Campervan/hilking hol advice?

[juju]

Hi, I'm planning a campervan/hiking family holiday (hubby, teenager and 22yr old) in Tassie mid April (holiday restrictions). I've been to Tassie 3 times (in summer), car touring and walking (Mt Field, 3 days South Coast, Part of WA's) but it's been a while...
I'd like to show my tribe how wonderful it is. Two of them are not keen to tent it like they used to (grown too soft) I thought hiring a campervan would be the go with day walks and maybe my younger son and I could slip in a short overnighter.
Can anyone offer any advice on must do's and are we going to freeze? (northern NSW has been hot this summer).
We'd leave out of Hobart probably, but could be Launceston and was thinking of including Cradle Mountain Walls of J area.
I'd appreciate any advice.

[Son of a Beach]

Hi, I'm planning a campervan/hiking family holiday (hubby, teenager and 22yr old) in Tassie mid April... are we going to freeze?

The weather usually turns cold somewhere between mid-March and mid-May. So I'd say you've got a 50:50 chance of freezing.

[frenchy_84]

Can anyone offer any advice on must do's and are we going to freeze? (northern NSW has been hot this summer).

Yes you will freeze.

The much discussed Rinadeena falls and going as far up as long tarns would be a good day walk option. The same goes for the walls, which can also be extended to overnights. I would also recommend going down south to lake pedder, great views and daywalks (the needles is short but good, mt anne is long but good) and if your going to the west coast you can do a short cut to lake pedder via the florentine road.
Montezuma falls
Mt Murchison
The Labyrinth (couple of nights)
but in reality there are many options for good day walks of varying difficulty, the only limiting factor is enthusiasm

[eggs]

I would place an overnight walk at Cradle using the Scott Kilvert Hut at Lake Rodway high on the list.
The fagus around Cradle can be spectacular in April and that whole area is compacted beauty.

Also Cradle Valley offers great day walk options if the overnighter is not a goer.
Plan for snow - but you never know. We had 8 days straight of "good" weather in April - but still frosty in the mornings.

[juju]

Thanks for your replies. I think I'm on the right track with where to go, judging from your suggestions - I didn't want to miss something special. Flying to Hobart is easier and cheaper at the moment than Launceston and it isn't too far to get to Cradle/Walls area I think?
I know the weather at that time of the year can be hard to predict anywhere. I'm a little nervous about getting really bad weather stuck with my family in a campervan for 10 days...but it's an inexpensive way to please everyone with accommodation.
As long as being in a campervan in Tassie that time of the year isn't a ridiculous idea.

[frenchy_84]

Flying to Hobart is easier and cheaper at the moment than Launceston and it isn't too far to get to Cradle/Walls area I think?

This is Tasmania... no where is to far! and besides Hobart is alot nicer than smog valley (sorry i couldnt help myself)

[taswegian]

April/ May are traditionally (if that means anything) the best and most settled weather. Its the time when not so windy and milder temperatures.
Its defenitely cooler and can be quite cold with occasional 'early' frosts in April.
That said - its been COLD here last couple of days and I watched enthralled at the squalls and scuds (snow) across Mt Roland that reminded me what it can do at any time of the year.
This BOM sitehttp://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW7046.latest.shtml gives you an idea of what to expect at this end of the island, and you can browse months and other areas.
I wouldn't be put off coming then in a campervan.

[juju]

Thanks for that link, I checked out the charts for Scotts Peak, Strathgordon and Cradle for Feb March April May and decided to take a chance on April. There doesn't seem to be that much difference in the low temps. Rain - well I'm philosophical about Tassie weather, 'it wouldn't be such a beautiful place if it were sunny all the time' (this may be my mantra when my family complain).
I'm very excited. Thanks for all your help, maybe I'll run into some of you, Julie.

[stepbystep]

Hi Julie,
Don't discount heading South of Hobart, Cockle Creek has great car camping and the walk to Sth Cape Bay is on the easy side as far as Tassie walks go.
There is also Hartz Peak in that region also, probably the best value(views wise) and easiest alpine walk in Tasmania, and for more of a challenge try Adamsons Peak and you won't get the crowds that go with the touristy spots.
Good car camping at Friendly Beaches if you want to check out Freycinet too.
Have fun.

