WHO HAS CAMPED IN TASMANIA

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

WHO HAS CAMPED IN TASMANIA

ozi2 · Guru

GrumpyOne wrote:

Hey Guys n Gals,

Have been seriousl;y considering a trip to Tassy in either June or July, I realise its the middle of winter down there but it can't be any worse than here in the South East of SA.

Besides it's supposed to be the best time to see the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) while the air is cold and clear at night in the southern parts of the state.

Will go over (& back) on the ferry on an ocean recliner ticket and then be camping as always using my trusty OzTent.....

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

G'day Grumpy one, we visited tassie for 4 weeks last Oct.........weather was freezing, we ended up buying light weight thermals for comfort. I dont think the time of year will matter too much ( we camped in a tent with snow for company) but one would hope that you can get a good price on your ferry ticket for June/July. Concessions are avail also. The ocean recliners are fine and cheapest option. You will have heaps of room as most people book rooms thinking this is the way to go, personally I think it is too expensive. The recliners are at the rear of ship and look straight out over the stern......nice during the daylight hours. Also, you will find that you are'nt restricted as lots of seats to choose from. Take your own food/drinks onboard as these are'nt cheap. Lots of entertainment on board during crossing.
Once you arrive Devonport its just a matter of deciding where you want to go. Fantastic state, lovely, friendly people with an overwhelming choice of beautiful places to see/stay etc. Free camping is not a problem and lots of places to do so.
Use your camps book and comments from this forum....mate, have a great time.
cheers,
ozi2
Grump you mentioned the Southern Lights; I think at ****le bay which is approaching the most southerly tip you can free camp for up to 30 days. Toilet and water supplied and right on the beach.......great spot and good for walking etc.

Jeez, another edit: something to remember before arriving at the ferry, you will have to surrender any LPG bottles and retrieve at Devonport and there are certain food and plant items that are prohibited that you might like to check out.

-- Edited by ozi2 on Sunday 13th of March 2011 03:18:50 PM

-- Edited by ozi2 on Sunday 13th of March 2011 03:23:03 PM

ozi2 · Guru

ozi2 wrote:

GrumpyOne wrote:

Hey Guys n Gals,

Have been seriousl;y considering a trip to Tassy in either June or July, I realise its the middle of winter down there but it can't be any worse than here in the South East of SA.

Besides it's supposed to be the best time to see the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) while the air is cold and clear at night in the southern parts of the state.

Will go over (& back) on the ferry on an ocean recliner ticket and then be camping as always using my trusty OzTent.....

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster
G'day Grumpy one, we visited tassie for 4 weeks last Oct.........weather was freezing, we ended up buying light weight thermals for comfort. I dont think the time of year will matter too much ( we camped in a tent with snow for company) but one would hope that you can get a good price on your ferry ticket for June/July. Concessions are avail also. The ocean recliners are fine and cheapest option. You will have heaps of room as most people book rooms thinking this is the way to go, personally I think it is too expensive. The recliners are at the rear of ship and look straight out over the stern......nice during the daylight hours. Also, you will find that you are'nt restricted as lots of seats to choose from. Take your own food/drinks onboard as these are'nt cheap. Lots of entertainment on board during crossing.
Once you arrive Devonport its just a matter of deciding where you want to go. Fantastic state, lovely, friendly people with an overwhelming choice of beautiful places to see/stay etc. Free camping is not a problem and lots of places to do so.
Use your camps book and comments from this forum....mate, have a great time.
cheers,
ozi2
Grump you mentioned the Southern Lights; I think at ****le bay which is approaching the most southerly tip you can free camp for up to 30 days. Toilet and water supplied and right on the beach.......great spot and good for walking etc.

Jeez, another edit: something to remember before arriving at the ferry, you will have to surrender any LPG bottles and retrieve at Devonport and there are certain food and plant items that are prohibited that you might like to check out.

-- Edited by ozi2 on Sunday 13th of March 2011 03:18:50 PM

-- Edited by ozi2 on Sunday 13th of March 2011 03:23:03 PM

Give me a C...give me an O........give me C....give me a K..........and L and E and you have ...........****le bay biggrin

the joys of software censorship.

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Hey Ozi2,

Yes I have been doing research on the quarrantine regulations for there and I should be pretty right as I will only have frozens onboard at the time of crossing, as for the gas bottle yeah I would have expexted that (I was DG Qualified while in the army) underthe Dangerous cargo regulations, the crossing would be governed by the international shipping regulations even though it is completely within our territorial boundaries.

As for the thermals they were one item on my shopping list before even leaving home, I live in Millicent 50ks from Mt Gambier here in SA so it gets pretty damn cold here too...

That is one thing about the OzTent, it is very easy to get warm, being a small space with very fine mesh the heat stays inside long enough for you to get into bed and get warm.

Thanks for your advice, I will def look up C0cklebay in Free Camps...

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

Ma · Guru

Dumb questions probably, but I would assume that you will run your fridge on
DC while you do the crossing.

