Tasmanian Cycling Experiences7 days/6 nights - West Coast
Tour overview
Tasmania is an island roughly the size of West Virginia or Switzerland, located 240 km off the south-east corner of mainland Australia. Next stop
south is Antarctica, 2000 km away.
Encircled by the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, Tasmanians breathe the world's cleanest air and rejoice in pure water and fertile soils - our wine and food are acclaimed around the world. Tasmania is a land of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. Over a third of the state is reserved in a network of National Parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge and habitat for rare plants and animals, including survivors of the ancient southern super continent, Gondwana.
Cycling on Tasmania's west coast will make you feel like you're riding with the dinosaurs through one of the last great temperate wilderness areas on Earth amidst ancient Gondwanan landscapes. Feel empowered by Tasmania's frontier country, coasting beneath majestic man ferns, up craggy mountains, around glinting glacial tarns and lakes and into the playground of the shy Tasmanian Devil.
The west coast is rugged, mountainous and completely wild, with a temperamental climate and unpredictable weather patterns, throwing down a challenge to those that wish to explore it. Well worth the effort, this constantly changing terrain is a mixture of challenging and frequent hill climbs combined with breathtaking winding downhills and stunning views. You won't forget these 7 days too soon.
Download the complete itinerary.
Day One: Arrive Hobart
At your own arrangements or airport transfers are available between 9am and 2pm should you require a pick-up and assistance checking in at the hotel.
Meet in the lobby for a tour briefing, introductions and bike preparation at 3.00pm for approximately 1 hour.
Spend the day in Hobart today, the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony, it is Australia's second oldest and eleventh largest city, with a metropolitan population of approximately 202,000. The city is the financial and administrative heart of Tasmania, and also serves as the home port for both Australian and French Antarctic operations.
Perhaps Australia's most stress-free and engaging city, Hobart has a thriving festival scene and a real sense of history. For walking, eating and
just soaking in the atmosphere it can't be bettered. Visit Salamanca Place on the waterfront of Hobart, lined with 19th century waterfront
warehouses this area once bustled with whalers, soldiers, petty bureaucrats and opportunist businessmen. Now they house cafes, restaurants and
studios and bustle with shoppers and visitors.
Overnight: Hobart (motel)
Day Two: Hobart to Hamilton
Depart your hotel this morning ready to cycle, and travel out of the city as a group. Cycle to the Cenotaph and then out of town via the purpose-
built innercity cycleway and through to New Norfolk. From here, continue cycling north through Bushy Park finishing in Hamilton for the evening.
Hamilton is an unspoilt and charming town on the highway, providing cyclists an opportunity to experience what the villages of southern Tasmania were like in the 1830s and 1840s. The appeal of Hamilton, which is a truly charming and unspoilt village, is based on its peacefulness and its outstanding range of historic accommodation built by convict sandstone. It also has an excellent fishing and aquatic area at Lake Meadowbank.
A special side trip to one of Tasmania's most loved parks for a short walk at Mt Field National Park and photogenic Russell Falls is available this
afternoon.
Cycling distance: approximately 80km
Overnight: Hamilton (cottages)
Day Three: Hamilton to Tarraleah
Continue along the main road north from Hamilton to the hydro town of Tarraleah. Cycling is on the main road linking these two towns, with Ouse
being the only town along the way. The road today heads gradually uphill as you ride through the Central Highlands district. Travelling further
inland, the landscape becomes increasingly wild as the road crosses the river where power stations harness the energy of falling water.
In the lake country a myriad of lakes, all teeming with trout, sparkle across the plateau. The scenery is peaceful and quiet with the only sounds
that of your breathing and your tyres on the road.
Cycling distance: up to 60km
Overnight: Tarraleah (cottages)
Day Four: Tarraleah to Strahan
Start cycling from Tarraleah this morning with a quite hilly beginning, heading west along the same winding highway as yesterday. Optionally you
can take a transfer to Derwent Bridge and settle into some flat cycling along the plateau from the start. Enjoy a thrilling downhill from Mt
Arrowsmith, then an undulating ride with a predominant descent to cross man-made Lake Burbury.
