I have been receiving emails from Tasmanian Ferry about places to you must see driving, one that looks good is called "Wild West" it takes you from Stanley westerly and then south to Arthur River (sealed Rd) then further south heading towards Strahan via Corinna (major section unsealed) has anyone done this trip pulling a van it is supposed to be steep in places and narrow. From what I have read it is an incredible part of Tasmanias Coast so wild and mountainous.
We have done the trip from Arthur river to Corina and back, but without the caravan on the back ( we stayed at the caravan park in Arthur river and left the camper there ) and yes most of the trip the road was sealed but the gravel was not to bad but like a lot of the west coast the gravel road was quiet hilly and very sharp turns. This trip was done a number of years ago when we had a camper van. If you take your time you could do the trip but be aware of oncoming traffic. The high country on that trip was spectacular but very narrow in places ( read only room for one car ). We did see a bus traveling on that trip back from Corina.
my backyard certainly doable BUT the gravel part of the road has lots of sharp corners and loose gravel, I think the barge maybe restricted to 10 meters, Iy you do tow to Corina I would suggest heading out to waratah and then take the murchinson highway to just before Tullah, then head to Strahan via the Reece dam
A must see is a place called the wall at Derwent bridge
cheers blaze
ps plenty of cheap camping around arther pieman reserve, free camp at Corina and a pub for a good feed, free camp at waratah, free camping at Strahan
and beautiful country (gods play groung)
-- Edited by blaze on Wednesday 6th of November 2019 10:51:55 PM
-- Edited by blaze on Wednesday 6th of November 2019 10:52:41 PM
We did the Western Explorer Oct last year. I thought the road was pretty good really and no where near as steep as the climbs out of Strahan or around the middle of Tassie. It's unsealed as you know, but in good nick. Just drive it the same as any unsealed road. Pieman Ferry is about 9.5m wheel to wheel and the Hilux and teardrop are just over 10m so we had some overhang. Consider doing a train journey out Strahan, costly but unique. We gave the cruises a miss so plumped for a full day luxury option. I've been caned before with this next comment but I'll still repeat it...watch your fuel and buy when you can, it's a remote part of the world. Fuel is around but it's not every 50km. Enjoy !
We've done this road 3 - 4 times now on each of our Tassie visits since the mid 80s .... yes it's a dirt road, and yes, it gets better each time we've done it. It started as a series of forestry roads in the 80s and now via the regular road maintenance regime that every council does it's a beaut, outlying road
We started doing it in our Hi-Ace campervans (80s and late 90s) then the motorhome over the last 16 yrs ... so long as your rig can fit on the barge 'down south' then GO FOR IT mate !!
ps- the Arthur River boat cruise in their delightful 80-yr old timber and steam engined boat outshines many others we've done over the years as well :)
Hope this helps Phil
-- Edited by Ozzie_Traveller on Friday 8th of November 2019 08:28:49 AM
Here is a sample of what you might see on the West Coast. They were going outside to pick up a cray pot ! They decided to turn back .They rode that wave in. Taken at Granville Harbour.
-- Edited by BW on Friday 8th of November 2019 07:25:42 PM
Ozzie and Dabbler are on the money, we have a very urban roads low slung single axle caravan so copped a bit of dust inside, the road is well maintained but the gravel is huge, coarse, crushed rock, so a bit rough, average speed was under 60 kph but enjoyed the trip. Corina, the Pieman river cruise and the ferry trip all well worth it. ( the train at Strahan is a must do to) I would happily take our van that way again.
