Place to stay before boarding spirit of tasmania

We came in from the south west toward Melbourne and so stayed at Werribee CP, at the mouth of the Werribee River, which was good and then made a day trip to the Zoo then another 'day' (may be 20 k) trip to the docks via the Point Cook RAAF Museum (free) before attempting to navigate through the zoo of humanity around the dock area. Ended up being too early with NO place to park the rig and so went back out onto St Kilda Rd (I think it was) and parked near some sports field to have a 'cool down' & a cuppa before heading back into the fray with both of us counting to ten at least a zillion times (no exageration :-) )to arrive on time to line up and move on in! Once on the dock it was easy! On the way home we stayed at a place in west Melbourne which right on the route back to Adelaide - will look it up and add later. One of those "Holiday Village" type places but was easy to access and about on par for price for such. Will look up our records to get the name there.
Cheers - Ian & Sally

HI Sue

Day or night crossing? We booked (on line) into the Ashley Gardens CP in Braybrook, as we opted for the day crossing. This is the only time we have ever booked in a CP, but it does get pretty full. It was easy to find, and the map easy to follow the quick route to the ferry terminal so we didn't do a 'pre run'. If you leave at he right time, you just need to follow the string of caravans. Everyone is trying to give away fruit and veg, as well as ULP as the jerry cans need to be empty before going on the ferry. A bonus for those who have just come back from Tassie.

Ashley Gardens, Melbourne: This is used principally by people going to and from Tasmania. They also have an area to park vans for those who go without their caravans, as well as cabins. At $32 per night (in 2006) at was expensive, but it is well located, easy to get to, and easy to get to the ferry terminal. Staff advise you when and where to go. Facilities and laundry good. Lightly grassed campsites, including drive through. Nice touch - the staff member who books you in then escorts you (on a buggy) to your site. Area seemed fairly quiet at night for a city. Small shopping area with Safeway store right next to CP - very convenient. (We used the Safeway trolley to take the groceries right to the caravan.) Can take a bus into central Melbourne. A very good park, even if a bit expensive.

As we returned on a night trip, we drove well clear of the built up area before stopping on the roadside for breakfast.

Enjoy wonderful Tasmania

Motherhen

Hi Sue

We also stayed at Ashley Gardens CP in 2006. We had no trouble getting to the boat from there.

Regards
Brian

Hi Sue

We are based in Tassie and are just completing our first long trip (4months) - having used both Ashley Gardens and Coburg Caravan parks in the past - our advise and we are currently there - Wangaratta (Painters Island Caravan Park), this depends on what type of sailing you have planned but if it's a night sailing Wangaratta is abot 2-3 hrs travel and you can time it to arrive just as boarding commences to avoid the parking problem at Station Pier!

If a morning sailing either of the aboove two are excellent with easy and fast access early in the morning.

Regards

Wayne

We can certainly recommend the Coburg Caravan park. if you have an early morning sailing the traffic will be quiet so you're only about 20-25mins drive away from the port.

John

Thank you for your replies and helpful information appreciate the help recieved when you ask for it.
Thanks
John and Sue