Tasmanian Loop Stage 1 (East)

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Launceston Arrival Day

   The tour operator recommends arriving in Launceston on the day before the tour starts as they have timed the tour to coincide with the Festivale event which is one of the great festivals showcasing the best of Tasmania’s food, drink and entertainment. You can book an extra night of accommodation through us as an optional extra.

   If you are arriving on day 1, make sure that you are at the hotel by 3:00pm when there will be an orientation briefing, followed by bike set-up with the mechanic, then a welcome dinner to meet the crew and your fellow tour-mates, ready to begin your adventure tomorrow.
   

   • Best Western Launceston
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Launceston to Barnbougle

   The beautiful timber homes alongside the Tamar River thin out as you get further away from Launceston and start the tour with a solid climb up to your morning tea stop at Lilydale Falls where the crew will have your tea, snacks and fruit set up ready for you to refuel the body as you work through the first day of cycling.

   A little bit more climbing before beginning the downhill run home. Lunch, at the 50km (31mi) mark, is at a winery and is also the end of the cycling day for anyone who wishes to partake in some wine tasting, while the non-drinkers will hop back on the bike for the last 30km (18.6mi) to your accommodation at Barnbougle Golf Resort where you will enjoy stunning views of the Lost Farm course and surrounding coastline and hinterland.

   You will enjoy a group dinner together tonight to celebrate your first day's ride.
   

   • 51 miles
   • Barnbougle Golf Resort
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Barnbougle to St Helens

   Super-keen cyclists can start today’s ride early and get out on the road to Scottsdale. If you take this option your day will be 131km (81.3mi) with some decent hills so it’s a good challenge. For the main group, you will be transferred to Scottsdale where you can begin your 100km (62.1mi) day.

   Morning tea is in the historic town of Derby where you will not only catch a glimpse of Tasmania’s early days but also the thriving atmosphere of mountain bike culture which has breathed life back into the area. More interesting stops and locations are unveiled throughout the day as you discover the Ledgerwood carved memorial trees, the popular old pub snuck away in the Weldborough Pass and your lunch stop at Pyengana Dairy Company's Holy Cow Café.

   Feel free to jump in the support vehicle if you have had enough today but if not, it’s on to the east coast town of St Helens. Tonight dinner is on your own -eat at the Bistro in your accommodation or look further afield into the township. Wherever you decide to go, the famous fresh local seafood is likely to be a common theme and popular choice.
   

   • 62.8 - 81.4 miles
   • Accommodation in St Helens
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4St Helens to Bicheno

   Now that the mountain ranges have been crossed, the effervescent sea-views are your distraction as you weave your way along the coast through to Scamander. From here you will take the more challenging high road, climbing up through St Marys to Elephant Pass where you will stop for their famous pancakes.

   From here it’s the downhill reward for your climbing as the route descends to the coastal road skirting Apsley National Park to stunning Bicheno, a marine reserve penguin rookery and where you will spend the night.
   

   • 49.7 miles
   • Accommodation in Bicheno
   • Breakfast and Dinner
5. Day 5Bicheno to Freycinet

   After breakfast, a walk along the fascinating boulder coastline is highly recommended before today's short ride which you will enjoy as you take in this stunning peninsula's landscape. You will stop off at Coles Bay where you can choose from a range of lunch options and begin to immerse yourself in Freycinet National Park - home to dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches and abundant birdlife. The National Park occupies most of the Freycinet Peninsula and looks out to the Tasman Sea from the eastern side and back towards the Tasmanian coastline from the west. In amongst all of that is your exclusive accommodation, the NRMA Freycinet Lodge, which overlooks the blue waters of Great Oyster Bay with a backdrop of the rugged Hazards mountain range -the location of your accommodation tonight is second to none.
   

   • 26.1 miles
   • NRMA Freycinet Lodge
   • Breakfast and Dinner
6. Day 6Freycinet REST DAY

   There is an abundance of things to do at Freycinet Lodge, including guest activities, nearby tours and adventurous exploration. Freycinet National Park is a mecca for bushwalking –take a short stroll, or a half-or full-day walk to discover the area’s forests, beaches, bays and mountains. The tour operator highly recommends the short trek to Wineglass Bay lookout, which is a bit of a scramble, but well worth it for one of Tasmania's most photographed views.

