Hi all just after an realistic opinion about the Lyall Highway, Tasmania, some say no worries, some say avoid at all costs ,just after an opinion from someone who has done the trip. and if one was to attack the Lyall Highway which is the best direction to travel hamilton to queenstown or the other way around , 4 cyl turbo diesel towing a 18ft poptop van,stripped of excess weight empty tanks etc. we usually travel the great flat lands of this vast country we dont normally mountain climb, thanks in advance
Lyall Highway between Queenstown and Hamilton Tasmania
- Thread starter poor but proud
- Start date
Mate just got back to me, he does a lot of towing but said he went along it last year without the van, heaps of bends, some good hills and while many tow along it he said he wouldn't, too many hills and bends, burn heaps of fuel and always watching the temps...............
This fits with what I have read and a couple of u tube videos I have watched especially the road near the snake tiers that looks really scarey ,some local comment was to go bush use logging roads to miss that section but also be aware of lots of logging trucks cutting the tight corners, so maybe we go around and not over?
We drove that road around March 2014 with a 14-44-5 behind a 2006 Nayara. Smaller than what you have but we had no problems. The road was snaky and hilly but the scenery was spectacular and well worth the run.
Just remember if you have an auto use the gears in the hilly stuff don't just leave it in D for drag, then you have temp problems and loose the small albiet small engine brake from lower cog..... did you have a look at Google Street ??? it can show some great shots....
Thanks for the info.which way did you travel? Does look like starting at the Queenstown end May be a little easier on the tug
We started at Strahan, went to Queenstown, stayed at the Gravel Oval, then headed for Hamilton.
thanks, so far. we are planning to hip hop along the north west coast Devenport, Stanley, ArthurRiver, back track to Somerset and then down to Zeehan, we think we can find enough to see and do around Strahan for a week to ten days probably stay at the Macquarie Heads camp ground, maybe do some of the paid tourist things there , like the river day cruise and the old steam train trip. then across the mountains to Hamilton and New Norfolk , now we have made up our minds to go over the Lyall we will start looking at Hobart down to Southport and Cockle Creek,...THE TRIP.... so far depart home sunday 26 feb 2023. overnight ferry Geelong Sunday 5 March 2023 , roam around tassie until Sunday 2 june 2023. so we have 12 weeks in which to explore tassie, every time we park up will be 5 to 7 days at each stop, so we are looking at places of interest in advance. I am presently learning how to photograph the southern lights as that is one of our goals of this trip
Last edited:
That sounds like a really great trip, Tassie is a magic place to visit, lots to see and do. The play, “The Ship that Never Was” at Strahan is a must, a cruise and the train ride also. The Wall, a massive carving done with Huon Pine plus other carvings is worth a look. When we were at Cockle Ck, there was not another van anywhere near so we were the southern most van in Australia for one night,
Enjoy your trip.
Enjoy your trip.
just found info on the WEE GORGIE WOOD STEAM TRAIN at Tallah looks like a couple of good camps on the lakes near there ,possibly a good spot to see the western side of cradle mountain before going down to Strahan