I still remember Bob Vowles in the Ansett F27 circling over the Aero Commander that ditched in the Straight, watching helplessly as the poor chap drowned. The Bass Straight is not for the faint hearted and there is no way I would go direct in a single.
A little like NVMC. I have avoided that like the plague too. Even IFR in a single is a risk unless you have a cloud base above the LSA.
Don't roll the dice with auntie aviation, she can bite and rarely shows any mercy.