A week in northern Tassie

[RooFlyer]

We will spend 10 days driving around Tasmania. Have booked the Gordon River cruise (15% off NRMA). All accommodation have been booked.

Essential to download the Fuel Check Tas app. It'll show the current price at every servo, for the grade of fuel you choose and highlights the cheapest in the field of view. (sorry @PrezRegan didn't think of it before).

 

[Myrna]

We’re doing remarkably similar trips…. Guess what I’m doing tomorrow haha

The SoT across was incredibly smooth, didn’t feel the movement at all. Taking your own car is cheaper in the long run I think and less hassle. I probably wouldn’t do SoT again just because of price but for the novelty it was good

We were hoping (in vain) over a year ago that the new SoT ships would start. However, due to government or someone / some organisation stuffed up big time / incompentencies that although at least one new ship was fitted and ready to sail, no one thought of building a new wharf for it! Not a laughing matter. No one is taking responsibility. There were talks that the new ship would be leased out to some org in Europe / UK so by the time it is operational in Australia it would be a 'second hand' ship (no longer new). Reading the UK newspapers, it has been moored in Scotland for over a year, but now is somewhere in WA? Apparently there have been more issues with the new wharf - costs blow out etc. So, not sure when the new ship will be sailing ?? A big disappointment.

 

[Myrna]

Essential to download the Fuel Check Tas app. It'll show the current price at every servo, for the grade of fuel you choose and highlights the cheapest in the field of view. (sorry @PrezRegan didn't think of it before).

Thanks, RooFlyer . We have now downloaded the Fuel Check Tas app. We have got the Fuel Check NSW app.

 

[markis10]

not sure when the new ship will be sailing ?? A big disappointment.

New ship is in Geelong while the second new one is on its way

 

[RooFlyer]

Apparently there have been more issues with the new wharf - costs blow out etc. So, not sure when the new ship will be sailing ?? A big disappointment.

The two new vessels are completed, but they sort of forgot to build a berth for them in Devonport. A big scandal here.

Now under construction, expect to be usable late 2026 or early 2027. And yes, we’re paying the port of Geelong for berthing two, large, brand-new vessels for most of that time. Not usable on any other run due to the particular berthing requirements.

Apologies, PrezRegan for the diversion. Trust you are enjoying today’s refreshing rain.

 

[PrezRegan]

Yeah it’s a big change from yesterday’s sunny weather. The drive to Strahan was not super fun particularly with the winding roads

 

[Oscarq]

Late June'26 Port Leith Edinburgh in time to see Spirit IV set sail south to Australia. She's massive compared to the existing ships.

 

[elanshin]

Sounds like a fun trip. Oh boy I have to say driving up to Cradle mountain at night with the rain coming down was an experience last year. Mountainous roads + night + poor visibility is not for the feint hearted. We even passed another vehicle who decided to park on the side of the road until someone else came by so they could follow instead of navigating on their own.

 

[VPS]

The two new vessels are completed, but they sort of forgot to build a berth for them in Devonport. A big scandal here.

Now under construction, expect to be usable late 2026 or early 2027. And yes, we’re paying the port of Geelong for berthing two, large, brand-new vessels for most of that time. Not usable on any other run due to the particular berthing requirements.

Apologies, PrezRegan for the diversion. Trust you are enjoying today’s refreshing rain.

Are the new ones going to be quicker or smoother or both

 

[PrezRegan]

Checked into our accommodation in Strahan Village. We’ve booked a Premium Harbourview Room as part of a 2 night package with NRMA which also includes the Gordon River Cruise. Crunching the numbers I think the cruise essentially pays for itself - and it’s not cheap.

The room is situated overlooking the waterfront with what would be stunning views if not for the constant drizzle. Nonetheless, the room is quite nice with a fake fireplace and modern bathroom.


On checkin we were advised to book dinner in advance - there are three main options, a in-hotel restaurant (closed) Hamer’s bar and bistro, and a cafe. We opted for the bistro and the only time we could be slotted in was 6, so an early dinner it was.

Again, the food was not cheap but quite good. I had the kilpatrick oysters and a scotch fillet which was beautifully cooked. Throughout dinner a number of people tried to come in without reservations and were declined - I think it wasn’t a capacity issue but more because they were closing early due to a public holiday (which might also explain why the hotel restaurant was closed).

Went back to hotel and caught a glimpse of sunset.

 

[Myrna]

Checked into our accommodation in Strahan Village. We’ve booked a Premium Harbourview Room as part of a 2 night package with NRMA which also includes the Gordon River Cruise. Crunching the numbers I think the cruise essentially pays for itself - and it’s not cheap.

The room is situated overlooking the waterfront with what would be stunning views if not for the constant drizzle. Nonetheless, the room is quite nice with a fake fireplace and modern bathroom.
View attachment 479473View attachment 479474View attachment 479475

On checkin we were advised to book dinner in advance - there are three main options, a in-hotel restaurant (closed) Hamer’s bar and bistro, and a cafe. We opted for the bistro and the only time we could be slotted in was 6, so an early dinner it was.

Again, the food was not cheap but quite good. I had the kilpatrick oysters and a scotch fillet which was beautifully cooked. Throughout dinner a number of people tried to come in without reservations and were declined - I think it wasn’t a capacity issue but more because they were closing early due to a public holiday (which might also explain why the hotel restaurant was closed).

