Stew F Posted 25March, 2016 Report Share Posted 25March, 2016 my experience on the ferry ramps was no probs. I tend to scrape the front of my SC on driveways and gutters but not on the boat. Wet steel plate floor and a cold engine with the revs up was a different matter...angry glares from the car deck crew. and you have to be prepared for the fact that you can't sit in the car decks and warm your car up before driving out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tit Posted 25March, 2016 Report Share Posted 25March, 2016 On our trip I think our ferries passed each other in bass strait. A bunch of us from Adelaide head down a couple times a year. Drive to Melbourne on the Friday, wake up in Devonport on Saturday morning. Over to Reece Dam and down to Strahan for lunch. Hobart for dinner and overnight. We usually avoid the traffic on the east coast and head north on Sunday morning via the Central Highlands. We'll play around Cethana and some of the other northern Targa stages before a run to the ferry, often being the last to board. Monday - straight off the ferry and back in Adelaide by 3pm. It's a lot of driving but what a great long weekend. We always avoid school holidays any events that bring extra traffic. The best driving in Australia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew F Posted 25March, 2016 Report Share Posted 25March, 2016 On our trip I think our ferries passed each other in bass strait. if I recall correctly the comment was "we'll pass each other, like ships in the night". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvs11 Posted 25March, 2016 Report Share Posted 25March, 2016 and you have to be prepared for the fact that you can't sit in the car decks and warm your car up before driving out.At the time my car wasn't running too welI at startup. Warming up for a few minutes was essential. I was prepared to cop it sweet for warming up the engine a bit. A few choice words from a deckhand weren't going to bother me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9fan Posted 25March, 2016 Report Share Posted 25March, 2016 FANTASTIC drive - 26 cars(can't be wrong) - mix of Porsche ,HSV GTS, 6.3 AMG, Corvette, Ferrari California, Audi R8and Symmons Plains racetrack included !Feeling the itch for next year.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
symsy Posted 25March, 2016 Report Share Posted 25March, 2016 Question… I have hacked around all over the top end in my classics and have my restorer there , not that iI have ever had any issues there, exce[t some dodgy fuel and a puncture…. Its definately a paradise Whats the general availability of tyres etc there for newer cars?Any locals tips? on consumables like 98 , Pilot Sports and Mars Bars?Inspiring… that so many visit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzieman Posted 25March, 2016 Report Share Posted 25March, 2016 Whats the general availability of tyres etc there for newer cars?Amy locals tips?One 997 turbo guy waited 2 weeks to get rears.There are "plenty" of newer cars here (not just Porsches) but not sure about availability. Why not ring the dealer and see what their experience is? If you blow a tyre whilst on the West Coast , well if you haven't booked a hotel there may be a few caravan park spots left somewhere. Accommodation is really stretched with all the tourism that's being promoted. Some new hotels being built/mooted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANF Posted 29March, 2016 Report Share Posted 29March, 2016 Question… I have hacked around all over the top end in my classics and have my restorer there , not that iI have ever had any issues there, exce[t some dodgy fuel and a puncture…. Its definately a paradise Whats the general availability of tyres etc there for newer cars?Any locals tips? on consumables like 98 , Pilot Sports and Mars Bars?Inspiring… that so many visit 98 should be available just about everywhere. In my trips with my old 67 Merc on Tasbash where we definitely do not follow main roads on only one occasion did I have to forgo 98 for 95, so going through the major roads you should be all fine.Mar Bars - I prefer Picnics so cannot comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonk Posted 29March, 2016 Author Report Share Posted 29March, 2016 This joint was probably the most sophisticated place we found outside the major (if you can call them that) cities. This was in Ouse and was the only place I saw that had petrol between Launceston and Hobart. Apparently we blinked and missed a few others. I wasn't fussed about putting 95 in but that was the fuel to put in when my car was born. There certainly wasn't any 98 at any of the servos I saw outside Devenport, Launceston and Hobart.IMG_5244 by Simon Kovac, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANF Posted 29March, 2016 Report Share Posted 29March, 2016 There is plenty of 98 available throughout Tas - . One of the biggest drives you will do through sparsely populated areas is Hobart to Strahan (Strahan has 98), about 4 hours or 300 +/- for detours etc - most cars will do this easily on a tank of fuel. Check the BP and Caltex websites for locations, just about covered everywhere in Tas for 98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1q2w3e4r Posted 29March, 2016 Report Share Posted 29March, 2016 I'm planning a trip down there with some mates either late this year or Easter-ish next. I figure from speaking to people and looking at the distances you need about 5-6 days to do it properly without being in the car the entire time. This is what I've mapped out and good to know there is plenty of 98 available.Day 1- St Helens (undecided on accom) > Day 2 Swansee (maybe stay at Piermont Estate) > Day 3 Hobart (undecided on accom) > Day 4 Lake St Clair (looking to stay at http://www.pumphousepoint.com.au/) > Day 5 Strahan (undecided on accom) > Day 6 back to Devenport and on the ferry.https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/Devenport+UBET+(TOTE),+2%2F22+Edward+Street,+Devonport+TAS+7310/Launceston,+Tasmania/Scottsdale,+Tasmania/St+Helens+TAS/St+Marys,+Tasmania/Swansea,+Tasmania/Hobart+TAS/Queenstown+TAS/Strahan+TAS/Devenport+UBET+(TOTE),+2+Edward+Street,+Devonport+TAS/@-41.9674388,145.6631211,8z/data= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMOA Posted 31March, 2016 Report Share Posted 31March, 2016 I was surprised how available 98 was in Tasmania, in many regards it was easier finding it there than in country nsw. I did use the BP and Caltex apps to map out the 98 service stations before going down and that made it easier but it really was a lot easier to manage the fuel than it is when planning trips through the snowies/vic alps. Regarding the trip. Day 1 IMO you want to do in reverse (ie start at St. Helens). From St. Helens that is as good as any drive in the world. Day 2 is boring from a driving perspective, apart from the run up and down to St Mary's that's one long transport stage. Day 3 is also pure transport stage. In here you need to think about getting inland and into the central highlands IMO. Day 4 is great but I'd strongly recommend a detour to Gordon dam. Amazing road. Day 5 have a look at plimsol which is a fun road and pieman road as a loop from Tullah to Zeehan is great. On your day 6 you've missed hellyer gorge. One does not miss hellyer gorge in a sports car. If you can I'd be trying to do a bit more distance every day as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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