Looking for Car swap/shuffle for Overland Track, Late August

[Son of a Beach]

I'm planning to do the Overland Track from the 27th 26th of August to the 1st of September.

Ideally I'd like to be able to drive a car to one end of the track and when I get to the other end, drive another car home.

Would anyone be interested in walking the track at the same time but in the other direction and meeting up in the middle to share Pelion hut for a night and to swap car keys? This way we could drive each others cars home and swap them back later at some mutually convenient time.

I'm in the Launceston area but am willing to travel a reasonable distance for this car swap in order to avoid the massive car shuffle or bus ride that would otherwise be very awkward to arrange (I've also over-used all the friends and relatives for these long drop-off and pick-up trips over recent years, and I'd rather not have to try to talk people into another two such trips for again this time).

[dtasker]

Nik - If I come along - subject to hearing how much of my whisky you are prepared to carry - we will sort out the cars and transport.
My very good friend Browney drives for McDermott Coaches and we can arrange travel to Cradle and get a car home
And a pickup from the other end should be possible. But sometimes throwing some money at the problem can fix it.
We could contact Tiger Lee (Gravelly Beach - He would charge us $80 pp for a pickup - less if he is dropping someone off the same day
Obviously that is a lot of $s but it is one option.

I know where you are coming from re the "Awkward arrangements" but it is no so hard - you just need more friends LOL

On the surface your car swap idea has merrits but could cause some anxiety - I would hate driving someones 1982 V-Dub knowing they could be
thrashing my Porche 911 along the Cradle Mtn Road

[whiskeylover]

Your Porsche 911? Whisky? Can we swap? Forget the walking. But seriously, there must be a possibility somewhere, Nik. I will check the dates and see if I could do it - then no dollars involved, but I don't have a Porsche either, sorry. I try to avoid the OT these days but could race through in 2-3 days and it would still work for you. I suppose it would be easier for you if it was someone who lived closer? How many people in your party - would you all fit in the Festiva with your gear, or would it have to be the Triton?

[Son of a Beach]

Whiskeylover - If dtasker comes along there would be three of us looks like it's just the two of us. Deloraine is not far away, and almost on the way there, so would be convenient. So if you're serious, I'd be keen.

dtasker - I got you message also, and will email you - probably tomorrow from work (yes, you are genuinely invited. The missus is keen to go walking with me but thinks I'll be boring with nobody else with us for 6 days). If nothing else works out, the bus options and anything else will certainly be worth considering.

[whiskeylover]

Dates ok for me, but would prefer to find walking companion, will ask my sister or niece. Mr Whisky works at country club so car swap back shouldn't be too much prob. If there's a lot of snow around then it may take longer, will have to hire snow shoes from MD. Sounds like a good idea - talk to you further soon.

[north-north-west]

I would hate driving someones 1982 V-Dub knowing they could be thrashing my Porche 911 along the Cradle Mtn Road

You'd get a 4wd Hilux in return, and I wouldn't thrash it. Test its handling a little, maybe. See what the acceleration and suspension are like, perhaps. And the braking . . . some of those corners . . . and I'd be very careful on the icy patches, really, I'd slow down to no more than 90km . . .

[dtasker]

Seriously on the 911. My Brother owned one and he took me for a spin. On the way I felt every bump in the road and the seats were about as compfy as a church pew at a funeral
so I asked him why did you buy this? - it would have to be the most uncompfortable car I have ever been in. He replied - you are right but look ahead and as he said that he floored it.
I was pushed into the back of the seat and it felt like I was in an F111 rather than a 911. I don't think they actually have a model with brakes.
Do they still make spre parts for Hilux - OK sorry I am just kidding - really.

[Biggles]

Erm.... where do you put a full-on rucksack, or two, in a Porche 911?

[north-north-west]

In the passenger's seat, dummy. Only one, of course, but that's another good reason to walk solo.

