Upcoming Tassie Trip & how to get there
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 07:36
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Stefandsal
Happy New Year everyone!
So we are off to Tassie & taking the van (Jayco Journey All Terrain) on the SOT leaving 21/2.
We are coming from Qld, heading via
Narromine, stopping overnight again BTW
Narromine &
Melbourne, staying in Melb somewhere the night before boarding then boarding early morning of 21/2.
We have never been, so any suggestions on what the best route is through Melb with the van would be welcome.
We are also open to suggestions on where to stay the night before boarding (we can
free camp or a van park - either is fine).
Thanks in advance.
Reply By: Uncle Arthur - Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 08:42
Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 08:42
Welcome to Tasmania in February. We have found the best way to the Spirit is on the Western Ring Road and come in over the Westgate
Bridge staying in the far left lane and then exit as soon as you cross and go back under the
bridge and follow the Spirit signs to Bells Parade.
An excellent park to stay the night before returning to
Melbourne is the
Lakeside Caravan Park at Eugenana which is in the
hill behind
Devonport 10 minutes from boat.
When in Tasmania and when you visit the West Coast area an absolute must to see is "The Wall in the Wilderness" at Derwent
Bridge between
Hobart and
Queenstown.
Happy travels.
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Reply By: Mikee5 - Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 08:45
Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 08:45
We stayed in the caravan park in Packenham the night before. They were very welcoming. We had a drive through site so didn't unhook. Left early to beat the traffic. Follow the signs, easier than we were expecting. Beware the low
bridge in Port
Melbourne ( no need to go under it). No
toilets in the queueing area, we had one in the caravan. There is a FB page about touring Tassie it was very useful. Info correct as of 3 years ago. We booked a cabin even though it was a day crossing, worth the expense for comfort, easy and napping. Greedy hogs monopolise all available seating with bags and lying down even though this is/was not allowed.
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Follow Up By: Kenell - Wednesday, Jan 05, 2022 at 08:04
Wednesday, Jan 05, 2022 at 08:04
If you were coming down the coast into Vic then I agree with Mikee5 that Pakenham would be a good option for the onite stay. If you are travelling down the Hume though it is about 70 ks out of your way to get there and then the same in the morning. There are a lot of works going on around Pakenham at present too. The freeway works and rail crossing elimination works are in full swing which might give you a slow start but once passed those it is a straightforward run into Port
Melbourne.
As others have said it is a bit of a bunfight once you get there and lining up etc. It might be worth doing some preliminary work on caravan park availability in Tas too as it will be a particularly busy season down there. We like camping on the east coast and there are some great spots around
St Helens /
Bay of Fires etc. Otherwise follow the tourist maps and enjoy.
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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 09:24
Tuesday, Jan 04, 2022 at 09:24
Hi Stefandsal,
There is no van park close to the SOT dock in Port
Melbourne. Be aware that if you choose to just park in the street somewhere, that there are
parking restrictions. Also, many of the local residents do not like caravans
parking in their streets.
There is ample
parking for an overnight stop at the BP Service Centre on the Hume Freeway near Wallan. There is also a “
rest area”, (no
toilet) on the Hume Freeway about two kms past the Beveridge turn off. These are both within an hours drive of
Melbourne, although peak hour traffic coming in to
Melbourne early in the morning (06:00 to 09:00) will see the traffic quite heavy on the freeway and ring road, so allow a bit of extra time. If you want a caravan park, there is very little choice close to
Melbourne. Download the WikiCamps app, one time low cost payment, it will help you find a suitable spot close to
Melbourne.
When coming in to
Melbourne on the Hume Freeway, take the M80 ring road, then the Westgate Freeway over the Westgate
Bridge staying in the left lane, taking the Todd Road exit, and follow the signs to the SOT.
Macca.
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