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TASMANIAN TOUR
About Tasmania
Map of Tasmania
Regional Tour
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North West
Central North
North East
East Coast
South East
South West
Highlands
West Coast
North Coast
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About Tasmania
This article describes a ten day tour around Tasmania, with interesting and unusual places to visit.
Tasmania is best enjoyed outside school holidays in the warm months. I have visited in mid winter
(July/August) with little discomfort, except that the nights are cool, even in mid summer.
The tour presented here begins at the ferry terminal upon arrival at Devonport, describing points
of interest that generally lie outside the usual tourist experience.
I have now visited Tasmania seven times, initially travelling by aircraft - remember East-West
Airlines? This has meant either public transport or hitch hiking; with passenger trains no
longer running makes hiring a car now an added expense. The overnight Princess of Tasmania
ferry is now the way to go, although it takes a while to get to sleep with the movement of the
boat. The Federal Government reimburses the ship to maintain reduced car transport costs.
Hiring a VW Beetle from 'Rent a Bug' at Hobart or Devonport for $25 per day including insurance
is the cheapest travel solution. Note that most rural Tasmanian petrol outlets close at 5pm.
Fuel is about 2c to 6c per litre dearer than in Sydney, and some dirt country roads can have
130km between fuel stops.
The roads are Generally excellent, but the southwest and northeast corners are usually wet. I
would advise to be well aware of roads signs that indicate slippery conditions or ice. If you
are going to explore the dirt roads of the west coast, take a compass, a map and a torch as the
intersections may not be lit or even signposted. Be aware of protected wildlife, such as the
Tasmanian Devils, on the roads at dusk.
You can stay in a pub or backpacker motel for about $80 a night for a single room. Motels vary
in price and quality, but I would expect to pay no more than $120 a night bed and breakfast for
a room. Use your mobile phone to book ahead the motels. The bigger pubs that you find in the
middle of nowhere (eg Derwent Bridge near Lake St Clair) are usually excellent and have good
meals.
Always take plenty of fruit and drinks in the car and on journeys. I relied on cartons of fruit
juice and flavoured milk, fresh dates, apples and oranges to relieve mid trip munchies. If you
intend fishing be sure to obtain a fishing license. Take warm clothing as the weather is
changeable, and a good pair of boots if you intend hiking.
Be sure to obtain the Tasmanian Tourist Pack, from your capital city Tasmanian Tourist Bureau.
It contains invaluable information on car hire and accommodation. Surprisingly, my Tom Tom
navigator was accurate, even on the furthest corners of the West Coast.
Discovertasmania - The official Tasmanian government tourism website. Well worth a look.
All photographs by Bob Worthington.
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Map of Tasmania
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Regional Tour
NORTH WEST
CENTRAL NORTH
NORTH EAST
EAST COAST
SOUTH EAST
SOUTH WEST
HIGHLANDS
WEST COAST
NORTH COAST
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West from Devonport to Burnie to Stanley, South-West from Stanley to
Marrawah, Corinna, South-East to Waratah and Savage River.
East from Waratah to Marakoopa Caves, East from Marakoopa Caves to
Deloraine, East from Deloraine to Launceston,
North-West from Launceston to Beaconsfield and Lilydale, North-East
from Lilydale to Herrick, South-East from Herrick to St Helens.
South down the East Coast from St Helens to Moulting Lagoon, Moulting
Lagoon to Eaglehawk, Eaglehawk to Richmond and Port Arthur.
North-West to Hobart, Around Hobart, Day Trips South of Hobart
including Bruny Island, Cygnet and Hastings Caves.
West of Hobart on Day Trips, North from Hobart to Melton Mowbray,
\ North from Melton Mowbray to Perth.
South from Perth to Bothwell, North-West from Bothwell to Lake St Clair,
West from Lake St Clair to Queenstown.
North from Queenstown to Lake Margaret, South-West from Lake
Margaret to Strahan, North from Strahan to Tullah.
South-West from Rosebery to Williamsford, Renison Bell and Dundas,
North-East from Renison Bell to Devonport, Trip to Paradise
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