Hey guys, this was raised a while ago but drop into oblivion due to a number of issue.

A few people have expressed interest in resurecting this so I am trying to guage interest.

At this point we are looking at the following dates in 2007:

Australia Day Weekend (Jan 26-28)

Labour Day Weekend (Mar 10-12)

Easter Weekend (Apr 6-9)

I am looking to guage peoples interest and availability in attending these dates, regadless of cost at this stage.


Cheers

Andrew

What is the low season among them all?

None?

I heard low season - Spirit of Tasmania is half the price.

Well, I've never been to tassie, so would be interested

I'd love to do this. :wiggle:

Can't do Australia Day but could do the other two suggested time slots.

I love Tassie. Fantastic driving too. :icon_tup:

Australia day is no good for me either, but the other dates sound good.

Greg

Interested. Comfortable with either dates at this stage! Although warmer weather the better! Then again it's Tassie!

I'd love to do this too. Any date would be fine at this stage...

Yep, I have someone working on a package deal/price. Was trying to keep it price free for the moment to just because price can vary so much.

Deleted the price post in support of Andrew

Yup I'd be in for this. Last time I was in Tassie I got to drive a Tarago :(
It would be awesome driving an 8 on those nice n twisty roads :)
Rik.
PS: any date except australia day - cause i think i'll be in NZ.

any date except australia day - cause i think i'll be in NZ.

There's something symbolic about being in NZ for Australia day.. :crazy: :suspect:

Thanks Will :)

I think Australia day is out so lets focus on interest for the labour day/easter weekends.

This is open to non victorians if you want to make the journey down:

Interested list so far:

auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8

Cheers

Andrew

Speaking for myself, I'd prefer Easter because it's a longer holiday period to cover the drive down and back.

What kind of itinerary have you got in mind Andrew? I've got a few ideas that might add some extra dimensions to the trip if time allows.

We might have to have a chat about it over a beer or 5 next weekend. :)

Andrew

I'm interested

Cheers
Vic

Yeah I think at this stage we rule out the Aus Day weekend.

Updated List:
auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Brewer

Hey any date is OK by me
What a great idea :Peace:

'bout time you turned up :)
Hey any date is OK by me
What a great idea :Peace:
I was inspired :uhh: :evil_laug

Updated List:
auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Brewer
xatnep

Labour Day weekend works best for me! And this time I will try to make it on time.

I'd be interested in the Easter weekend for the ame reason as Dave.

CHeers.... Otto

Updated List:
auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Brewer
xatnep
Vangelis
Ottog

I know there was at least 3 others from the Nats that said they were interested...Where are you?

Cheers

Andrew

Might have to take some barf bags for the kids, some twisty roads !!

Put us on the list as possibles, love the Tamar for the Vineyards and Scenery, had a bloody great time last time we were in Tassie.

Cheers

Mike

I think Easter weekend would be the way to go as it give us more time to enjoy those windy roads.

Updated List:
auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Brewer
xatnep
Vangelis
Ottog
MikeyR
RX-8

Looking like Easter is the prefered option.

Might have to take some barf bags for the kids, some twisty roads !!

Mike,

If we go, we'll be sans kids (too much driving to keep them occupied).

Dave

Dave,

I hear ya, we may do as well or I might fly them in for a catch up... plenty of time for planning.

M

Dave....Jac's comment was that with her in the car we'd have to behave ourselves :angel: .........................or we bung Fi and Jac in one and we take the evil one!!! :rock:

Dave....Jac's comment was that with her in the car we'd have to behave ourselves :angel: .........................or we bung Fi and Jac in one and we take the evil one!!! :rock:

Fine - I have no problem with the girls taking your car. :p:

Would love to join you all. Easter is the preferred option for me and Les at this stage.

Cheers

This is starting to sound like it could be a great annual national event. :rock:

Tassie each Easter and Wakefield each October/November - as you AFL types say, I'd like to see that! :)

BTW, if we end up with a decent-sized group, it might pay dividends to get the Tassie Tourist Bureau to help us plan accommodation, etc.

I used them when planning our honeymoon there and they had lots of good tips and info.

So Andrew, this new toy of yours, going to bring it as well as our recovery vehicle!!! LOL!!

Er.. mike, it's the wife's, not Andrews :-)

My mistake, still would make a good support vehicle!!

Hey if your paying :) And yes, it would make an excellant support/recovery vehicle :p

Hey guys/galls...Can you all start throwing me some suggestions as to where you would like to go...only real thing I know of in Tassy is craddle mountains. As we only have 4 days in total we realistically will only get one "tourist" destination each day so be kind to me :D

I'd love to come for this trip too. I've been wanting to go down to Tassie since my 8 came into my life.

