Tasmania, a beautiful State, but the economic basket case of Australia. Population around 500,000, unemployment rate over 8%, businesses closing every day, people can't get jobs, but Tourism, the life blood of the State is not exploited by State and Federal Governments. If you have a MH under 7 meters in length, you can travel on the Spirit between Melbourne and Devonport at the same rate as a car. But have a vehicle towing a caravan, $2000.00 plus is not uncommon for the round trip. After a Report prepared by the State Govt. over a year ago, State Govt. Councils are looking to charge for what was once free camping areas. This article appeared in The Sunday Examiner, Launceston, today:
That's one part of the story.
Was living in Tassie for a few years. They have a problem with people living permanently on these free camp sites turning it into rubbish dumps and
they want to get rid of them to free the space for tourists. A small fee and regulary checks might help.
We were in Tassy for four months - mostly in free camps - including Bay of Fires over the Christmas/New Year period - we found on talking to people camped there that about 90 - 95% of them were locals, some of whom had been coming there for over 30 years with their families - we had a great time, they even fed us fish when they had heaps - delicious!!!
There are good pit toilets there, and they are cleaned regularly - but as usual, there are always some pigs who leave their filth everywhere - some women have no pride in themselves, or consideration for others - expecting someone to clean up their messes!!!! This is the sort of behaviour that is causing the authorities to look at free camping, I believe.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
We were in Tassy for four months - mostly in free camps - including Bay of Fires over the Christmas/New Year period - we found on talking to people camped there that about 90 - 95% of them were locals, some of whom had been coming there for over 30 years with their families - we had a great time, they even fed us fish when they had heaps - delicious!!!
There are good pit toilets there, and they are cleaned regularly - but as usual, there are always some pigs who leave their filth everywhere - some women have no pride in themselves, or consideration for others - expecting someone to clean up their messes!!!! This is the sort of behaviour that is causing the authorities to look at free camping, I believe.
That's exactly it. A few idiots destroy it for all the other good ones. If a small fee keeps them away in the future I'll be willing to pay this small fee.
A good little spot not to many people know about on the north east point of Tassie is Little Mussle Row Bay, it is a quiet camping spot that I doubt you would get a big rig in but it had a really nice beach with a bit of a lagoon that would be safe swimming for kids and you could launch a boat from plus about 2ks up the road was a great surf beach to fish from, been a long time since I was there but I think it was $5 a night if a ranger came around and there was long drop loos
Cheers Andrew
A good little spot not to many people know about on the north east point of Tassie is Little Mussle Row Bay, it is a quiet camping spot that I doubt you would get a big rig in but it had a really nice beach with a bit of a lagoon that would be safe swimming for kids and you could launch a boat from plus about 2ks up the road was a great surf beach to fish from, been a long time since I was there but I think it was $5 a night if a ranger came around and there was long drop loos Cheers Andrew
I've lived in Tassie for the past 10 years, or I should say 6 months of every year. Musselroe Bay is one area I haven't been to and I'm currently making inquiries about the road. I've heard the road from the small town of Gladstone to the coast is gravel. I don't like to travel on gravel roads, especially if corrugated. Has anyone been on that road recently who could shed some light on the road condition ?
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Retired Airline Pilot and Electrician..
I'm not old, I've just been young a long time....Ken
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
I am born and bred Tasmanian! Unfortunately the reason tourism is the major industry in Tasmania is that the major industry has closed down..... It would be political to say why so you make up your own mind.
I know some people will say good job that the timber industry, including wood chip has all but ceased.
The timber industry in Tasmania was well regulated and for every tree that was felled four more were planted in their place. New trees breath as much CO2 as old trees
Old growth timber is rotten in the middle and not regularly logged. Timber in Tasmania grows very quickly and the reforestation will be well and truly mature before the old forests are gone.
Because logging has almost ceased in Tasmania the under growth has taken over............... Could that be the reason half the place burnt down.
Don't blame the State for wanting to survive
I camp at lagoons beach a lot .it is free camping and people are usualy well behaved.unfortunately u get the few who have to stuff it up for everyone.there has been a rumor that a fee may be applied per night to be paid on an honesty system.parks and wildlife have not got the man power to man these sites fulltime so the honesty system is the only way they can possibly do it.this system will not stop the clowns from causing havocfromtime to time.nor will they pay without being forced to do so .as such u end up with the people. Doing the right thing to carry the load of these few idiots who are hell bent on disstroying these beautiful areas .thats my say cheers shayne
I camp at lagoons beach a lot .it is free camping and people are usualy well behaved.unfortunately u get the few who have to stuff it up for everyone.there has been a rumor that a fee may be applied per night to be paid on an honesty system.parks and wildlife have not got the man power to man these sites fulltime so the honesty system is the only way they can possibly do it.this system will not stop the clowns from causing havocfromtime to time.nor will they pay without being forced to do so .as such u end up with the people. Doing the right thing to carry the load of these few idiots who are hell bent on disstroying these beautiful areas .thats my say cheers shayne
Yep the honesty system only works if you have a guard standing beside the box with a piece of 4x2 in their hand.
Some of the honesty boxes we have come across in our travels are almost always very empty, but funny how there is always a heap of c/vans motor/ homes camped there. They appear to know the system when they come around to collect the money from the box as they will pull out and then turn back up the next day. Evan in the National Parks in Qld now with this crazy on line user pay system some of the places we have just recently stayed out people just drive in camp over night and drive out in the morning. The National Parks must be loosing big time going this way.
