Tasmania A3 Motorway from Bicheno to Hobart Night Drive

Lcosmos on 19/12/2023 - 20:49
Last edited 19/12/2023 - 21:17 by 1 other user

Hey fellow OzBargainers, some of you may have done this drive before, hence I am here for your opinion.

May I know how the night drive from Bicheno to Hobart is (Tasmania)? This is via A3 motorway.

I have heard of animals crossing at night time, so is it safe to drive all the way from Bicheno to Hobart, at night time, say after 11 pm?
The total drive time will be around 2 hours 20 minutes, as per Google maps.

Any advice will be helpful for me (and anyone else who may plan such a drive at night time) in planning such a drive.

Cheers.

Travel Tasmania

Comments

  • mskeggs on 19/12/2023 - 21:11
    +1

    I’ve gone the other way after sunset, and it didn’t occur to me it required any more caution than any other country road. I think you will be fine.

    • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 00:35

      Thanks mskeggs.
      It’s just that I haven’t driven on this road during night time, hence being more cautious.

  • jv on 19/12/2023 - 21:21
    +2

    Any advice will be helpful

    Make sure you have good insurance.

  • MS Paint on 19/12/2023 - 21:24
    +4

    I do a lot of regional night driving in Victoria. As mskeggs said above just treat it like any country road after dusk.

    If I'm not holding anyone up I typically drive at 80kmh in 100 zones. Keep your lights on high beam as often as possible. If another car comes up behind you pull over and follow them (about 200m behind) and likewise if there are any trucks.

    If I'm super familiar with the straight roads I will drive up the middle (assuming absolutely no other traffic around). Remind yourself on a regular basis - "don't swerve cosmos, don't swerve cosmos" because trees win in every accident. You are better off hitting the wildlife than a 100 year old tree.

    Just take your time. I would allow an extra hour travel time if Google is suggesting 2 hours 20. Don't forget you need minimum 1, maybe 2 breaks from driving on a 3 hour drive.

    • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 00:39

      That’s what I thought too, to drive slower than the speed limit, and yes, will tell myself not to swerve.
      Will take regular breaks, don’t mind being late.

    • Gunnar on 20/12/2023 - 06:02

      I’ve Done loads of night driving through regional and rural Australia (NSW and SA). That’s really good advice about night time country driving. Especially the bit about driving in the middle on roads you are familiar with and it’s safe to do so because - in theory it gives you some more reaction time with wildlife and you also have more tarmac under the car in case of an emergency and soft road shoulders

      Bank on your driving time being longer than what google tells you.

      In all honesty though OP if you can avoid doing the drive, avoid it

  • Clear on 19/12/2023 - 21:47
    +2

    I drive this road frequently and it's fine to drive. You're pretty much going through rural Tassie on a road without overtaking lanes so it's not uncommon for there to be possums and wallabies at night. Best to take it a bit slow and be cautious of the night life.

    If it was during the day I'd say be mindful of the local motorbike cop who likes to hide in the bushes to get people speeding.

    • jv on 19/12/2023 - 21:54
      +1

      who likes to hide in the bushes

      I heard he got arrested.

    • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 00:40

      Sure, noted.

  • zombrex on 19/12/2023 - 22:16

    I did this exact drive last school holidays ended up leaving Bicheno just before Sunset. Drove without issues. Did not see any animals on or along the road. Moderate number of cars along the road.
    Of course no one can predict what will happen on the specifc day and time you drive so of course you should take precautions.

    • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 00:42

      That’s right, each drive will be different.
      I just wanted to know if there’s something particular to be considered before driving at night on this road.

  • mshanann on 20/12/2023 - 00:32
    +1

    I nearly hit a wombat of all things driving from Bicheno to the 'devils in the dark' park/attraction. I certainly wasn't expecting to see one of them on the road (being from QLD).

    • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 00:43

      😁

    • MS Paint on 20/12/2023 - 07:11
      +1

      Wombats do some serious and expensive under car damage. It's like driving over a 40cm version of Uluru.

      Tassie devils are a bit more squishy and do less damage.

      Kangaroos typically aim for your headlight, and depending on their size, usually just do a lot of panel and trim damage.

  • ddilrat on 20/12/2023 - 02:30

    I did it the other direction at night and there was plenty of small wildlife on the road so might take you a bit longer than google says but doable

  • BeamMeUp on 20/12/2023 - 08:48
    +1

    I do a lot of caravan travel and I reckon Tas is the worst State in Australia for native animals near the road at night. On a recent trip one evening not far out of Hobart i had multiple Pademelons jump out across the road. If driving at night be hyper alert, if you see any sign of animals particularly Pademelons, slow right down as there will be more, but in general keep your speed conservative.

    • Clear on 20/12/2023 - 09:46
      -1

      That's because all of Tassie live real close to the bush. Stornoway employ a heap of people to drive around every morning to pick up the roadkill and remove shoes from roundabouts.

    • mshanann on 20/12/2023 - 10:26

      I found the same with Tas. I've never seen so much native wildlife. I just hope it is not eradicated by humans from tourism and over population.

    • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 16:47

      I’ll drive slower than the speed limit, and since time is not a factor, that should be alright.

      On A3 is there moderate to heavy traffic at night times?

  • payless69 on 20/12/2023 - 11:11

    Tassie gets boring, the endless blood splashing up washes off at the next servo.
    Much prefer Canberra, them endless fence post turtles oozing with dumbness have not yet attracted the Attenborough's yet.!

    • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 16:49

      Fence keeps the animals safe too.
      Don’t want to hit anything while driving.

      • payless69 on 20/12/2023 - 20:10

        Drove there twice, 2 years apart. Looked 2nd time there was lot less kill. The ONLY genocide we made was with mosquitoes.
        Pretty place, would do it again.

  • cosmos on 20/12/2023 - 16:50

    Thanks all, for taking time to respond to my query.
    That gives me a general idea.
    I’ll see if I can update here later, on how it goes with my trip.

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