ANXIOUS residents of the bushfire damaged Tasman Peninsula are relieved the long wait is over and they will finally find out if their homes are still standing.
Hundreds of locals were expected to travel back to the devastated communities around Dunalley on Friday after they were finally allowed through the police checkpoint on the Arthur Highway.
Carlton River resident Robyn Ransley's home survived but she was unsure whether properties she owns further south at Taranna and Saltwater River had been burnt out.
Ms Ransley, 49, was stranded on the peninsula when she tried to check on them at the height of the firestorm before escaping by boat.
She hasn't seen her children or grandchildren for a week.
"I think probably the most stressful part's been that this road's blocked," she told reporters at the police checkpoint.
"When we got stuck down there the hard thing was you run out of food, you run out of water and you had no power and you had no diesel or petrol and you had no reception for your computer or your phone.
"It was really isolated down there."
Chris Behrens, also 49, said he was feeling nervous as he headed to Murdunna, where he spends half his time.
"Hopefully (there will be) a house sitting there.
"It was all right on Saturday but they think the fire may have been coming back that way, that's why they asked us to leave."
Support services were on the ground in Dunalley and police and mental health groups were urging people to use them.
"There is a degree of anxiety," police commander Peter Edwards said.
"The health officials tell us that it's not unreasonable or unexpected that people are going to go through a whole range of emotions."
Mr Edwards said people needed to focus on what was achievable on their first trip back.
"What we're actually saying to people is, just for today, just go and make an assessment, go and have a look, take it in," he said.
"Don't start fossicking around if you really don't have to."
He said, while locals needed to be given space to grieve their losses, local businesses were also keen for visitors to return.
"There are some very significant tourism sites, particularly at Port Arthur," Mr Edwards said.
The Arthur Highway is unlikely to open to the general public until Monday.
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