Western Explorer TAS

[Bonnie]

Hi,
I'm planning to ride around Tas over christmas and new years.
I was just wondering if anyone has any advice/ opinion on the road from Smithton to Zeehan. The silicon road. My sister has begged me not to do it alone, but I think she may be over reacting.
Has anyone done it? Any advice would be great.

Thanks!

p.s. Spirit of Tasmania is really expensive! I guess thats what happens when you book so late

[Frank Warner]

If you stay on the main Western Explorer road and it does not rain - you'll be fine. Don't do it if it has been wet or looks like rain (that west coast gets a few storms). Just take it easy.

If you take some of the side trips .. then you can strike trouble. If you are not certain - ask the locals. Zeehan, or Port A? tar road to both these. Smithon is a bit far from the coast ..

[Bonnie]

Thanks! I'll definitely stay clear of it if its not great weather. I have 2 weeks down in tas, so can always do that route later on.
Port A as in where the ferry comes in? I just mentioned Smithton because that seems to be where you turn off to get to the Western Explorer.

[mcguyver]

Hey Bonnie
I will be there the same time (get on the boat on the 30th dec)and intend to do the WE on the 2nd Jan (weather permitting) If this fits with when your there you are welcome to join us.

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by Bonnie

Port A as in where the ferry comes in?.

No
Ferry - Port Melbourne to Devonport (estern side).

Port A? is Port Arthur on the west coast .. with the Arthur River flowing inland .. there was a ferry when I went through .. but I think the bridge will be repaired by now ?!

Zeehan and Smithton would be shopping points, if you need them. Though I think you'll find Bernie is best for shopping... Do vist Stanley while you are up there (stay in the pub if you have the chance) .. and Dip Falls .. Get a good map.

[loxsmith]

Originally Posted by saab463

Hey Bonnie
I will be there the same time (get on the boat on the 30th dec)and intend to do the WE on the 2nd Jan (weather permitting) If this fits with when your there you are welcome to join us.

We will be with Guy on the Ferry, but from there on we split and will take a little more time (3 weeks on the Island)
Let us know if you want company to travel the "WE"

[Wilky]

Ok this is my territory,
As for the western explorer do it. Just bear in mind it is a dirt road (well sort of) and it is very remote, there is no mobile coverage in most of it. As for weather gear up for rain and rain and maybe rain, it could also rain. If not it will be sunny and you will be one of the few that will get a dry run.

Frank wrote
No
Ferry - Port Melbourne to Devonport (estern side).

Wilky replies, Devonport is on the north west coast!!

Frank wrote
Port A? is Port Arthur on the west coast .. with the Arthur River flowing inland .. there was a ferry when I went through .. but I think the bridge will be repaired by now ?!

Wilky replies, Port Arthur is down the south east. The Arthur river is on the west coast. Hmmm lots of magic mushrooms grow down there Frank!!!!!

Frank also wrote, (sorry Frank not meaning to pick on you at all)

Zeehan and Smithton would be shopping points, if you need them. Though I think you'll find Bernie is best for shopping... Do vist Stanley while you are up there (stay in the pub if you have the chance) .. and Dip Falls .. Get a good map.

Wilky replies, There is stuff all at at Zeehan, and Smithton, well not my preference of town but ok for supplies. Burnie is ok but plenty nicer towns than it. Stanley is a great little place. Boat Harbour on the north west, a must, there is plenty to see. Couple of days in Strahan after the western explorer. Depends on which way you travel.

My recomendation, check the weather forecast when you get off the boat, if the weather is crap on the west coast turn left and go clockwise. If the weather is crap on the east coast turn right and go anti clockwise.

If you want more info email me and I will try to help out.

Cheers Wilky
Not many roads in Tassie that I haven't ridden.

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by Wilky

Ok this is my territory,

Good..

Originally Posted by Wilky

Frank wrote Devonport (estern side).

Wilky replies, Devonport is on the north west coast!!

Ferry lands (docks) in Devonport .. on the eastern side of Devonport.. ok?

Originally Posted by Wilky

Frank wrote
Port A?
The Arthur river is on the west coast.

Yerr .. but wot is the name of the town on the west coast where the Authur river goes through ? Port something ? Map here is too rough.. .... ... may be it is just 'Arthur River' ?! Yep that is wot it is ..

Originally Posted by Wilky

There is stuff all at at Zeehan, and Smithton, well not my preference of town but ok for supplies.

Zeehan is a good stop for the meusum. And you can (if you must) get suppies at both towns. Better than what is avible on the Western Explorer.

Originally Posted by Wilky

My recomendation, check the weather forecast when you get off the boat, if the weather is crap on the west coast turn left and go clockwise. If the weather is crap on the east coast turn right and go anti clockwise.

Umm if the weather is bad on both costs?

A clearer instruction is
If the weather is good on the west cost - go there. Otherwise go to the east coast.

Reason - even if the weather is bad on the east coast .. it is still better than the bad weather elsewhere!

[Bonnie]

Originally Posted by saab463

Hey Bonnie
I will be there the same time (get on the boat on the 30th dec)and intend to do the WE on the 2nd Jan (weather permitting) If this fits with when your there you are welcome to join us.

