After the Overland Track

[Steve73]

Hi,

Not sure this is the right place for my question, but anyway......

My wife and I are hiking the Overland next week. After finishing we will have four days to make our way from Hobart back up to Launceston to catch our flight. My question is, what's the most scenic way to drive up? East Coast, West Coast or up the middle?

[johnw]

They all have something to offer IMHO. Will you simply be touring or also wanting to do some more bushwalking en route? For a scenic contrast to the OLT I guess the east coast might be the pick. At Freycinet NP you could do a day walk to Wineglass Bay returning via Hazards Beach as a suggestion. Plenty of other points of interest along the way. Then again I like the west coast too, ...and the middle. Too many options. Pick any one and you'll like it.

[dee_legg]

The midlands hwy is the least scenic and the one you're most likely to get killed on by some crazy drink driving bogan. I'd probably choose the East Coast because of the contrast between the OLT as johnw said, which is really what Tassie is all about.

[Ent]

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[Steve73]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

I was thinking the East Coast would be the best because as suggested it will be different scenery to that on OLT. We'd prefer to see a few places thoroughly rather than a lot of places rushed. We can always come back when we have more time.

Looks as though it's the East Coast!

[tasadam]

But then you've got the west coast.... Mountainous terrain, most windy bit of road in Australia just out of Queenstown, Go to Strahan and take a half day cruise up the Gordon, Stop in at the Frenchmans Cap carpark and wander down to the famous Franklin River or even as far as Mt Mullens for a daywalk to see the view to Frenchmans if it isn't clouded in...
Nothing wrong with the east coast either. Wineglass bay is worth a look.

Hey you're from the mainland, right?
Can't you do the whole island in a couple of days?

Seriously, another option is to spend an extra day on the Overland track and do a peak, Oakleigh is pretty casual after a bit of mud to the foothills.
Surprising beautiful rainforest to pass thru on the way up.

Or if you're really fit & keen you could have a go at Ossa.

Edit - in light of the post that just got in before me, I do believe the Western Explorer is open, but given the choice I would go the West Coast,
I just paused for a bit and put THIS together...
I love Google Maps.

[Ent]

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[MrCAMEL]

Well, I admit I am biased. The Western Explorer is my favourite road. It's a bit rough. But it is awesome. .
So if you have not seen the West before, I'd say get up the west.
Do visit East Pillinger. A 2.5-4 hour return walk, 40km south of Queenstown to the old, early 1900's village. It's a nice walk, but also, there are some nice relics hidden away in the bushes to learn lots off! Apparently the last 5km are 4X4 only. But it is as good as any other gravel road I have ever come across. So I dunno what the rules are about 2wd vehicles on that road, but it is fine.
Then, apparenly everyone likes Strahan. I've never been there.

Montezuma Falls are a good place to spend a few hours for a rewarding sight. At least, I was pleased with them!
If you want a strange night, socialise with the locals at Tullah
Then, continue north and go into Waratah and then cycle/drive/walk into the old town of Magnet and fossick for whatever you want! http://www.mrt.tas.gov.au/portal/page?_ ... ema=PORTAL

It's a good spot though.
Continue to Corrina and if you dont mind giving the right foot a bit of a working over, it is a super road and used for various road rallies throughout the year.
Up the Western Explorer, the old town of Balfour, right at the Forestry Tas emergency point 258, is a fun plac to visit. Check out the old pub (chimney), the cemetry and the river walk which is always nice!

Then, the Balfour Track Forest Reserve is a 2-3 hour walk that has some nice creeks, plants, bugs and noises, that would please everyone.
After that, continue through the roads, checkout Lake Chisolm and Wes Beckett Falls. They are pretty.

Then, the main town is Smithton, Smitho, my current home town. http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Bogan

From there, it's the end of my own story and I can recommend no more. So good luck with your scenicity or whatever you were after

[Steve73]

But then you've got the west coast.... Mountainous terrain, most windy bit of road in Australia just out of Queenstown, Go to Strahan and take a half day cruise up the Gordon, Stop in at the Frenchmans Cap carpark and wander down to the famous Franklin River or even as far as Mt Mullens for a daywalk to see the view to Frenchmans if it isn't clouded in...
Nothing wrong with the east coast either. Wineglass bay is worth a look.

Hey you're from the mainland, right?
Can't you do the whole island in a couple of days?

Seriously, another option is to spend an extra day on the Overland track and do a peak, Oakleigh is pretty casual after a bit of mud to the foothills.
Surprising beautiful rainforest to pass thru on the way up.

Or if you're really fit & keen you could have a go at Ossa.

Edit - in light of the post that just got in before me, I do believe the Western Explorer is open, but given the choice I would go the West Coast,
I just paused for a bit and put THIS together...
I love Google Maps.

Thanks for the map of West Coast Tasdam, now I'm wondering if we should go this way!!

Yep I'm from the mainland. We did the South Island of NZ years ago. A kiwi said we would only need one week. We took four and still didn't see enough. Could easily go back and spend three months there. So nope, we don't think we can see all of Tassie in a few days