Australia So Much to See

When away from cities, people are much more likely to stop and help if you have a breakdown.  The more remote, the more people are likely to stop.  After all, there may not be many cars going past, so everyone stops to offer help. 

Not only are people more suspicious of others when in urban areas, but getting help is not difficult.  They will usually have phone reception to make a call to their motoring organisation or a mechanic, and food supplies will not be far away.   When remote, a simple break down can be major, and if not fixable on the spot, they may be in for a long wait.  Recovery by a motoring organisation authorised mechanic will be expensive, particularly if far from the town.  Not many people will be so callous as to drive on past a broken down vehicle in the outback. 

Even if you don’t have mechanical skills, you may still be able to help. You may have the right tools, cool drinking water, communications methods, or just give them the comfort of knowing someone cares until further help can be found. 

When stopping to help, consider the safety of persons (yourselves and the other party) first and foremost.  If in traffic, ensure that traffic is stopped or slowed either by bystanders or safety warning devices.  People have been run over on the road while doing something as simple as changing a tyre. 

When stopping, if you don’t feel comfortable about the circumstances, go slowly alongside and ask out the window “Are you alright?” or “Do you need a hand?” then pull up a little way in front of the stopped vehicle, and one person only walk back to check.  We have never felt it a problem and always stop to offer help.  Sometimes all is under control, but sometimes help is needed and welcomed. 

We have stopped and helped many times.  In Central Australia, we passed a Wicked hire van stopped on the roadside and asked if they were OK.  The young German replied “Just a flat tyre” but then plaintively added “But we could do with some help”.  The young couple were reading the instruction booklet.  They had located and taken out the spare tyre and tools, but really were unsure about how to go about it.  The small jack provided with the vehicle could not jack the car up sufficiently to change the tyre so my husband used our larger jack and proceeded to change the tyre for them.  They had never changed a tyre before, so were very grateful for the simple assistance we offered.  They were also on a short time frame, so extra grateful for the assistance. 

Several times either our larger jack or a second jack has been needed for such a simple task as changing a tyre for a fellow traveller. 

On one occasion (on the Tanami Road), we stopped, as did the next two cars that came along.  My husband diagnosed the mechanical problem and they had a part to suit.  Although the fix was not perfect, it got them going although they had to travel a little slowly.  No-one left until their vehicle was mobile.  A little later that day, we had a problem, and the very same people we had stopped for came to help us; we were more than ‘paid in full’.  We then travelled behind them to ensure they reached Alice Springs safely, where they were able to obtain mechanical assistance.      

Stop and help, offering what ever assistance you can.  If offered payment, tell them the only payment you want is that they too always stop and render assistance, and ‘pass it on’.  “Don’t pay it back, pay it forward” summarises this sentiment. 

With lots of free and low cost camping opportunities, it is worth taking your caravan or camper to Tasmania.  For those reluctant to take a big rig on some of the steep and winding roads, it is easy to leave the caravan and take day trips nearby.  This way, you can drive with confidence down narrow tracks and to parking areas for tourism features without worrying if you will be able to park or turn your rig around.

Devonport:  There are several caravan parks in and close to Devonport, and at towns within easy commuting distance with caravan parks, low cost or free camping areas. 

Permit parking at $10 for self contained close to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal is available at Girdlestone Park, East Devonport.  Also available to the south of Devonport at Horsehead Creek, Quoiba.

Free overnight parking for self contained is permitted at a designated area at LaTrobe which is only minutes away from Devonport however it can get packed out. 

Spirit of Tasmania.  There is no choice but the Spirit of Tasmania ferries if you want take your car or car and caravan. Bookings can be made on line here.  Ensure that you measure the full length of your rig and if towing a caravan, allow for the size of the draw bar.  Someone I know forgot and gave the length of the tow vehicle, and the length of the caravan (as it is known; being internal length).  They had to pay an extra amount to go on the ferry.  Your fare will allow for a Federal Government rebate.  

