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 Diving in Tasmania  |
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Shell
30+ Posts
Warnbro
Australia
68 Posts |
 Posted - 31 July 2006 : 11:49:10 AM
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Hi all.
My boyfriend and I are planning a diving holiday in Tasmania at the end of the year and would like to know if there is any good shore diving to be had on the south western side of the island. We are going to do the usual dives around Bicheno and the Eastern coastline but have a 4WD and want to get a bit off track and explore some of the wilder parts of the island. Our ideal setting is to set up camp on a secluded beache and go diving from the shore before settling down in front of our campsite and watch the sun go down with a couple of bottles of wine and some good camp food.  Any ideas of places we could try???
Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional |
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bigchrisb
150+ Posts
Canberra
Australia
259 Posts |
Posted - 31 July 2006 : 11:53:11 AM
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I spent a month bumbling around tassie last summer in an old 4WD with compressor, doing pretty much what you were doing. I'd highly reccomend both the tasman peninsula (perhaps camp at Fortescue Bay), which had some really nice diving amongst the kelp forests, and other rock hops (even eaglehawk neck straight out to the eastern side was great).
Also check out the frecynet (sic) peninsula - had some great diving there, but you might be pushed for tank fills. I took a compressor, so wasnt an issue.
Further north you could have a lot of fun at mussleroe bay.
Good luck, and have fun!
Remember your fishing licence if you want to enjoy some of those crays and abalone that seem to be under every rock you look at! |
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james
150+ Posts
Hobart
Australia
275 Posts |
Posted - 31 July 2006 : 1:51:22 PM
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Hi Shell,
There is no accessible shore diving in the South West of Tasmania. The area is very isolated, with access by boat or walking the only way to get in.
There is some accessible spots on the west coast such as Trial Harbour and Grandvill harbour I have not dived these areas but I am led to believe you can easily grab a good feed of crays if the weather allows.
Get hold of a copy of "Dive Tasmania" by Michael Jacques, you can get it from some books shops and dive shops in Hobart it is a most valuable resource for anyone looking at diving in the state. It describes 100's of dives and many shore dives, also outlines services that are available in many of the areas you would look at going.
The are just too many shore dives to list just about any where you can get access to a rocky shore has something to offer , here are some of my favourites
Tasman peninsular
Dunalley canal drift dive
The blow hole Eaglehawk Neck
Pirates Bay Jetty
Safety Cove Port Arthur,
Tessellated pavement Eaglehawk Neck.
Hobart Area and south
Blackmans Bay Blow hole
Blackmans Bay boat ramp These two spots are great night dives, and will always see a few weedy sea dragons.
Tinder Box Marine Reserve
Nine pin point Marine Reserve
Charlottes Cove or any where you can get access to rocky shore line down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.
East Coast
Spring beach Orford
Sleepy bay and Blues stone Bay Freycinet peninsular (air available at the Coles bay general store)
Skeleton Rock/ Elephant Rock St Helens
any where you can get access to rock shore in the far NE.
These are just a few, Dive Tasmania will give you all the info on these spots and much, much more. Fishing licences can be purchased on the Net at: http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/ALIR-4YB2WH?open
I hope this is of some help
Cheers
James
><(((> |
Edited by - james on 31 July 2006 1:55:32 PM |
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Shell
30+ Posts
Warnbro
Australia
68 Posts |
Posted - 31 July 2006 : 2:14:00 PM
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Thanks guys, that is a great help. I find that one of the best resources for finding info on dive spots is to ask other people who have been there.
Much appreciated. 
Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional |
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bigchrisb
150+ Posts
Canberra
Australia
259 Posts |
Posted - 31 July 2006 : 2:57:43 PM
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Yep, I also pottered up the west coast, but didnt dive much on that side of the island, because of the weather. Trial harbour had foam about a metre thick on the shore, and massive swells while we were there. In fact, I didnt dive on the west coast until we got all the way up to marrawah (spelling again), which is near the north western tip.
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Ozzy
150+ Posts
Sydney
Australia
206 Posts |
Posted - 01 August 2006 : 3:47:38 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by james
Hobart Area and south
Blackmans Bay Blow hole
Blackmans Bay boat ramp These two spots are great night dives, and will always see a few weedy sea dragons.
Cheers
James
><(((>
James, what about the commercial wharf in the harbour at Hobart for a night dive, followed by a pizza and a few beers at that place I can't remember?
Let me know when you are in Sydney.
Ozzy.
