Grade: Moderate to Advanced
Distance: 328 to 441km
Terrain: Sealed roads

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 worlds 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 Tasmanias east coast is one of Australias truly spectacular coastal journeys. On this extraordinary cycle tour, youll coast along peninsulas with pristine white beaches, pass quaint colonial villages and challenge your perspective. See pristine, sandy beaches, breathtaking ocean views, relict rainforest, fossil-filled cliffs, azure waters, pink granite peaks and famous national parks. Savour superb food and delicious wines along the way to tempt any gourmet.

Completely different from the rugged mountainous west coast, the east is blessed with a calmer, mild climate with ever-changing terrain and scenery. This East Coast cycling tour takes you through a temperate natural paradise nearly 300km from north to south.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Launceston at your own arrangements.
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 riverbanks. 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.

Accommodation: Penny Royal Motel and Apartments
Meals: dinner

Day 2: Launceston to St Helens
Distance: 175km (cycling 53km or 88km; transfer 122km or 87km)
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 Mary’s 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.

Accommodation: Tidal Waters Resort
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 3: St Helens to Bicheno
Distance: 75km (cycling distance 75km, no transfers unless required)
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.
Accommodation: Meredith House
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Bicheno to Swansea via Coles Bay and Freycinet national park.
Total distance: 63km cycling (58km transfer optional) plus 3-4 hour hike.
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 worlds 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.
Accommodation: Meredith House
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Swansea to Hobart via Port Arthur
Total distance: 236km (cycling 57km or 103km, transfers 159km or 133km.)
The town of Swansea is located in the centre of Tasmanias 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.
Accommodation: The old woolstore apartments
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Hobart and surrounds.
Total distance: 80km cycling (transfers optional)
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! A farewell dinner for all is offered 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.
Accommodation: The Old Woolstore Apartments
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Tour finishes today
The last day is a free day to explore Hobart; Tasmania’s cosmopolitan capital city with a population of just over 200,000 people. 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

Accommodation

Penny Royal Motel and Apartments
Penny Royal exudes on olde worlde charm with modern conveniences. It is a 3½ star heritage property with modern facilities located just 5 minutes walk to Launceston CBD, famous Cataract Gorge and the Old Launceston Seaport Restaurants

Tidal Waters Resort
Tidal Waters Resort St Helens, surrounded by three hectares of scenic lagoons and gardens, boasts the definitive Tasmanian East Coast waterfront setting. The resort features 60 elegant guest rooms on two floors, each with ensuite bathroom and private balcony highlighting exquisite garden or water views. Our King Spa rooms overlook Georges Bay and offer the added luxury of your own private spa.

Meredith House
Meredith House is a Heritage Tasmania and National Trust classified home built in 1853, furnished with handcrafted red cedar furniture and family antiques, which has provided accommodation for over 100 years. It is situated on a hill in the centre of a historic seaside town, overlooking the Freycinet Peninsula and Great Oyster Bay.

The Old Woolstore Apartments

Hobarts Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel was recognised nationally at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in February 2009, winning Best Deluxe Accommodation. This highly coveted award acknowledges excellence in 4 to 4.5 star accommodation category Australia wide.

Price

$2495 per person twin share + $680 single supplement

Price includes:

• 6 nights accommodation in 3.5 – 4 star rated accommodation houses
• 6 breakfasts
• 5 lunches
• 2 dinners
• Tour leader
• Support van and custom built luggage and bike trailer
• National Parks Fees
• Comprehensive trip notes and maps

Price excludes:

• International and domestic flights and/or airport taxes
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses, (drinks, phone calls, medical related costs)

Some evening meals

More Information

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