That would be awesome. Would be great to do WE with others. However, I leave back on the ferry on the 2nd Was looking to do it on the 24th or somewhere between christmas and new years.

Frank said that I should avoid the WE if its raining. What do you think Wilky? I ride a lot in the rain, but on tarmac... I have done a little bit of off road riding in vietnam, but still consider myself a beginner.

Thanks for the advice everyone

[Wilky]

Originally Posted by Bonnie

That would be awesome. Would be great to do WE with others. However, I leave back on the ferry on the 2nd Was looking to do it on the 24th or somewhere between christmas and new years.

Frank said that I should avoid the WE if its raining. What do you think Wilky? I ride a lot in the rain, but on tarmac... I have done a little bit of off road riding in vietnam, but still consider myself a beginner.

Thanks for the advice everyone

It rains on average 360 days a year on the west coast, or very close to this. But when I say rain it could be pissing down in one spot and bright sunshine just down the road. If you are riding and it rains, take it slow and easy. Just be geared up for it and take thermals, it is quite likely to snow while your there as well but like I said, you might spend a week on the west coast with burn your eyes out sunshine. If I could predict what it was going to be like I'd be a squillionaire I reckon. Just do it, have fun, be careful.

Good points Frank, I suppose if is raining on both sides just go to the pub. Not often rain covers the whole of Tas in one go. Usually if its bad on the west it will be good on the east and vice versa.

Dam I miss the northwest coast. Up in Port Maquarie at the moment and the only fun bit is to Ginger Creek. Any one on here from around the Port area up for a ride.

Cheers Wilky

[Gongrdn]

Hi Bonnie,
Did Arthur River down to Zeehan in April this year, weather was good so no problems, the road is a white chalky/rock for around 150-170km, it is very isolated, passed only 3 cars in the whole trip. Some wildlife about as well, ie. snakes, Recommend caution especially if riding alone and definately take your time, nearly came off a couple of times.

There is a small river crossing near the southern end of the road and a small camping type area. It cost $10 for a punt across the river, you can get a snack here or i think stay overnight (???). The next 10-20 k's into Zeehan are fantastic, through huge forest areas. Would highly recommend this as a once off must do but better with company. Also as previous post mention highly recommend Stanley and the NUT. There's a national park on route from Stanley to Arthurs River with something "Deep" in the name, only seen this on TV after the trip but is a rain forest type of place looks good. Strahan is also great but difficult for accomodation, try Queenstown - definately don't recommed Zeehan for accom.

Biggest tip use the ferry overnight pay extra for cabin- sleep on crossing and get an extra day in riding. Less crowded overnight.

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by Wilky

I suppose if is raining on both sides just go to the pub.

More pubs on the east coast. And don't forget the Pancake place... !! South east of teh St Marys pub.

But I think the pubs on the west coast are better .. though it is a long way between drinks if it is raining.

Waratah Pub is good.. If you come down from Burnie on the good twisty road (not the main hwy .. bit the the west of that) you'll strike Waratah ... the hamburgers are Large!

Ummm Stanley to Arthur River .. well a bit south of that really .. umm Strawbury Hills... IIRC.

[TravellingStrom]

Hi all

Just want to comment on the WE road from personal experience. I was there on 30th October this year, you can see my post of this trip here

2008 October 30 « TravellingStrom

I am not an experienced off road rider, so I was aprehensive when I got off the boat as it was wet out west so I went the east way. I eventually did the ride and it had only been opened for a week. The road was a lot worse when I did it due to the rubbish all over it, but if you take it easy it is doable solo. I did it solo and had no problems, I met only a few other travellers, no other bikes were on the road. The weather was dryish, overcast and cool. I had been advised by local riders that the silicone dirt compacts and drains real well in the wet. After doing it on the dry I would do it again in the wet. All the real steep bits are bitumen anyway, so no steep mud slides to negotiate.

All in all I really enjoyed Tassie, make sure you check out the memorial carvings on the west coast, look at the earlier pages on my blog for better directions. There is a lot to see and do, take your time and if you have the time, stay longer than 1 week like I did, it makes the pain of the ferry cost a bit more bearable.

Cheers
TS

[Bonnie]

This is great stuff guys!
I'm getting really excited now. Only 1 and 3/4 weeks left till I leave

Did any of you find it difficult getting accommodation? I will have a tent with me. It will be christmas time, so I'm worried places may be booked out.
But since I don't know my exact route, it will be tricky to pre-book anywhere.

[TravellingStrom]

Originally Posted by Bonnie

This is great stuff guys!
I'm getting really excited now. Only 1 and 3/4 weeks left till I leave

Did any of you find it difficult getting accommodation? I will have a tent with me. It will be christmas time, so I'm worried places may be booked out.
But since I don't know my exact route, it will be tricky to pre-book anywhere.

I was there in the shoulder season, so I had no worries at all. If you are tenting then I do not see many problems getting a site. But, that is in the larger resorts like Port Arthur or Cradle Mountain. The Caravan park at Queenstown was small, so maybe if the towns are smaller you may have to book the day before and maybe modify the nights stop to accomodate this.

One thing to note though, as I travelled it was cold and a few times wet, so then I stayed in YHA or pubs, I only actually tented 3 nights while there, so my experience may not count for much.

Cheers
TravellingStrom