I think Easter is the better time to go so that we'd have more road time.

Spirit of tassie is about $69 each way for the car and http://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/fares/melb_dev.htm has the various passenger fares.

Sharing a 4 berth would be a comfortable way to sail.

I would suggest a night sail from 8pm so we can hit land at 7am and driiiiiive oooonnn.

:smiley309 :smiley309

Kah

So why do we not see you at our cruises?

Getting there and back is pretty much a given but cheers. Options will be that we either bulk book for a day or a night and anyone who cant make that day/time will have to meet us there of their own accord.

At this point we are looking at following the targa course (slightly modified) from last year which can be found at http://www.targa.org.au/Targa/PrimaryMenu/Course/2006_Course/index.php

Welcome timbervolt - do join us on a Melb meet or cruise soon! CLICK HERE (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=100162) for a heads-up on forthcoming events. Most of them have their own separate threads somewhere on here.

Updated List:
auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Brewer
xatnep
Vangelis
Ottog
MikeyR
RX-8
Generis
timbervolt

Ive already harrassed timbervolt about coming to Phillip Island hahaha geez gimme some credit guys ;)

I'm not sure if the route you've chosen allows for this kind of stuff but some highlights from our 12 day trip included the following:

Vineyards around the Tamar Valley.

Cradle Mountain.

Caving at Mole Creek (easy drive from Cradle Mt).

Hobart, incl Salamanca markets, Mt Wellington, Battery Pt.

Port Arthur.

Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsular.

Some of the waterfalls between the east coast and Launceston.

Obviously, we can't do all of them and even with 12 days, everywhere we went was too short and we wanted to stay longer.

I'd suggest we skip the west coast to save some driving time and perhaps concentrate on a loop that takes us down through the middle via Cradle Mt to Hobart and back up the east coast to maybe St Helens and then west back to Launceston for the trip home.

I'd love to check out the caves at Mole Creek again. Guided tours are available and it's half a day well spent if you don't mind wading underground streams, etc.

Dave...Thats awesome thanks! I am meeting up with a few people about this Friday so hope to have the itinerary sorted next weekend. I will see what and how much we can fit in. I am thinking we need to set aside one day for say cradle mountain and mole creek, a day for Port Arthur and the cadbury factory, etc...something like that. As you said, we obviously cant do everything so lets focus on making what we can do really enjoyable...not rushed.

Cheers

Andrew

Dave...Thats awesome thanks! I am meeting up with a few people about this Friday so hope to have the itinerary sorted next weekend. I will see what and how much we can fit in. I am thinking we need to set aside one day for say cradle mountain and mole creek, a day for Port Arthur and the cadbury factory, etc...something like that. As you said, we obviously cant do everything so lets focus on making what we can do really enjoyable...not rushed.

Cheers

Andrew

No sweat Andrew. As suggested earlier, before you settle on the itinerary, do yourself a favour and drop into the Tassie tourist bureau (I'm sure there'd be an office in Melbourne). I found them really great when planning our trip and as I've not been there since 1995, it might be worth checking that some of this stuff is still available.

Also, be aware that the Cadbury factory tours get booked out weeks in advance and it's probably worth pre-booking caving at Mole Creek (and horse riding at Cradle Mt - the BEST way to see the country around there IMHO). BTW, for the non-chocoholics who aren't interested in the Cadbury factory, the Cascade Brewery is well worth a visit.

Agree we don't need to rush through all of this. We could make this an annual cruise destination and do different things each trip. Tassie is packed with great stuff. If they could only tow it north, I'd live there. :mdrmed:

how is this thread going?

I'd like to motion that we go over the easter weekend.

Been collecting some brochures on the island. will look at them soon.

An Itinerary is being finalised and we should hopefully have final details just after new years. However for a 4 day trip please be prepared for a $4-500 price tag. The majority of this price will be the return trip on the ferry with cars.

One big downside to going over easter weekend is that most of the tours are shut.

Anyway, will keep you posted.

Cheers

Andrew

One big downside to going over easter weekend is that most of the tours are shut.

Really?! How short-sighted of them.

I'd have thought that's when they could pack them in. :Eyecrazy:

Look forward to seeing what you have planned. I've already looked into what kind of cars I can rent in Launceston. So far, it's looking like an MX5, unless we elect to drive down after all.

Andrew
Is the list of participants still open? If it is, please put me on it.

Ron

Dave, I think we may have a solution to the brewery issue...stay posted!. Also, have you looked into getting the car trained down?

