Tasmania, November 2021

Davo1063 and I were supposed to head over to the apple isle this month, covid put paid to our planning and we've just got home from our consolation prize, a ride through the Flinders Ranges and SA's Mid North (ride review to come soon)

We are now planning to do the Tassie ride in November next year, probably for about 15 or 16 nights plus travel to and from, we want to cover as much as the State as we can and factor in a couple of no ride days, Port Phillip would be one of them.

If anyone else is interested let us know, possible routes/places to stay and see etc is well under way as we had started for this year. Most likely pub rooms for the single night stays and houses through Airbnb for multiple nights

cheers

Chook

Edit/Update


Ferry booked for Davo1063 and myself

Leave Port Melbourne Monday 8 November @ 7:30 pm

Leave Devonport Wednesday 24 November @ 7:30 pm

Put us down as a possible maybe. 
Depends on holidays and how much I have left by then

It could be snowing next November as reported by BOM for today

Hobart forecast to be second-hottest capital city in Australia after Darwin today


So pack winter woolies plus shorts/t shirts.


I thought Melbourne weather was unpredictable  

BanditDave wrote:It could be snowing next November as reported by BOM for today

Hobart forecast to be second-hottest capital city in Australia after Darwin today


So pack winter woolies plus shorts/t shirts.


I thought Melbourne weather was unpredictable  

Nah you can predict Melbourne weather, it's either raining, sunny or both

Davo and I have our dates and itinerary sorted for this trip if anyone else wants to join us for all, or any part of it:

Catch the Ferry from Melbourne on Monday 8 November 2021
Catch the return Ferry on Wednesday 24 November


For anyone wanting to travel with us from SA, Davo will be leaving Whyalla on Saturday 6 November, meeting me about 4 hours later in Adelaide then we'll head off as far as Bordertown or Frances that night, onto the Grampians the next day via any roads other then the Dukes/Western Hwy for a tour around the Grampians finishing in Ararat. On the morning of 8 November we'll be heading North of the Western Highway and taking some roads neither of us have travelled before, ending the day at the Ferry terminal ready for the overnight journey

I have found a lot of Airbnb accommodation that I will be booking in the next few weeks, 


IF anyone else want's to commit to the trip I'll find accommodation with extra rooms and/or  beds. If no one else commits we'll book what we have found and it'll be up to anyone extra to make their own arrangements

Here's the Adelaide to Melbourne itinerary, I'll post Tasmania on it's own 

6 November: David, Whyalla to Adelaide, then Ian/David to Bordertown (Francis is another option and has a great little pub with bunk house or motel accommodation it’s about 40 odd km further)


OR




7 November: Bordertown or Francis to Grampians and finish at Ararat via South of Western Highway and tour Grampians (pub or AirBnB) If leaving from Frances about 40 odd km less than this



or 



8 November: Ararat to Port Melbourne via North of Western Hwy (Night on the ferry)

8 November: Night Ferry to Devonport

9 November: Devonport – Stanley – West Coast forest loop – Smithton (AirBnB)

Some of this was dirt last time Baz and I were there so most of this day is new to me




10 November: Stanley -West Takone – Wynyard – Burnie – Savage River – Waratah (Bischof Hotel)

Baz and I did some of this including staying in the Bischoff Hotel in Waratah in 2018, we both thought this was a must do/must stay again



11 November: Waratah – Rosebery – A10/B28 loop _ Rosebery – Zeehan - Struan (AirBnB, 2 nights)

Other than the fact we're doing savage river Rd the previous day and stopping at Strahan instead of Queenstown, this is the route Baz and I did last trip, we both loved these roads and the scenery



12 November: River Cruise and explore local area on bikes

Baz and I regretted a few things we missed last trip, a cruise on the Gordon river was one of those, we're planning a half day cruise and then local sight seeing which could include Queenstown. An Airbnb house will also allow us to get some washing done before we continue on the following day


13: November: Struan – Strathgordon – Richmond (Richmond Arms pub room $61 a single)

Another regret, we missed Strathgordon and the dam, this will be our longest day in the saddle



