I have searched past postings to try work out the best line of attack but if anyone has any current advice on timing I would appreciate it. We have been told that the best experience for a 7:30 sailing is to arrive at 6 so we will have the day to get from where ever we camp to the terminal anyone done it? the advice is that you can't park anywhere so we will likely spend the day out a little and then go in, sounds a little stressful but I am a stresser. Also I was reading in an RV mag that all jerry cans have to be empty and dry or filled with water. ??
Six O'clock sounds about right Jen. There is little or no parking along the wharf and even if you manage to find one you have to pay as there are meters.
All jerry cans have to be empty and dry or filled with water and ALL gas bottles or containers that are loose are surrendered for the trip and picked up at the quarantine area when you get off. They give you a ticket for it.
All fresh fruit and vegetables are confiscated and any frozen or fresh bait will be confiscated as well.
We had three quarantine checks, two on the Melbourne side, they were looking for stowaways and contraband, including guns etc and one very thorough one on the Tassie side.
It took us about an hour and a half to get clear of the wharf in Tassie, but I think that was more bad luck in us being in the wrong queue.
Looking forward to catching up. When do you arrive again? We are in Roseberry in the western area at the moment and heading for Somerset tomorrow for a couple of days.
From our experience, the first in the queue to board will be the last one off on the Tassie side. So we don't always get there early.
If you are travelling over at night, don't forget to get your breakfast voucher for the cafe at the Devonport end. It was worth it when we went over last time.
And we agree, they are very thorough on the quarantine checks. We had one lettuce leaf confiscated and a bottle of kerosene that had only a skerrick of kerosene in it!
But all the hassles are worth the visit. You'll love it. We found it was best to base our van in one location for a few days and take day trips out from there. And we took our our van last time. Our first trip to Tassie was with 5 kids. We couldn't afford to take our own van and the kids and bring them back so we hired a van over there. 3 days before our holiday finished, the faulty brakes on the hire van caused us to jack-knife and wrote our car off. We hear the caravan was 'mended' and put out for hire again!!
We have found over theyyears that the best place to park is along Williamstown Road, alongside JL Murphy Reserve (facing the city), there is usually plenty of room, no meters and you can stay there for the afternoon.
There are toilets at the reserve, a great cafe on the corner of Williamstown Road and Graham Street.
Whe you leave to go to the ferry, turn right at Graham Street and another right turn into Swallow Street, continue down to Beach Road, turn left and the ferry is a couple of hundred metres on your right.
If you have a full sized van with A/C on the roof, you will "usually" be loaded on the truck decks. They get unloaded first.
Thanks heaps, all of these coments have been really helpful - I knew some of the things not to take but I will be very careful with the stray salad we land on the 1st of Feb. Ma so hope to see you too. Sorry about the end to your trip Neil N Ruth that would have been horrendous !! And Dusty We will follow your kind advice that was just what I was looking for, we do have a full size van with aircon on top, I will post a pickie of our outfit so you might recognise us too Ma. We drive a white Rodeo 4x ute with a windsor genesis on back, I think I saw a gn going through town the other day
Would you believe I am Tasmanian, have travelled on the ferry, I lived in Melbourne for many years and drove a truck out of Port Melbourne for a few of them. AND I wouldnt have a clue about taking a van on the ferry. Thanks all for the advise.
When we travelled across to Tasmania, we found that 'boiling water' was readily available if you wanted to make your own tea or coffee. Someone had mentioned this to us and the staff was very obliging - just bring your own mug and either tea or coffee. It was a good savings.
Generally speaking we thought the food on the ferry was rather expensive so we waited until we got off in Devonport and went to a very friendly cafe in Penguin.
provided you finish them before you arrive in Tassie ok, They say no grog to be taken from car to house though, don't know how they would police that but they are the rules. Bars are generally not to expensive though, I think 5 or 6bucks a stubbie. Also pick up your voucher bag when you are driving off the wharf, some goodies in there sometimes.
-- Edited by florinhill on Thursday 12th of January 2012 12:47:20 PM
I mentioned this on another post a couple of weeks ago but here goes again. If you have a cabin booked, take your own pillow in with you, you will find out why and may not sleep all that well if you don't.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I mentioned this on another post a couple of weeks ago but here goes again. If you have a cabin booked, take your own pillow in with you, you will find out why and may not sleep all that well if you don't.
Thanks Doug - I picked up that tip from you already and we will be doing just that!
"Florinhill, We are just down the road at Somerset Beach van park for a couple of days till B.I.L. gets back on the boat.
Blue bought himself a fly fishing set up and is anxious to try it out.
If Yolla is midgie free then if it's OK we might head back to you when we leave here."
If we are not home just park in the front, Just plug in, we will not be to far away. look forward to catching up. If the wind stops I will take Blue down the pond for a fish.
we land on the 1st of Feb. Ma so hope to see you too.
Hopefully