[dtasker]

Ok - If you havent figured it out I do NOT own a Porche - The mention of a Porche was illustrative only
But consider that If one did own a Porche the owner could probably afford to hire porters and a support team with a 4WD and a "Chuck" wagon
so there would be no need to carry a rucksack in the Porche - This seem so logical to me that I have to wonder why we are still talking about a Porche
- - Sorry

[north-north-west]

I already knew that. For one thing, no real Porsche owner would misspell the marque.

[Biggles]

Hmmm. Interesting.
At the same time (28th) I am on the ferry, with Bertha Bigwheels, starting a walk to Pine Valley from Narcissus. The mention that bus pick-ups are possible from Derwent Bridge is troubling; everybody I've spoken to says that simply getting on the OT track, with flights, hotels etc. (for interstate walkers) is a logistics nightmare, let alone throwing in buses that either do not turn up, don't exist or have forgotten to run. So "it is possible"? Who runs, what, picks up where, for how much and how often? Probably warrants a dedicated thread to pile in as much information as possible to assist people like the OP seeking a car shuffle; better would be to just wing it back to Cradle.

[dtasker]

Bus service is reliable - I would be happy to contribute factual info but Nik "son of a beach" may need to sign off on it as I dont think advertising is allowed on the forums.
Just to clarify I would not be advertising for me but for the information to be usefull I woul need to provide names and contact details.

I don't know the exact logistics of getting from Devonport because my exprience has been from Launceston
Until Nik - the modeator OKs this please feel free to email me and I will help as much as I can
Regards David T

[Son of a Beach]

There's no problem at all with providing useful information, in response to genuine questions. If you have an association or affiliation with any companies or services mentioned, that should be declared, of course.

Additionally, forum member "frank_in_oz" has written an Overland Track eBook which is aimed at mainlanders, or overseas visitors, but it is also good for locals. In particular, it covers the logistical difficulties, such as transport for people on the Overland Track.

[dtasker]

Nik - I had a look at the e-book sample - looks great. That and Biggles post has spurred me on to do something with my overlandtrack domain.

Biggles, you mentioned you were coming into Devonport on the Ferry - its not clear if you are bringing your own car to drive to Lake St Clair.
If not - make your way to Launceston on Redline Coach www.redlinecoaches.com.au and then use Tiger Lee.

I would highly recommend Tiger Lee - http://www.tigerwilderness.com.au/ he is a fantastic guy and very fair.
Tiger as his nick name goes really does offer a door to door service, well OK not for you in Victoria but you can contact him and he wil guarantee
to be at Lake St Clair - or wherever you want to meet him and he will then drop you of at your exact location - This is from personal experience and feedback from friemds. Tiger is also flexible about times - 2 years ago I booked him to return from Lake St Clair for a 2pm pickup - I came out a day early - the weather was REALLY bad and I was surprised to find Tiger there waiting for me - He explained that he had dropped off a couple of people at 1pm and saw that the weather was closing in
so he checked with the ferry operator and found out that I was booked on a late (2nd journey) at 3pm so he decided to hang around and see if I wanted to go home a day early - if not he would come back and get me the next day. I chose to go with him and he knocked off $10 from my already agreed fare of $89 as it saved him a return trip. I dont think you will find a better operator. So that is my firm recommendation for getting out of Lake St Clair - he will pick you up at the visitor centre - you dont have to try to get out to Derwent Bridge.

If you do get to Derwent Bridge it is possible to connect with the Hobart to Queenstown coach - Logistically somewhat more difficult.
This is a daily service.

For the Cradle End
McDermot coaches operate the Cradle Valley shuttle service (inside the park) They also operate bus services from Launceston to Cradle Valley
and many other locations around the State. http://www.mcdermotts.com.au/
Paul Brown is one of their drivers and is a very good friend of mine as is Peter McDermott (the owner) Paul often does day trips in a private car Lonnie to Cradle - price depends on the number of people. Both of these services are very dependable

Finally if you get stuck - email me - except I can't help you out on the 28th of August as I hope to be walking with Nik

[ILUVSWTAS]

I already knew that. For one thing, no real Porsche owner would misspell the marque.

[Son of a Beach]

All sorted out it seems (thanks!) and any last minute details by PM or email, so locking this topic now.