Loving Tasmania, BUT. No2

[landy]

Not just Tassie so a tad misleading but seems a common problem all along the East Coast (I've not traveled West).
Kerry and I have wanted to tour Tassie for the last 15 years and this year we finally got our chance. Our kids are all grown up so we have more time together and a little more cash in our pockets. We packed up the camper, hitched up the Defender and headed south.
This is where my whinge starts. I can't get over how expensive it is to tour our own country! Fuel, WTF! Food on the road (eating out) the cost of attractions WTF!!!!
And I'm sorry to say it seems slightly higher in Tassie. Just one example is paying $26 day just to drive in the national parks. I should add you can buy a pass valid for 2 months for $60, but why do I need to even buy a pass?! You don't in Vic or QLD (that I'm aware). But thought it was a huge rip off either way. We just wanted to go up to the lighthouse at Freycinet, but for $26 we turned around. $52 to do the Tahune forest air walk. $250 for a gold pass to Port Arther. Most boat tours are $130 per person for a few hours to look at the coast line. Tassie is undoubtedly a fantastic place but it's so expensive to tour our own country.
We were very lucky to have had the chance to go to England in June. And I've got to tell you that's it's a bloody site cheaper. This fact alone really disappoints me as I'd dearly love to do the great Aussie lap but now we are sincerely thinking about doing Europe for three months instead.
What incentive is there to 1. Encourage Aussies to holiday at home instead of say, Asia and 2. What incentives are there to get tourists from overseas here.
Don't even start me on basic meals like fish & chips!! $30 for 2 flake & chips and I've never seen smaller serves of fish anywhere ever in my entire life! This was at Elizabeth Pier - won't be going back there in a hurry.
I've gotta say, I'm really shocked, and just a little disappointed.

Nino.

[d@rk51d3]

Found the same when we went over a couple of times.
Unfortunately it doesn't matter where you go these days, if there's something to enjoy, someone always has their hand out.

[Marty110]

We were lucky enough to do 5 weeks in Tassie a couple of years ago and plan to go back for 3 months. We free camped in the Fender and van - found so many well equipped free camps it was amazing. Did lots of free stuff like walks in the state forests and kayaking on the lakes and rivers. Sure we had the odd splurge on a cappo or 2 but we avoided the expensive tourist 'traps' - we just drove in and strait out of Cradle Mountain (once we got the cost to go any further) and went and found some good free spots instead, especially around the Tarkine area. Cant wait to go back. And lots of dog friendly too..

[wrinklearthur]

I forget what Port Arthur looks like now, it's been that long since I was able to afford the entrance fee and the staff there are some of the most laziest spoilt slobs you can come across! With one exception, dear old Tommy Purdon who does the ghost tour and he is closer to eighty than sixty, good on you Tom.

As for the tucker costs, if you lot that are thinking of coming over for a visit, sing out before you get here, you will find that there is a heap of information that the locals can give you. e.g. where you can get the best deals for a feed.

Try $10 in North Hobart for the same sized meal of fish and chips for two, and don't forget the snacks for the road you can get in the local Coles and Woolies.

Hope you aren't towing something, the TT Line loves those who do.

A freeby camp site with mains water is available at my place for any AULRO member and their family that wants to set up a camp next to the river and do some day tours, just PM me.
If it suits you I can even organise a port-a-loo as a neighbour a K up the road is an agent.

[frantic]

My wife and I went around Tassie about 16 years ago and loved it. You just need to plan the expensive things and for food talk to and look where the locals go. Big shops are good for stocking up on snacks and the pub bottlo is a good place to find info as well as a heat warmer.

[Keithy P38]

I think we can thank the greens for everything being so expensive in Tasmania. The logging industry is going down and Tassie relies on tourism now to support its economy.

