MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: UIZ733 on January 02, 2014, 07:45:34 PM
-
Is Tassie Australia's best kept secret? Just had a phone call from friends Visiting Hobart for the first time in a very long time, and they think it is. :cup:
-
I love Hobart and the surrounding areas.
Swannie
-
I should say, that I think it is!
-
We went to Tassie for 3 weeks in 2012. Absolutely loved the place ;D
We only did the East Coast and down south, but will definitely return, this time for longer!
-
Don't tell everyone.... Place gets too busy as it is. I think they had their summer the other week for a few days. ;D Been there a few times, took our camper for 3 months in 2011 and still did not see it all. Kevin
-
Yep, liked it so much after our 5 weeks in 2011 that I've been able to transfer there with work, and move in May this year. Already registered a new name in honour of the move: BTMNDR! ;D
-
I think it's probably easy to take your surroundings for granted so while I agree Tassie is a nice place, I love other states such as WA or the NT because they are so far removed from my surroundings.
But being a born and bred Tasmanian it makes me proud that so many people like our state and yet the state government could do so much more to increase and improve tourism. So many lost opportunities. The cost of the ferry is the first place I'd start!
-
Danny summed it up pretty well.
Lovely people. Lovely countryside. Useless inbred government on both sides. Uncertain economic future.
Definitely come to visit at least.
-
If there were better employment opportunities I would move there in an instant.
I have only spent a couple of weeks there, but that was enough to sell me.
The problem I see (and talking with locals) is basically that tourism is the main industry there now and the rest of th ejob market is pretty flat. I fear for my kids getting jobs if I were to move there, let alone myself and LB.
Bunyip
-
We visited about 10 years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed the place. Must get back again soon. :cup:
Hey Danny and dazzler.......I reckon you blokes should get into politics and sort 'em out..... ;D ;D
-
Love this place however I do get a bit envious reading some mainland trip reports on here. Most travellers I have talked with reckon the place is great and vow to return but the cost of getting here is a BIG issue.
My tip to those of you contemplating a trip to the island state is to come over for as long as possible and just focus on one or two areas to explore. I have seen a few that spend all the time on the road trying to see everything in their short time frame. Slow down and enjoy the place and you will have a great trip.
Some great walks available, take a trip on the cruise boats and enjoy the great coastal scenery and wildlife, visit Mona and then take a nice bottle of red to the summit of Mount Wellington and enjoy the scenery especially a sunset.
-
Tassie is a great place, love it !! :cup:
Friendly folks and still had the country feel about it 10 or so years back.
Ferry cost......therein lies the problem of visiting as most of us here would like to take vehicle and camper and it's just to dear for a lot of people.
Must get back there one day, just need to save up ;D
-
We visited about 10 years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed the place. Must get back again soon. :cup:
Hey Danny and dazzler.......I reckon you blokes should get into politics and sort 'em out..... ;D ;D
You are correct with one sentence and very wrong with another ;)
-
The ferry is the problem cost wise and the Government and Tourism Tasmania knows it and they are worried.
In Feb 2013 we spent 6 weeks touring this wonderful little package and we can see why so many go back many times but the cost of the ferry is stopping people with caravans from taking them over and as Tassie relys on Tourism and the State Government is very concerned that numbers are dropping.
I listened to a radio program while there and it was the Tourism people explaining the concerns of themselves and the Government on the falling numbers visiting and what they are going to try and do about it.They didnt really say what plans they had except they would all sit down and try and come up with a solution
It would be between the State Government,Tourism and TT Line Spirit Of Tasmania.
It doesnt look like they have done to much as we are on the Spirit Of Tassie mailing list and we receive deals now and then and the prices are still up there you dont really save to much at all.
-
The Federal Government Freight cost equalisation subsidy is the main issue. It hasnt increased for many years apparently. Its supposed to reduce the vehicular travel component cost down to a comparable level to just driving across Bass Straight, but it falls a loooooong way short of this now, let along offsetting the variuable onboard accomodation costs that also must be included.
CT Trailer costs are exhorbinant, well over $350 or more each way. When we booked ours in to be brought over by another family member I listed it as a small caravan instead. This saved $100.
As others have mentioned, I allways travel solo on the ferry now, the others fly over the next mornig and await me at launceston airport. I then drive straight of the ferry and pick them up an hour or so later. Try to fly/travel early in the week.
Yep, its a magic place. I doubt we will return to the mainland to live. I feel very lucky to have landed a job here in a growth sector (Tertiary Education). It is WINDY tho, but we are in the roaring 40's after all.
:cheers:
-
Place is a dive over populated, way to fast, crowded camping spots - dont come here
-
Place is a dive over populated, way to fast, crowded camping spots - dont come here
Selfish mongrel. ;D
-
Place is a dive over populated, way to fast, crowded camping spots - dont come here
Love those Curried Rabbit Pies at the Penguin bakery not far from you
-
Place is a dive over populated, way to fast, crowded camping spots - dont come here
You are so right.
