We are planning our big trip for next year and know we need to pre book early both the trip across to Tassie and the one back. Wondering how long would be a good amount of time to spend there. I was thinking of 3 weeks but wasn't sure so thought I would ask those who have been. Also would love to hear a few tips on the "must haves" for the big trip around Aus.
Kim
gandk said
08:02 AM Jun 29, 2016
Well I know I should have searched first, but I didn't. So I just did and noted anywhere between 6 months and a month. Maybe. Anyway next question. Hubby doesn't want to book before we hit Victoria so am wondering how far ahead is it necessary to book- in summer.????
Ozzie_Traveller said
08:19 AM Jun 29, 2016
G'day Kim
Tassie is very popular and I expect that you will need to book 3 to 6 months in advance
Also be aware of the cost of swapping dates once you have made a booking ... memory says it is "not cheap"
We have been to Tassie 1/2-dozen times over 30-yrs, from 2-weeks [first time] to 6-8 weeks other times
We have had summer, winter during summer, autumn & spring. Our best weather was March-April-May
Hope this helps
Phil
Gaylehere said
08:50 AM Jun 29, 2016
The timing depends a bit on what "events" you want to see. We went a couple years back in February and thoroughly enjoyed the Penny Farthing races at Evandale. If you're into V8 supercars you may like to go when the races are on or the wooden boat festival in Hobart etc. So have a look at the "What's on" for next year and if you find something you really would like to see, that may help you decide on a booking date. There are many wonderful places to see and I know it is hard sometimes to pick a date especially when you are on the road, but there are lots to see in Victoria if you have to wait for ship passage. Gaylene.
Heather42 said
12:20 PM Jun 29, 2016
I have recently booked online to go over in January, back in March, about 8 weeks.
I got a special fare on the ferry for going within Jan/April dates on a daytime sailing both ways.
Fare for pensioner $60 each way.
Vehicle 6 metres long over 2.1 metres high plus one bed in a twin share female cabin.
Total cost $368 for the return trip, includes GST. was a big saving on any other option.
Tow vehicles and caravans are charged by total length and height and the available space is soon taken.
By taking a cabin you can have a lie down, a sleep or a shower, towels provided.
I hope this helps anyone thinking of going over to Tasmania on the ferry.
Tip:- If you have a high vehicle do not approach the ferry terminal on the Calder Highway. There is a low bridge under the railway line so better to use the Westgate.
-- Edited by Heather42 on Wednesday 29th of June 2016 12:23:43 PM
dazz49 said
01:33 PM Jun 29, 2016
Had three months there from Dec 2024 to Mar 2015 only booked original one way and then booked about a month before coming home towing a van. Another month to stay there would have been ideal. We did a figure eight of the island. Hobart over Xmas is great with the yacht race, food, wooden boats etc. Stayed at the showgrounds no need to book. Loved tassie with white water rafting, historic railways, national parks forests, you name it. It has the lot and not expensive plenty of cheaper caravan parks and freedom camping. Remember though. It can be wet in Tassie any time and is rarely hot over the summer You need warm togs. Cheers Daz
-- Edited by dazz49 on Wednesday 29th of June 2016 03:09:20 PM
dazz49 said
01:40 PM Jun 29, 2016
As an added suggestion. Always take a bed on the spirit. If you sit up with 100 others in a chair overnight fair chance you will spend the next week sick. Four of us sat up on the way over and the four of us got a double dose of the dreaded lurgy. Cabin on way home. Better sleep and no wog. Cheers. Daz
.
sarg said
07:23 PM Jun 29, 2016
We are going over to Tassie for 4 months....from 17th Nov. to 17th March. Was only going for 10 weeks at first but thought that's not enough, so hope we have enough time there to see and enjoy all we would like now,,, if not we can always go back later on.
Desert Dweller said
08:02 PM Jun 29, 2016
Three weeks should do it. In no hurry to go back. Spirit trip not worth it & a hassle in both directions. There's a big island to explore first.
Dunmowin said
08:37 PM Jun 29, 2016
Three weeks is fine, but you will spend the entire time driving, not seeing too much. We booked for six months, and after two months decided we needed more.
NeilandRaine said
08:43 PM Jun 29, 2016
I spent 17 years there and never saw it all
PeterD said
10:42 PM Jun 29, 2016
Ozzie_Traveller wrote:
Tassie is very popular and I expect that you will need to book 3 to 6 months in advance Also be aware of the cost of swapping dates once you have made a booking ... memory says it is "not cheap"
There are two different fare structures. 1..Flexie fares where there is no cost for changes. 2..Spirit fares where there are charges for changes and 25% charge for cancellation. I had a look at the difference in costs, the 25% cancellation fee seemed to be cheaper than the difference in the two types of fares. Check out the difference when you book.
PeterD said
10:46 PM Jun 29, 2016
dazz49 wrote:
Had three months there from Dec 2024 to Mar 2015 only booked original one way and then booked about a month before coming home towing a van.
That was for 2015. This year Those booking a return fare were lucky if they got one within 6 weeks. People with return bookings were able to get a new date quicker than those without a return booking could get a date.
PeterD said
10:54 PM Jun 29, 2016
gandk wrote:
Wondering how long would be a good amount of time to spend there. I was thinking of 3 weeks but wasn't sure so thought I would ask those who have been.