14 November: Richmond - Port Arthur - day tour experience  (Fox and Hound Inn)

3 days of 2018 regrets in a row, we both wished we'd visited Port Arthur



15     November: Port Arthur – South Arm – Hobart (Air BnB 4 nights)



Into Hobart for a few nights, Hobart/ Launceston on the next post

15     November: Arrive in Hobart (Air BnB 4 nights)
Any of the following day trips from Hobart on any of the days*


16 November: Hobart – Southport – Mt Wellington – Hobart



17 November: Hobart & Egg and Bacon Bay (Visit Gus if he'll have us a second time  )



18 November: Hobart – explore Hobart/rest day, what ever we're feeling like

19 November: Hobart – Great Lakes – Launceston (5 nights AirBnB)



Any of the following day trips in any order
20 November: Launceston – Day trip to Barry Mcki  (if home at the time) + National Auto Museum Tasmania and any other Launceston sights - Launceston



21 November: Launceston – Fingal – St Marys _ Swansea – Launceston



22 November: Launceston – Sidling Lookout – Bridport – Beaconsfield mine tour - Launceston



23 November: Launceston – Scamander - Launceston



24 November: Launceston to Devonport (Ferry accommodation)

Our return trip will be something like this

25 November: Port Melbourne to ? (Warrnambool/ MT Gambier?)

26 November: ? – Adelaide (or somewhere still in easy reach of Whyalla for David the last day

27 November : David Adelaide to Whyalla

Looks like a great time.  A lot of it looks like our cancelled car trip

See Edit/Update on 1st post, ferry is booked


@ Gus

If you are about on either 16, 17 or 18 November we'll ride down your way and catch up, just make sure that you sweep the road for us the day before

I'll give this a bump 

We though 8 months was plenty of time for the maybe people to decide if they wanted to go and if they did, arrange leave and tickets.

We are going ahead and pre booking accommodation, 1st night over ther we have an AirBnB in Smithtown, there is a great place in Stanley but bugger all cancellation policy

We've booked nearly all of the accommodation, I'll split this into a few posts based on locations and activities

Adelaide  to Port Melbourne

Saturday 6 November 
Adelaide to Ararat, staying in a Airbnb flat in Ararat 6 and 7 November
https://goo.gl/maps/eSNkWCemX9FdXpWZ9

Possibly do the Aradale Ghost tours https://www.eerietours.com.au/tours/

Sunday 7 November
Touring the Grampians 
https://goo.gl/maps/TZHpVyMcKRseeVRa8

Monday 8 November
Ararat to Port Melbourne
https://goo.gl/maps/1qhgY44aMLvRtN7a6

Devonport - Smithton - Waratah - Strahan/Queenstown

Tuesday 9 November 
Devonport - Stanley - Forest Loop - Smithton,  staying in a AirBnB house (if a 3rd person wanted to join there is  a 3rd bed otherwise plenty of other local options


Wednesday 10 November 
Smithton - Waratah staying at the Bischoff Hotel, pub rooms
https://goo.gl/maps/nQj1iKeCAuGzh5m8A

Thursday 11 November 
Waratah - Strahan 11 and 12 November AirBnB Strahan Holiday Park cottages, more cottages available in the same complex or other accommodation in town 
https://goo.gl/maps/JQTwg73rPibvUE1g9

Friday 12 November 
Gordon River cruise and local sight seeing
https://www.gordonrivercruises.com.au/en/gordon-river-cruise.html?_ga=2.80110484.2046787571.1620008253-291795212.1617606066&_gac=1.14031301.1620083772.Cj0KCQjwvr6EBhDOARIsAPpqUPG2quti4qlE-gWuAWqKqxUrDkBq6IUPAXAyFQFBQZjtoUV25EJ95TUaAt2jEALw_wcB

Saturday 13 November
Strahan - Queenstown
Gorge and Rail trip
https://goo.gl/maps/G2heS3SuHjbDnuLP8

Queenstown to Ouse, stay at the Lachlan Pub in Ouse, basic pub rooms

Sunday 14 November
Ouse - Gordon Dam - Richmond, stay in a 2 bedroom apartment at the Richmond Arms Hotel, other pub room available 
https://goo.gl/maps/HDZj7uMKxyvuGkv86