[weetbix456]

this could also help with the camper?!@

http://www.campingtasmania.com/campgrou ... smania.htm

[Vern]

Best day walks I've done in Tassie are:

Hartz peak - Hartz NP
Mt Anne - SW NP - long walk to the peak but even just to the hut is good
Cape Hauy - Tasman NP
Wineglass Bay - Frecinet
Mt Field West of The Tarn Shelf - Mt Field
Cradle Mt - As per previous reply

My hikes are described in Flickr if you want to check any of them out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/taspicsvns/sets/
The weather could do anything here. It has been a wet summer but that time of year is normally pretty good and as said before you could actually be here at the best time and catch the fagus as it turns colour.

Enjoy your trip!

[juju]

Ta, Wineglass Bay is a place I would like to get to, magical...

[stepbystep]

Ta, Wineglass Bay is a place I would like to get to, magical...

Start your walk very early or it loses it's magic!

[juju]

because of heat or length? - I haven't checked it out yet

[stepbystep]

because of heat or length? - I haven't checked it out yet

Sorry Julie, it is a very popular walk and by 10am is very, very crowded, particularly at the lookout. It is a magnificent beach though and worth getting down to.
For more of a challenge the Mt Amos walk is fantastic with stupendous views of the bay without the crowds of the lookout.
Enjoy, it is a magic area.

[juju]

Thanks again everyone and Vern - enjoyed your flickr pictures - whet my appetite. Our dates have come forward, leaving 27th March, we have two weeks down under down under. There's a bit of gear we could do with that I'm hoping to borrow.
Three and a half weeks to go!

[Quoll]

Hi, I'm planning a campervan/hiking family holiday (hubby, teenager and 22yr old) in Tassie mid April (holiday restrictions). ... Can anyone offer any advice on must do's and are we going to freeze? (northern NSW has been hot this summer).

We've taken the "soft" option twice for the colder season in Tassie - once just my wife and I and once us and a two year old. Have to admit, the relatively soft bed was nice at the end of the day especialy when we were plugged in at a campground and could use the heater! Hubby, teenager and 22yr old will be a tight squeeze though, even in one of those monster vans, but that might be part of the plan?!?!

The major NP campgrounds in Tassie have all been great. Mt Field was a good set up and a couple of day walks of varying length and the one just outside Cradle (private) was also good with plenty of day walks and variations. Another campground we liked was Swansea Carvan Park (right on the beach) but not much there for walking and there are some great spots all up the east coast for free camping.

The Tasmanian tourism and Nat Parks websites have a 'short walk' booklet that gives a range of walks from a hour or so through to a day all over the island that might be useful

[juju]

Our 'party' has diminished to 2 of us. So won't be such a tight squeeze - got a smaller van too.

[johnw]

We've done similar trips several times but stayed in cabins, B&Bs etc. Truth is there are more nice day walks all over Tasmania than you can poke a stick at. I've done many of those already mentioned. A couple of years back we visited for a couple of weeks around the end April/Early May. Out walking it was cold at times but generally OK. Highland/alpine areas will be cold, and Tassie weather is Tassie weather regardless of season. Just take the correct gear for the location and take note of the forecasts. Here are some of my suggestions (which overlap a bit with what others have said):

- Cape Hauy (yes definitely)
- Wineglass Bay (but walk to the campsite at end of the beach then return via Hazards Beach to make a circuit. Also avoids a lot of the tourists (many of them only go to the lookout and back anyway).
- Mt Field East circuit (return via Lake Nicholls)
- Tarn Shelf at Mt Field NP is a must do if you're there around the end of April when the fagus is on
- Cradle Mtn - Another circuit option - Mt Hanson > Twisted Lakes > Face Track > Kitchen Hut > Horse Track
- Lees Paddocks/Hut but note possible access restrictions at present
- Walls of Jerusalem - Day trips possible to Mt Jerusalem or other options/or overnight
- Mt Wellington has heaps of walks but some of the peaks behind it are interesting eg Trestle Mtn, Collins Bonnet, Collins Cap. All 3 can be done in a day.
- Hartz Peak. Could also do Lake Osborne and Arve Falls while there. Another option is Arthur Tarn/Emily Tarn, which are off the main track network.
- Lake St Clair has some good day walks such as Shadow Lake circuit/Forgotten Lake. Could also make a trip up Little Hugel. Pine Valley/Labyrinth in a day might be OK if you get the ferry to/from Narcissus, better as an overnight option I think. When I visited it was as a side trip on the Overland Track.
- Montezuma Falls is a great easy walk
- Quamby Bluff in the north (lots more in that area)
- Some of the easier SW peaks. I recently did The Needles and Mt Wedge. Both good value short walks with excellent views over the region.

