Tasmania's East Coast Self Guided Cycle

Today you will start your tour in the historic city of Launceston, where you will be met at our office at 8.30am for your briefing to check that you have the correct bike size, have a short briefing and a demonstration of your hire gear. You will be transferred to Scottsdale via the picturesque countryside and forests of North East Tasmania. From here you saddle up and embark upon the first stage of your journey, travelling through beautiful agricultural heartlands before choosing to either stay on the Tasman Highway or get onto the 'rail trail'. The well maintained rail trail is for the more adventurous, taking you off road through extensive forested scenery before joining up again with the main road just outside of Branxholm. Your destination for the night is Derby, Tasmania’s premium mountain biking destination where a once dying tin mining town was transformed into a hub for adventurers looking to wind their bikes through an amazing array of single track, sloping through rainforest and past waterfalls. Visit the hub for some of Tassie's best woodfired pizzas and dark ales perfectly suited for the cooler environment. You can also choose to unwind and visit the famous floating sauna where you can heat up and cool down in Australia’s only wood fired floating sauna before jumping in the icy cold Derby lake. Cycle distance: 33km Estimated cycle times: Via Rail Trail 3 hrs | Via Tasman Hwy 2 hrs 30 mins

Meals:  Nil

Starting the day with a continental breakfast provided by your hosts, you once more jump aboard your trusty steel horse and head off towards the East Coast through spectacularly lush and fertile valleys and rainforests before reaching the first recommended side trip of the day, the magical Weldborough Pass; an easy and informative stroll through remnant Gondwanan rainforest. Next continue up the hill before cresting the ridge line and taking in your first glimpse of the East Coast. Enjoy an exhilarating descent to the flats of the Pyengana Valley. Here you can stop at the famous Pyengana cheese factory and enjoy a delicious ice cream whilst watching the happy cows being milked. A great option is to continue along the C428 to one of Tassie’s great short walks: St Columbus Falls which is Tasmania’s highest waterfall. Getting back onto the Tasman highway the vegetation starts to change and you will continue to see tantalising glimpses of the ocean. Passing below the Blue Tier you cycle through Goshen before starting the gentle descent to the East Coast's game fishing capital St Helens. Tonight you will be staying at Kellraine Units. You can choose from the town’s range of restaurants and cafes where you can sample some of the sumptuous local seafood. Cycle distance: 69km Estimated cycle times: 5 hrs plus side trips

Meals:  B

Set out today with the sun on your back and the wind in your hair. The cycling today is relatively easy as you follow the glorious coastline, stopping at your leisure at the numerous little bays and uncrowded, wide sandy beaches for which the area is renowned. Passing through the seaside town of Scamander you will likely see locals fishing for bream from the bridge and you can stop for a drink or just to take in the serenity. Past Scamander is Henderson’s lagoon, a treat for bird watchers and with over seven kilometres of well marked trails. Further down the coast you can visit the sensationally situated Iron House Brewery where you can enjoy a light lunch and tastings of different beers made with local spring water. Moving on you pass through the Chain of Lagoons before choosing whether to take the unsealed Rosedale Road to visit the magnificent waterhole at Douglas Apsley National Park, or continuing on along the coast road for the final 3km of the day's ride to arrive at Bicheno by the Bay, your accommodation for the evening. Cycle distance: 77km Estimated cycle times: 4 hrs 15 mins **Note: the road out of St Helens, at times, has no shoulder. You should wear bright clothing, follow the road rules at all times and ride single file.

Meals:  Nil

Today provides a change of pace with only a short ride along the coast before reaching Coles Bay, gateway to the world famous Freycinet National Park home of the incomparable Wineglass bay. Here you have the option of enjoying some of the extensive array of beautiful walks the park has to offer, taking it easy on the beach or enjoying a kayaking session on the crystal clear waters of Oyster Bay with the multi award winning Freycinet Adventures kayak company. After a day in the National Park you can relax in your accommodation at the Iluka Holiday Park or take a short stroll down to the Coles Bay pub for your evening meal. You could also visit Tombolo gourmet pizza restaurant, or even take some cheese and olives down to the beach for a peaceful and scenic waterfront dinner. Cycle Distance: 43km Estimated cycle times: 3 hrs Walking times: From 45 mins to all day We can book an extra night in Coles Bay to allow you more time to explore Freycinet. A supplement applies. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like an extra night in Coles Bay.

