Event date: 26 October - 1 November 2022

Most of our group of 26 departed on the Spirit of Tasmania on Tuesday evening at 6.45pm for the overnight sailing to Devenport. We all met for a 6pm buffet dinner, before retiring for what turned out to be a very smooth sailing - we all arrived in good spirits on Wednesday morning, before heading off to McDonalds to join up and have brekkie.

8.30 a.m. saw us depart for Cradle Mountain on quite narrow and winding roads - lots of roadworks to contend with in this area. Beautiful backdrop of craggy mountains, and the sun obliged by emerging just as we arrived at 10.00 a.m.

We all split up and went our own way for the morning - some for walks around Dove Lake, after exiting the shuttle bus, some just enjoying the scenery with a coffee in the lodge. the Enchanted walk was just like stepping back in time and being in a wonderland. Lunch was at the Peppers Tavern with a large log fire to send us to sleep! The lodge has resident wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies and quite a large wombat.

Casey from Launceston BMW joined us for lunch, and subsequently lead the group out from Cradle Mountain for the drive back to Devonport.

Unfortunately on this drive, which was in the rain, Adrian White's 525i had a top hose failure. Lawrence was "Tail end Charlie" and noticed steam coming from under the car. Once we were aware of this, the group all pulled over whilst Graeme made a temporary repair to the hose.

Adrian was then able to travel slowly back to Launceston to try and arrange a replacement part, followed by Lawrence and Shaaron to make sure he arrived safely. The rest of the group continued back to Devonport - we separated into two groups in the town of Wilmot - some chose to drive the direct route to Devenport, others to go the "long" way round on some Targa sections.

This reinforced to all of us some of the reasons we belong and travel in a group - there is always someone there to help, and in this instance the the Glynns and Graeme and Jo came to the rescue.

We arrived back in Devenport at 5.00pm and 6.00 pm respectively, just in time to have another meal!

I think most had an early night - the weather had turned quite drizzly and cold by this stage.

Our second day in Tasmania, Thursday, started with an 8.00 a.m breakfast at the motel, ready for a 9.30 am departure. Again, light drizzle and quite cold, the drive was again along some winding sections with lots of roadworks enroute.

We had a 10.30 am stop at Sheffield for morning tea, which allowed time to view numerous murals in the town.

Off again at 11.15am for Longford, again interrupted by roadworks and rain most of the way, with the occasional burst of welcome sunshine.

Lunch was organised by Jo at the historic Longford Pub, which gave us all a chance to view the

memorabilia. We were joined by Simeon's family for lunch, (they had flown over earlier that day to join up with the rest of the group). It was lovely to also celebrate Elsie's 13th birthday, with a small cake which Jo managed to purchase from a local bakery. Weather by now had really taken a turn for the worse and it rained heavily as we left for the drive to Hobart for a 5.00 pm arrival. The trip was again interrupted by lots of roadworks. 

Once we arrived at the Wrest Point Casino, we all went in different directions and organised our own activities. By now, Adrian was still in Launceston on his own trying to obtain the part he needed for his car - as it was going to take too long, Graeme and Jo were able to source and collect the part and coolant in Hobart for him. He was able to drive very slowly to Hobart, (with a little help from the RACT), and arrived late that night. Fortunately Graeme saved the day again and the car was quickly repaired and back on the road in the morning, and he was able to join a group doing a great drive down to the Huon Valley.

Some went to Bruny Island, others to Port Arthur, Salamanca Markets, Mt. Wellington, and fortunately the weather had started to improve, so by Saturday the sun was shining for us. Jennifer Rose had been on the trip, and had taken over as lead "navigator" to give Jo a break on the drive to Hobart - unfortunately she had to leave us on Saturday morning due to work commitments.

Thank you for a job well done. So Martin was now traveling solo.

Monday, we headed off to St. Helens, via Richmond to view the historic bridge - such a popular place that we couldn't find a parking space so kept moving on to Swansea for lunch. By this time, whilst the rain had gone, it was so windy it was almost impossible to stand up straight! Numerous fallen trees and foliage on the roads, lots of road crews cleaning up the mess - (we called into Freycinet, for a quick look) - all added to the time it took to arrive at St. Helens for our final night.

