Advise needed from you guys :D

[Marcus]

So I planning on touring Tas late October 2014

Is this the best time... it's rained a fair bit here n Vic over October... what's it like there?

[StinkyPete]

So I planning on touring Tas late October 2014

Is this the best time... it's rained a fair bit here n Vic over October... what's it like there?

Marcus, I've been three times on the bike, and organized a fourth that I had to pull out of.   Each time we went in February out of school holidays, and each time we've only had one or two wet days over the ten days of the trips.  Max temps were in the mid 20's.

[Dick B "Yewie"]

Hey Marcus,
Ros and I spent three weeks touring the island in February last year and found weather pretty much the same as Pete. We only had our wetties on 3 or 4 days and the riding temperature was mostly low to mid 20's. The old saying about Tasmania weather still holds though, "ïf you don't like the current weather, wait 30 minutes and it will change!" so be ready for anything, whenever you go!.
  

[Carsten]

Thursday - 29 degrees and dry, Friday wet,  today cold and wet.  This time of the year you take your chances and there is no predicting weather.  If you're looking for a bed in Hobart let me know.

[winston66]

I am hopeing  to be doing a  Tassi. tour after the Ballarat national next year, I just hope that it will not be too cold in early April, otherwise should I move the date forward to early March , before the Ballarat thing, What do you locals suggest.
Cheers Winston66

[Marcus]

Bugger It seems I'm locked into October (wife already got holiday approval) at least it will be mid to late Oct

[Couch]

It's quite possible that you could get great weather during October, but as previously mentioned be prepared for anything. Hobart is actually the second driest city in Oz...........but, be prepared!!  Look forward to catching up with you and your better half!!

[WendyL]

I'm hoping Tassie will give me better weather when I'm there the week before National Rally than it did last month when I was in Hobart......I'd rather not come home with pneumonia again

[Marcus]

Ok so this is what I'm thinking about in terms of vague route to take.

It'll be in a anti-clockwaise loop.

Let loose your inner tourist guide

[StinkyPete]

Marcus, there is no such thing as an uninteresting road in Tassie, and any route that you choose will be fantastic.  Your chosen route has covered the east coast, Hobart and environs, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, and Stanley on the north coast, so you've nailed the highlights.  Hobart to Port Arthur is one of the most scenic roads in Tassie.    I've ridden all of these roads several times over three trips to Tassie, and the're all great.   Chris and I will be back there again on the ST in the coming Dec-Jan, riding with three other couples.    The only ride that I would add if time permits, would be the run from Hobart to Strathgordon and back again.  It's about a 300km round trip, and well worth doing, but avoid it if the forecast is for rain.

[Lionel]

Marcus and StinkyPete I'll be towing a 3.2 ton van behind a 100 series landcruiser from 27 Dec to 26 Jan in Tasmania. I hope you don't hold me up on those narrow Tasmanian roads.

[Marcus]

The only ride that I would add if time permits, would be the run from Hobart to Strathgordon and back again.  It's about a 300km round trip, and well worth doing, but avoid it if the forecast is for rain.

I looked at that, but thought, meh it's just a lake on a dead end road, right?

Oh wait... never mind... I just google imaged it, route added to list

Marcus and StinkyPete I'll be towing a 3.2 ton van behind a 100 series landcruiser from 27 Dec to 26 Jan in Tasmania. I hope you don't hold me up on those narrow Tasmanian roads.

Lionel if you're anything like you are in a car like you are on that bike, you'd have have done 100 laps before my morning coffee

[StinkyPete]

The only ride that I would add if time permits, would be the run from Hobart to Strathgordon and back again.  It's about a 300km round trip, and well worth doing, but avoid it if the forecast is for rain.

I looked at that, but thought, meh it's just a lake on a dead end road, right?

The Strathgordon ride takes you through the heart of the Tassie wilderness.  Not to be missed if possible.

[Marcus]

Do I need to get a national parks pass?