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Shell
30+ Posts
Warnbro
Australia
68 Posts |
Posted - 01 August 2006 : 3:52:35 PM
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Mmmmmm or a seafood feast at Muirs. That is a definite item on our to-do list. We have 11 days to fill and at this stage are having problems with running out of time. We are then going across to WA after Christmas for another 10 days of diving, eating, drinking and general site seeing. My boyfriend was a local at Rockingham (his brother is still there) so knows some great dives for us to do. I am so excited I could pee in my dry suit. 
Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional |
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Michael McFadyen
600+ Posts
Sydney
Australia
1077 Posts |
Posted - 01 August 2006 : 5:44:47 PM
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Have visited twice in last 14 months but not for diving. Anywhere south of Eaglehawk Nest looked very promising and there is the dive shop here to get fills. The waters near Port Arthur also looked promising.
At Stanley under the wharf next to The Nut is apparently a good dive site. There is a dive shop to the east (?) of Wynyard with a boat. Some of the headlands near here also looked okay.
Michael McFadyen
There is no such thing as a bad dive, just some that are better than others. |
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james
150+ Posts
Hobart
Australia
275 Posts |
Posted - 01 August 2006 : 10:44:21 PM
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quote:
what about the commercial wharf in the harbour at Hobart for a night dive, followed by a pizza and a few beers at that place I can't remember?
That's right ozzy, I was going to mention that one but now days with the terrorist threat and increased security getting a dive off the wharf is not so easy these day's. I don't think I have dived the Hobart wharfs since that time with you. But is a worthwhile dive once you get over the number of introduced Japanese sea stars on the silty bottom. The cray fish scuttle around like cockroaches and the life growing on the structure is worth it for the dive. Local dive clubs and one shop organises occasional dives off the wharfs. But you just can't walk up and jump off like we did that night. And plenty of places for a feed and beer after, I would recommend Fish Frenzy on Elizabeth Street Pier
Will catch up when (if) I am in Sydney. You must be due for another conference in Hobart Ozzy.
quote:
At Stanley under the wharf next to The Nut is apparently a good dive site. There is a dive shop to the east (?) of Wynyard with a boat. Some of the headlands near here also looked okay
Yes the North West is worth a look I have not done many shore dives plenty of boat dives off Sisters Beach and Rock Cape, there are a few charter operators along that coast. Good shore dives would include Boat Harbour, Sisters Beach the Glory Hole, Rocky Cape east boat ramp and Stanley Wharf, have not done that one but from all reports is worth while.
Basically you can't go wrong no matter where ever you can get out on or near the water along a bit of rocky coast, provided the weather gods are on your side.
Cheers
James
><(((> |
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SquiddlyDiddly
New To Forums
Sydney
Australia
6 Posts |
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Ozzy
150+ Posts
Sydney
Australia
206 Posts |
Posted - 07 August 2006 : 09:27:02 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by james
Will catch up when (if) I am in Sydney. You must be due for another conference in Hobart Ozzy.
Unfortunately I have had no need to go to Tassie for "work" for a while, and I can't see that changing in the near future. Might have to catch up in Sydney if and when you get here.
Ozzy |
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Shell
30+ Posts
Warnbro
Australia
68 Posts |
Posted - 07 August 2006 : 5:05:25 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by SquiddlyDiddly
Hi,
In late Jan 2007 I am trying to organise a liveaboard trip to South Western Tassie. It's a remote area and boat seems to be the only practacle way to do it. Please see the link below for more details.
Regards
George
http://www.diveoz.com.au/discussion_forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12402
Sounds great but will unfortunately not tie in with our leave plans. Would be interested in hearing how it went though.
Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional |
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Ooimodo
30+ Posts
Boat Harbour
Australia
92 Posts |
Posted - 15 August 2006 : 10:22:22 PM
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| Hi Shell, sorry for the late reply been away... SW Tassie from Strahan to SE Cape is accessable only by boat. North of Strahan ie Granville Harbour/Trial Harbour has good shore diving. Further North and accessable from Smithton you can venture south to Arthur river/Temma Harbour which also has good shore diving... In general the West and South West Coast of Tassie are weather prone.. 75 percent of the year its rough.. Best weather pattern is a strong wind warning from the North East direction.. this has the effect of calming the prevailing ocean swells... The diving is certainly adventurous and my advice would be to talk to the locals...you will also find it difficult to get tank fills in these areas... The west cost certainly is romantic though!!! |
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Diving in Tasmania |
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