Planning the nxxt big trip - Tasmania

G/day Norm,you pose an interesting Q,the wife and myself are going there in December & hope to be there for around 4 weeks.We are taking the motorhome but are spending 7 day's in resort type motel at 7 mile beach near Hobart from Boxing day & will have a look around there while there(day excursion's) by the time we hve done this we should know where we are going from there.So all going well should be able to give you some hints when we get back.Also if you do a search on Eo there was Q asked of this a couple of months ago & Andrew who has come along to a couple of gatherings has been to Tassie a couple of times & gave a few clues away as well & has his own web page with pics to see & info as well.He may also see you're thread & let you know.Happy travels,Cheer's Bob.

Hi Norm ,

You sound as keen to get back on the road as me .

Like you I have been to Tassie on business quite a few times and am planning on going there in February . My only non business trip there , was a trout fishing expedition into the highlands 15 years ago .

We might cross paths .

Willie .

Norm, we spent 7 glorious weeks there Feb/March this year. I haven't got to writing a trip journal on the websites yet, but have talked about highlights in a few posts. Loved every bit of it; mountains, waterfalls, rich red soil, rain forests, and lovely friendly people.

Hi Norm,

The following guide has good info on tracks.

Site Link

Cheers,

Rod

Hi Norm,

I will admit to having family in Launceston and partners family scattered all over Tassie. Top spots to visit would be the Tasman Peninsula and Bruny Island. i wish I had spent more time there at Christmas. Camp at Cloudy Bay on Burny - you will need 4by to get there as there is a drive along the beach at low tide. Apparently the camping and fishing there is awesome and all around Bruny there is Atlantic Salmon to be caught that has escaped from the farms.

Norm suggest you buy the 4 1:250,000 maps of Tassie as a general guide then get Chris Boden's "4WD tracks in Tasmania....Off-road Tasmania". It has some excellent trip notes & strip maps listing the majority of the 4x4 destinations in Tassie. If you intend visiting more than 4 National Parks it's cheaper to get a monthly permit. Camping locations in Tassie can at times be difficult to find so the "Camping Guide to Tasmania" & "Free camping in Tasmania" books are worth picking up.
If you like your driving rough plan to spend most of your time on the west coast. Queenstown is a great base from which to do day trips. Several of the best 4x4 trips (in the book) are by permit & ideally you should book in to organize the key from the parks office. Ask the Rangers what other "Keyed" tracks are in the area as not all are in the book.
Highlights............
Sandy Cape.
Balfour track.
Climies Track.
Spray tunnel.
Montezuma Falls.
Mt Huxley.
Mt McCall.
Mt Darwin.
Wellington Range.
White timber trail.
Pieman Heads.
Bird River.
Saw Back range.
Cheers Craig..............

The information mentioned will give you many 4wd options and thru routes
Many of the ones in Chris' book are ok for a trailer and are set up so that you don't have to back track
There may be closures of some tracks due to fire during these months and total fire bans do operate
www.4wdtasmania.org should have a list of clubs in Tassie Many run trips during this time of year if you wanted to join up with them and meet some locals .
The Treasure island newspaper [tourist] has many ideas for other options like the Apt railway airwalk dismal swamp woolnorth boat trips on the derwent and tamar rivers flights over the southwset in particular ect There is plenty to do and your 7to 8 weeks will go very quick

Although it is our warmest time bring a jacket rain gear ect as it can get very cold particularly on the west coast at night and in the highlands and on the coast from sea breeze
Remember no fruit and veg to be brought into tassie or fuel in jerries.And try for an advance purchase ticket its cheaper .

Bev

G Day Norm.
When you or any other travellers from that big Island, plan to visit our great Island, i would be more than too happy to catch up with you ,if it works out and point you in the right direction.

I work on the east coast and will try to get away every second weekend over that time of the year.

My brother and i are planning a trip to your big Island in the middle of next year, so we may be able swap some info that will benefit both parties.

Cheers Uncle Phil

G'day Norm,

We spent 3 weeks there in a motor home and still missed a lot. Want to go back for a month in the 4by to see the rest.
Highlight of the trip was a trip to seal rock and Maria Isl. with a small operator working out of Triabunna, 0430 start, but awsome day!
The 'remarkable caves' while at Port Arthur is also well worth the walk, as is wineglass bay on the Freycinet Peninula.
The drive through Hellyer gorge is not to be missed, the huon pine forest airwalk, the Bay of fires, bush walks at Cradle maintain, mate you could fill a book.
The whole state is one big picture post card, there are spectacular views and something of interest no matter where you go.
We found the "Lonely Planet Guide to Tasmania" a wealth of information and wouldn't go back without it, as it's information leans towards backpackers and people on a budget, full of free and cheap camp sites and tours, aswell as the usual touristy stuff.
The other thing I would suggest is that if you go in feb to make sure you spend time in advance booking any major accomadation ( Motels, B @ B's etc) and also booking C'van parks a few days in advance, as this is peak season and accomadation is scarce.
Enjoy your time there and you may as well start planning your 2nd trip there now!

Avagoodn
Pezza

Advance purchase is the best discount might be called something else now but they know what you mean You have to pay for it within 3 days of booking but the savings are good You have 12 months to use the fare but changes to your booking are 20$ I think Youan only travel on days that fares are available which is any day as long as they have some left

Jerrys supposed to be filled with water Unsecured gas bottles are to be put in a cage and collected at the other end Quick to get unsecured = a bottle not hosed into a camper kitchen.Jerrys ok they dry out pretty quick . If you have a big tank won't need extra fuel here as plenty of servos as long as not on gas .

Bev