Meals:  Nil

Feeling refreshed you will re-ride the Coles Bay Road before turning south again on the Tasman Highway. This morning you pass through premier wine growing country where you can stop at a number of vineyards to enjoy tastings or a well deserved coffee. From Devils Corner Vineyard you have a short and steep incline to the peak of Cherry Tree Hill – this route provides spectacular views back towards the magnificent pink granite peaks of the Hazards range and Great Oyster Bay. From here the route turns inland, undulating through eucalypt forest then descending again through a variety of rural landscapes and coastal panoramas. At approximately the 33km mark – after your decent from Cherry Tree Hill – you come to Glen Gala Road on the left. This peaceful country road takes you on a short detour over Swan River, bringing you out again to the Tasman Highway at Gala Estate Vineyard. Tonight your lodging will be close to the water at the Swansea Holiday Park. Cycle distance: 57km Estimated cycle times: 3-4 hrs

Meals:  Nil

Having reached the halfway point of your cycle adventure today you are treated to one of the most spectacular sections of the Tasman Highway. You will be rewarded with view after stunning view of our unspoilt coastline. Ample opportunities exist for stopping at the numerous sandy beaches and sheltered rocky coves that are dotted along the coast. Look out for the famous ‘Spiky Bridge’, one of many remnants of Tasmania’s convict past. Passing through quaint rural hamlets as you approach Swanport the scenery changes again to picturesque country fields and gentle rolling hills. Looking south-east as you approach Triabunna you may catch glimpses of the silhouette of the renowned National Park of Maria Island. Your accommodation for the next 2 nights is in the small town of Triabunna. Make sure you visit the local IGA to get some lunch to pack for Maria Island tomorrow. Cycle distance: 51km Estimated cycle times: 2 hrs 45 mins

Meals:  Nil

Pack your panniers for a day trip to Maria Island, do not forget lunch and snacks as there are no options for buying food once you disembark the ferry. You will be booked on a 8.30am ferry from the Wharf at Triabunna, try to arrive 20 minutes early to check in and get you ticket printed. You will have the choice today to take your bike with your or leave it at your accommodation and set off on foot. If you are keen to do some more cycling you have the opportunity to ride the 22km of well defined trails plus some of the circuit routes across the Island. Or you can choose from one of the many walks the National Park has to offer including the astounding Painted Cliffs or the sublime peak of Bishop and Clerk. The history of Maria Island is fascinatingly diverse and hours can easily be spent simply wandering through the ruins and restored buildings of Darlington learning of their past. Wander and explore to your hearts content, just be back in time for your ferry off the island at 4.15pm. Cycle distance: Your choice Walking time: 1.5 hrs to 7 hrs

Meals:  Nil

Enjoy a lay in on your final morning, or treat yourself to some coffee and cake at the local café. Your vehicle transfer will meet you at your hotel at 10am to take you to Hobart. During your time in Hobart consider a visit to Mt Wellington for sensational views or a rainforest amble – alpine wilderness only half an hour from the bustle of Hobart's CBD. Alternatively you can opt for a cultural infusion and visit the internationally renowned MONA (Museum of Old & New Art). You can take the MONA Ferry from Brooke Street Pier, which takes you to MONA up the Derwent River with spectacular views of beautiful Hobart backed by the grand dolerite spires of Mt Wellington – a great way to get your bearings of the city. The peaceful Botanical Gardens are just a short walk from Hobart city centre... Or just relax by the waterfront at Salamanca Place with a well deserved drink, congratulate yourself on all you have achieved over the week, and watch the afternoon pass by! Option to transfer back to Launceston instead of Hobart at no extra charge.

Meals:  Nil