Ron, I have added you to the list.

Cheers

Andrew

Updated List:
auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Brewer
xatnep
Vangelis
Ottog
MikeyR
RX-8
Generis
timbervolt
Jellybean

have you looked into getting the car trained down?


Hmm, hadn't thought of that - thanks. Will check it out.

Hey, new here, but id be pretty interested in doing something like this...

Cascade Brewery tour in Hobart is set to go! :beerchug:

I suggest we also look at the Air Walk up the Huon Valley. Beautiful drive there and very scenic platform walk amongst the tree tops. :rock:

As mentioned earlier in the thread, most of the tourist operators (including Cascade Brewery) are closed on Public Holidays. If Easter was the preferred time, for a visit to the Brewery (and what a good idea!!) you would need to be in Hobart on either the Saturday or Sunday, tours run 7 days a week, cost $18 and take 1 and half hours.
The Air walk is supposed to be pretty awesome and the drive through the Huon Valley is the same. Cost $17.00.
Port Arthur seems to be operating the entire time.
The biggest issue I can see is where to be on the public holidays of Good Friday and Easter Monday. Given arrival in Devonport would most likely be Good Friday, that seems practical to be a drive day (8+ hours scenic via Strahan or the direct route via Launceston would be much quicker) ....ending up in Hobart so that you would be there Friday night and Saturday (brewery tour & Port Arthur or Huon Valley Air Walk) and then Sunday to Launceston via somewhere twisty and then slowish day back to devonport on Easter Monday (via Caves - Dave/Andrew) or detour to Cradle Mountain for lunch then back to Devonport via Sheffield. That puts you in the right place for the tours mentioned in the thread.

Ok just to clear up a few things. Brewer has organised a non-public tour of the brewery (Brewer -> brewery ;) ) if/when required :beerchug: Cheers for that.

It is impossible to please everyone all of the time so Sorry but a decision has to be made one way or the other. Hoping to have itinerary up by next weekend and start taking deposits.

On the topic of $$$ I wish to re-state that this is going to cost between $4-500 and trips like Huon Valley air walk may add to this...we will see. I am hoping to be able to do it in a few installments.

If you are on the interested list and would like to be removed please let me know else you're going to get hounded by me :)

Cheers

Andrew

Updated List:
auzoom
mi*rx8
Black-8
Revolver
jormaton
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Brewer
xatnep
Vangelis
Ottog
MikeyR
RX-8
Generis
timbervolt
Jellybean
Domza

I'm more than happy to join :grouphug:

Some good suggestions in there. I'm keen to see what you've got planned Andrew.

Bugger the MX5 - I'm just gonna have to get the 8 down there somehow. :rock:

Way to go, Dave!!!! :) :)

Ok easter is ok for me too.

Andrew
Will you add Xler8 to the Tassie list?

Ron

This is getting bigger than Ben Hur. :grouphug: :ylsuper:

Looking forward to the itinerary Andrew... :fruit:

Bumpn', bumpn', bumpn'

:jump:

Not hassling, just keen to lock this into the diary.

OK people, here it is. Been a long time coming but its been a little busy so I apologise.

I would like to say thanks to Tim from Jetset Blackburn for the effort he has put into this.

At this point, the cheapest option is $503/pp plus meal, petrol, tours, etc. However please bare in mind that the spirit of Tasmania accounts for $369 of this. Please feel free to find cheaper options and let us know.

So without further rambling:

Thursday 5th April - Melbourne -> Devonport
-------------------------------------------
18:30 - Check-in to Spirit of Tasmania
21:00 - Depart Melbourne

Friday 6th April - Devonport -> Launceston
------------------------------------------
07:00 -> 07:30 - Arrive Devonport and drive to Sheffield
07:30 -> 09:30 - Visit the murals and have breakfast
09:30 -> 10:30 - Drive to Mole Creek (via Deloraine)
10:30 -> 12:30 - Arrive in Mole Creek and go caving
12:30 -> 14:00 - Lunch at Mole Creek
14:00 -> 15:00 - Drive to Launceston
15:00 - Check-in at the Sandors on the Park.

