Sunday 22 October 2023 - Saturday 04 November 2023
2023 Spring Tour Geelong for Spirit of Tasmannia
. These can be purchased on line or on the ferry. Cost is $80 per car (with up to 8 passengers)
valid for 2 years. Seniors concession should be available.
Navigation: The detailed information you have been given on previous tours will
not necessarily be available this time. I strongly recommend you use either Satnav
(as fitted to your vehicle), Navman navigator or similar or even your mobile phone
using Google maps. This will eliminate the need to read while you're driving and
present a visual map you can follow. Do invest in good map of Tasmania, also
available on the ferry.
Tour Departure Date: The trip begins when we leave Geelong on the Spirit of
Tasmania on Sunday evening, 22nd October 2023. The travel distance from
Sydney to Geelong is about 950 klms so you may like to make a two day trip of it.
I will be attending a family wedding in Wagga on 21st so will travel from there to
Geelong on the 22nd. I will also take a route avoiding Melbourne so if you wish to
follow "King Pin" from Wagga to Geelong you are welcome to do that. The ferry
travels overnight from Geelong to Devonport so you will probably want to book a
cabin. There are various fare options available but basically two people with a
standard car and a two bed cabin will cost at today's prices $1,064 return.
Payment is required at the time of booking Food and drinks on board extra.
Accommodation: Price per room per night: Launceston 2 nights @ $140, St
Helens 1 @ $150, Hobart 5 @ $140, Strahan 3 @ $150 tbc. Motel and holiday
park cabins have been selected.
The Roads. Tasmania claims to have some of the best driving roads anywhere
and I am inclined to agree with that. They are in very good condition and well
maintained BUT they are not straight and they are not flat. Many of the scenic
roads we will be using are very winding and feature frequent steep climbs and
descents. I mention this so that those intending to bring a classic car are well
aware of the nature of these roads. This is a tourist trip and has not necessarily
been designed with elderly classic cars in mind. They are very welcome, of
course, but be advised about the routes we will travel.
Fuel: At survey time (Jan 2023) fuel cost for unleaded around Tasmania varied
from $1.80 to $1.90. Premium 95 octane could be found for $2.00. From Sydney
you will travel around 3,500 to 4,000 klms for the tour.
Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th (am) will be spent in the Launceston area.
Entry costs in red, full price /concession. Activities of interest include Beaconsfield
Mine Museum ($19.50/$15.00), Cataract Gorge (free but chairlift return $20/$15),
National Motor Museum ($14), Tamar River Cruise 50 minutes ($35).
Wednesday 25th (pm). Drive to St Helens on the east coast. Route via Lilydale
and Scottsdale, distance about 170 klms. Near Scottsdale there is a Lavender
Farm you can visit. Best time to see lavender is Nov/Dec but the farm set up may
interest you. Entry fee is charged $20pp and there is a souvenir shop and coffee
shop. We will overnight in St Helens.
Thursday 26th will be spent travelling to Hobart down the east coast. Distance
250 klms. Scenic trip along the coast, close to the shoreline.
Friday 27th to Monday 30th in Hobart. Tourist activities: Port Arthur Historic Site
($47/$38), Salamanca Markets in Hobart (Saturday), Richmond historic town,
MONA Art Museum ($35/$30), Mt Field National Park and more. The programme
will be flexible here and does allow for free days.
Tuesday 31st: Drive from Hobart to Strahan on west coast, about 300 klms.
Scenic drive through highlands and Queenstown.
Wednesday 1st Nov & Thursday 2nd in Strahan. Activities: West Coast
Wilderness Railway ($189/$120) depending on carriage chosen), Gordon River
Cruise ($199/$160 depending on seating chosen).
Friday 3rd. Travel to Devonport via Zeehan, Cradle Mountain and Sheffield. Bus
tour to Cradle Mountain from Visitor Centre, National Park Pass covers cost.
Sheffield is the town famous for its murals. Then back on the "Spirit of Tasmania"
overnight to Geelong.
Saturday 4th. Arrive Geelong, end of tour. You have the weekend to drive home.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Read this information carefully. If you are confirming for the trip let me know before
10th February 2023. After that date I will send out booking information. Some
bookings I will be able to make and, hopefully, get a group discount if we have
enough starters. There will be a small charge of $10pp payable to the club to
cover costs of producing the customary tour booklet. I will let you know about that
later. I will ask what paid attractions you wish to see and what you do not want to
do in due course.
If you have questions about anything please ask, preferably by e-mail or text but
mobile is okay as well.
Time:
Location: Tasmania, Australia