[landy]

I'm not convinced that it's the loss of logging. Sounds too simple. I think that it's just priced to the maximum that any individual business thinks they can squeeze out of you. In other words, greed. Using my fish and chips example the portion size was insulting given the price. Some processed French fry chips in a (very) small bowl and two bits of fish 3" long by 1". And it cost $16. I asked for my money back. I realise I have to pay to do the things I want to see but I get very offended when I'm just plan ripped off.
And as wrinkle Arthur said, the sheer cost of getting over here on the boat, towing the trailer should have been the first combat indicator. $1400 return. No cabin, just in chairs. And I noticed that there was an $860 government rebate! So it really cost closer to $2300, WTF! That is the airfare for one of us to almost anywhere!!!
We will certainly do the desert trips and free tour in the future but as for being a "tourist" so to speak, as far as Aus is concerned, forget it.

Nino.

[BMKal]

We've just been away for 8 weeks, including across to Tassie. Didn't take the camper trailer this time, partly due to the cost of having it behind us on the boat, but also because it's getting too old and I just can't be bothered with it any more. A couple of tents did the job - a small one that attaches under the awning for short overnight stops, and the Oztent for longer stays.

Yes - we saw some pretty "out there" pricing (and not just in Tassie either) - but it's generally pretty easy to avoid this. Plenty of free camping sites around, and also plenty of reasonably priced "paid" sites with all the facilities if you do your homework and look at what is available.

As for food - we found it no more expensive than eating at home in general - but we did have a well stocked fridge and did most of our own cooking. If you go to restaurants / eat take-away a lot, then it is going to cost, no matter where you go.

Fees to get into national parks and some attractions can be a bit on the steep side - but there are plenty of places to go that are either free or cost next to nothing. It's not only in Tassie where you have to pay to go into national parks - we had to pay to drive into the Coffin Bay national park in SA on the way home as well.

In general, I didn't find Tassie any more expensive than anywhere else on our travels. If you want expensive - drive across the Nullarbor and buy some fuel on the way. :o Fortunately, we didn't have to, as the long range tank gets us across quite easily. We did stop overnight in the motel at Eucla on the way back though (couldn't be bothered putting up a tent on our last night before getting home). The price for the room there was actually quite reasonable - I was surprised. The food in the motel restaurant was excellent, and also very reasonably priced.

Must admit though, as Arthur has already pointed out, local knowledge will save you a lot of money. We have a house to stay at in Tassie so acommodation was no cost unless we were travelling around the state - and my mum knows all the best places to shop. :D

Cost of fuel in Tassie was slightly cheaper than we are used to paying in WA. Cheapest fuel that we bought while away was in SA.

[Chucaro]

After finished our motorhome conversion in Hobart we expend 1 year in Tassie before heading north.
In 12 month we never paid 1 cent in accommodation, camping in the most beautiful places including water front in fantastic beaches.
In some towns we have free power in the camping spots.
Eating out in the local hotels was a bargain and we never paid more than $10 a head.
Those to come to Tasmania have to do the home work and will have a fantastic cheap holidays and at the same time meet very nice people.
Going back north to Bundaberg was a different experience with fines up to $1000 a day for camping in the beaches, but then again we have done the home work and during our trip north we only paid for camping in two occasions in a 12 months trip :)
For those that like camping in quite beautiful bush spots do the home work, get all the fossiking license that are required in each state, couple of sieves and enjoy your free camping all around Australia. ;)

It can be done, we have done it for a total of over 24 month with an accommodation total costs of less than $60.00.
You cannot do this cheap in Europe :D

[rangieman]

As others have said do your home work and you will save a packet .;)

I my self have been to Tassie and loved every moment and i still need to return as 2 weeks were not enough to see what i wanted.

Yes i paid to go into all the Tourist things but why bitch about the cost when you planed on going there anyway if it was too pricey walk away you cant see those things in the state where you live:p

As for food if you had a van or camper or cooking gear buy what you need from the super market and cook it your self ;)

What ever restaurants , fast food , Takeway , Pub , or attracions price wise are going to vary no matter what state your in its not just a Tassie thing . And realy no one had a gun to your head forcing you to pay it was your decision to pay so why whinge:cool:

Sorry to sound hard but either suck it up or learn to preplan to save your self a buck or 2 then enjoy your holiday :angel:
In my opinion you either factor in costs or walk away or stay home :p

[101 Ron]