Monday 15 November 
Richmond - Port Arthur, Port Arthur Historic Site, staying in 2 bedroom cabin in NRMA Port Arthur tourist park
https://goo.gl/maps/gDqK734VL6z8C7B18

Port Arthur visit + Isle of the dead tour 

Tuesday 16 November 
Port Arthur to Hobart (Mt Nelson) staying in a 3 bedroom house, option for someone else to use the 3rd bedroom
https://goo.gl/maps/f4UkbuDxuD85UomN7

Saltwater coal mines coinvict site
https://coalmines.org.au/walk/plunkettpoint/

Tessellated Terraces

Hobart and day trips in no particular order

Wednesday 17 November, Thursday 18 November and Friday 19 November
Hobart; staying at a 3 bedroom house in Mt Nelson, 3rd bedroom available if anyone else wanted to join us

Day trip 1 
https://goo.gl/maps/xuzVWv1LobhS4FXp6
https://tahuneadventures.com.au/
Mt Wellington/Wellington Park

Day Trip 2 ( @Gus, hope to visit you )
https://goo.gl/maps/4g7s4JSnGewrQQbW8
https://www.raptorrefuge.com.au/

3rd Day, Hobart sightseeing
Cascades Female factory
https://femalefactory.org.au/visit/

Mt Nelson (Hobart) - Launceston - Devonport


Saturday 20 November 
Hobart - Oatlands - Great lakes - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/BFBodwrbJcKVQoNN8
Staying in an AirBnB apartment in the CBD, no spare bed available in this one but plenty of others close by


Sunday 21, Monday 22, Tuesday 23 November: 3 x day trips


with a little bit of luck we get all of thee in, 2018 Baz and I had to skip the 2nd one as he weather was too bad to consider riding in.

Day trip 1
Launceston - Sideling Lookout - Scottsdale - Bridport - Low Head - Beaconsfield Mine Centre - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/GjtPigyr9SsK58Bp6

Day Trip 2 
Launceston - Lebrina - Scottsdale- St Helens - St Marys - Campbell Town - Cressy - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/viLAsEzqcVvnrUKCA

Day Trip 3
Launceston - Nile - Avoca - Rossarden - Mangana - St Marys -  - Bicheno - Swansea - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/Q2d33rm4vmkE3BZx7

Wednesday 24 November
Launceston - Deloraine - Mole Creek - Liena - Lower Barrington - Staverton - Sheffield - Forth - Devonport
https://goo.gl/maps/AG6shxfXxyoX2BaH9

Hopefully that day is a bit drier than 2018 when Baz and I spent a few hours hiding from pouring rain in Deloraine

Cross us off. It's going to be impossible for Kim and I to get time off together.

madmax wrote:Cross us off. It's going to be impossible for Kim and I to get time off together.

We'll have to try and catch up pre ferry or after the ferry if we can get the stars to align

Chook wrote:

madmax wrote:Cross us off. It's going to be impossible for Kim and I to get time off together.

We'll have to try and catch up pre ferry or after the ferry if we can get the stars to align

yeah you can stay here if you like, one of us might be home

Chook wrote:Mt Nelson (Hobart) - Launceston - Devonport


Saturday 20 November 
Hobart - Oatlands - Great lakes - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/BFBodwrbJcKVQoNN8
Staying in an AirBnB apartment in the CBD, no spare bed available in this one but plenty of others close by


Sunday 21, Monday 22, Tuesday 23 November: 3 x day trips


with a little bit of luck we get all of thee in, 2018 Baz and I had to skip the 2nd one as he weather was too bad to consider riding in.