Saturday 7th April - Launceston -> Hobart
-----------------------------------------
10:00 -> 12:30 - Drive to St Helens (via Scottsdale for lunch) - 2hrs
12:30 -> 13:45 - Lunch at St Helens
13:45 -> 15:15 - Drive to Coles Bay (via Bicheno) - 1 1/2 hrs
15:15 -> 16:00 - Afternoon Tea and walk on the beach at Coles Bay
16:00 -> 18:30 - Drive to Hobart - 1 1/2 hrs
18:30 - Check-in at the Hobart Tower Hotel

Sunday 8th April - Activity Day
-------------------------------
Activities available:
- Port Arthur Historic Site Tour (Full or 1/2 Day)
- Cascade Brewery Tour
- Tahune Air Walk

Monday 9th April - Hobart -> Devonport
--------------------------------------
08:00 -> 10:30 - Drive to Derwent Bridge - 2 1/2 hrs
10:30 -> 11:15 - Morning Tea at Derwent Bridge
11:15 -> 13:00 - Drive to Strahan - 1 3/4 hrs
13:00 -> 14:30 - Lunch at Strahan
14:30 -> 17:30 - Drive to Devonport (via Burnie) - 3 hrs
17:30 - Arrive in Devonport
19:30 - Check-in to Spirit of Tasmania
21:00 - Depart Devonport

Tuesday 10th April - Devonport -> Melbourne
-------------------------------------------
07:00 - Arrive Melbourne
07:30 - Breakfast at Docklands


Cost
-----------------------------
Spirit of Tasmania
Prices are Return, Per Person

- Vehicle - $138

Passenger:
- Seat - $231
- Business Seat - $307
- 4 Berth Cabin - $334
- 3 Berth Cabin - $334
- Queen Bed Deluxe Cabin - $674

Accommodation
Includes 1 night in Launceston and 2 nights in Hobart. Prices are Per Person.
- Single Room - $268
- Twin Share - $134

All other items including meals, tours, petrol, etc are extra

We have held 10 positions on the boat for 1 week (7 days), and places are running out fast. I need to take a $100 deposit to secure these places before Friday next week.

The marital negotiation has commenced. Assuming we can organise child-minding, I'd say we'll be there.

Awesome mate...Good to hear....forget GOR...Tassy all the way.

Ok Ok I'll take a spot
where to send the $100 deposit
and thanks for organising by the way
1 car 2 people twin share on boat and motel but not the queen deluxe bed

I'm not 100% sure I can join the tassy trip this time, my mrs wants to go holidaying in Japan/Korea for easter break. Will let you know if it goes ahead.

Is anyone bringing thier kids along?

Is anyone bringing thier kids along?

We've decided it's simply too much driving to expect our kids to sit through it without driving us mental. If we come, it'll be sans kids. Of course, all kids are different and some of you might be blessed with children who are happy to spend hours in the car each day.

Of course, all kids are different and some of you might be blessed with children who are happy to spend hours in the car each day.

Only with the Playstation hooked up.

Only with the Playstation hooked up.

Mate, after six days of driving, incl. two Sydney-Melbourne distances, mine would be epileptics! :eek:

i used to be attached to my parents 24/7 when i was a kid. wherever they went, i had to go. i was very well behaved in those days too lol u didnt hear a peep out of me. dad would look at me and id shit myself haha then i grew up......

Mate, after six days of driving, incl. two Sydney-Melbourne distances, mine would be epileptics! :eek:

Luckily I'm only 10 minutes from Port Melbourne compared to your 10 hours.

Luckily I'm only 10 minutes from Port Melbourne compared to your 10 hours.

Agreed, but even the Tassie part of the trip has a lot of driving for little kids. Obviously not a criticism btw - it's a motoring holiday after all - just an observation as to what our two would be prepared to put up with.

Andrew, sounds good. Count me in. Do I pay deposit to your account as for Broadford day?

Cheers
Vic

PM's have been sent to people who have stated interest AFTER Andrew posted the final details of the cruise.

if u are interested please pm me or post here so I can PM you payment method.

I've just noticed this thread. I did most of this trip in November. You guys are going to have so much fun - there's some great stretches of road for spirited driving.

I've just noticed this thread. I did most of this trip in November. You guys are going to have so much fun - there's some great stretches of road for spirited driving.
You then should do it again ;)

Agreed, but even the Tassie part of the trip has a lot of driving for little kids. Obviously not a criticism btw - it's a motoring holiday after all - just an observation as to what our two would be prepared to put up with.

There are only 2 days out of the 4 with full on driving, 1 day with 2 hours and 1 with none.

That is managable with my boys, however I'm not keen on bringing them along if they are the only kids there. Not fair on them or the rest of the group.

Unless someone else is bringing their kids along, i may give this one a miss.

We haven't got anyone to look after the kids for that long and I used up all my brownie pooints with the boss to get to the Nats in November.

Bugger! :sad:

We've tried to skin the cat a few different ways but we just can't arrange child minding for the time it will take to get down there, do the tour and get back again.