Last year I did the Tassie thing with a camper van in tow.
I think we only free camped twice due to lack of knowleage of where to find them.
caravan parks...the ones we went to were reasonable, but we were at peak time and finding ones which had free space was a problem.
A good example is in the centre of a place called Warratah....a old mining town ship.
Camped for a very small fee .....I think it was 8 dollars and had use of washing machine and showers(great the clean the kids and their clothes).
The camp site was beside a lake with a resident platypus.
We shared the place with only 2 other campers.
The mining display in centre of town was free and near the camp spot.
the buildings and history were interesting.
I think it is the only Aust town around with a large waterfall on the main street.
On the East coast a free camp was I think it was called Bay of Lagoons.....free camp........was full and a little bit dirty, but great swimming for the kids, choice of ocean or lagoon.
About 10 ks out of Hobart we stayed at a cavavan park for Two nights and done Hobart and Mt wellington etc.......the Park was full, but the foods at the park was good and priced OK.
Good sea food meal was picked up from the Hobart water front.
Tassie has great river swimming if you know where to find it.
Tassie was no more expensive than the mainland other than fuel.
Knowing were to go to get the best bang for you buck is the trick.
I found talking the locals was the key.
I found the local food brillant........ashgrove cheese, the cherry shed including the Boags and cascade brewrys.
Penquin tours near Devenport by the national Pks costs a lot...........go down the road off the highway and its free......the locals told us.

[101 Ron]

I did though Port Arthur was over priced.
I did learn the area has many other things to offer.
Remarkable lookout was free and very worth while and travelling back up the east coast many blowholes, caves and things like that.
( missed the bush fires by one day)
Wynyard????????North coast had a car collection at the back of the tourist information centre that impressed me greatly for I think of a cost of a few dollars to get in, mostly Ford cars, including henry Fords first car he built in 1899...........why that car is in Tassie and and not some collection in the USA beats me
Wynyard has a great lookout over the ocean 5 ks from town.

[vnx205]

And as wrinkle Arthur said, the sheer cost of getting over here on the boat, towing the trailer should have been the first combat indicator. $1400 return.
Nino.

That is another good reason I'm glad I have a Trayon slide-on camper instead of a camper trailer.
My wife and I went over in February for about 1/3 of that. I think it was $89 for the vehicle.
We had three weeks and spent most of the time in free camping spots on the East Coast. I remember it as a very cheap holiday.
It helps if you have the time to travel on the Spirit during the day so there is no accommodation cost.
It also helps if you were born before the middle of the last century.
It also helps enormously if you take up Wrinklearthur's offer and use his place as a base.

[bob10]

It also helps if you were born before the middle of the last century.
.
I was having a quiet chuckle at that until my wife reminded me I was born in 1948. Bob
:p

[Chucaro]

.................................................. ..
It also helps if you were born before the middle of the last century.
.................................................. ...
Tell me all about it, you how many times shop assistants ask me: Sir, do you have the seniors card with you? :D

[justinc]

Guys, I reiterate all that is said above, talk to the locals, DON'T go to the waterfront and expect cheap meals, it just AINT going to happen:eek:.

There are LOTS of good campsites, this last year or so 2 more caravan parks opened up, in beautiful spots.

Rivers Edge Wilderness Camping (http://www.riversedgecamping.com.au/) , also Huon Valley Caravan Park Tasmania | Located thirty minutes from Hobart (http://huonvalleycaravanpark.com.au/)

The Snug beach caravan park just 10 minutes south of us in Kingston is sooo clean and well serviced, and on the beach.

You want REAL food at a very decent price?? Try this place:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Masaakis-Sushi-Geeveston/133400560012836

Wrinklearthur is a legend for offering his pad, :), I may even take him up on this myself when I want to escape for a weekend :)


There is heaps to see here without spending heaps of $$


JC :)

[austastar]

Hi,
haven't been to Port Arthur since they mentioned the words 'entrance fee'.