Day trip 1
Launceston - Sideling Lookout - Scottsdale - Bridport - Low Head - Beaconsfield Mine Centre - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/GjtPigyr9SsK58Bp6

Day Trip 2 
Launceston - Lebrina - Scottsdale- St Helens - St Marys - Campbell Town - Cressy - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/viLAsEzqcVvnrUKCA

Day Trip 3
Launceston - Nile - Avoca - Rossarden - Mangana - St Marys -  - Bicheno - Swansea - Launceston
https://goo.gl/maps/Q2d33rm4vmkE3BZx7

Wednesday 24 November
Launceston - Deloraine - Mole Creek - Liena - Lower Barrington - Staverton - Sheffield - Forth - Devonport
https://goo.gl/maps/AG6shxfXxyoX2BaH9

Hopefully that day is a bit drier than 2018 when Baz and I spent a few hours hiding from pouring rain in Deloraine

You might want to include the Burt Munro Cafe at Exeter (west Tamar hwy about 25Km north of Launceston

It's a bit of a cafe and a bit of a bike museum under the same roof

Hi guys,
Trip sounds great. I’m based in Hobart. 
Be keen to tag along and meet up when you are on the the island if i can sneak away from work . What bikes are you bringing ?
Vaughn 0409 856149

Vaughn123 wrote:Hi guys,
Trip sounds great. I’m based in Hobart. 
Be keen to tag along and meet up when you are on the the island if i can sneak away from work . What bikes are you bringing ?
Vaughn 0409 856149

IF we get there, and IF it is on bikes it will be a GSF1250SA (Bandit) and a GSX1250FA, and we'd love to have other forum members join us on any of the day trips etc.

Getting there isn't the issue, at the moment getting home again is a real issue though.




Getting to Tasmania
Tas Government will allow us to travel directly through Victoria stopping only for fuel en route to the Spirit of Tasmania and not have to quarantine on arrival. That's easy, base ourselves in Penola the night before giving us the shortest and most direct route, 1 fuel stop in the middle of Vic, carry something for lunch to eat on the way.

The biggest issuing heading over, no facilities open on the ferry and must isolate in our cabin for the duration. That means we'd have to carry food for Tea, any drinks and snacks etc all the way from Penola to the ferry on already packed to the brim bikes, a pain in the arse but not impossible.

Getting home to SA
The SA government will not allow anyone travelling from or through Victoria to enter/re enter SA without an exemption

The ferry has all facilities open travelling back to the mainland, that's the easy bit

There is currently over 5000 applicants for exemption every week, the numbers being processed each wee are increasing as they allow more to go into "supervised home quarantine" instead of hotel quarantine, still only about 500-600 being processed each week, web site say sallow 4-6 weeks for approval. You can not apply for exemption until a maximum 7 days out from your intended arrival so that would mean finding somewhere to pull up stumps and stay for a month or so, then once approved another 14 days in quarantine, if family are home, they also go into the same quarantine.

From our original plan, Plan A is never going to happen, we will not be staying in Victoria heading over so Ararat and the Grampians are out

Plan B is highly unlikely as neither of us can afford to be away from home/work an extra 2 weeks, let alone 4-8 by the time we get into SA and then complete quarantine

Plan C is pull the pin on everything and have another crack once we are at 80% vaccinated and the borders are open (to the vaccinated) at the moment we can cancel all paid for accommodation and ferry ($3.85 fee for ferry) and rebook later

Plan Z is my preferred at the moment but if David wants to go with C I'll be happy to do the same. 

Plan Z
- Cancel (postpone) the Vic part of the tour, postpone the ferry booking

- Fly to Hobart a day or 2 before our intended start date in Devonport, hire a car, night 1 wherever, Night 2 somewhere near Devonport

- Follow the planned itinerary, stay in all of the booked and p[aid for accommodation, skip some roads that were only being ridden for the sake of riding a good/great/awesome bike road, do all of the planned touristy things and perhaps a few extras that would have been a pain in the arse to do on the bikes.

- Once we are at 80% vaccinated and the borders are open (to the vaccinated) rebook, jump on the bikes and just ride the roads that we want to ride for the sake of riding them,  probably make that trip a bit shorter and still include the Grampians on the way over

Best check out car hire prices in Tas at present. Currently sky high apparently

Vaughn123 wrote:Best check out car hire prices in Tas at present. Currently sky high apparently

We have been

Still some reasonable priced ones out there

Plan Z is happening subject to SA staying Covid free for the next 3 1/2 weeks