Just dull old drives.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp93232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv6%3A%3B5%3Dot%3E5%3B%3A%3B%3D689%3D33%3B%3DXROQDF%3E274%3A4%3C6%3B2424%3Aot1lsi)
Way too crowded.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp93232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv%3A369%3Dot%3E5%3B%3A%3B%3D689%3D33%3B%3DXROQDF%3E274%3A4%3C534324%3Aot1lsi)
Free camping spots are boring.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp93232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv5524%3Dot%3E5%3B%3A%3B%3D689%3D33%3B%3DXROQDF%3E274%3A4%3C534624%3Aot1lsi)
And thieves everywhere.
(http://images1.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp93232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv542%3Enu%3D6%3A%3B%3A%3E598%3E24%3A%3EWSNRCG%3D36595%3B624%3B33%3Bnu0mrj)
-
Yep, liked it so much after our 5 weeks in 2011 that I've been able to transfer there with work, and move in May this year. Already registered a new name in honour of the move: BTMNDR! ;D
We could amend your current profile name when you get there. 8)
-
Thanks for the offer Snow but just in case some nasty-pasty calls me unsavoury names, associated with BTMNDR I'd like to keep TOPNDR too.
Besides, it's a connection to the Top End, where I've lived for the last 20 years! :cheers:
-
Tassie is a top spot. We came down for the first time about 8 years ago for a job offer and within 20 minutes of leaving the airport we had made our minds up that we would make the move and haven't looked back.
But if Danny gets into politics we might have to reevaluate that ;D
-
Was there last month.
Cant wait to go back.
-
Tassie is a top spot. We came down for the first time about 8 years ago for a job offer and within 20 minutes of leaving the airport we had made our minds up that we would make the move and haven't looked back.
But if Danny gets into politics we might have to reevaluate that ;D
Ditto.... Love the place
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
-
Love those Curried Rabbit Pies at the Penguin bakery not far from you
I don't have any idea where I am - thanks for telling me - not sure being stalked is a good thing or a bad thing ? ;D
-
I don't have any idea where I am - thanks for telling me - not sure being stalked is a good thing or a bad thing ? ;D
With a head like yours, just take what you can get ;)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
-
With a head like yours, just take what you can get ;)
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
says the now aging billy ray
-
Sometimes drive home from work through the back roads of Port Melbourne.
This afternoon, I counted 8 camper trailers and about the same number of caravans parked in the area waiting to board the Spirit of Tassie (and that was about 3-4 hours before boarding).
Sure is popular.
TC
-
Sometimes drive home from work through the back roads of Port Melbourne.
This afternoon, I counted 8 camper trailers and about the same number of caravans parked in the area waiting to board the Spirit of Tassie (and that was about 3-4 hours before boarding).
[ b]Sure is popular.[/b]
TC
Only for those with some spare coin.
A story in local paper here yesterday about two blokes that just returned from a 14000km journey around the country which cost $1350 in fuel, the return ferry cost $950. Such a shame as we have a great place down here and our economy could do with more tourists. The $950 also included the cabin costs but most people just want to get here and even if you do a day sail you have to pay $100 for a seat.
If it was cheaper I wouldn't hesitate hooking the CT up and heading over to the big isle for a look about too.
-
Only for those with some spare coin.
.......a 14000km journey around the country which cost $1350 in fuel, the return ferry cost $950......
Were they riding mopeds??
Agree about impact of the cost of the ferry trip, though.
-
Hi,
the $pirit fare$ are one of the reasons we have a slide-on camper.
cheers
-
We spent 3 months in Tasmania in 2011 and loved the place. We took our camper over, had to get extra height because of our roof rack and gear on top and we had a sleeper for the overnight trip. Cost $1250 return but after the time we had, including plenty of free camps, we thought the price of the ferry was worth every cent. Life is just way too short. Get over there. Kevin
-
.... Such a shame as we have a great place down here and our economy could do with more tourists.
Brutus - agree wholeheartedly - I'll be doing my 9th or 10th trip to Tassie in Feb on a motorbike. The group have been going there around 12-13 years.
We love it and book all ferry, accommodation in June for the following Feb.
:cheers: TC
-
i hear everyone banging on about the ferry cost to get to the island, but lets put this into perspective......
:- you pay something like $145 for a ferry ride with a trailer in tow to go to the tip, at a spot on the river you can throw a rock across to the other side of the river bank if you've got a good arm.
:- the barge to Fraser from Inskip is a 10 minute trip which costs $170 with a trailer on, the barge from Hervey Bay costs something like $160 for the vehicle and then anywhere from $70 -$110 extra depending how big your trailer is,
:- the Moreton Island ferry costs $230 ($260 peak periods) for a large 4wd and that only allows one extra passenger (add $45 for another 2 kids or $65 for 3 kids also) and then add another $195 ($230 peak periods) for the trailer up to 4mtrs long and $25 per mtr after that
.........all of these trips are relatively very short ferry rides compared to the overnight trip you take to get to Tassie (Moreton Island is the longest and takes a bit over an hour to get there). yes it's not cheap, but i think the price isn't over the top when you compare what the other barge and ferry's cost to travel on elsewhere in the country. at the end of the day you just need to budget what the extra cost is to get to the location you want to go to. we are looking at visiting Tassie in the next 12 months, i'm definately not looking forward to paying what it costs to get a 2.3 mtr high Cruiser with a KK on the back (one of the longest camper trailers on the market), it's going to cost me a motza, but it is what it is and i need to budget for that or don't go. part of the beauty of Tassie IMHO is the lack of people there, and i reckon the cost helps keep it that way, would you still want to go there if it was as busy as Surfers Paradise?