The Spirit boats only go between Melbourne and Devonport.  Depending on the time of the year, there may be a choice of day or night sailings.  We travelled to Tasmania on a day crossing in peak season and enjoyed calm waters and freedom to walk around the boat or sit at table and chairs in one of the lounges.  There was access to small decks for outside views and taking photos.  You may not travel in or visit your vehicle during transit.  We returned on a night crossing, booking a cabin with port hole.  Day crossings were only available during peak periods such as school holidays and Easter   We had a very comfortable night despite rough seas.  Following watching the lights of Devonport disappear into the distance standing out in cold wind and light rain, we enjoyed a lovely meal at the cafeteria and retired to our cabin. The en suite bathroom was lovely and the hot shower was welcome after the cold wind. 

Gas cylinders (within code) correctly connected to your carvan or camper can be taken, including any gas contained therein. Other gas bottles must be transported separately, and collected on arrival.  For this reason, we decided to leave our camp cooker and gas bottle at home for this trip. 

Fuel jerry cans must be empty and dry of residual fuel before they can be carried on the ship.  In the event a petrol/diesel can has residual fuel inside, and thereby may have a dangerous gaseous/air mixture, passengers should fill the canister with water before being allowed to travel and to remain with the passenger vehicle.  A full fuel tank in your vehicle is acceptable.  Generators must have the fuel emptied as best as is possible.  Cleaning products such as Methyated Spirits or Thinners may not be taken.

Note:  From 23rd September 2022, the Spirit of Tasmania will be departing from their new quay at Geelong.

Melbourne: Prior to crossing on the Spirit of Tasmania, we chose to stay at what was then called # Ashley Gardens Holiday Village in the Melbourne suburb of Braybrook.  They also have a storage area for those choosing to leave their caravan.   The park is easy to find from all directions as it is right near a ring road.  Most of the guests were either on their way to or just returning from Tasmania. Reception staff gave out a map of how to get to the ferry terminal and advised best time to leave.  We just followed the string of caravans and campers heading to the ferry terminal and didn’t have to stop, apart from the short quarantine inspection before boarding. 

Amenities and laundry were very good.  Lightly grassed campsites, including some drive through so you don't need to unhitch for the overnight.  Nice touch - the staff member who books you in then escorts you (on a buggy) to your site.  We booked by on line through the website and communicated by email to ensure we had a drive through site of suitable size for our rig.  Area seemed fairly quiet at night for a city.  A small shopping area with Safeway store right next to the Park.  We took the trolley with groceries right to the caravan when we shopped.  This did not include any fruit and vegetables as you cannot take them to Tasmania, and the fresh produce in Tasmania is nicer.  Office staff also advised which bus to take into central Melbourne for sightseeing or shopping. Everyone heading out to Tasmania was trying to give away their fruit and vegetables and cans of petrol or diesel.  We eventually found some youngsters who were very grateful for 20 litres of free unleaded petrol which we had purchased in case we needed to use the generator on our way to Melbourne.  

# This caravan park is now under different management and called Discover Parks Melbourne.   See Discovery Parks Melbourne.  For best routes from this park to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal, use the M1 as per route on this map (follow blue route).  Update 2021:  Discovery Parks at Braybrook now allow pets on some sites. 

For those travelling with dogs, the nearest Pet Friendly Caravan Park to the Spirit of Tasmania terminal is Five Ways Caravan Park, Dingley Village, 27 kilometres to the south east of the Spirit of Tasmania terminal.  This is a small park which gets good reports from those who stay. 

Another pet friendly option is Werribee South Caravan Park, on the shores of Port Phillip Bay, 38 kilometres from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal.  There have been good reports about this caravan park.

To check out other options, see My Parks List.  Caravan parks in Melbourne are not cheap, but is it worth driving half an hour or so, and risk encountering any delays which could see you "miss the boat"?

Stopping to help others safely, Spirit of Tasmania ferry do's and don'ts

Dangerous Goods: Check out what you can carry on the Spirit of Tasmania

See our Travelogues from 2006.