[Wombattle]

If you don't mind some really easy gravel (there's only one tricky corner) the Highland Lakes Road Between Deloraine and Bothwell is worth a look too. You'll have a ball down there.

[Williamson]

Do I need to get a national parks pass?

Not for Strathgordon.  Day 10 on this one http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=6926.25 has a few hightlights of my recent ride to Strathgordon.

Other suggestions:

Anthony Main Road (Google it) sort of a back road between Rosberry and Queenstown.  They reckon it was built by a motorcyclist, I reckon they were correct.

Poatina Road - as above.

Elephants Pass - ditto, and the best pancakes in Tassie - see Day 8

[StinkyPete]

Elephants Pass - ditto, and the best pancakes in Tassie - see Day 8

I'd forgotten about Elephants Pass.   Well worth the diversion, and a great fang up the hill.

[Couch]

All good Marcus but if the weather is crap when you arrive at Devonport I'd seriously consider heading east instead of west, you could always head west when the weather improves (which it will).  Definately try to do the Strathgordon run, it's well worth the effort. Also if you do the ride through Poatina to Bothwell, which is a great ride, and if time permits, there's a nice ride from Bothwell to Hamilton and then you could head west towards Ouse, but before you get to Ouse take the turn off through Ellendale to Westaway and then on to Strathgordon! Lots of roadwork Dunalley through to Port Arthur at the moment, it changes daily, unsealed sections, some days are not too bad, other days it's horrible, particularly if it's wet, some sections aren't too far off being sealed so hopefully it will be much improved when you head that way. Keep in touch with me mate when you head to Port Arthur, I'm only 10kms further on!

[Carsten]

What date are you down south Marcus?  If you need a bed in Hobart let me know?  If I'm off I can show you a few roads.  One not miss is the Lake Leak Road from Campbell Town out to the east coast, magnificent road.

[Marcus]

Keep in touch with me mate when you head to Port Arthur, I'm only 10kms further on!

Thanks Couch, I'll keep in touch

What date are you down south Marcus?  If you need a bed in Hobart let me know?  If I'm off I can show you a few roads.  One not miss is the Lake Leak Road from Campbell Town out to the east coast, magnificent road.

Cool, thanks Carsten for the offer of the bed, I'm staying with some relatives close to Hobart, but I may still take you up on the offer of tour guide haha

I'll landing on the 22nd Oct so I'm thinking maybe 3 days from then I should be in Hobart

[Williamson]

..... One not miss is the Lake Leak Road from Campbell Town out to the east coast, magnificent road.

Mmmm .... forgot that one.   The section from around 7km east of Campbell Town to Lake Leake has some of the sweetest uphill, fast curves you are likely to encounter, anywhere.  It's so good, you'll want to turn around and ride it again and again ........ 



Tell Tania to hold on real tight.

..... some relatives close to Hobart ....

All is now explained.

[Marcus]

..... One not miss is the Lake Leak Road from Campbell Town out to the east coast, magnificent road.

Mmmm .... forgot that one.   The section from around 7km east of Campbell Town to Lake Leake has some of the sweetest uphill, fast curves you are likely to encounter, anywhere.  It's so good, you'll want to turn around and ride it again and again ........ 

I could go this way instead of following the coast?

All is now explained.

Oi, you

[Couch]

Marcus, if you do that you're going to miss a really good ride from Sorell to Swansea, it's a far better ride than heading up the Midland Highway. As a suggestion you could head to Sorell from Richmond, then Swansea, Campbelltown, etc............

[Carsten]

Hi Marcus,
Night shift that weekend, Saturday being my 24 hour break.  How about if Couch is home on Sat 25 Oct we ride down and visit him at Nubeena. Can have a look around Port Arthur and Remarkable Caves while we are there.  Will you be about Couch?

[Couch]

I will be Carsten!!  I guess a lot's going to depend on when Marcus is looking at heading to Port Arthur, and that could be dependant on how the weather is when he arrives.