Lovely motel (Anchor Wheel), where the owner Attilla provided exceptional pre-dinner hospitality, even driving some to the local hotel for dinner. If ever in St. Helens, you must stay there.

Tuesday (Melb Cup Day) was another fine day, with an 8.30 am start. After a winding road, lots of road debris, we called into the Pyengana Dairy for a quick stop, and to purchase some lovely cheeses to bring back home. We then travelled on to Legerwood to view the stunning outdoor wood carvings a Anzac memorial.

Continued on the main road to Launceston, where we stopped at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for a pre-arranged lunch - another fabulous venue organized by Jo. We farewelled Simeon's family, as they were flying back to Melbourne in the evening; he was traveling back on the Spirit with the rest of the group.

Last stop on the way to the ferry was the Anvers Chocolate Factory- we all had good intentions but managed to sample their delicious fare, and most of us also purchased more chocolate than we needed.

From Anvers, it was just a 15 minute drive to the ferry terminal - the weather had stayed fine until then - once we were all on board it started to rain quite heavily. A buffet dinner again on board at 6.00pm the ferry crossing again was reasonably good - a little rough through the heads but not enough for anyone to be unwell, and we arrived on time in Geelong at 6.00 am.

Eight of the group managed to make the 8.00 a.m. Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry crossing, to enjoy our final "Tassie trip" coffee together.

Can't finish this without mentioning the two non-BMW drivers.

Both Rob and Mary in their Audi, and Terry and Anne in their Jeep, copped quite a bit of flak- Terry in particular for some reason - they were all such good sports about it - particularly Terry and his quickly re-badged "BMW Jeep"! I don't know how you sleep at night Martin.

Last of all, we know that all the participants would like to send their thanks to the organisers of the trip - Peter Williams for all the pre tour work, although not able to join in, Graeme and Jo, Lawrence and Shaaron - no doubt there are others in the background we haven't mentioned; thank you to all of you for arranging such a fabulous holiday for us.

Jeff and Jill Palmer | Member #949
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne

See the next issue of idrive for more member articles and photographs from our holiday!

THANK YOU BMWDCM

We both would like to say to you all (at least the Tas trippers) a heartfelt thank you for the way you accepted us into your group for what turned out to be the time of our lives in the apple isle.

Even though we were from Mars (Jeep drivers mostly are), we both commented on the fact that there were no disapproving glares upon meeting you for the first time.

Thank you for the efforts of Lawrence who heard of our misery of not being able to get a booking for Tasmania before Terry’s dance with the surgeon on the 7 November …his impassioned plea to Jo (mother duck) worked!

Jo, it was great to pull up beside you in the waiting line to board the ferry and to get your BMW pack (you all know what happened to the BMW sticker) thank you also for the amazing way you organised the trip especially for us virgins.

Special mention for Martin who kept us in stiches with his repartee (Jeep Jesting), thanks mate you are one of a kind.

An extra special thank you to Graham Thomas along with Jeff and Jill Palmer who took time to assuage my obvious nervousness about my upcoming journey into the unknown…(not like me to blurt out personal matters, must have been the beer).

To John, thanks for the lessons on how to park.

To Adrian, your trip was crapped out on day two…bad luck, but you still spent time with us interlopers.

Rob and Mary, I tried lots of times to catch up with you to have a chat about your rocket, to no avail. But when we shared a meal with you both it was an enchanting evening, thank you Mary for spending time with us to say goodbye on the return ferry trip.

To Warren and Margaret thank you both for treating us both to your warmth and we got a kick out of hearing “at least the Jeep was something to follow through the traffic”.

To Simeon, Trent and anyone we may have omitted, you welcomed us into your group that you had all waited for, for two years, we appreciate it.

Until we meet again.

Terry and Anne Lane | Cave #6 Grand Canal
MARS