Tassie 4WDing (west coast) - advice please

[cornerofthegalaxy]

Hello.

I am off to Tassie in February. 2nd Visit there -first visit with a 4WD. Primarily we will be doing the West Coast with a smallish group of other 4WDS - starting at Straun and then heading North for 6/7 days (Macquarie Heads,Trial Harbour, Pieman Heads (Climes Track), Balfour, Granvilel Harbour, Sandy Cape (Balfour Track), Aurthur River). The people we are travelling with are experienced 4WDers (inc. an Oka owner).

I am also planning on doing the Montezuma Falls track and Ring River Track and spend a few days on Bruny Isalnd.

I am VERY NEW to 4WDing and have only owned my Defender since June - that's why I consider all advice to be GOLDEN!!! There is NO WAY I would consider doing this area alone because i have little experience - hence why I am going with a group.

I have been adding accessories to my Fender slowly....but am very quickly running out of cash (Feb is approaching too quickly!).

I was wondering if anyone has travelled that West COast of Tassie and has any advice at all - accessory requirements .....track conditions...etc. Or perhaps you have some advice to help me prioritise things on my wish list.

I have:
-Snorkel
-Winch Capable Bull Bar (planning to borrow/hire a Tirfor for the trip)
-2 extra recovery points under front of vehicle
-tow bar
-Recovery gear (snatch, tree protector, rated shackles)
.....yep, that's about it:cry:

On my wish list -
*New set of tyres (General Grabbers are currently on) - Cooper STTs or BFG Muddies most probably
*Extra Wheel carrier (to support new Muddie better)
*Set of steel rims (16x8)
*Underbody protection: Steering Gaurd, Diff Gaurds

What i think is mandatory -
*High lift jack/exhaust jack????]
*Chains - in 2 lengths (short and longer)
*Hand Winch [i will be hiring this]

Considering -
NOT getting a CB yet - whilst travlling with the group we have CB walkie talkies.

What should I be doing? Please feel free to steer me onto the right track - i realise I MAY be miles off!

Thanks heaps in advance for your suggestions/comments.

[Cap]

I live in Tassie, but havent done the west coast yet. Sounds like your Fender is much better equiped than my Disco. Theres a few on here that are very knowledgeable that can assist. Im also very new to 4x4, having done my first ever 4x4 trip in some pretty hardish conditions (well, hard for me anyway :D )

[Phoenix]

If you can, get some better rubber on before the trip. It might still be a drought, but mud is still very common in tasmania, and often is the predominant type of terrain that you will encounter.

A drive down ocean beach is always nice as well and it's not all that difficult, however if you go too far north from the hells gates end, you may encounter quicksand, and for a vehicle that is very dangerous. Under 1/2 an hour before you say goodbye to your vehicle.

Not much 4wding on Bruny island to be had, just one beach run and a couple of roads. I did a trip report on my trip there recently, and that includes which caravan park NOT to stay at. It sounds like you have most of the 4wd tracks in the area covered though. if you don't have the 4wd tracks in tasmania book then it would be a good investment.

http://www.roving.com.au/

[Phoenix]

my caravan park rant is here ;)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=31532&highlight=bruny+island

[cornerofthegalaxy]

Cheers Phoenix!!

Thanks for the advice re-new rubber. Yeah, i thought that would be a priority.

I had read a thing or 2 and had seen a DVD with the tassie quicksand - doesn't look like a situation I would like to get myself into. Thanks for the heads up on where its likely to be encountered.

Definitely will purchase that book - thanks again!

[Piddler]

Hi,
I live in the North West and travel, surf dive the West Coast a lot. Have a shack at the Pieman Heads and spend a lot of times at the Cape.

That time of the year it is like a highway and very very dry.

You sound like you will be fine as with other people.

It is an awesome place the best.

Every one in Tassie runs UHF radios these are very important for busy narrow track communications and recovery. There is also a large repeater network aroundthe state.

Other that that should be fine.

Will probaby see you down there some where. Look for a white TD5 series 2 with lots of extras.

cheers
Piddler