3 replies to this topic

[bunduki]

I and my wife are hoping to move to somewhere in Tasmania from Brisbane within the next year. We are hoping to get at least 5 acres, hopefully with some bush and some wildlife but are not too sure where to aim for. I expect we will rent for a few months first to get a feel for the place. We had our honeymoon down there 11 years ago and fell in love with the place.

We have heard all sorts of reports about the cold, wet and windy weather down there and would love to hear some comments from those of you that live in Tassie.

Does the wind blow all the time and go right through you? Are some seasons less windy than others? Where are the windiest areas and the less windy areas?

Where are the warmest areas in Tasmania – obviously the higher areas and the more southerly areas (?) are the coldest.

What do you people that live there think about your local weather? You are all probably very biased but we would love to hear from you.

What is the medical care system like down there – plenty of doctors and specialists or not enough? That’s something I have to think about in my old age.

[Shane V]

Hi bunduki,

Welcome and thanks for the questions. I can only give you answers from where I live, hopefully others can fill in the gaps from other places.

Does the wind blow all the time and go right through you? Are some seasons less windy than others? Where are the windiest areas and the less windy areas?

Nope the wind doesn't blow all the time, but when it does it does go through you, especially in the colder months. The 'Roaring forties' hit mainly the west coast, but they are felt all over the state, in spring, mostly, so I suppose you can say that the west is the windiest. To find out more about these winds do a google search on them.

Where are the warmest areas in Tasmania – obviously the higher areas and the more southerly areas (?) are the coldest.

I would say the warmest parts of the state are in the North East corner, that's just from watching the weather. Although there are extremely hot days all over the state, above 30 deg C, at times. Definitely not Queensland weather

What do you people that live there think about your local weather?

I love the weather here on the west coast. Doesn't get too hot. I really prefer the colder temperatures, living in Queensland would just about kill me I reckon . It is much wetter here in the west, with an average of 3 metres of rain per year in some places. It is GREEN here and very relaxing. I wouldn't live anywhere else.

What is the medical care system like down there – plenty of doctors and specialists or not enough?

In the cities, Hobart and Launceston plus the larger towns, you should be able to find all the doctors you need. Not sure about specialists, I haven't needed one.

Hope this has helped a little. Hopefully others can come in and give a bit of input as well.

[Teabag]

Hi, we did a similar move to the one you are planning. We came to Tassie Xmas '97 for a holiday and also fell in love, we made our move here in May 2007.

We lived in Glenorchy for the first 7 months and hated it! But soon found the Huon Valley and knew that's where we wanted to be.

I grew up in Queensland then lived in WA for 12 years, I don't find the winter's here hard at all and definately a lot less windy than Perth! And nice to not suffer that Qld Humidity either.

Doctor's and service's seem pretty good,
keep your private health insurance though. I've moved my Mother down here from Brisbane, she is now living in a local nursing home. Her specialist visit's her there.

My disappointment's though are: lack of shopping, (variety & stock availability) but getting used to that.
Caravan Parks are pretty bad for travelling. (Cramped, not close to beaches etc.) St. Helen's Big 4 is nice though
Swimming - too cold

[tassiesim]

i guess it depends on what you are looking for ,
I sugest if possible you come down March April May time of year then you have a full range of hit days and Cold days with in between temperatures,
Coming from Brisbane then the East Coast is what will suit you to the lifestyle most accustomed to but in saying that it is still very different to Queensland way of living
As for the wind hhmm yup we are the Island in teh roaring fortys and roar it does, you do get used to it and soomn only notice the wind on the really bad days, but the good days far out way the bad,

As for the shopping no westfields or giant shopping complex's but a large supermarket in most big towns and all city's and hey lets face it with internet these days everything else is only a click away, i guess you have to weight that up with the change of lifestyle your looking for ,

Health care is similar to all over Australia these days, not enough doctors and nurses , but there if you really need them.

maybe make yourself a weather chart from the BOM to see a yearly range of temperature and wind speed and visit the places that seem the warmest to you, if you havnt been here for 11 years come have alook around at the places you like , never know might find the perfect place to buy,

I've lived in Melbourne , Sydney, Gold Coast, Hervey Bay QLD but for my Tasmania is always the place I come home to yes in winter it's cold and in Summer it's hot but this Island is still the best place to be ,
I hope you find it this way too