Hi, I'm half way through five weeks in Tassie. Currently in the south. The drive down the Midland Hwy was terrible with more road work at 40klh than normal road. A couple of people have suggested going back to Devonport on the Lakes Hwy. I'll be towing a 2500kg van. Has anyone used that road recently?
The Lake Hwy was renamed a few years ago to Lakes Main Road.
As it goes over the top of the Central Plateau it can get a lot of snow/ice on it.
While you are not travelling during winter, there still is a chance of bad weather, albeit slight.
It is mostly sealed now, but there still exists a lengthy section of gravel.
Descent at the northern end is fairly steep and a bit twisty although on bitumen.
Can be a bleak outlook scenery wise - depends on your point of view.
Long hauls between settlements, not many facilities en route.
If you have the time, the East Coast route is attractive, interesting. Still has a couple of passes, plenty of bends, places of civilisation.
West Coast is very mountainous, mining oriented, remote, but very visually entertaining.
The Lakes route can be a fast way for some not towing.
My preference whilst towing is via Midlands Highway - even with the slow bits. Generally the road is better, there is more to see and do en route, comfort stops more frequent, help is easier to get if needed.
Mariner30 said
07:36 AM Jan 5, 2023
A poster with the name of Tassie Mike dosen't/ didn't know of the roadworks on the Midland highway...that have been going for years now??
( the duplication of the major freight route between Hobart-Launceston, for those who haven't been to Tas before )
Still has a considerable time frame till completion
Chris61 said
08:13 AM Jan 16, 2023
vanTas wrote:
It is mostly sealed now, but there still exists a lengthy section of gravel.
The Lake highway is now completely sealed and has been for a few years now
Hi, I'm half way through five weeks in Tassie. Currently in the south. The drive down the Midland Hwy was terrible with more road work at 40klh than normal road. A couple of people have suggested going back to Devonport on the Lakes Hwy. I'll be towing a 2500kg van. Has anyone used that road recently?
The Lake Hwy was renamed a few years ago to Lakes Main Road.
As it goes over the top of the Central Plateau it can get a lot of snow/ice on it.
While you are not travelling during winter, there still is a chance of bad weather, albeit slight.
It is mostly sealed now, but there still exists a lengthy section of gravel.
Descent at the northern end is fairly steep and a bit twisty although on bitumen.
Can be a bleak outlook scenery wise - depends on your point of view.
Long hauls between settlements, not many facilities en route.
If you have the time, the East Coast route is attractive, interesting. Still has a couple of passes, plenty of bends, places of civilisation.
West Coast is very mountainous, mining oriented, remote, but very visually entertaining.
The Lakes route can be a fast way for some not towing.
My preference whilst towing is via Midlands Highway - even with the slow bits. Generally the road is better, there is more to see and do en route, comfort stops more frequent, help is easier to get if needed.
( the duplication of the major freight route between Hobart-Launceston, for those who haven't been to Tas before )
Still has a considerable time frame till completion
The Lake highway is now completely sealed and has been for a few years now