Tasmania - Tips and suggestions

[Deleted member 29185]

Jeeze you lot.......with all these wineries, distilleries, breweries and pubs being suggested, anyone would think you all believe I'm an old soak! :shock:

Come to think of it, I do like these suggestions, so perhaps if the shoe fits............:mrgreen:

When we do finally get our proposed itinerary finished, I'll post it up for comment.

 

[Steady]

I guess there is nothing you wouldn't find on the net but if you think a printed touring guide would be useful let me know and I will post one to you - I noticed the 2016 issue coming back into Tas last week and grabbed one.

 

[Deena]

Oooh I just got back last night from Hobart, quickest trip as I had a one day conference. I stayed at Lenna of Hobart, beautiful place, free parking.

Definately checkout Mona, been there twice on previous visits. Last visit we spent two days in Port Arthur to explore and see Eaglehawk Neck, Tessalated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Blowhole. We stayed on the cheap at the carvannpark, great place. Theres a new Lavender farm at Port Arthur, nice if you like Lavender. I finally made it up to Mount Wellington, windy road, but worth it for the view.

I would love to spend two weeks in Tassie.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Or of course two trips!

I'm beginning to think this as well. We're constrained from extending because of a wedding so maybe two options, either do the west or east coast only and return later, or alternatively do a round trip and decide where we like the most to return later for a more relaxed stay!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

OK, I think I've plotted everyone's suggestions onto Google maps and come up with a proposed route. An alternative in the North east would be Ansons Bay to Bridport (via Nth Ansons Rd) and then to George Town and the Tamar Valley.

Any comments are always appreciated.

 

[RooFlyer]

Couple of comments: Check the road from Zeehan to Corinna - it MAY be 4WD, and involves crossing the Pieman River ([-]ferry[/-] barge) - see here for schedule and charges. Then, the road from Corinna to Arthurs River is the Western Explorer Road. See here for a description. Personally, I wouldn't take my own sedan car on that road. If you are hiring a car, you may not be able to take it on the WER, due to unsealed parts (over 200km). I would only suggest that route for a '4WD adventure' type trip. Even if you can do it in your hire car for your 2 week trip it'll take a disproportionate amount of time.

Furthermore: there are major bush fires burning between Marrawah and Corinna at the moment. See here, then zoom the NW coast area. Should be under control by March, but roads may still be closed due to possibility of falling burnt trees. See TasAlert map.

Personally, in spite of the 'NW Coast' cheerleaders, I still would go from Zeehan through Tullah to Cradle Mountain; that would clip 2 or 3 days off. There are fires east of the Cradle Mountain region, but not impacting the Dove Lake / Lodge area.

Remember roads in Tas are usually winding and narrow; anywhere you want to go will take a bit longer than you think, especially on the west coast.

Without the northern west and NW Coast part, your itinerary is do-able in the time. If you really want to go to that part of Tas, omit the remote west and NW coast in this trip (but keep the west coast Strahan and Zeehan etc) and do it in a 4WD on a separate trip. That opens up a whole bunch of other interesting places, such as Trial Harbour, Granville Harbour and the old mining towns and tramways now off the highway.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Oh RooFlyer, as the boys from " A River Somewhere" said - what is the next best thing to a 4 WD ? - a hire car !!

(The light-hearted adventures of comedians Rob Sitch and Tom Gleisner as they travel the globe to indulge in their passion of fly fishing )

 

[drron]

And we took our hire car.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

All good points. The hire car we've ordered is a an ASX. I assumed they were 4wd but I see they make 2wd models as well. Also, it'd be just my luck that they give us a C class Merc! The western explorer road took my fancy, but I guess there are time considerations as well.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

All good points. The hire car we've ordered is a an ASX. I assumed they were 4wd but I see they make 2wd models as well. Also, it'd be just my luck that they give us a C class Merc!.....

Hey I have a Merc, and it could handle those roads we drove on they are tough cars !!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Oh RooFlyer, as the boys from " A River Somewhere" said - what is the next best thing to a 4 WD ? - a hire car !!

(The light-hearted adventures of comedians Rob Sitch and Tom Gleisner as they travel the globe to indulge in their passion of fly fishing )

I must admit, I despised that show. All they did was whine about every place they went to. Why travel to different places and then complain about it. Early on they did a show from Bright (Vic) and the sign said "Welcome to Bright - Gateway to the Snowfields" (so something similar) and the rude clowns made the comment that the only places that say they're the gateway to somewhere are the dumps that's got nothing going for it. Apart form the fact they were guests in that town, I actually think it's quite an attractive little place. I switched off after that thinking the only people who say they're comedians are clowns who haven't got anything else going for themselves! (apologies for going off topic and apologies to the few comedians who can be funny without being disparaging).

 

[Deena]

If it's the same ASX I had on my recent Hobart trip, it had no guts on hills, got me up Mount Wellington but if I had to slow down, took ages to get up to speed again. My Corolla's far gutsier. Not sure if it was a 2WD. Nice to drive though

 

[drron]

Finally started my TR on NW Tasmania.Will be an ongoing work.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....photos/rambling-around-nw-tasmania-73946.html

 

[BAM1748]

If it's the same ASX I had on my recent Hobart trip, it had no guts on hills, got me up Mount Wellington but if I had to slow down, took ages to get up to speed again. My Corolla's far gutsier. Not sure if it was a 2WD. Nice to drive though

I think the ASX has one of those variable slip gearboxes, different driving technique. (The very latest Corollas have them as well I think)

 

[drron]

I have a rental ASX this time in Tassie.Not too hard getting up the Hills.

 

[Deena]

I think the ASX has one of those variable slip gearboxes, different driving technique. (The very latest Corollas have them as well I think)

Yes I have this in my ZR.

 

[Deena]

I have a rental ASX this time in Tassie.Not too hard getting up the Hills.

See, your not driving the ASX I had then

 

[BAM1748]

I must admit, I despised that show. All they did was whine about every place they went to. Why travel to different places and then complain about it. Early on they did a show from Bright (Vic) and the sign said "Welcome to Bright - Gateway to the Snowfields" (so something similar) and the rude clowns made the comment that the only places that say they're the gateway to somewhere are the dumps that's got nothing going for it. Apart form the fact they were guests in that town, I actually think it's quite an attractive little place. I switched off after that thinking the only people who say they're comedians are clowns who haven't got anything else going for themselves! (apologies for going off topic and apologies to the few comedians who can be funny without being disparaging).

Haha, just to counter that, I really enjoyed the shows. Had an air of relaxation and amusement about them I liked.

Bright is a nice place but that doesn't mean the it's got anything to do with the snowfields and local tourist committees love to stretch the facts.

 

[RooFlyer]

You are coming to the right place. Interestingly, at least one businesses (the Pennicott jet boat rides) wasn't eligible this year as it had won too many times in the past

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

And there was this too -

Tasmania has won. In a year when Conde Nast Traveler​ decreed Australia the world's hottest destination, there's no doubt Tasmania is the hottest of the hot. "


Tasmania: Why it's the place to go in Australia