There are lots of places that are just set up to milk the tourist dollar - the Air-walk used to be a beaut camp-spot right on the river. Yep you can pay $$ to walk out on the cantilevered gantry to see the Picton and Huon River confluence, or you can take a rubber tube up the river a bit, drift down to the next bridge and see the lot for nix.
If want to 'see it all in a week', it will cost $$.
I've been here a life time, and I recon I've still got more than half to see.

cheers

[gavinwibrow]

Well, like good sandgropers, and despite the doom sayers, we are coming to Tas, complete with small camper trailer and with another senior couple (non AULRO - who are driving a T machine) for 10 days in Jan (2nd to 13th).
Would love to come longer, but have time contraints, so will do west coast, Hobart for 3 days, east coast and back to Devonport. Won't have time to do the middle, but did do it several times many years ago when we Launceston grammer boys went down to show the southerners how to swim and dive.

[Pickles2]

$250 for a Port Arthur "Gold Pass"?
What do you get for that, & how long has that been in place.
We went there many years ago on a coach tour from Melbourne, long before "The Massacre", & I can't remember paying anything like that...I think it was simply a "nominal" entry fee in those days, we also visited the Island of the Dead.
It was an awesome historic place, but $250 value?.....I don't think so.
Pickles.

[Chucaro]

Port Arthur gold pass

$100 adult, $95 concession, $77 child

Information is HERE (http://www.portarthur.org.au/index.aspx?base=7620)

[FFR]

We will certainly do the desert trips and free tour in the future but as for being a "tourist" so to speak, as far as Aus is concerned, forget it.

Nino.

There are lots of nice places used to milk tourists, it will always be the case. Sadly, there is not a single, common list of places to go on the cheap.

My boss sent me to Ayers Rock last year for a job, and I had the same feeling you had in Tas. Everything was carefully planned to get the most from the visitors.
I suppose that in most of the cases the visitors already know the game, and have deep pockets.

[vnx205]

You can see a lot of Port Arthur with a Bronze Pass.

$35 adult, $27 concession, $16 child, $80 family (two adults and up to six children)
Prices valid until 31 March 2015
Port Arthur - Bronze Pass to tour the Tasmanian attraction & convict ruins (http://www.portarthur.org.au/index.aspx?base=7598)

In fact, if you have driven from Hobart or from "Ranga Flat" (see Wrinklearthur's post), that is probably all you would have time for.

If you seek out the dearest prices in any place, you could add up quite a bill. As others have said, a bit of research can make a big difference.

For example London is notorious for expensive cups of coffee, but did you know that in a little cafe under the Tower Bridge, you can get an excellent cup of coffee for a couple of pounds. Well you could in 2008. :)

[Chucaro]

There are lots of nice places used to milk tourists, it will always be the case. Sadly, there is not a single, common list of places to go on the cheap.

My boss sent me to Ayers Rock last year for a job, and I had the same feeling you had in Tas. Everything was carefully planned to get the most from the visitors.
I suppose that in most of the cases the visitors already know the game, and have deep pockets.

Well they will milking you if you allow them to do it, as an example the great Overland track is free but there are operators that charge in excess of $2600 per person for the 8 days walk.

I will say, do not put the blame in Tasmania or any other place for that matter, if I was able to tour for more that 2 years paying only accommodation for 2 nights (safety reasons) any body can do that as well.;)

[Pickles2]

Port Arthur gold pass

$100 adult, $95 concession, $77 child

Information is HERE (http://www.portarthur.org.au/index.aspx?base=7620)
Thanks for that, there is a lot of good info there.
Cheers, Pickles.

[landy]

$250 for a Port Arthur "Gold Pass"?
What do you get for that, & how long has that been in place.
We went there many years ago on a coach tour from Melbourne, long before "The Massacre", & I can't remember paying anything like that...I think it was simply a "nominal" entry fee in those days, we also visited the Island of the Dead.
It was an awesome historic place, but $250 value?.....I don't think so.
Pickles.

It included the ghost tour, isle of the dead and Puer point boys prison.
Cheers,
Nino.

