13 Day Entire Island Tour Tasmania

Tasmania is the cycle isle. Our east and west coasts are vastly different, and if you've got a spare two weeks, then go no further, this is the best find of your life. To ride around the entire island state of Tasmania is an achievement most people will never ever attain. It can be tough on the west, but the uphills have the one thing that easy flat riding doesn't - downhills!

Start and finish in Launceston, cruise down the east coast getting warmed up. Have a recovery day in Hobart to stretch the legs and undertake some retail therapy or enjoy an activity other than cycling. Then head up the west coast since you're legs are in the zone, and extend your limits with 6 days on the bike in some of the most amazing scenery on earth.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Launceston

Airport transfers are available between 12pm and 5pm today should you require a pick-up and assistance checking in at the hotel. Meet in the lobby for a tour briefing, introductions and bike fitting at 6.00pm for approximately 1 hour, then dinner together in Launceston to meet the group. Spend the day in Launceston today, like most Tasmanian towns it is easy to explore and nature is right nearby; Launceston Gorge, with its Victorian parklands, complete with peacocks, has steep, rugged cliffs and wild areas that attract climbers. It is within easy walking distance of the city centre. The city is compact and its pretty, colourful Victorian and Edwardian homes line the hillsides along the river banks. With a population of around 68,000 the city has a strong sense of identity, and has one of the best regional galleries in Australia – the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk, along with art and craft galleries and quality restaurants.

Overnight: Launceston

Day 2: Launceston to St Helens

Depart your hotel this morning ready to cycle, and travel out of the city as a group. Cycle 23km through to Relbia amidst farming land and a newly developed wine region, then head to Evandale for a morning coffee and break. A classified historic town, many of Evandale’s buildings remain largely in original condition. It is famous for a popular Sunday market, and as host to the annual World Penny Farthing bicycle Championships. From Evandale continue 30km south along a quiet backroad to Nile and through to Conara. Take a van transfer the remainder of the trail to St Marys and cycle into St Helens and your accommodation for the evening. Later this afternoon, take an optional detour trip to explore the Bay of Fires Conservation Area and enjoy a stretch of the legs on the beach.

Total distance: 175km (cycling 72km or 107km; transfer 67km or 102km)
Distances breakdown: Launceston to Conara 72km, Conara to St Marys 67km, St Marys to St Helens 35km
Overnight: St Helens
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 3: St Helens to Bicheno

Either start today’s ride from St Helens and travel along the coast to Bicheno. Or take a transfer to St Mary’s and begin the day by enjoying a spectacular downhill ride along the Elephant Pass to the coast. Hug the coast south to the fishing village of Bicheno. This is the flattest riding of the entire trip, so enjoy the leisurely day, with views most of the day over the Tasman Sea as you pedal along the stunning coastline dotted with pristine white sandy beaches. End the day at Bicheno, a small seaside town, primarily a fishing port and a beach resort.

Total distance: 75km (cycling distance 75km, no transfers unless required)
Overnight: Bicheno
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Bicheno to Swansea via Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park

An easy cycling day today with a gently undulating 40km ride to Coles Bay from Bicheno along the Freycinet Peninsula road. Regroup in Coles Bay and enjoy stretching your legs on a group walk to famed Wineglass Bay, voted by several travel authorities as one of the world's ten best beaches. Freycinet National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks, founded in 1916, and it features stunning red and pink granite formations and a series of jagged granite peaks in a line, called "The Hazards." Spend the afternoon enjoying the park, then transfer to your accommodation in Swansea this evening.

Total distance: 63km or 95km plus 3-4 hour hike.
Distances breakdown: Bicheno to Coles Bay 37km, Coles Bay to Swansea via river crossing 26km cycling OR Coles Bay to Swansea via highway 58km transfer.
Overnight: Swansea
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Swansea to Hobart via Port Arthur

The town of Swansea is located in the centre of Tasmania's east coast, on the northwest shore of Great Oyster Bay and overlooking Freycinet National Park. From here you will cycle 60km south along the coastline to another coastal town called Triabunna. Regroup here and transfer to Port Arthur for some time exploring the historic site this afternoon. Finish the day with a transfer from Port Arthur to Hobart via Richmond if time permits.

Total distance: 236km (cycling 57km or 103km, transfers 159km or 133km.)
Distances breakdown: Swansea Orford 57km, Orford to Dunalley via Buckland and Marion Bay 46km, Dunalley to Port Arthur 38km, Port Arthur to Hobart 95km
Overnight: Hobart
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Hobart and surrounds

Cycle alongside the River Derwent today through Taroona and up Bonnet Hill to Kingston then Margate. From here head to the summit of Mt Wellington via Neika and Fern Tree – a rather challenging ascent for those that are keen. The rest of the group will take the van transfer to the summit, and meet you there! Hobart’s icon Mt Wellington stands at 1270m and overlooks the entire southern area of Tasmania. Ride the bikes back down to sea level on the easiest 21km of cycling you’ll ever do!