Does that mean that you have to take the gas bottles out of the caravan when you go across.

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Hey Guys n Gals,

Good questiion Ma, never thought about that...... I have two fridges (40 engel for feezer & 6- EvaCool fridge) that run off a 180 amp hour 1000cca 2nd battery so dont have to think about that.

I would expect that yes you would have to run off dc while oboard the ship, due to the DG regs...

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumspster

Two Strays · Senior Member

Hi all
Spent two months in Tassie last year (Mar,Apr).   We were lucky to have good weather.   There are very nice free camp sites.   Just use the Camps 5 or 6.   Buy a National Parks Pass on the Ferry,$60, saves a lot.

It is only loose gas bottles that have to be surrended for the trip.   Bottles fixed to the caravan are not removed.

Make sure and take notice on which deck you parked your vehicle on, otherwise, passengers who are sitting in the vehicles waiting to get off will be throwing daggers at you while you look for your vehicle.

Take your provisions for the trip.   It saves heaps.

Book your return trip in advance if you want to leave on a specific day.

We found that we could have stayed another month or two.   At least it gives us an excuse for another in the near future.

Have a safe trip

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Enjoy, Grumpy.

The only thing that is negative is that the days are going to be VERY short!

Antique Pete · Senior Member

Hi we went a few years ago in may and it was freezing 0 and below but the days were dry and sunny, we hired a motor home for ten days and traveled the coast roads from Hobart around the east coast across the top to Stanley [ has the cleanest cp I have ever stayed at right on the ocean front] and then down through Strahan [great sea food] to Richmond.
I was a great trip, beautiful state, ten days was not nearly long enough.
I am planning to spend my summers there when I hit the road
I am pretty sure you can stop and set up anywhere on the roads as long as you are parked safely
The river water is the cleanest i have seen anywhere, lovely people too
Enjoy your trip

Ma · Guru

Thanks for all the answers guys.

We are going down middle of November for three months and it sure doesn't do any harm to do a bit of homework before hand and get other people's views.

thanks again

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Hay Guys N Gals,

Here here Ma well said, and many thanks to one and all for your responces...

I am certainly looking forward to the trip, something i have always wanted to do....

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

Pejay · Guru

Hi everyone, I have been reading this thread with interest as we too are planning a trip to Tassie around July/August, and we sure have taken note of everyones thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks again, and hope to see you on the road either here or in Tassie.

Pete & June

frogandtoad · Member

Don,t forget your fishing rod Tassie has the best fishing fresh or ocean , also if you love peaceful scenic spots (one of many) Corrina on the Pieman river near Zeehan on the west coast is one of our favourite camp spots its free but if you go from Zeehan its $20 on the barge to cross the river.Hope you have a great time.

blaze · Guru

Tassie local, so ask away.
I dont find the food on the spirit that dear, $25 will get you a fine feed. When I travel solo I take a sleeping bag and settle down about 10.30 at night on the long benches the floor above the recliners, I dont like the smells or the noises where the chairs are, very stale sort of smell that comes from lots of people in a small area. Much rather the fresh air on the next level.
South of hobart is very speci around the huon river. Cape grim on the far northwest has the cleanest monitored air in the industrised world (close to Stanley) Fishing in the fresh requires a licence, salt water is free apart from some species like crayfish, abalone. Fresh sea food is available just about every where, best place is at the boats. The best of our seafood is exported. Do at least one trip up a river at either Strahan, Corrina or Arther River. Plenty info just ask and I will see if I can help
cheers
blaze

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Hey Guys n Gals,

Blaze maaaaattttteeeeee......... would it be worth while dragging the boat behind the tug... Its a 4.4m Tinny with 40hp pushing it along ? Was definately going to bring the fishing gear, all of it......

Pejay, give me a holla when ya sort ya dates out, would be great to catch up along the way because I am thinking I will be there around the same time, all going to plan.

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

Ma · Guru

Now Blaze, the best thing for all concerned is for you to meet every boat that docks at Devonport with your little bag full of all manner of brochures and tourist info and don't forget the discout vouchers and then freely distribute these to all the grey nomads that arrive. Gee I thought that was a good idea........

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Good onya Ma, I reckon a nice hot cuppa would be good too, he could do the Quarantine lines over and make a few bob while he's at it...... evileye

Watched a youtube video from a young girl earlier, made for an interesting view, just proves that the young ones have no idea of how to behave....

this is the link to it.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMswMOKFNno

Just goes to prove that they DON'T know how to drive to the conditions.

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

Happywanderer · The Master

Does it really take up to two hours to get through quarantine. I was there a few years ago and parked near the ferry as cars were coming off. There was no delay that I could see. They were driving off and leaving.