[landy]

After finished our motorhome conversion in Hobart we expend 1 year in Tassie before heading north.
In 12 month we never paid 1 cent in accommodation, camping in the most beautiful places including water front in fantastic beaches.
In some towns we have free power in the camping spots.
Eating out in the local hotels was a bargain and we never paid more than $10 a head.
Those to come to Tasmania have to do the home work and will have a fantastic cheap holidays and at the same time meet very nice people.
Going back north to Bundaberg was a different experience with fines up to $1000 a day for camping in the beaches, but then again we have done the home work and during our trip north we only paid for camping in two occasions in a 12 months trip :)
For those that like camping in quite beautiful bush spots do the home work, get all the fossiking license that are required in each state, couple of sieves and enjoy your free camping all around Australia. ;)

It can be done, we have done it for a total of over 24 month with an accommodation total costs of less than $60.00.
You cannot do this cheap in Europe :D


I think you are implying that we haven't done our "home work"
In the words of that great wordsmith Geoffrey Chaucer, this ain't our first rodeo!!!

We have free toured in Australia for over 10 years now. It was, when the kids were young the only way we could afford to get away. And while we both love camping by a river or the coast, this time we wanted to just play the tourist. You'll notice that I haven't mentioned caravan parks. We have stayed in parks the whole time. Mostly because we didn't want to have to pack up the camper everyday and we wanted the luxury of the showers, laundry and the extra security when leaving the camper unattended. All the parks fitted our criteria to one extent or another. And the prices were what we expected as we had indeed, done our home work! No issues here!
If you refer back to my OP. you will see that I was talking more about getting value for money. I was not suggesting that you can't see our country for free. But you either tour for free or pay to see the attractions. And I'll say again, what incentives are there to bring tourists to Australia?, it's bloody expensive. It's horses for courses. I'd also like to challenge you on a pub feed for $10 per head, including a drink. Not this century!

Cheers,
Nino.

[Chucaro]

Ok Nino, I understand you and agree with you on that, Australia is very expensive compared to another countries in that way.
The price for overnight stay in motels it is ridiculous expensive.
Renting an apartment for 2 weeks is terrible expensive as well. My bro rented for 2 weeks in a first class suburb in Paris for half of the cost that will cost here in a non centric apartment.
I just wonder how rates Australia regarding cost with Europe traveling as a back packer......

[bblaze]

Ok Nino, I understand you and agree with you on that, Australia is very expensive compared to another countries in that way.
The price for overnight stay in motels it is ridiculous expensive.
Renting an apartment for 2 weeks is terrible expensive as well. My bro rented for 2 weeks in a first class suburb in Paris for half of the cost that will cost here in a non centric apartment.
I just wonder how rates Australia regarding cost with Europe traveling as a back packer......

I am currently the Duty Manager at what is reputed to be the biggest and best backpackers in Australia and they very rarely complain of prices compared to other countries, they do however mention the price of domestic air travel to be excessive.
cheers
blaze

[wrinklearthur]

I'd also like to challenge you on a pub feed for $10 per head, including a drink. Not this century!

Hi Nino

That sounds like a fun challenge, no need for a prize to do that and all that is needed for verification is a photo of the pub, the meal and it's price.

How about it fellow Tasmanian AULRO's can we uphold the honour?
.

[Chucaro]

Hi Nino

That sounds like a fun challenge, no need for a prize to do that and all that is needed for verification is a photo of the pub, the meal and it's price.

How about it fellow Tasmanian AULRO's can we uphold the honour?
.

When in Berridale (http://www.granadatavern.com.au/dining)

When in Launceston (http://newsteadhotel.com.au/launcestonrestaurant.html)

When in Hobart (http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g255097-d2530042-r134366690-Shamrock_Hotel-Hobart_Tasmania.html)

One more in Hobart (http://www.hotelsoho.com.au/menus/lunch.htm)

And I can go on and on including clubs and looking at the back of shopping dockets were you can get a meal for less than $20.00 and the second free.
By the way I said eating I did not mentioned drinks but water is free :D

[wrinklearthur]

A message that I have just sent to the Tasmanian Tourist Council.

