Is the rude operator of OT Ferry still there?

[dazfromtaz]

I have walked the OT several times and have had my experience soured by a Ferry operator. I found him rude, obnoxious and down right unfriendly! Has anyone else experienced the same level of terrible service. Is he still there? Thank you in advance.

[Nuts]

Drivers?, iv'e seen perhaps 10 or 12 over time, some very helpful. Maybe you should give more details or better still just say what happened in your experience?

[ILUVSWTAS]

4-7 day trip ruined by a guy driving a boat that you have to bear for 15 minutes?? Wow, what DID he do??

[dazfromtaz]

It was 4 days of bliss to have the trip soured by someone who should be carting shopping trolleys at the local supermarket not talking to HIS customers like their dogs. Hardly a world class ending to a world class experience is what im sayin. He was there this time last year. Just want to know if he's still there.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I dont think they are HIS customers as such... he drives the boat. Nothing to do with the OT.

Very interesting though, care to share just what was said or done??

[peter-robinson]

I took the ferry about 10 days ago and the guy driving the ferry was really friendly. No hassles at all.

[Miyata610]

I took it a few days ago and there was a young french driver under tuition, he crashed in to the wharf at narcissus and then totally missed the wharf at echo point.... He tried to reverse back to it rather than just doing a circle. Im sure he'll be an expert in no time. Nice friendly guy though.

Every time ive used the ferry this season there has been a different driver on.

[Strider]

Cars have drivers. Boats have skippers. Just sayin'

[Miyata610]

Or captains?

I suspect this little boat is actually driven (piloted?) by a a coxwain.

Lol.

[dazfromtaz]

YES i know he has nothing to do with the track, but he does meet and greet anyone wishing to end their OT experience via a ferry. Sounds like he got the flick! Had a chat with Ranger about this boat operator shortly afterwards and apparently had an appalling track record as lots of complaints were made against him and that PWS couldn't do anything about him. Not going to divulge what he did/said in a public forum other than I treat my dog better than he treated paying customers.

[Strider]

Or captains?

I suspect this little boat is actually driven (piloted?) by a a coxwain.

Lol.

Ships have captains

Technically it would be under the command of a Coxswain

[wayno]

at least he's not trying to kill you like the ferry driver for the greenstone caples track at lake wakatipu used to try and do, go flat out in the speed boat into a strong headwind,, try and sit down and you were at risk of breaking your back as the boat slams into the waves.....
good fun if you like white knuckle rides but some of the more elderly passengers werent as in to it....

[PeterJ]

My guess is that you are referring to Richard Dax, who ran the operation some tears ago. Richard could be a bit brusque, but if he thought you were OK he was very easy to get on with; and sometimes even gave a generous ferry price.

Anyway if it was Richard you are thinking of, he sold up maybe 8-10 years ago.


Peter

[Nuts]

Nah, Daz mentions an encounter two weeks ago Peter, Daxy and his endearing ways are long gone as you mention not sure who it would be, i'd have some rough days bouncing up that lake 3 times a day as well?

[corvus]

Daxy was a character and could be grumpy but never rude whenever I used his services and in deference to him I know some customers were very demanding at times .
corvus

[Onestepmore]

Sounds like it's safe to venture back there now......

[eggs]

We took the ferry each way last month.
The driver was very friendly, but indicated that he was shortly leaving due to difficulties working with the boss.
I believe the ferry is run by the Lodge, and they did not seem to be very customer orientated.
We certainly scratched our heads when told we could not purchase access to the showers unless we were staying there.
This did not seem like a normal business approach either?

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

We certainly scratched our heads when told we could not purchase access to the showers unless we were staying there.

What's changed? Have done this several times in the past.

Was always a joy to know a steaming hot shower was waiting for me at Cynthia Bay, made the last few km bearable.

Perhaps I will contact them and ask.

[doogs]

I've had a couple of different folk this past season... a Jamaican dude with a plastic bag over his foot as he had fallen off his motorbike a few days prior, he was nice (except to his Korean offsider who he got a little frustrated with as the language barrier was proving a little difficult to the point of being dangerous!!)... and a nice young lady who was both friendly and professional.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I have sought email confirmation on the shower issue from Lake St Clair Lodge and they gave a friendly, quick reply.

