profile, you will find our email address.
barry

Thank you very much Barry. Greatly appreciate the information you have given us. We're planning to be there from October for at least 6 weeks so just might give you a call when we're in your neck of the woods and have a drink or two. Thanks again. Greg and Judith

Humm, October, good time to be coming, and we will have just arrived home from our trip to your island, couple of drinks sounds good, look forward to it.
Cheers
barry

Thank you new boy. That is what we will be doing whenever and wherever we can.

Thank you Mark. That's the sort of information we appreciate. where to park, what to see etc. we're looking forward to the experience.

Thank you Phil, we experienced a lot of wind coming down the west coast of WA last year. we've learnt to roll up the awning whenever we're away from the van.

Thank you Chooky and Wobble. enjoy your trip.

Thank you rumpig, appreciate the list of places to see.

Thank you Motherhen, yes we have started the budget planning for the trip and are aware of the costs involved in getting there but we think this trip will be worth the expense.