"With the accreditation, the rating system misses the mark by excluding a lot of small corner store type businesses that ply to the take away market.
So many of our tourists are not filthy rich and cannot afford to eat in high end restaurants, what they need for a 'good meal deal' is a rating system that shows value for money.

How about a value for dollar rating that goes from 'Acclaimed Accreditation to Fully Fun Feeds?

This same intention of rating could be applied to our roads, accommodation, camping and sight seeing.

Lets us dispel the idea that Tasmania is too expensive to visit."
.

[Chucaro]

Good one Arthur (senior or junior? :D )
Years ago when we finished building our motorhome here in Hobart we have for short time a river front camping spot in Franklin as a home base. The spot is free and have water and toilets.
At one stage the council asked few of the campers to leave and were planing to stop allowing the tourist to stop there.
We got together 52 motorhomes and caravans and with the support of the small local business we managed to change the mind of the council.
We need in Tasmania more free camping spots with a limit of up to 3 days to stay in it to stop people living there in a permanent way.
Advertising these camping spots in club magazines will bring many caravaning, campers and motorhome people to Tasmania as long as P&O do not get greedy.

[butundede]

Port Arthur for free. Park at the carpark near the entrance and walk down the road toward the jetty. Just walk around the main site looking silly and none of the guides will even question you.
Same with point puer, just drive to the Tasman golf club and swing left before you get to the clubhouse. Five minute walk and your there, usually by yourself too.
Isle of the dead.......um....swim!:p
If you are into free camping you won't have to pay for accom anywhere in Tas, you'll always find a spot.
But if you want showers and all the little luxuries of a caravan park, then expect to pay. Pretty simple.
Like has been shown, if you want a cheap meal it's not hard to find.
The boat however sucks! Try being tasweigan and having to fork out $1000 return for a box trailer, plus car, plus accom on the boat. And then if we want to leave, half the time it's full of freight, so there is no room for our vehicles anyway.
If anyone is looking for free camps on the Tasman peninsula send us a PM.

Cheers Bob

[landy]

Hi Nino

That sounds like a fun challenge, no need for a prize to do that and all that is needed for verification is a photo of the pub, the meal and it's price.

How about it fellow Tasmanian AULRO's can we uphold the honour?
.

Hi Arthur,
That does sound like a great challenge. Maybe the prize could just be good old bragging rights. But I'm happy to buy any AULROlians a beer in return for a good yarn around the fire! We're back on the mainland now for Christmas with family in Frankston. But head back north soon so I'll try and find the pub meal too. Watch this space
Got to say that for all my bitching and moaning both Kerry and I are missing Tassie already. It's is a fantastic place and well worth the visit.
And Chucaro, you sly old fox! :cool: A $20 meal and a free docket does not a $10 per head meal make;) but I like where you're coming from:p

Cheers,

Nino.

[wrinklearthur]

That sounds like a fun challenge, no need for a prize to do that and all that is needed for verification is a photo of the pub, the meal and it's price.
How about it fellow Tasmanian AULRO's can we uphold the honour?.

A couple of replies from Facebook on the same subject.


Stan; Check Beaconsfield buy and sell ----, a feed of curried scallops for $10.00 at the Club Hotel.

David; Plenty of $10 meals at places like Shamrock Hotel, Hobart, and others. The best deal is probably at Soho; $5 meals from 5pm, $6 meals from 6pm etc, on Monday and Wednesday nights :angel:
.

[Yorkie]

Whilst on the subject of tassie, how busy in general are the camping areas mid jan to mid February? Might be heading that way but will be right in the school holidays.
We will be towing a off-road van behind the disco. :)

[Chucaro]

.................................................. ....................
And Chucaro, you sly old fox! :cool: A $20 meal and a free docket does not a $10 per head meal make;) but I like where you're coming from:p

Cheers,

Nino.

Nino i did not have my brain in gear (as usually) when I touched the keyboard, I should say pay $20.00 for a meal and have one free wich it is 20 divided by 2 = $10 each
Come to Tassie and let me know if you can find an abalone meal for $10.00 :D

Cheers
Arthur

[Chucaro]

Whilst on the subject of tassie, how busy in general are the camping areas mid jan to mid February? Might be heading that way but will be right in the school holidays.
We will be towing a off-road van behind the disco. :)

The east coast is very busy, book in advance if you can.

