Frenchmans Cap Parking

[nate]

I have read a few messages saying that the parking at the start of the Frenchmans is quite bad for car break ins. Where do walkers tend to park if this is the case ? Is it still bad recently( I hoping to go in a couple of days) ? If I can time the walk with the bus, I may do that, but if I have to drive, I am just wondering what others do.

Thanks

[Strider]

I drove the Lyell Highway, Hobart-Strahan-Hobart, every week for the past 6 years and not once saw a car the victim of a breakin at Frenchmans Cap. Nor have I heard from any locals (including Wendy et al, at the Hungry Wombat) of any such occurrence.

I parked there for 3 days in early February of this year and had no issues. However, I did have a car broken into at Mt Wellington pinnacle while on a 15min walk!

[JamesMc]

I'd rather park at Frenchmans that at WoJ.

JamesMc

[NickD]

Just dont have any valuables in the car and leave the glovebox open and empty.

I think the Walls of J is worse but I have parked at both a combined perhaps 20 times and have had no problems at either

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

From earlier photos I've seen online, the carpark used to be just a dirt road off the side of the highway with tall foliage hiding the cars on both sides.

I believe this was when people used to have all sorts of trouble.

The carpark has since been extended. It's wide, open and the entire car park is in plain view of people driving on the highway.

I'd say this has gone a long way to improving the problem.

We didn't have any problems in Jan 2011, although it was a hire car so the insurance covered us completely anyway.

The old carpark

http://www.retiredaussies.com/ColinsHom ... G_6079.jpg

The new carpark

We left trip intention details at the Queenstown police station. He also told us

Just dont have any valuables in the car and leave the glovebox open and empty.

He also said they'd done a crackdown in the last few years and had caught the Queenstown locals who were causing the majority of the problems.

Good luck!

[mr majestik]

as stated above the car park looks like the above pic, i parked there late feb this year for three days no probs.

[nate]

Thanks for the tips. So the outcome was...
I decided to get excess reduction on the hire car to be on the safe side, leave next to nothing other than the clothes I drove in and hope for the best. No problems for me this time. Just a note to self though. Next time, I reckon I should add a spare pair of socks and shoes in the car and something to eat.

[Strider]

Next time, I reckon I should add a spare pair of socks and shoes in the car and something to eat.

That feeling of a fresh pair of clothes/sock/shoes is amazing after a big walk!