Peter’s rig was perfect for budget travelling in Tassie.
After spending 14 magical weeks on the Apple Isle, grey nomad Peter Morrison fell in love with Tassie. Here, he explains what he loved about it, and what he didn’t … and why he just has to go back again!
‘A couple of weeks ago, I caught the big red boat with my 2003 Winnebago motorhome with ‘shed’ and returned to the ‘North Island’ after spending 14 amazing weeks on the Apple Isle.
As a self-funded solo traveller it is important to manage within a budget, and Tassie was great for doing this … as long as you can find free camps or low cost options. My motorhome is fully self contained and I only need a relatively level space to set up camp. I have the capacity to only require access to water and dump point every 6-8 days, which made many of the areas managed by state government authorities ideal.
Unfortunately, some local council areas are being pressured into closing their low cost/free campgrounds, while some creative councils have given over management of these areas to local community groups.
For example, Latrobe camp area behind the shopping centre is managed by the local primary school which collects $5 per night per vehicle. The community hall committee in Franklin does the same at $10 per night but, if you pay for three nights, you can have the fourth for free.
As low cost camping is essential to our lifestyle, it is important we follow the rules and expectations of each site we visit. I found it frustrating at sites that required ‘fully self-contained’ vehicles many pop-ups, whizz bangers and caravans make no effort to collect the grey water, even though they shouldn’t be there. A couple of times I took away litter that had been just left at sites that had no bins provided. All travellers need to show more respect or we all risk losing these facilities.
As I have a DR650 motorcycle in my ‘shed’, setting up camp at a low/no cost site allowed me to head off and explore the local area on the bike. I got to experience some places that are not highlighted in the tourist brochures, and I also learnt that ‘all terrain’ tyres are not the same as ‘nobbies’ when it comes to dry beach sand! Fishing in tidal areas is free, but you will need a licence for inland waters.
In my case, over 40 hours of actual fishing produced one Brown Trout. I calculated that when you take into account the cost of the permit, the lures and the bait, this little fella (pictured above) cost about $150 … but it was still worth it!
I did have better luck in the ocean, but it certainly helped that I talked to a local. After spending two two-hour days fishing at Friendly Beaches in Freycinet National Park, a young local surfer told me to try my luck on the northern side of the rocky headland … about 100 metres away. So, after having a chat to the wombat on the path, and five minutes of casting a lure, I caught a good eating salmon!
In my time on the island, I travelled 6,929 kilometres and reckon I visited 209 ‘places’ but I know I still missed a fair bit … and it just means I’ll have to return!’
Recently spent 3 weeks travelling around Tassie & was amazed at the number of cheap or free camps. Almost everywhere we went we saw great RV camping areas but the best was at Smithton – absolutely beautiful. Also at Stanley right near the beach.
Great to hear that I am not abnormal /- seeking out quiet places to fish . Any advice on how to keep wife from being bored appreciated .. favourite spots are Myrtle park campground – St pats river and a deep hole near Deloraine …. Spinning only though due to trees . Would love to swap secret spots with nomads …