Continue around the lake and through to the old
mining towns of Linda and Gormanston before your last ascent of the day to the top of the hill with views overlooking Queenstown. Finish with a 6km
downhill along the 99 bends amidst the tree-less lunar landscape hills of the Queenstown.
Regroup in Queenstown and take a transfer the remaining 43km hilly kilometers to the coastal town of Strahan.
Optionally, you can take the day off cycling and board the scenic railway from Queenstown to Strahan, your guide can offer transfers to Queenstown
departing the hotel at 8.00am for a 10am train departure, arriving Strahan at 2.45pm to meet up with the group. Additional cost: $99 (valid to June 08)
and advance bookings essential.
Cycling distance: up to 85km
Overnight: Strahan (motel)
Day Five: Strahan to Cradle Mountain
Head out of Strahan this morning north along the road towards Zeehan We recommend riding into Zeehan for a rest stop and look at this historic town
at one stage Tasmania's fourth largest, before returning to the main road and then heading along the highway south towards Queenstown then on the
backroad alongside Lake Plimsoll. 
This road takes you up and over Mt Murchison, finishing with a fun downhill all the way to rejoin the highway,
then a short ride takes you to Tullah. Head into the village centre (turn left) and regroup there.
Transfer the remaining distance to Cradle Mountain. Spend some time this afternoon exploring the trails around Cradle Mountain, one of the favourite
features in the Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair National park and is surrounded by stands of native deciduous beech (wonderfully colourful in autumn),
rainforest, alpine heathlands and buttongrass. Icy streams cascade down the mountainsides, and ancient pines are reflected in the still glacial lakes.
There are plenty of walk options from 10 minutes to several hours, all offering fantastic rainforest and mountain scenes.
Cycling distance: approximately 80km (transfers from Tullah)
Overnight: Cradle Mountain (Cabins)
Day Six: Cradle Mountain to Launceston.
Start the day with a transfer out of Cradle Mountain to Deloraine. Deloraine is a charming, historically interesting and attractive town located on
the banks of the Meander River.
Your final day of cycling is a lovely relatively flat easy day amidst fields of poppies, sheep and cows, and passing through several quiet rural
towns leading into the city of Launceston. From Deloraine we follow the old highway through the towns of Exton, Hagley, Carrick and Hadspen.
Regroup in Westbury, a lovely English town full of beautiful old buildings. The old highway takes us through to Prospect, and all the way to the
door of your accommodation in Launceston tonight.
Cycling distance: approximately 80km
Overnight: Launceston (motel)
Day Seven: Tour finishes today
Free day to explore Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city with a population of just over 80,000 people.
Airport transfers available until 12.00pm. For those continuing on the journey, enjoy your trip, for those leaving, happy travels and congratulations!
Price includes:
6 nights accommodation in comfortable accommodation (twin or double share with private bathroom); 5 lunches, 6 breakfasts;
airport/hotel pick-up and drop-off; National Parks fees; maps and comprehensive trip notes; support van and guide.
Prices:
$2325 per person twin/double share (two people traveling together)
$420 additional single supplement
Above prices are in Australian dollars. Convert to your preferred currency.
Bike Hire:
We recommend you bring your own bike, although touring bikes including: 21 gear, front suspension, front handlebar bag, flat pedals
(toe clips available, or bring your own pedals and shoes) and helmet and available for hire.
Price: $150 per bike (for whole 7 days)
Departures: This tour departs on the following dates on a Friday:
2008: 11 January, 8 February, 22 February, 21 March, 18 April, 17 October, 7 November, 5 December;
2009: 9 January, 6 February, 20 March, 17 April
Tours depart from: Hobart and finish in Launceston.
Bookings: Ready to book this?
Availability: Enquire about availability of this tour.
Itinerary notes: Download the trip itinerary including all the above details here.