Total distance: 80km cycling (transfers optional)
Distances breakdown: Hobart to Kingston Beach 17km, Kingston to Margate 11km, Margate to Longley 10km, Longley to Fern Tree 9km, Fern Tree to Mt Wellington summit 12km, Mt Wellington summit to Hobart waterfront 21km. We will offer a farewell dinner tonight in one of Hobart’s fine restaurants to sample some local produce, and debrief after a fantastic cycle tour of Tasmania’s East Coast.
Overnight: Hobart
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Rest day in Hobart

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
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: 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 inner city cycle way and then along the old highway through to New Norfolk. From here, continue cycling north through Bushy Park finishing in Mt Field for afternoon tea. Those arriving early are encouraged to walk the short distance to Russell Falls, a popular attraction in the park. Transfer once everyone has arrived and rested to your overnight town of Hamilton. 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.

Total distance: 78km cycling, 40km transfers
Distances breakdown: Hobart to New Norfolk 40km, New Norfolk to Bushy Park 18km, Bushy Park to National Park 20km, National Park to Hamilton 40km.
Overnight: Hamilton
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 9: Hamilton to Strahan

Continue along the main road north from Hamilton to the hydro town of Tarraleah, a distance of 55km. 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. Transfer (blue dashed line) further to Lake St Clair for some time to stretch your legs at Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. From here, either continue in the support van, or get back on your bike to ride the flat then downhill section to Lake Burbury, a distance of 74km (red line). Enjoy a thrilling downhill from Mt Arrowsmith, then an undulating ride with a predominant descent to cross man-made Lake Burbury. Meet at the picnic ground for afternoon tea, then transfer to Strahan.

Total distance: 53km cycling, 184km transfers
Distances breakdown: Hamilton to Tarraleah 53km, Tarraleah to Lake St Clair 47km, Lake St Clair to Lake Burbury 74km, Lake Burbury to Queenstown 20km, Queenstown to Strahan 43km.
Overnight: Strahan
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Strahan to Cradle Mountain

Head out of Strahan this morning north along the road towards Zeehan, a distance of 45km. 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 back road alongside Lake Plimsoll. This road takes you up and over Mt Murchison alongside the Anthony River, finishing with a fun downhill all the way to rejoin the highway, and then a short ride takes you to Tullah. Head into the village centre (turn left) and regroup there. The 70km ride option has a transfer between Zeehan and the Anthony River, for participants to ride the start and finish of the day. Advanced cyclists may choose not to take this transfer and ride the whole distance to Tullah (112km). Everyone will transfer the remaining distance from Tullah 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.

Total distance: 70km cycling, 102km transfers
Distances breakdown: Strahan to Zeehan 45km, Zeehan to Anthony River 42km, Anthony River to Tullah 25km, Tullah to Cradle Mt 60km.
Overnight: Cradle Mountain
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 11: Cradle Mountain to Deloraine

The ride to Deloraine takes cyclists from the World Heritage area at Cradle Mountain in its alpine environment, then dropping altitude the road leads into the lush farming land around Deloraine. Cycle out of the hotel at Cradle Mountain and turn right to head east along the highway. At Moina, a very steep downhill plunge 6km to a bridge crossing over the Forth River with views to the Cethana Dam, stop here for a photo and try to spot some Platypus in the dark tannin stained waters. Immediately over the bridge is steep 5km uphill to climb back out of the gorge to the junction. A right hand turn following a minor road leads you 17km to Liena, (more a couple of houses than an actual town) and a further 26km to Mole Creek passing a huge cave system along the way. 23km away is Deloraine, and your overnight accommodation. Deloraine is a charming, historically interesting and attractive town located on the banks of the Meander River.

Total distance: 85km cycling, 23km transfers
Distances breakdown: Cradle Mountain to Forth River Bridge 37km, Forth River to Liena 22km, Liena to Mole Creek 26km, Mole Creek to Deloraine 23km.
Overnight: Deloraine
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 12: Deloraine to Launceston

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. Enjoy a final dinner together tonight in one of Launceston’s fantastic restaurants on the waterfront.

Total distance: 51km cycling, no transfers unless required
Distances breakdown: Deloraine to Hagley 22km, Hagley to Hadspen 16km, Hadspen to Launceston 13km
Overnight: Launceston
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: Departure day

Airport transfers available until 12.00pm (noon). For those continuing on the journey, enjoy your trip, for those leaving, happy travels and congratulations! Meals: breakfast

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