16/01/1997
Off on the Overland Track and plan to do many side trips.

Rob & Elynn Alliston. Three Hummock Island. 7330.

13/04/1999
To Carl & Cathy,

Just a short note to say we appreciated all your wonderful help.  If we didn't have you two we'd be lost.

Thanks a million -   from the 1st Yarronwonga Venturers.
 

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13/02/1997
I've been in Tasmania now for 3½ weeks & I've been in the Backpackers Barn maybe 20 times. Friendly people and very helpful. It's like coming home. Thanks for everything ( I sell my sleeping mat for a better price than ASD)

Have a good life.
The lazy Austrian (But I did the Overland Track)

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14/04/1992
What a wonderful shop - I feel like I am back home among the camping gear for Winter hikes! Somehow I didn't imagine this to be a part of Australia.

I look forward to seeing Tasmania and what it is that makes all travelers rave about this island.

Thank you for organizing my trip

Karen Edward Calgary, AB,

03/06/1997
Carl & Cathy,

Thank you guys for absolutely everything you've done.  All your help has been greatly appreciated more than you'll know.  It's nice to know you genuinely and sincerely care about the safety of backpackers. For your time and caring we will survive the Overland Track.  Thanks again.

Krista Perras. Humboldt, Sk.  Canada

19/06/1997
We made it and without your guys help it couldn't have been possible.  Thanks so much.

Krista.

19/09/1998
Beautiful Tasmania. The people are as beautiful as the land. Thank you one and all for your friendly nature and kindness. I feel very much at home.

Darlene Irving,  Plymouth,  Nova Scotia.

26/09/1998
As always, Tassie is "top"! The one place I feel more at "home" than at home itself!  Everything I've ever raved about Tassie is personified in wondrous ways every path I chose to take while here.

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28/12/1995
The overland track was absolutely marvelous and I think it was the best thing I've done in Australia. Thanks to the guys here I was ready for the Wilderness. Thanks a lot. Hope to come back soon!

Dusan Tyhiek CZECH REPUBLIC

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A place like this is sure the best thing a country could have. They inform the traveler on the best way to see what you have to see. The advice of taking the "Overland Track" was simply perfect. Amazing what people miss if they haven't seen "the nature"

Thanks Carl and Cathy

Thomas Varing

10/07/1994
The only mistake I made in Devonport was that I didn't stop at the Backpackers Barn FIRST.

Thanks for the bikes. I'll be back.

Arija Hansen
Copenhagen Denmark.

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19/10/1992
After spending 11 days (at this moment) in Tasmania, I'm still very pleased with it's natural beauty. Especially the rugged, rocky beaches are superb walking places, as are the gentle hills everywhere in the state. I wish I had the time & the bike to go around by bicycle. I guess I just have to come back another time. Two weeks is to short.......

Greetings

Rob Stevens - Holland

08/04/1993
Came back to Devonport today to pick up my stuff from the lockers, after 5 weeks holiday in Tassie.

And, enjoyed it ! Tassie is a beautiful bushwalkers paradise !!

The Overland Track was a great experience, and I would recommend the South West National Park too (Near Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon) where you can do many nice walks, or go to Mt Field National Park. You'll be surprised about the great variety in rainforest/bush and mountain scenery you find in the whole of Tasmania.

At Freycinet Peninsula we found some really nice beaches.

But... be ALWAYS aware of a sudden change of weather (there's a lot of talk about the weather here - just like home).

I met a lot of very friendly and helpful people in Tassie.

For example here in the Backpackers Barn!

Thank you Cathy and Carl for everything.
Might see you later, some day......
( 5 weeks were too short)

Angela (Utrecht, Holland) -  You're welcome for a cuppa when you visit Holland!

08/01/1997
Thanks for everything.  Tasmania is the best part of my travel so far with the Overland Track as a top event.

Greetings from Holland - Wil

16/06/1998
Another example of the Tasmanian hospitality, great advise + service before and after the outdoor adventures

Christian Vereyte - Netherlands

30/09/1998
Tasmania offers an incredible variety, both in nature and in weather.  nevertheless walking the Overland Track as we did is a great experience and we wouldn't have missed it. We certainly will be back here for a longer visit.

