My gastronomic experiences in Tasmania prior to this summer was limited to going on Year 10 school camp and having an all-you-can-eat competition at a Pizza Hut buffet. I believe I won, which makes this whole scenario even more disturbing for Tasmania is home to the purest air, water and soil in the world. It is the breeding ground for some of the world’s best food, like plump, salty St Helens oysters, pungent, fudgy Bruny Island cheese and homemade seafood pies with delicate, buttery pastry. Evidently my tastebuds have slightly matured since my first trip to Tassie and thankfully Pizza Hut buffets closed down years ago, it seems we have all moved on in the right direction.
This summer my friends and I thought we would go against the grain, well mainly against the throngs of families heading North to warmer climates, and pack up our cars with all our camping gear and explore Tassie to see where the wind took us (and yes it is a very windy place indeed!) We had no real plans except that we knew we wanted to eat, drink and be merry – which we succeeded in – but I did learn a few things along the way, so I thought I’d share my DO’s and DON’TS with you to help you on your way to your own camping trip of Tasmania (which I strongly advise you DO!)….
On the road to Tassie….
DON’T travel on the Spirit of Tasmania during the day. Yes it’s a little bit cheaper on surface level, but its incredibly boring and you may find yourself spending your ‘saved’ dollars and cents in the gaming lounge, drinking Moo Brew or having to book a nights accommodation in Devonport so that you can get back on the ferry in the morning on time! Save yourself your sanity and travel at night.
DON’T expect to find a campsite (or many friendly campers) anywhere in the Bay of Fires in the peak holiday period from Christmas – New Years. We found ourselves basically heckled out of over populated camping spots by people who may as well have been carrying pitchforks and torches! We found it really difficult to find anywhere to camp along this long stretch of coast at this time so aim for in-land national parks or just avoid the area at that time of year. You can go in the ballot for camping in Freycinet National Park if you plan well ahead.
DO travel with a chef / really good campfire cook. (No, I’m not talking about me!) I was very fortunate to travel with one of the best cooks I know who took control of campfire cooking. I realise not everyone is going to be able to travel with someone who has the ability to turn a few swedes, carrots and lump of meat into the greatest tasting stew ever but a few camp cooking tips:
DO bring a cast iron camp oven, you know one of those big pots with a fitted lid? DON’T ever wash it with detergent or put canned tomatoes in it.
DON’T over complicate your stew, cut everything big and chunky, add plenty of garlic, and save some of that beer or wine that you’re drinking and a good glug of it to your stew. Now you’re cooking!
DO cook on fire, it makes everything taste better.
Cooking on fire makes meat taste like how it should!
DO stock up on dense firewood if you can before heading to remote campsites, foraging from the forest area is not allowed and most petrol stations do sell packs of firewood.
DO buy local produce. There are loads of side of road stalls spruiking local seafood, berries, vegies and meat. Stop at these stalls! Also, make pit stops in wineries and breweries to pick up your daily tipple!
What a winning combination!
DO take an oyster shucking knife with you. Buying live oysters are cheaper (around $9 a dozen) and fresher. If you don’t know how to shuck an oyster ask the person who sells them to you or YouTube it. Go on have a go, but just don’t tip out the ‘mermaids tears’ (salty water) or stab the oyster. PS: St Helens pacific oysters were my favourite, surprisingly actually as they are so big!
DON’T expect it to be warm in summer. This means layer people! DO pack warm clothing, heaps of layers, boots and wet weather jacket (ok this is starting to sound like a school camp list….)
DON’T become all shy if you run into Matthew Evans (The Gourmet Farmer) in Cygnet and then miss out on the opportunity to talk to him about local produce and farming – like I did! IDIOT!!
DO visit Bruny Island! This was my favourite place that we visited, its so remote and untouched, pristine waters, great local produce (Bruny Island Cheese is the best in Australia!), a cute hotel serving up local seafood and fantastic walks and camping in Cloudy Bay!
Our campsite at Cloudy Bay on Bruny Island. Not too bad…!
DO pit stop in Hobart and fork out to get a hotel room in the city for a few nights, lets face it you will probably feel like a hot shower and decent matress by this stage and Hobart has so much to offer. DO visit MONA (its incredible) and try and swing it whilst the Taste of Tasmania festival is on.
DON’T miss out on going to Wine Glass Bay like we did. We drove past it when we were frantically searching for a campsite and didn’t get to see the ‘postcard perfect’ bay. : (
DO make wrong turns. Half the fun of going on a road trip is discovering places you didn’t know existed. Following a map all the time is tedious!
Found this waterhole at Douglas Aspley National Park!
DO visit Tasmania! It really is the most naturally beautiful places in Australia, I can not wait to go back!!