I was looking forward to this too. Maybe next year... :dunno:

Have a great time to all that's going and please, lots of pics and reports on your return.

Dave

You could fly Mrs Revolver and the little handguns down and back then bring them along to Tassie. :)

Just a thought.

Actually, I'm hanging out for someone to say they're bringing their offspring as well.

Greg

Dave

You could fly Mrs Revolver and the little handguns down and back then bring them along to Tassie. :)

Just a thought.

Actually, I'm hanging out for someone to say they're bringing their offspring as well.

Greg

We considered that briefly but it makes the whole trip pricier than 4 days warrant and frankly even the Tassie part is more biased to driving than downtime, which is unfair on the children's patience levels. Again, this is not a criticism, just a personal observation of what my mini-terrorists can put up with before driving us nuts.

Sorry mate. You're on your own atm.

Fair call Dave.

We have to do what's best for the little ones every now and again and if you start adding flights to the cost it does add up.

Where was the 8 when I was 20 and single or even 30 and childless?

Cheers

Greg

maybe we should get some babysitting company to sponsor ozrenesis hahahaha

maybe we should get some babysitting company to sponsor ozrenesis hahahaha

Laugh whilst you can young lady.

We'll see who's laughing loudest when our kids are older and you're trying to fit a baby seat into Missy. :)

i wasnt teasing u guys, i was actually being serious lol

as for me fittin kids in car, wont be happening anyday soon, so s'all good mate lol

with ozrenesis, we do understand there are children, hence why there is family membership, we plan on having family days for children aswell. i really do wish there was something we could do for the kids so u guys could go. unfortunately i suck as a babysitter, otherwise i would offer (also if i had no job etc.... lol)

Kal, I know you were just kidding.

We're keen on coming along, but not if we are the only ones with kids.

Gauging by the response so far, it doesnt look like anyone else is bringing their rugrats. I'll give it another day or so, but if there are no takers, I will have to give it a miss. :mad:

Hi guys

Due to a recent family development concerning my mother-out-law, I'm now a definite non-starter. :sadwavey:

What's happening? This thread has gone quiet.

Andrew's sorting something out as we speak.

So far the following people have confirmed
auzoom (Including Family and support vehicle if required)
Brewer
xatnep

Not Confirmed
Black-8
RXVIII
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Vangelis
Ottog
MikeyR
RX-8
Generis
timbervolt
Jellybean
Domza

Sorry for taking so long to respond, Andrew. I've withdrawn from the cruise; I thought the thread had died and made other arrangements for Easter.
Have a great trip.

Ron

I put this trip off over the summer so that I could do it as a group instead so I am definitely coming.

summer will be slightly more costly :)

Well I'm off to Tassie this Thursday to check out the route on my pushbike. Lots of hills from what I remember from previous trips, I think the 8 will be a much better way to get around. :)

Go with a spray can and mark all the pot hole there is on enroute mate ;) :lol:

Jellybean, no problem...enjoy your break.

xatnep, Take video camera and send us some recon notes :)

auzoom (Including Family and support vehicle if required)
Brewer
xatnep
timbervolt
RXVIII

Not Confirmed
Black-8
yellowrx8inoz
Rix Red8
Vangelis
Ottog
MikeyR
RX-8
Generis
Domza

Hey Andrew is it too late for Sue and me to tag along?

I thought I'd have work commitments at this time, but as it turns out I'm free.

Cheers,
Rod.

Just returned with a sore bum from Tassie however the roads still look good and I found a couple of High Motorcycle risk roads :ylsuper:

Sorry people, I managed to drop off mailing list a for a bunch of threads.

Rod, no probs. I need to check if there are car spots still free. Anyone else that still wants to come needs to let me know know as I am only going to do this once and its in the next few days.

Cheers

Andrew

Looking forward to this. I'm gonna go out and buy some Kwells for the overnight sailing soon.

Any details on the itinerary yet Andrew?

last i heard its booked and done

are u going Kah ?

Sorry timbervolt I hadnt heard anything so assumed you were a no go. I will get back to you on availability. How many will be travelling? Do you want seat or bed on the boat? Are you prepared for $500-1000 for the boat and accommodation?

Cheers

Andrew

Funnily enough, having tossed up a Gold Coast trip in April, we're now looking at flying down to Tassie for 5-6 nights.

If it happens to coincide (or happens at all), I'll be in touch.

sounds like a plan dave! do it do it!!

sounds like a plan dave! do it do it!!

I'm almost tempted to drive myself down and meet the tribe at the airport but we'll see.

'Er indoors is on the job.

Yes I do want to come.

Andrew, I've PM'ed you.