Peter : Maiylie - Netherlands

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24/06/1993
Here I am again. Remembered that they had this book here so I decided to write down a couple of lines on it. I got here 02/02/93 and thought I do the Overland Track, have a look around Hobart and piss off back to mainland after three weeks or so.

Well, it didn't quite work out like that. Got carried away with Tassies spectacular wilderness and ended up staying here for about five months and I don't regret it one bit. It's been great!!!

Did lots of bush walking including Overland Track, Mt. Field, Maria Island, Freycinet, Fortescue Bay, Mt Picton, Hartz, Adamson's Peak, Cape Raoul, Walls of Jerusalem.

Saw lots of other things/places including Port Arthur, Gordon River, Strahan, Hobart etc.

Met lots of nice people I'll never forget. Louise, Andrew, John (the Pommy), Colin, Brad etc.

Also met Jules, This lovely Tasmanian girl from Hobart with whom I've done all these great things. We're off to the mainland for a month and going to have a good time. All in all, I had a best time and I hope that some where in the future I have a chance to come back and do it all over again. Thank you Tasmania

Veli-Uitti Mentila - Helsinki Finland

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20/02/1992
This place is ideal for good information, advice weather forecast & equipment. I had a good enjoyable time in Tasmania. I did Ben Lomond, Frenchman's Gap, Walls of Jerusalem, Saint Anne & the Overland Track. So I had superb days out there in the bush where I saw magic country side, landscape & where I met a lot of nice people. Keep Tasmania the way it is & get rid of the polluting miners!!

Reiner Oft Belke-Steinbeck - Germany.

P.S. Don't Ship your wood away!!

10/03/1997
I was traveling alone until I met 6 people to share a car ( a bus for $45 a day), arranged by the Backpackers Barn. I had a lovely time in Tasmania and I'll reckon to everybody to get here. Thanks for your help

Holgen Germany

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Thanks for everything. I had a great time. Cheers to the beautiful land of Tasmania & to the beautiful people

Gadi Kaneti
Almagor ISRAEL

29/03/2001
Thanks for very important advices. They were very helpful. I'll recommend.......

Avital,  Israel.

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23/03/1992
I love Tasmania, it's relaxing here. People at Backpackers Barn are very helpful and informative. I am impressed.

Miesako Ichie

21/02/1994
Thank you for your hospitality. Backpackers Barn is very good place to collect information (of course) and to have a chat as well. ( That white Cockatoo is naughty but cute!).

Please come to visit Okayana if you have a chance. Anyway, I enjoyed travelling throughout Tasmania. Hopefully come back again. (Deloraine was one of the best places to visit)

Kazami

25/02/1994
How many times have I asked myself this question?
"Why have I decided to come here?" or "What am I doing?" I'm travelling on my own. I've no car, money....So the only way I could do was hitch hiking or walking.

I started from Hobart to Bicheno -> Swansea, Coles Bay -> Bicheno -> Cradle Mt. -> Launceston -> Devonport.... It was not very easy way. My legs, back... But here I am. I finally have done it. I'm going to West Coast next.

See you
Kayato

14/01/1997
After 12 days I have come back to the Backpackers Barn to report. I returned in one piece from the Overland Track via Cuvier Valley Track.

Achievements in 9 Days :
Five summits - Cradle Mtn, Barn Bluff, Mt. Oakleigh, Mt Ossa, The Acropolis.

Two other side tracks - The Forth River (Wolfram mines), The Labyrinth.

Despite initial anxiety of whether I could walk through the whole track at all, the major reasons for better accomplishments than ordinary walkers are :

After the fact, however, more satisfying for me is the meeting with people in the mountains - on the track, in the huts, on the summits, just everywhere. People of every Profession, including businessmen, students, navy men, track ranger, (I didn't ask every person). Those people are cordial, hospitable, informative enough to make me feel I was very fortunate to visit the Tasmanian mountains.

I bought many guidebooks and maps, historical books, and "Tassie Terms" dictionary in Launceston after the Overland Track in order to come back again to Tasmania.

Ichiro Sawada
Yokohama Japan

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I'll always remember friendly and concerned about hikers, safety approach, attitude of people from the Backpackers Barn! Thanks

Meua,  Poland
P.S. If I come back to Tas. I hope to walk the South West track again!