Ma · Guru

Well, I persevered and watched both videos..............not really much to say. The botanical gardens, what you saw of it, looked nice.................... blankstare

blaze · Guru

Ma wrote:

Now Blaze, the best thing for all concerned is for you to meet every boat that docks at Devonport with your little bag full of all manner of brochures and tourist info and don't forget the discout vouchers and then freely distribute these to all the grey nomads that arrive. Gee I thought that was a good idea........

theyn all ready do that Ma
cheers
blaze

blaze · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:

Does it really take up to two hours to get through quarantine. I was there a few years ago and parked near the ferry as cars were coming off. There was no delay that I could see. They were driving off and leaving.

Normal takes about 15 to 30 minutes but it seems like if there is a large number of vans or dirty vehicles it will take longer, yes I have known it to take 2 hrs but I would think that was unuasal
cheers
blaze

blaze · Guru

GrumpyOne wrote:

Hey Guys n Gals,

Blaze maaaaattttteeeeee......... would it be worth while dragging the boat behind the tug... Its a 4.4m Tinny with 40hp pushing it along ? Was definately going to bring the fishing gear, all of it......

Pejay, give me a holla when ya sort ya dates out, would be great to catch up along the way because I am thinking I will be there around the same time, all going to plan.

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

Just about every where you go you can fish, if you cant fish one coast line for a few days it only takes 3 or 4 hrs to drive to another. If its too rough on the coast you can try the lakes or rivers. Whorth while yes, cost yes. Be a lot cheaper if you could put her on top. Once purchased a boat without a trailer in vic, cut my boat trailer into 3 sections and welded it together when I got to the location of the boat, loaded the boat and caught the next ferry home
cheers
blaze

russhenn · Veteran Member

We spent only 1 month in February 2010 should have stayed for two. Great weather. Cabin for both directions after some haggling with SoT, well worth it, as we could get away from the noise/crowds and get a nice rest.

Drive slowly as many great free attraction/sights aren't well signposted. you may only see 1 little brown sign on the side of the road. Also on roads, not many warning signs for corners, advisory speed etc,

Highlights, Sheffield town of murals. Devil park at Mole Creek. free shower at Strahan. Tahune Airwalk.

Disappointment. Cost of Maia Island Ferry $50 per person 1 trip each way per day.

You can purchase a Tas attractions pass $349 for 10 day to over 50 attractions can save $100s, you only need to visit 4 to add up to the base cost...

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Hay Guys n Gals,

Lots of great info here, many thanks.... the attraction pass and the parks pass really will be worth the while getting, anything that makes access easier and reduces cost is well worth it.

I am looking to circumnavigate the island so will be covering all three coastlines, will def be bringing the rods, just not sure about the boat at this stage will have to consider the extra cost on the ferry, make quite a large difference in price going from $274 return with just the truck to $1090 return..

Thanks for the info guys n gals, see you in Tassy....

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

blaze · Guru

GrumpyOne wrote:

Hay Guys n Gals,

Lots of great info here, many thanks.... the attraction pass and the parks pass really will be worth the while getting, anything that makes access easier and reduces cost is well worth it.

I am looking to circumnavigate the island so will be covering all three coastlines, will def be bringing the rods, just not sure about the boat at this stage will have to consider the extra cost on the ferry, make quite a large difference in price going from $274 return with just the truck to $1090 return..

Thanks for the info guys n gals, see you in Tassy....

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

Personally I would leave the boat behind, plenty of fish to be caught off peirs and jetties. Dont know any off hand that limit access. Lots of good beach fishing too. If you feel like it, you could afford to go on maybe 5 charters for the difference. Best charters are out of the east and south east coasts.
In the fresh I have always had more success without a boat because it forced me to get out of bed early and fish the sticks, got real lazy when I took the boat
cheers
blaze

Pejay · Guru

Hey Grumpyone,

Sure will keep in touch, got to get the old writing implement and tablet out when we get back home at the end of the week, and start scratching out some details of when, where, how much etc etc etc - please tell me we won't get torrends of rain in Tassie?? So help me, we are so over the rain whilst up north Qld and everynight on the way down the coast, almost had to put floaties on the van at Rocky last night!

Came into the Top Tourist Pk here at 1770 today - bit ex-y - but what a lovely setting amongst the natural bushland!! And wouldn't you know it??? Raining again!!

Pete & June

Happywanderer · The Master

Don't go in winter if you don't want rain, and snow for that matter.
The only time I would go would be from January to March, same reason I don't go to NZ in winter. I hate the cold.

Ma · Guru

To us it doesn't matter where we go or what the weather is we just make the most of it.

Rain, hail, sleet, snow we've had them all and loved every bit of it.

Now, heat on the other hand I would choose to do without but make the most of it too.

GrumpyOne · Senior Member

Here here Ma well said,

I can live with the cold as you can always get warm n dry, but the heat ya just can't get cool in a tent, once the air is hot ya stuffed...

Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumpster

Ma · Guru

Blue was in Tassie one time in the middle of summer and he was walking some trail up near Cradle Mountain and there was a significant amount of snow all round, so you never can tell.

Just can't wait to go, I don't care what the weather dishes up, three months touring around Tassie sounds just so good to me. bring on November