Went back to hotel and caught a glimpse of sunset.
View attachment 479476

We will be staying at Strahan Village as well, but in a cheaper room - no view, standard / dated bathroom. It is very close to the river cruise so convenient.

 

[kpc]

I think I have done the Gordon River cruise twice now ...it is very scenic and relaxing. IIRC, you get off the boat and walk around Sarah Island for a while.

 

[PrezRegan]

Thankfully the weather appears to have cleared up this morning.


The cruise terminal is very close to the village and I think we can walk down the hill via some stairs rather than having to drive and pay for parking in the public carpark.

Breakfast is just random things from IGA we bought before dinner. I’m not sure if many things are open this early.

 

[RooFlyer]

The cruise terminal is very close Rio the village and I think we can walk down the hill via some stairs rather than having to drive and pay for parking in the public carpark.

Correct - but you would have found that out by now. . Hope you booked the premium seats on the boat; if so, def want to be able to walk to and from the cruise.

 

[mitti]

Join me (and my partner) [my partner and I for the grammar naz_s out there] as we explore northern Tasmania for a week

Couldn’t resist, you actually had it right the first time. The ‘correction’ is incorrect. Objective case after a verb: ‘join me’, never ‘join I’.

 

[PrezRegan]

So we ended up splurging and upgrading our tickets and whilst it was pricey I do think it was worth it. Upgrading on the spot form our interior seat tickets was $195 pp - that’s on top of the $155 we would’ve paid but didn’t have to as part of the NRMA/Strahan village promo.

Upgrading to the premium cabin gives you a much nicer seat, window view, access to a private viewing area, and a lot of food and free drink for the duration. The seats are nice but the one furthest from the window is a bit cramped. I was able to move one seat back though as it wasn’t very full.


Drinks were flowing throughout and the food was quite good, with a buffet breakfast on boarding consisting of chia pudding, fruit, pastries, yoghurt; some light morning canapés (an egg tart thing and some soup); a buffet lunch featuring salmon (hope you like fish because there was a lot of it - tasty though); and in the afternoon a buffet of cheeses and small pastries. Unlimited alcohol throughout with a decent selection of 3 whites and 3 reds, sparkling, beer, alcoholic ginger beer and softies as well as tea and coffee.

The weather which started out a bit average cleared up throughout the day. The two stops were… meh. The first is a small 400m walk through a forest area where you can see the Huon trees. The second on Sarah island was a bit more interesting thanks to the guide who (at the time of writing is also an actor for Australia’s longest running play in Strahan) who gave us a very informative rundown of the island’s convict history over about an hour.


On return we did a drive around and saw some of the sights whilst the weather was still good. Will probably skip dinner as we’re both stuffed from the food onboard.

Tomorrow is off to Launceston.

 

[RooFlyer]

Upgrading to the premium cabin

Gordon River Cruises or World Heritage Cruises boat? I think the former?

Australia’s longest running play in Strahan

For those playing along at home: The Ship that Never Was. It definitely didn't sound like my thing, but when I took a history excursion of 30 pax from Hobart to the west coast, we all went to se it - it was an absolute hoot.

 

[PrezRegan]

Gordon River Cruises or World Heritage Cruises boat? I think the former?



For those playing along at home: The Ship that Never Was. It definitely didn't sound like my thing, but when I took a history excursion of 30 pax from Hobart to the west coast, we all went to se it - it was an absolute hoot.

Gordon river

And damn wish we’d seen it

 

[PrezRegan]

Today was spent driving to Lonnie in the rain. We retraced the route through cradle mountain we took just a few days ago and ended up stopping at the Peppers Cradle Mountain for lunch. It was absolutely bucketing when we got there but clearer after leaving - I saw (and patted) a wombat!

We’re staying at Peppers Silo. No upgrade as far as I’m aware from our Tamar River Suite but complimentary underground parking and a welcome gift of more wine. Room is very spacious and the water pressure is good. The gym is also quite decent.


Will check out the restaurant tomorrow, tonight we’re grabbing Lebanese in town for something different.

 

[PrezRegan]

Today started with breakfast in the grain and silo. I had the avocado and poached eggs and it was quite good! Barista coffee was offered and there was no issue with the me getting a side of bacon. I’m assuming all of it was all free as no one tried to stop me from leaving…

We went off to cataract gorge which was neat but there isn’t all that much there - we covered it in about 30 mins.

For something to do we decided to go to the Bridestowe lavender farm about 50 mins from Launceston. While the weather was a bit average heading in there was no rain at the farm. Unfortunately the lavender isn’t in season (it only blooms in dec/jan) but there’s a free tour that was quite informative.

After than we went to Jansz winery on the way back. The tasting was $30 for their ultimate which includes 6 wines and a special 7th. Tbh I liked their normal vintage ones (incidentally the same that QF serves) the most.

Dinner will be at the hotel restaurant. I also paid $100 to upgrade to the top room for the night (they offered an “upgrade” to a smaller room for free) and when we returned to the hotel the room was ready and they’d moved our bags for us. Even more wine awaited, and pictures of the top room can be found below.