Time determines whether you are better off taking your van or not. For a three week trip I suggest you may be cheaper just taking your car and using on site vans and cabins. A few years ago 5 - 6 weeks was the cross over between taking your van or using on-site accommodation.
We have been over 3 times. We found 7 - 8 weeks a good trip length. We did not see everything we wanted to but any longer would have resulted in tedium.
vonjean said
03:01 PM Jun 30, 2016
seems like most stuff has been covered in the way of advice. I went to Tassie for a holiday over 13 years ago & went back following year to live there!
Roads etc so much quieter, and lots to see and enjoy.
Only added advice from me would be, go on line to book, fill out all your details up to the point of paying, see what is available and prices. It is a Little cheaper to book your self on line.
It shows you a calendar with dates that are available for your needs, works out your cost that you click on eg. length of vehicles, if you require a cabin ( I always have a cabin worth the extra) pensioner discounts too, only so many available each sailing, so you may change a day or so later/earlier. differant dates are differant prices, you can keep going through the calendar checking.
Get a fare your able to change then even if your not sure when you wish to sail at least you have a booking to work on, but sometimes your not able to get the pensioner discount on another date you then may want if you change, as they go fast.
Enjoy your trip
vonjean
We are planning our big trip for next year and know we need to pre book early both the trip across to Tassie and the one back. Wondering how long would be a good amount of time to spend there. I was thinking of 3 weeks but wasn't sure so thought I would ask those who have been. Also would love to hear a few tips on the "must haves" for the big trip around Aus.
Kim
Well I know I should have searched first, but I didn't. So I just did and noted anywhere between 6 months and a month. Maybe. Anyway next question. Hubby doesn't want to book before we hit Victoria so am wondering how far ahead is it necessary to book- in summer.????
Tassie is very popular and I expect that you will need to book 3 to 6 months in advance
Also be aware of the cost of swapping dates once you have made a booking ... memory says it is "not cheap"
We have been to Tassie 1/2-dozen times over 30-yrs, from 2-weeks [first time] to 6-8 weeks other times
We have had summer, winter during summer, autumn & spring. Our best weather was March-April-May
Hope this helps
Phil
I have recently booked online to go over in January, back in March, about 8 weeks.
I got a special fare on the ferry for going within Jan/April dates on a daytime sailing both ways.
Fare for pensioner $60 each way.
Vehicle 6 metres long over 2.1 metres high plus one bed in a twin share female cabin.
Total cost $368 for the return trip, includes GST. was a big saving on any other option.
Tow vehicles and caravans are charged by total length and height and the available space is soon taken.
By taking a cabin you can have a lie down, a sleep or a shower, towels provided.
I hope this helps anyone thinking of going over to Tasmania on the ferry.
Tip:- If you have a high vehicle do not approach the ferry terminal on the Calder Highway. There is a low bridge under the railway line so better to use the Westgate.
-- Edited by Heather42 on Wednesday 29th of June 2016 12:23:43 PM
Had three months there from Dec 2024 to Mar 2015 only booked original one way and then booked about a month before coming home towing a van. Another month to stay there would have been ideal. We did a figure eight of the island. Hobart over Xmas is great with the yacht race, food, wooden boats etc. Stayed at the showgrounds no need to book. Loved tassie with white water rafting, historic railways, national parks forests, you name it. It has the lot and not expensive plenty of cheaper caravan parks and freedom camping. Remember though. It can be wet in Tassie any time and is rarely hot over the summer You need warm togs. Cheers Daz
-- Edited by dazz49 on Wednesday 29th of June 2016 03:09:20 PM
Three weeks is fine, but you will spend the entire time driving, not seeing too much. We booked for six months, and after two months decided we needed more.
There are two different fare structures. 1..Flexie fares where there is no cost for changes. 2..Spirit fares where there are charges for changes and 25% charge for cancellation. I had a look at the difference in costs, the 25% cancellation fee seemed to be cheaper than the difference in the two types of fares. Check out the difference when you book.
That was for 2015. This year Those booking a return fare were lucky if they got one within 6 weeks. People with return bookings were able to get a new date quicker than those without a return booking could get a date.
Time determines whether you are better off taking your van or not. For a three week trip I suggest you may be cheaper just taking your car and using on site vans and cabins. A few years ago 5 - 6 weeks was the cross over between taking your van or using on-site accommodation.
We have been over 3 times. We found 7 - 8 weeks a good trip length. We did not see everything we wanted to but any longer would have resulted in tedium.
Roads etc so much quieter, and lots to see and enjoy.
Only added advice from me would be, go on line to book, fill out all your details up to the point of paying, see what is available and prices. It is a Little cheaper to book your self on line.
It shows you a calendar with dates that are available for your needs, works out your cost that you click on eg. length of vehicles, if you require a cabin ( I always have a cabin worth the extra) pensioner discounts too, only so many available each sailing, so you may change a day or so later/earlier. differant dates are differant prices, you can keep going through the calendar checking.
Get a fare your able to change then even if your not sure when you wish to sail at least you have a booking to work on, but sometimes your not able to get the pensioner discount on another date you then may want if you change, as they go fast.
Enjoy your trip
vonjean