   For an excellent half-day trek, continue on from the Wineglass Bay lookout down to the beautiful, perfectly curved beach and back to the park entrance via the Hazards Range for amazing views of Great Oyster Bay and the coastline surrounding the sleepy seaside village of Swansea (where you cycle through tomorrow). The Hazards look their best at sunrise and sunset when the pink granite glows bright and brilliant. Another option is to take a Wineglass Bay Cruise, bookable through Freycinet Lodge reception. Cruise runs 10am -2pm daily and include lunch. This really is one of Tasmania's most extraordinary places
   

   • Freycinet Lodge
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Freycinet to Spring Bay

   Today again gives the keen cyclists an option of an early start and extended ride day. If you head off from Freycinet Lodge your total distance will be 116km (72mi). For the main group, your ride will start back at the turnoff junction to Freycinet, heading southwest through the vineyards with great views back over Oyster Bay to the Freycinet Peninsula and National Park.

   Morning tea in Swansea, a classic Tasmanian beach holiday destination and one of Tasmania’s oldest towns, before continuing along the coast, crossing interesting convict-built stone bridges, spanning creeks at the mouth of the sea. The port of Triabunna is strategically placed and protected from the wild Tasman Sea and a prime fishing area, well-known for its delicious locally caught fish, and your accommodation is just past the township at a beautiful waterfront resort with a spectacular over-water restaurant and bar.
   

   • 54.1 - 72.1 miles
   • Waterfront resort, Spring Bay
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
8. Day 8Spring Bay to Iron Creek Bay

   Inland is your direction today, cycling over the hills which will provide a good challenge and a nice change of scenery for cyclists. By morning tea, you will have nearly reached the high-point of the day’s ride, before making the way down to Richmond for lunch. This picture-perfect town in the heart of the Coal River Valley wine region tells the story of an early Australian colonial village with its pretty 19th century streets.

   After lunch, head south through Sorrell and on to a new destination for this tour – Iron Creek Bay Farmstay, a unique and beautifully designed accommodation experience enveloped by its natural surroundings.

   • 48.5 miles
   • Iron Creek Bay Farmstay
   • Breakfast and Dinner
9. Day 9Iron Creek Bay to Port Arthur

   This morning's ride is a beautiful one along the coast before crossing bridges linking the peninsulas to Port Arthur. You will arrive by lunchtime which will give you time to look around the quaint village and the well-preserved penal colony buildings at the UNECSO World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Get your bearings and settle in at the accommodation in the heart of the Port Arthur township.

   Tonight, will be a fun evening with dinner at the accommodation overlooking the Historic Site below, ready for our day of exploration tomorrow.

   • 41 miles
   • Accommodation in Port Arthur
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
10. Day 10Port Arthur REST DAY

    A two-day pass to the historic site is included in your tour so today you will start with a guided tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site followed by a ferry ride around the surrounding islands and coast. Following that, you can make the most of your remaining time to explore as you wish. Check out portarthur.org.au to plan your day.
    

    • Accommodation in Port Arthur
    • Breakfast
11. Day 11Port Arthur to Hobart

    This morning you will head out on the road again leaving the peninsula, stopping for morning tea around a series of attractions near the Eaglehawk Neck such as the Dog line, Officers Quarters Museum and the Tessellated Pavement.

    Nearing Hobart you will navigate the quieter roads and backstreets as much as possible before hitting the Hobart bike track at the Tasman Bridge which will guide you all the way to your hotel overlooking Constitution Dock in the heart of Hobart.

    Tonight you will have a celebration dinner to toast a wonderful journey from North to East to South on the spectacular Apple Isle of Tasmania.
    

    • 63.4 miles
    • Accommodation in Hobart
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
12. Day 12Hobart CHANGEOVER or DEPARTURE DAY

    If you have just booked Stage 1 then today you will say goodbye after breakfast.

    For those doing both stages, you can take it easy on your rest day or get out and explore. Ride up to the top of Mt Wellington, check out Salamanca Place or the Cascade Brewery (Australia’s oldest brewery). If you are short of ideas just search “10 best thing to do in Hobart” on the internet and you’ll have more to do than you have time for -it’s a great place!

    Note: MONA is closed on Tue and Wed, so you will have the chance to go tomorrow if you want.
    

    • Breakfast