The intention to allow use of their shower block ($5 fee plus $1 per 6 mins) at Lake St Clair has always been only for people who have walked the entire Overland Track.

They confirmed that if you show your Overland Track pass, a shower is still available

I think it's fair enough given they have an accommodation business and need to make money by encouraging people to stay there to use their facilities, and we should treat the shower for the weary OT walker as a privelege not a right.

I certainly have appreciated it a few times over the years at the end of a long, hard walk. If I ever need some accomodation that way sometime, I will also try and stay there to repay the favour!

[flatfoot]

Can anyone confirm if the showers are still available at the Lake St Clair visitor centre.

I'm planning a 7 day walk on the Overland so a shower would be good before joining a bus to Hobart.

[wayno]

you know theres serviced accommodation next to the visitors centre?

[Solohike74]

I did the OT over 2 years ago. I got picked up by the ferry after overnighting at Echo Point. Seemed friendly, not sure what happened to the OP.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

Yes, showers are still available, we used them February this year.

But they aren't at the visitor centre, and nothing to do with Parks Tasmania. They are actually at the caravan park showers which are privately owned by Lake St Clair lodge.

Go into the eastern building (not the western side which is the Parks building). You must present your OT pass (and $5) and they will give you printed directions to the shower block in the caravan park.

From memory, you'll need $1 coins once you get there.

[tigercat]

I had 4 trips on the lake this summer with a very friendly and knowledgeable ferry driver.

[walkon]

Didn't catch the ferry and heard no complaints from those who did. As we had had a wash at echo point all we wanted was a change room at the visiters center. We were rudely told to go to the toilets which were a mess. We were polite the whole time and I certainly can't say the same for the staff at the center, parks staff excluded.

[corvus]

Didn't catch the ferry and heard no complaints from those who did. As we had had a wash at echo point all we wanted was a change room at the visiters center. We were rudely told to go to the toilets which were a mess. We were polite the whole time and I certainly can't say the same for the staff at the center, parks staff excluded.

Wonder who made the mess ? the Toilets there have always been clean and tidy on the many times I have visited them ,I suspect you were asking the Cafe/Shop Franchisee employees and not anyone from the Parks Visitors Center(who I believe also would have directed you there) last time we used the BBQ Shelter plenty of space no need for a powder room
corvus

[walkon]

Didn't catch the ferry and heard no complaints from those who did. As we had had a wash at echo point all we wanted was a change room at the visiters center. We were rudely told to go to the toilets which were a mess. We were polite the whole time and I certainly can't say the same for the staff at the center, parks staff excluded.

Wonder who made the mess ? the Toilets there have always been clean and tidy on the many times I have visited them ,I suspect you were asking the Cafe/Shop Franchisee employees and not anyone from the Parks Visitors Center(who I believe also would have directed you there) last time we used the BBQ Shelter plenty of space no need for a powder room
corvus

Nope it was the Cafe/shop people and the bbq shelter was half full at the time. It was raining so going Bush wasn't an option. We asked for directions to the showers and were told they are outside. I had been really polite the whole time and was over it, so i just thanked her for being soooo helpful and making us feel really welcome. We had spent some good dollars getting a feed and drinks there. We had made plans to go back to cynthia Bay, but altered our itinerary after that, end up getting changed out the front of the toilets as the bus was about to arrive. Seriously it was the only downer on our trip. you come from an environment where everyone helps each other, to that. Just was a stark contrast is all. Great trip though

[Nuts]

The resort is leased. Like many such seasonal businesses they struggle for staff. Understaffed whenever busy and overstaffed the other 9mths of the year, sometimes service can be a mixed bag.

Lol.. With all the exciting opportunities and new enterprise I hear that things will soon change. For a price you'll land there in your float plane and (for a price) they'll be Very Welcoming Indeed:

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[walkon]

Nice picture of you nuts, I didn't expect to see that your hair was still so dark after running your own business for a while now. Must be a nightmare to get packs to fit your torso. Though the way that some here bang on about aarn surely they must have something that would suit you perfectly