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29/04/1997
We're spending a wonderful time here in Tasmania. Great country- it reminds us a little bit of our country. We're meeting nice people everywhere - at bushwalking and also in cities, especially here in this shop. We recommend to everyone to do some treks in Tasmania's mountains, especially Overland and South West.

Vros Dobnikar
Matej Drobnie, Slovenia

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06/04/1995
Hi. Thanks a lot for your advice and your friendly service. We'll remember you and Tasmania and always keep you at heart. We hope to be back one day to see more of your beautiful island. Thanks

Christina and Lena
(two Swedish girls)

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20/01/1994
Not only is there a wealth of information and advice for tourists here, but a warm, friendly place to relax in until you get your bearings.

Thanks Jackie Taylor, South Africa (Durban)

18/02/1994
Just when all my holiday plans had fallen apart, you helped me put them back together ! Thanks a million

Andrew and Barry Williamson
Johannesburg South Africa.

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19/04/1993
Although I did not get the chance to do the Overland track, I still had a great two weeks in Tassie, thanks alot to Cathy's help

Ben Vogels, Zurich

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24/3/1991
Returned from the Overland Track in high spirits in full health and with films full of photos, as well as a head full of memories. Most of this was possible with the help of Carl and Cathy; their great advice and friendly help. I feel so much better off for seeing the heart and soul of Tasmania

Thanks
Richard Goodall, County Notts, England

29/05/1997

Found the above 'gem' at Donaghys Hill lookout en route through the Franklin-Gordon National Park. For me it describes Tasmania to a tee! An outstanding state with incredible amount of diverse scenery to offer. Nature at it's best.

Thanks to the Backpackers Barn for your immediate hospitality & excellent, invaluable advice.

*HOT SPOTS included*
Freycinet National Park - YHA at Coles Bay (Iluka Holiday Village)
Bruny Island - YHA at Adventure Bay (superb)
Stanley - YHA at Caravan Park (Julie & Patricks Seafood restaurant- delicious)

Vicki Simmonds & Joel Ginn     UK

08/12/1998
Thank you, for all your help and assistance it's greatly appreciated.  Cheers - the service is wonderful.

Gary & Pam, Manchester, England.

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15/02/1991
Every Town in Australia should have one! (A Backpackers Barn, not a visitors book). Maybe you could start Franchises! Great Place.

Bill McMahon - USA

16/2/1991
We'll tell everyone we meet about this place - It's Great! Word of mouth is a powerful thing.

Shellie Evans USA

11/08/1992
Dear Cathy & Carl,
Thanks for the info on treks. This is a great shop. It's better than any outdoor products store I have ever been to in America. Will give you the update on my trips. Thanks

Tim Howard - Bronx NY

20/05/1994
After two brilliant weeks in Tasmania I would like to make a recommendation.

DO NOT BUY A TRAVEL PASS

with any company. I bought one because a car was $5 more per day. A wasted saving. I have not met anyone who was satisfied with their pass ( or anyone whose met anyone who was happy with a pass)

• the busses go once a day so you have to stay overnight in a place you only wanted to be in for a few hours.
• you can't travel on Sundays or Mondays so you're trapped again in a place for longer than you want to be.
• the buses never connect, so again you have to stay overnight in places you don't want to be.

Alisa Peacock

* CATHY'S NOTE :- TALK TO 'THE BARN' STAFF BEFORE MAKING YOUR DECISION ON  PURCHASING A BUS PASS OR RENTING A CAR. WE CAN HELP YOU AVOID BEING DISAPPOINTED                   

15/02/1994
Amazing! That's all there is to say about this place. Some advice : do anything you can to rent a car! You miss so much otherwise (i.e. - the bus) The Tassie Pass is alright if you have heaps of time & patience. Otherwise, rent a car, bike, a wagon, roller blades - anything. Just get mobile.

The best advice : Listen to Carl & Cathy! They know what they're talking about! Ask lots of questions & listen closely to all answers! And make sure you get plenty of sleep - there's heaps to do, make sure you're ready.

It was wonderful. Thanks for all of your help - much appreciated. More advice - if you're looking for another adventure, go to Colorado USA. Carl can tell you all about it too!!

Pam Evans - Colorado USA

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