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Is there still enthusiam for this proposal first raised late last year?
Theo has prodded me so it seems we have 2 starters and to give you something tangible to consider I've outlined a 14 day tour but everything is negotiable.Would particularly like imput from our Taswegian members including whether they could join us for all or part.
There are some constraints however.
Tassie can start to get chilly April onwards. (It can also be glorious in April and Snowing on the peaks in January)
Easter is Fri 6 April - Mon 9th April(schools 15 April) Tas School Term commences 14 Feb until 1st June with Easter break
The shipping service to Tasmania -Spirit of Tasmania fare structure has the following low and high demand times which affect fares:-
Low demand: 11 Feb - 25 March & 21 April -2 December
High Demand Dec -10 Feb & 26 March -20 April.
Fares are cheapest for day sailings which are infrequent and do not include any cabin or recliner. A restricted number of pensioner concession tickets are made available and occasional "specials" are advertised.
A Syncro under 2.1 metres(including luggage racks and any loading) is $83 each way.
As a guide the cheapest accomodation Ocean Recliner seats are $123 on special; $143low $148 high & $89 pensioner compared to deluxe cabins $207,L $373 H $214 P
conditions on refunds etc are quite restrictive particularly on specials. They do not give general rates and advise that you have to plug your details in their site to get a specific quote which is not guaranteed until payment in full is made.
What would you think of this itinerary for starters going clockwise round the Island.
Day 1 Assemble in Melbourne for 7pm overnight sailing
2 arrive Devonport 7am breakfast, on to Cradle Mountain via Sheffield and a hot springs pool.Walk round Lake St Clair circuit (2hrs) visit Tas Devil Sanctuary stay overnight Cradle Mountain or Deloraine.
Day 3 On to Launceston via Liffey Falls,Entally House, Hadspen stay at latter or Launceston
Day 4 Launceston visit the Gorge, National Auto Museum, Boag's Brewery (or Cascade in Hobart) Museum, Cable hang gliding,Beauty Point plus Vw repair shop if needed.
Day 5 Down Central Highway via Longford (race track) to historic towns of Ross and then back to Campbelltown and east to Coles Bay entry to the Freycinet Peninsular
Day 6 Walk to Wineglass Bay lookout (or actual Bay if keen) back to Bicheno, Swanseaand stay 9 mile beach Dolphin sands.
Day 7 Continue along East Coast to Richmond (Oldest bridge in Australia) Port Arthur and on to Hobart.
Day 8 Hobart : Mt Wellington, Waterfront, Salamanca Place Shot Tower Cadbury Factory, Cascade Brewery, Museum. Wilderness flights to SW possible from here.
Day 9 Bruny Island then to Southernmost road point in Tas -Cockle Creek (Old whaling Station) stay night.
Day 10/11 Need to get to Strahan via Queenstown (historic Railway) and denuded hills also taking in Tahune Airwalk above the treetops and /or down to the Gordon River Dam and Lake Pedder. allow 2 days.
Day 12 Strahan Mc Quarie Harbour, Gordon River trip on to Zeehan Mining town overnight.
Day 13 Some may take the easier route to Smithton on North Coast meeting the others going more difficult road via Reece, Corinna, crossing the Pieman River enjoying some of the cleanest air in the world -roaring 40's and all ending up in the Tarkine Forest
Day 14 Back along the North coast to the Nutt at Stanley,Penguin which is famous for something and on to catch the night ferry back to Melbourne.
Sorry not a lot of time for consideration if we want to secure bookings or would people rather have more time to plan waiting say until next November?
Please let me know if it raises your enthusiasm and what it will need to entice you along.
Cheers
Roger
Melbourne. |