[Chucaro]

Liam, if you are planning to include the East Coast give a ring to the Big 4 @ Bicheno and to the NP HERE (http://www.wineglassbay.com/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userProfile&user=80&Itemid=32)

[Benz]

Headed over to Tassie on new years eve and plan on staying about 2 months.

Guess we are going at peak tourist time but there isn't much we can do about that.

Some good tips here on where to go.
Haven't even started planning what we are going to do in tassie yet

[butundede]

Come to Tassie and let me know if you can find an abalone meal for $10.00 :D

Bring a snorkel and get abs for free. ( except for the fee of a fishing license )

[goingbush]

I tried to book Spirit of Tasmania for a couple of weeks Feb / March but its totally booked out for except for vehicles under 2m wide / 2.1m high , ours is 1.95 wide - 2.6 high so bummer , you need to book way in advance. Prices for the Truck + Van + berth very reasonable tho . Have never found any prices in Tassie tp be unreasonable on past trips either.

[Chucaro]

More info:

Free camping spots or base camps (http://www.caravanontour.com/free-campsites-and-low-cost-camping/tasmania.html)

Tooms lake good for fishing trout or having a few quite camping days (http://www.northernmidlands.tas.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=149)

Ansons Bay and Eddystone Point are in Mt William National Park. They, (and Musselroe Bay even further north) may also be reached via the B82, which leaves the Tasman Highway between Derby and Weldborough. It's a made road to begin with but gravel later on. For camping information in this whole area contact Parks and Wildlife Service St Helens Field Centre (03) 6376 1550; or PWS Mt William (03) 6357 1043


Parks and Wildlife Services camping info (http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=412)

Jeanneret Bay camping area in the Bay of Fires (no facilities or water, just wild and beautiful) One of my fav spots with the motorhome

Neck Reserve camping area in Bruny Island

Springlawn camping area is the most well-equipped campsite in Narawntapu National Park, and is a great place to stay while exploring the park. Facilities at the camping area include hot showers and drinking water.

Cockle Creek - (Southwest National Park - South East)
Nice walk to the south cape

Enjoy your stay and look for real estate while you are here :)

[wrinklearthur]

Whilst on the subject of tassie, how busy in general are the camping areas mid jan to mid February? Might be heading that way but will be right in the school holidays.
We will be towing a off-road van behind the disco. :)


Originally Posted by Yorkie
Where are you located, will be sure to try and catch up or use your facilities by the river.
Any tips for a general route to cover some of the best bits for this length of stay?

** http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/wrinklearthur.html
Google maps; https://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=43...ed=0CAoQ_AUoAg

One trip in my opinion is a must do, ( but only if a high pressure weather system is over the state, this is to be able to see the scenery as it is in a high rainfall area ), it's the trip up through the Derwent Valley out to Lake Pedder, with lots of side trips like the one's to Mount Field National Park, Adamsfield via Clear Hill Road ( a refundable but expensive key fee applies and is paid at the Russell falls National Parks and Wildlife office and they may stipulate that there are two vehicles ) https://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Ad...ed=0CAgQ_AUoAg and the Styx River Tall Timber Reserve ( There are not many tree's that grow any higher in the world. )

Other thing with this trip, is to take it steady going out towards Lake Pedder as you drive towards the scenery on the way out and then do the side trips on the way back. Camp out at the lake and/or in at Adamsfield as you cannot possibly do this trip comfortably in the one day, also give you some time that lets you do some serious bushwalking to places like the top of Mount Anne, you must be fit and well prepared to safely do this type of activity however.

It's quite easy to spend a week or more poking about this fascinating South West Area.
.

[austastar]

Hi,
for NE Tasmania see here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tasmanian-reports/170443-round-round-blackberry-bush.html)

East Coast to West Coast see here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tasmanian-reports/151827-bicheno-west-coast.html)

East Coast by a 'different' route here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tasmanian-reports/145828-richmond-bicheno-back-roads.html)

cheers