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Tasmania · packing

1Stanley Village Waterfront2Strahan3Strahan4Strathgordon5Hobart6Hobart7Dolphin Sands8Launceston9Spirit of Tasmania
Reference
Packing
What to bring, and the boot problem

The boot problem 3

Two soft duffels, not a suitcase

An MX-5 boot is roughly 130-150 litres with no back seat. Soft bags mould to the shape; a hard shell wastes 20-30% of it. One duffel each is the realistic limit for two, plus a daypack in the footwell.

Leave room for the drive home

Ashgrove cheese and Mole Creek leatherwood honey are both on Day 9. A chilled soft bag is worth more than a fourth t-shirt.

Golf clubs change the maths

A set of clubs eats most of the boot. If you are two-up with clubs, one of you is packing very light - and reviewers note you walk a fair way to the Barnbougle course carrying them.

Clothing 7

Waterproof, windproof shell

Non-negotiable. Three walks sit above 800 m and Tarn Shelf can snow in November.

Warm mid-layer

Fleece or light puffer, for Cradle, Tarn Shelf, kunanyi and the plateau.

Thermal base layer

One set. Alpine mornings, and the Strathgordon night.

Beanie and gloves

Yes, in November. Assume 10C colder and blowing hard on any summit, and the same on an exposed links course.

Golf layers

Barnbougle is links golf on an exposed coast - the wind is the defence. A windproof over a mid-layer beats a heavy jacket you cannot swing in.

Something respectable

The Islington in Hobart does conservatory dining, and the Pedder Wilderness Lodge restaurant is the only kitchen for 90 km.

Swimwear

Boat Harbour, Nine Mile Beach, and the Pedder lodge indoor pool.

Footwear 3

Hiking boots, broken in

Mt Amos on wet granite and Cape Hauy's 1,800 steps both punish smooth soles.

Golf shoes, non-metal spikes

Barnbougle is a non-metal spike facility. Check yours before you pack them.

One casual pair

Towns and dinners.

Walking kit 5

Daypack, 20-25 L, with rain cover

Enough for a 4-hour walk with layers and water.

2 L water

No taps at any trailhead on this itinerary.

Headtorch, plus a red filter

See the wildlife note below.

First aid and blister plasters

Nine days, five substantial walks and 18 holes.

Skip the trekking poles

Tarn Shelf is boardwalk then rock, and Cape Hauy is stairs. They will not earn their boot space, and the boot is now full of clubs.

Specific to this trip 8

Red-filtered torch

Free penguin viewing at Godfreys Beach on night one, and shearwaters at Ocean Beach on Day 3. White light scares both off the beach.

Offline maps, downloaded

No signal on the west coast, Gordon River Road, at Strathgordon or on the Central Plateau. The Maps links here need a connection; the pages do not.

Book Hobart dinner before you leave Strathgordon

You will have no signal until Maydena on the Sunday morning.

Provisions for Dolphin Sands

No shops, no restaurants, and you arrive about 18:20. Buy in Swansea mid-morning.

Cash

Melshell Oyster Shack, and small west coast and highland operators, are often cash-only.

Motion sickness tablets

For the Gordon River cruise if Hells Gates worries you.

Polarised sunglasses

Low sun on wet tar, and reading a links green.

Chilled bag or soft cooler

Oysters at Melshell, cheese at Pyengana and Ashgrove.

Car 3

Phone mount and power bank

Nine days of navigation and photos.

Tyre pressure check before the gravel

Service stations on the route have gauges. Check before Days 5, 6, 7 and 9.

Microfibre cloth

Gravel dust on the windscreen.

Documents 3

Parks pass, bought online

Holiday Vehicle Pass, roughly $90-100. You enter national parks on at least six of nine days.

Ferry booking, both directions

Departure is 18:45 on Thu 12 Nov, and Day 9 is built backwards from a 16:45 arrival.

Bookings to have on you

Gordon River cruise, Port Arthur, Barnbougle tee time, and five confirmed accommodations.

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