Hi, I'm half way through five weeks in Tassie. Currently in the south. The drive down the Midland Hwy was terrible with more road work at 40klh than normal road. A couple of people have suggested going back to Devonport on the Lakes Hwy. I'll be towing a 2500kg van. Has anyone used that road recently?
The Lake Hwy was renamed a few years ago to Lakes Main Road.
As it goes over the top of the Central Plateau it can get a lot of snow/ice on it.
While you are not travelling during winter, there still is a chance of bad weather, albeit slight.
It is mostly sealed now, but there still exists a lengthy section of gravel.
Descent at the northern end is fairly steep and a bit twisty although on bitumen.
Can be a bleak outlook scenery wise - depends on your point of view.
Long hauls between settlements, not many facilities en route.
If you have the time, the East Coast route is attractive, interesting. Still has a couple of passes, plenty of bends, places of civilisation.
West Coast is very mountainous, mining oriented, remote, but very visually entertaining.
The Lakes route can be a fast way for some not towing.
My preference whilst towing is via Midlands Highway - even with the slow bits. Generally the road is better, there is more to see and do en route, comfort stops more frequent, help is easier to get if needed.
A poster with the name of Tassie Mike dosen't/ didn't know of the roadworks on the Midland highway...that have been going for years now??
( the duplication of the major freight route between Hobart-Launceston, for those who haven't been to Tas before )
Still has a considerable time frame till completion