-
Totally agree on the budgeting for the trip ,we paid the ferry cost and cabin both ways up front then we had to save for 12 months to be able to go and enjoy the 6 weeks over there.
Alot of travellers didnt do many tours etc over there as they only went for 2 weeks and with the cost of the ferry didnt want to outlay more dollars.And first timers underestimated the cost.We meet one young couple with kids at Penguin CP and the wife had to get a job at Burnie hospital to get the money for the return journey to Townsville ,he said he didnt realise the exspense over there when he planned.
Its all in the initial planning we had a fantastic time and did 99% of what Tassie has to offer mainly due to our saving for the trip and purchasing the Tasmanian Edition of the "Entertainment Book" which had many of the attractions which were buy one get one free or a percentage off.Keep that book in mind as it was really worth it.
Next time we go which i hope is sooner than later we dont need to do the paid for tours so we will concentrate more on the country itself with all its walks,lakes .rivers ,beaches etc.
I think the trick is to go for longer periods of time if you can to offset the cost of getting over there.
http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/default.aspx (http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/default.aspx)
-
Agree with Rumpig. Kangaroo island is the same,over $200 each way for a few hours on board.
The key is to make the trip worthwhile and stay for 2 weeks minimum. If you have less time, book a fly drive accommodation deal.
:cheers:
-
Saw the thread tittle and now on page 2 and not one single map. 8)
-
:worthles:
(http://www.postcardz.com.au/maps/images/map-of-tasmania.gif)
-
Here's one the right way up!
-
Heading to Tassie in march. Due to the cost of the crossing we will stay for a month to get some value. Have been twice before by fly drive but this time will be very leisurely.
-
The key is to make the trip worthwhile and stay for 2 weeks minimum. If you have less time, book a fly drive accommodation deal.
:cheers:
sorry mate I disagree - 2 weeks is way to short ( unless it is the in laws visiting then it is way too long ) I reckon a minimum of 6 weeks to get a reel feel of the place
-
i hear everyone banging on about the ferry cost to get to the island, but lets put this into perspective......
:- you pay something like $145 for a ferry ride with a trailer in tow to go to the tip, at a spot on the river you can throw a rock across to the other side of the river bank if you've got a good arm.
:- the barge to Fraser from Inskip is a 10 minute trip which costs $170 with a trailer on, the barge from Hervey Bay costs something like $160 for the vehicle and then anywhere from $70 -$110 extra depending how big your trailer is,
:- the Moreton Island ferry costs $230 ($260 peak periods) for a large 4wd and that only allows one extra passenger (add $45 for another 2 kids or $65 for 3 kids also) and then add another $195 ($230 peak periods) for the trailer up to 4mtrs long and $25 per mtr after that
.........all of these trips are relatively very short ferry rides compared to the overnight trip you take to get to Tassie (Moreton Island is the longest and takes a bit over an hour to get there). yes it's not cheap, but i think the price isn't over the top when you compare what the other barge and ferry's cost to travel on elsewhere in the country. at the end of the day you just need to budget what the extra cost is to get to the location you want to go to. we are looking at visiting Tassie in the next 12 months, i'm definately not looking forward to paying what it costs to get a 2.3 mtr high Cruiser with a KK on the back (one of the longest camper trailers on the market), it's going to cost me a motza, but it is what it is and i need to budget for that or don't go. part of the beauty of Tassie IMHO is the lack of people there, and i reckon the cost helps keep it that way, would you still want to go there if it was as busy as Surfers Paradise?
I understand what you are saying and it's great that you are making the trip but the govt over here has there head in the sand with the two ferries currently running. The cat trialled 10+ years ago didn't work but the Tassie company reckons they can make one work but the govt refuses for whatever reason to even trial it. A vessel capable of a return day sailing would just about halve the costs as no accommodation is then required.
I have some mates who would love to bring there 6mt boats over here to tackle the SBT in autumn but are looking at near $2000 to get over and back, just not an option really.
I guess the upside is we don't get swamped by travellers and thus don't have to fight for a camping spot :cheers:
-
me and eldest son went February 2013 boat and cabin there and back in 1993 Toyota corolla.
we had a ball checking Tassie out. I will be going back again as soon as I can.
I see some complain cant afford the ferry but have great big vans campers boats and like??
just do it and enjoy. only live once they say
I would like to live there but all my family is in nsw (3 sons) they are all I have got really. now.
-
TT Line sponsor North Melbourne to play games in Hobart. The year they did this fares went up about 50%.
And don't forget the TT Line is owned my the Government.
I travel over every year so these increases do have a major impact on our holidays.