Suggestions please, Hobart to Strauhan

Hi Andrew

We went through that way in april/may last year. Can't be too bad as I can't remember it at all. Not like the descent into Queenstown - but just take that slowly and it's easy.

John

It is a very winding road. The engineer that built it did so without bridges which would have straightened it a lot. The road surface is a full two lanes, although the shoulders are a little narrow in parts. If you keep your speed down you will have no problems. There are a few places where you can allow others to overtake you.

I drove it from Strahan to Queenstown on a very wet day. I was a little apprehensive about the wet surface before travelling it. Afterwards I wondered why. The trip was OK and we ended up enjoying the trip.

Hi Andrew

The worst part would have to be the switchback of the east side of Queenstown. We did it the other way, and my husband was awake all night worrying about it and telling the Patrol (pulling a heavy caravan) it would be OK. It was, as with the zig zags it was not as steep as it looked.

We stayed at the caravan park at Zeehan - nice quiet small park on the outskirts of town, and decided it was much nicer there than staying at Strahan (as did a number of others staying there) and there wasn't any appealing free campsites around. So we commuted to Strahan and Queenstown from Zeehan, doing the Strahan to Queenstown road by coach, as the return part of the rack railway trip Queenstown to Strahan. The Museum at the old Zeehan School of Mines was great, and we didn't see it all in a full day.

Motherhen

Andrew,

We have towed a van to the West Coast (Hobart to Queenstown to Strahan) on a number of occasions, although there are a couple of steep pulls and long hills it's not a problem, just take your time and as they keep saying, drive to the conditions.

One thing you must not miss is "The Wall", which you will find some 15-16 ks past the Bronte Park turn off, or about 7ks before you get to Derwent Bridge.

If you don't want to go into Tarraleah, there is a short cut via the C601, which i think from memory they call the 14 Mile Road, if you take this road "The Wall" is some 13 ks on.

There is camping at Macquarie Heads, 10-15 ks south of Strahan, minimal fees apply.

Enjoy the West Coast, we love it.
Cheers
Baz

Thanks everyone who replied, looks like it'll be fine.

I take it the 99 bends referred to by others is a stretch before Queenstown??? not between Queenstown and Strahan as I thought people were referring to!

Either way, seems OK to pull the van.

Cheers everyone.

Grease up the steering links and you'll be fine. As others have said the road to Strahan is VERY windy but no problems if you taks it easy and watch out for blind turns over crests..

From Zeehan to Strahan is a much straighter road.

Free camping at the Derwent Bridge Pub on the way if you want to break up the trip, good meals also, a bit pricey but ok,great looking pub inside with a massive fire place worth a look.

Cheers........Browny

Have towed Hobart to Queenstown, then north via Zeehan.
There is a long, steep descent down to Tarraleah - we needed a low gear. The descent to Queenstown was not as bad as we feared - it is long and does bend around, but the gradient was not as bad as some we have done.
We stayed at National Park (Mt Field) and Lake St Clair on the way over.
We stayed at caravan park in Queenstown, having been less than impressed with the Strahan variety on a previous trip. Found the CP at Queenstown a great base. We did a couple of day trips to Strahan to do things there, but also did a lot around Queenstown itself, like the Bird River walk and the drive to Mt McCall. The CP had a gravel surface but we thought it was fine for the 10 days we stayed there. Stayed a few days at Zeehan too, and found the CP there ok, apart from a local hunting/shooting very close by in the dark of one night.
The road from Zeehan north was winding in parts - not a fast trip. We took the route through Hampshire, to Burnie, to avoid the Hellyer Gorge section - good road.

The road is not as bad as every one says. Yes its windy and steep but the corners are close together so you don't build up any speed. I did the road about 3 weeks ago in a landcrusier and towing a Jayco Swan. No problems at all. Take it easy and enjoy the view.