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Cycle Tasmania’s East Coast

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Cycle Tasmania’s East Coast

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Description

Take your local ride into a higher gear with this bike-powered adventure along Tasmania’s East Coast, from Launceston to Hobart. Days will be filled with revitalising rides through beautiful surrounds and memorable landscapes, and dropping into local producers for a taste of Tasmania’s celebrated harvest. The scent of lavender fills the area near Scottsdale, fresh seafood fills the plate in St Helens and Bicheno, and crisp, fresh air will fill your lungs as you cycle to country towns, along the coast, and to Freycinet National Park where clear waters lap secluded shores. This cycling adventure is the perfect way to get out of town and explore all that Tasmania has to offer.

Trip Name
Cycle Tasmania's East Coast
Last Updated
2021-10-06
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Get outside and reconnect with nature and your body as you discover the ultimate way to experience the East Coast of Tasmania – cycling through pristine, unspoilt beauty and the slow pace of Apple Isle life.
  • Spend two nights in peaceful Coles Bay, gateway to the iconic Freycinet National Park. Sit back and relax after your days of cycling, or explore the surrounding wilderness.
  • Experience the many contrasts Tasmania has to offer, from the cosmopolitan cities of Launceston and Hobart to the stunning coastal scenery beside the Tasman Sea.
  • Get a real taste of Tasmania as you visit local producers, wineries, oyster farms, lavender farms and wildlife sanctuaries along the way.
  • Enjoy and optional hike to Wineglass Bay, consistently rated as one of the ten best beaches in the world.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Launceston
Welcome to your Intrepid Cycling adventure in the beautiful surrounds of Tasmania. Your trip starts today in Launceston. There will be a Welcome Meeting at 6 pm this evening as you meet with your leader and fellow travellers for a brief run-down of the days ahead. If you arrive early, there are a heap of things to do in Tasmania’s second city. You could cruise along the placid Tamar River and through spectacular Cataract Gorge, get a taste of Tasmania at a famous nearby winery or brewery, or explore colonial history at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery. This evening, choose to get to know your new riding team better with an optional group dinner out on the town.
Day 2 - Scottsdale
Today is a good introduction to riding in Tasmania as you will avoid most of the hills and save your legs for later in the trip. Transfer by vehicle out of Launceston to Scottsdale, before enjoying your first bike ride through tall forest and tree fern-lined embankments, along the gentle undulations and smooth gravel of the North East Tasmania Rail Trail. You’ll cycle all the way to the former station of Tulendeena – at the trail’s highest point you can look out to Bass Strait and on clear days see the mountain peaks on Flinders Island – before returning to Scottsdale for the evening. Surrounded by green fields and forest-covered mountains, Scottsdale is a key hub of agriculture and forestry and hosts a number of attractive turn-of-the-century heritage buildings. Later today you’ll visit a nearby lavender farm, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. While at its most spectacular during the lavender bloom in December and January, it’s ornamental gardens, manicured fields and native bushland against a Mount Arthur backdrop are beautiful all year round.
Day 3 - St Helens
Today you have two cycling options, depending on how fit you are feeling. It’s your choice of a 43- or 73-kilometre ride. After breakfast, to avoid busy roads (and a big hill!), transfer by vehicle to your chosen starts at nearby Branxholm (longer option) or the shorter and flatter Weldborough option. From Weldborough there’s an initial uphill section followed by an enjoyable long descent towards the east coast, passing through forest reserves and rolling farmland to arrive into tonight’s final destination of St Helens. Just south of the beautiful Bay of Fires and nestled in sweeping Georges Bay, laid back St Helens is Tasmania’s second largest fishing port. That means there’s no shortage of fresh seafood to taste at the local eateries, or even directly from a local fisherman. If you’re still feeling energetic, why not ride out via the St Helens Point Conservation Area to Beer Barrel Beach and look over the sprawling Peron Dunes and the seemingly endless beaches nearby.
Day 4 - Bicheno
Today follow the relatively flat (by Tassie standards at least!) coastal road south, past the delightful coastal town of Scamander and Chain of Lagoons. With the Tasman Sea and wide sandy beaches on your left and the rolling hills and forest of the Douglas-Aspley National Park on your right, the views are as spectacular as they are diverse. Again you have the option to ride the full length of the ride (75 kilometres) or opt for the shorter 45 kilometre option and make use of our support vehicle – either way the views are amazing as you make your way to Bicheno. This is a split personality town – part thriving fishing port, part popular beachside holiday town. While we love the beaches and the endless ocean views, it’s the seafood that bring us back – especially the world-class oysters. It’s not exactly your typical post-ride meal, but it’s definitely worth it. If you have time (and energy) there is plenty to do here – why not get close to fairy penguins at dusk or take a walk out to the Bicheno Blowhole and nearby Rocking Rock. If you’re feeling more energetic try the short walk up to Whalers Lookout Scenic reserve for wonderful views of Bicheno and the ocean, especially at sunset.
Day 5 - Coles Bay
Today enjoy a shorter, easier but no less spectacular ride as you head partly inland through green farmland and the gentle wetlands of the Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve – home to over 8000 black swans – and on to Coles Bay, gateway to the iconic Freycinet National Park. Set between the blue waters of Great Oyster Bay and the craggy Hazards mountain range, this small but thriving town is a perfect place to sit back, relax, and recharge your battery after a few days on the road.
Day 6 - Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay
Today you’ve got the choice to relax in town or swap your cycling shoes for hiking boots (normal shoes will suffice), head into Freycinet National Park and go by foot on any of the many walking trails that surround the area. If your legs are up for it, it’s definitely recommended getting out to the famous Wineglass Bay lookout, or even the beach itself. Consistently rated as one of the ten best beaches in the world, the views over the green hills, white sand and multi-blue water are what postcards and screensavers are made of.
Day 7 - Triabunna
After starting with a vehicle powered transfer to the hilltop town of Apslawn (approximately 30 minutes), choose your ride length as you leave Freycinet behind. Head further south along the coast south to the scenic port-side town of Triabunna, which sits at the northern tip of Spring Bay. Sheltered by the nearby Maria Island – once a harsh convict colony but now an idyllic National Park – Spring Bay is known for producing some of the best mussels in the world. Like with the oysters, it’s really recommended to give them a try (maybe with a nice wine from the nearby Darlington Vineyard). You can also get a deeper appreciation of the area's rich Aboriginal history at the local information centre.
Day 8 - Hobart
Today is your last day on the bike, and it’s a mostly hilly one. Leave the coast behind and head to Tasmania’s charming yet cosmopolitan capital of Hobart. Once again the route has options for longer or easier rides and takes you through historic Richmond and the Coal River Valley, before getting back in the vehicle for the drive into Hobart (approximately 1 hour). The rest of the day is free for you to explore the capital, and maybe choose to enjoy a final night’s dinner with your new cycling friends and reflect on the last week’s cycling experience.
Day 9 - Hobart
Your East Coast cycling adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are free to leave after checkout.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
16-10-202124-10-2021AUD $ 4,604-

Accommodation

Hotel/Guesthouse (8 nights)

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike available,subject to availability),support vehicle

Map

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