The list could go on and on...

[juju]

Thanks John, a lot of the walks you mention are already on my list.
Quoll - that heater sounds good, I hope we get one...

[Earthling]

Julie youve done all the hard work for me. Thankyou.
Im also heading down (over Easter) and was going to do a similiar thread to this one, but no more!
Its all here for me.
Thanks everyone for posting suggestions, Ive now got to see what I can do in 9days

[juju]

I don't wan't to sound like a worry wart, but I wonder if anyone has any camping areas in mind that aren't safe to stay in you could warn me of. I can't remember where I saw it but someone on the site mentioned there were some places hoon types like to hang (like there are all over the world).

[juju]

I have a list of to do's (thanks for your suggestions) and stuff all over the loungeroom floor to pack. We've had 30 degree and up days with jumper cool nights here and I think the climate change will be stimulating...

[juju]

We didn't freeze but got really cold up at kitchen hut where it was sleeting and it was agreed there was a flurry of snow. Also got down to 3 degrees at St Clair when we were up at Pine Valley. We had a lovely time except that instead of crossing things off my to do list I find I have added a few and can't wait to return.
We did some nice walks and were wowed every time.
Seeing Cradle mountain up close hit me the same way St Peter's Cathedral, the Parthenon and the Colloseum did. Corny eh?
My son loved the tarn shelf in the mist.
Cape Hauy wowed us.
I probably tried to fit too much into two weeks and there was just not enough time.

[Earthling]

Sounds like a good trip was had, Im glad you enjoyed it.
Looks like Cape Hauy has gone from a maybe on my list to a definite then.
Im off on Monday for 10 days to add more to the list
B&B for some comfortable catchup for 2 nights and then Camping.

[stepbystep]

Looks like Cape Hauy has gone from a maybe on my list to a definite then.

If you get out to Huay, it's a nice idea to head along the Mt Fortesque track, nice views down to Cape Pillar if you get to the top of Fortesque, but some great clifftop walking along the way, and nice forest as well.
Cape Raoul is also amazing and can be done with a sidetrip to Shipstern Bluff.
Enjoy!

BTW - even if you holidayed for 5 years the list keeps growing

[Earthling]

Looks like Cape Hauy has gone from a maybe on my list to a definite then.

If you get out to Huay, it's a nice idea to head along the Mt Fortesque track, nice views down to Cape Pillar if you get to the top of Fortesque, but some great clifftop walking along the way, and nice forest as well.
Cape Raoul is also amazing and can be done with a sidetrip to Shipstern Bluff.
Enjoy!

BTW - even if you holidayed for 5 years the list keeps growing

The list keeps on growing! hahaha
Thankyou.

[juju]

I promised myself I would have a swim in Wineglass Bay and when we got there we were surrounded by (other) photo snapping tourists. We had luch up the beach and I told myself that if the hordes left before we did I'd have a swim. Well they did, so then I added 'and the sun comes out' and it did. It was a refreshing jump in the ocean, the water was lovely.
We didn't see a lot of fagus in colour, it was on the way though,
Next time I will remember to 'make hay while the sun shines' - if it's a good day, get high (on the mountains, walks with a view), don't spend it driving...

[Earthling]

What a wonderfull place Tasmania is! Blows me away! Can't wait to this house sells.

Top two walks/spots were the Tarn Shelf and the Central Plateau.
The Tarn was blowing a gale and raining for most of the time side ways, however still sooo beautiful. Fagus doing its thing very well too.
The central plateau we went on a 30minute board walk out to a lake...reminded me so much of some of the country above Ullapool in Scotland that I enjoyed trekking and fishing for trout in (during my non-vegan days ).

Top camp sites were the Liffey Forest Reserve (thanks Bob Brown for that donation), saw a Platypus up close. And on the beach/dune at Coles Bay, Frecinet National Park.

Thanks Tasmania!

[juju]

the camping at Coles Bay did look good, we stayed at Friendly Beaches a good spot also and free.

What a wonderfull place Tasmania is! Blows me away! Can't wait to this house sells.

you're moving there? - lucky you!