Hi Jules
Thanks I have that one but was hoping to find another one closer to Stanley as after visiting the Nut I was going to head from Wynyard to Strahan, Queenstown making my way to Hobart in a motorhome.
This is my first trip am I to keen as I have know idea what the road are like. Pam

Rocky Cape Tavern has free camping, though it's hardly a spectacular location. No idea if pets are allowed but the camping area is fenced (you'll see FREE CAMPING lettered on it from the highway) and there's a phone number in the link. Hellyer Gorge on your way inland from Wynyard is another possibility, but it would presumably be 90+ minutes' drive from Stanley in a motorhome. Hellyer wouldn't be suitable if your dog likes to get lost in the bush.

I drove that section of the Bass Highway three days ago. It has a few short ups and downs but is in excellent condition and is an easy drive. Any corners for which you might need to slow are signposted. It's flat and increasingly exposed to the wind once you're west of Rocky Cape.

Pam - at Stanley, the visitors info centre will tell you the only free camping is on the Esplanade - to the left of the Nut. Drive along till you get past the houses, there are some pyramid shaped trees - can camp anywhere along there - no facilities, but about 100 m away there is a toilet block and water.
No problems with dogs there. We didn't like the idea of camping under the Nut - preferred the Esplanade.

Coming out of Queenstown towards Hobart is very, very steep and winding - but Yeoeleven made it in his little old Hi Ace!

Across to Strahan from the north is not a bad trip at all - at Strahan you can go out to Macquarie Heads (bit of dirt road- about 11k I think), $6 per night per person - dogs are fine, terrific spot. Also at the Golf Club in town - was $10.

Queenstown - you can camp at the football oval, in the carpark

Check out the Tasmania section on here-free/budget campsites - lots of good spots there.

PamWithers wrote:

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Hi Ken

I won't be in Tassie till March as I have a Wedding to go to in Evandale. Yes the Motorhome is self contained. I will have the dogs with me which rules out a few spots. The trip across to Strahan ,Queenstown then on to Hobart do you know if the road ok, I have heard that it is very steep .

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If you are looking for a park at Evandale, the Park where the Sunday Markets are held you can free camp there but not on Saturday or Sunday nights.  I haven't been on the Burnie to Queenstown road since 1998 but Jules has provided that information together with the road conditions from Queenstown to Hobart...

Shame re closure of free camp at Stanley on the Esplanade - was a lovely spot - we were kept awake by chattering penguins!!!!

PamWithers wrote:

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The trip across to Strahan ,Queenstown then on to Hobart do you know if the road ok, I have heard that it is very steep .

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You don't need to worry. Every conceivable tourist vehicle has done this trip. The main roads through the southwest are fine if you're not in a hurry, but like many in Tasmania would be hazardous if you were driving fast and didn't know the road. While some of the hills are long, they aren't exceptionally steep (I've ridden them with a loaded touring bicycle). There are lots of ups and downs, and many of them are twisty (the hill out of Queenstown is famous for its 99 bends) which means you don't get to carry momentum and might feel like you're grinding up them, but they are nowhere near steep enough to stop you. There is much less traffic down here, and drivers are generally more patient, which helps make driving less stressful especially if you're not quite sure where you're going. The main thing I would say to watch out for when driving off the major highways is that upcoming slow corners aren't reliably signposted, so be sure to slow down and enjoy the scenery!

You will be fine PamWithers - there are some different road signs over there - instead of saying it is 120K to the next stop, it will say "Travel time - 90 minutes" - and things like that! Distances aren't great, but with winding roads and hence slower driving, it makes for a very relaxed experience!