2021 Circumnavigate Tasmania
Satisfy your lifelong dream for cycling around Tasmania
Coastal rides, climbing mountains, gravel expeditions
Wineries to breweries, traditional bakeries to modern cuisine, Tasmania is the place to explore.
13 days
Hobart, Tasmania
Popular
Tour Departs
Hobart, Tasmania, March 13, 2021
Tour Finishes
Hobart, Tasmania, March 25, 2021
Tour Style
Group Size: 15 guests – 3 staff
Rides: Sealed roads, some bikeways – an option to take a gravel detour on some days
Challenge Rating: Some hills – Adventure /Backroads
Accommodation: 3 to 4 star hotels, twin share, optional single supplement when booking
Trip Suitability
Social Riding and Leisure: We understand that your cycling holiday is a HOLIDAY! We understand that you don’t normally ride everyday at home. Our ride routes cherry-pick the best areas.
Experienced Riders: Your cycling holiday is all actually about the bike! Our epic and challenge ride options seek more vertical metres and longer miles.
Meals Included
Buffet breakfast every day, 6 dinners and 2 lunches
Tour Inclusions
- Professional and experienced cycling guides
- 12 nights accommodation in the stunning Tasmania
- Travel in air-conditioned vehicles
- Transfers from designated collection and drop-off locations
- All meals (as listed on itineraries)
- Mechanical assistance with your bike
- Ride nutrition (including drinking water, sport powders and bars / muffins and fruit)
- Tour ride jersey and bib-shorts
- Ride files and detailed tour itinerary
- Entry fees (as listed on itineraries)
Why we Love this Tour
- Travelling in a small group of cyclists on carefully designed ride routes that maximise your safety, enjoyment and challenge
- Mechanical and vehicle support for peace of mind
- Fully guided and supported rides
- Winery and Brewery Tours
- Cycle through World Heritage Wilderness
- Magnificent Coastlines and fascinating historic villages
Pricing
Price: AUD $5400 (twin share)
Single Supplement: AUD $1300
Note: All trip costs are per person, not including airfare and based on two persons per room. If travelling alone we will match you with a person to share. Alternatively, you may choose to have a room of your own by paying the single supplement.
Note: It is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have Travel Insurance for your trip.
Cycle through World Heritage Wilderness, Magnificent Coastlines and fascinating historic villages
Tasmania is ready for us to discover and a rich history to understand. Many tourists plan their trip to Tasmania for a weekend, maybe for four days, expecting that they’ll whip around the island and see the sights. I may have fallen foul to this belief on my first trip, I barely made it out of Hobart! We’ve connected with our local Tasmania crew and captured some of their favourite rides to create an itinerary that incorporates many of the great locations in Tasmania, as well as great fun in making our way around the Island.
Each region offers a different landscape, as too can be the weather. Subject to the roaring forties, the West Coast is wet, often. But over the summer months, the wet weather is drawn farther south and more clear days are available. Locations like Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Wineglass Bay, Bay of Fires are just a few of the places we’ll visit on our Discover Tasmania trips.
From wineries to breweries, traditional bakeries to modern cuisine, all using the freshest local ingredients, Tasmania is the place to explore.
Coastal rides, climbing mountains, gravel expeditions make our ride routes varied and interesting. Satisfy your lifelong dream for cycling around Tasmania, knowing you have the full support of our professional cycling guides and ride support.
Not all of us have two weeks to ride our bikes! So we have an easier front-end of the trip from Hobart to Launceston or the more challenging back-end from Launceston to Hobart. All three trips include a Mt Wellington summit ride and a visit to the Cascade Brewery.
Circumnavigate Tasmania – Daily Itinerary
Arrive Hobart, vibrant harbour city with rich history and cutting edge new-ness
Saturday, 13 March 2021
Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome drinks
Arrive today in the Apple Isle, one of Australia’s great destinations for both those relocating and those looking for an amazing tourist destination. In recent years, house prices in Hobart have soared reflecting the livability of the capital city. The city’s vibrancy is attributed by its many layers – the Salamanca markets, the arrival of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, the last port before Antarctic expeditions and the unmistakable philanthropic (as well as) cutting edge impressions that local David Walsh has created.
As flights from mainland Australia vary guests are free to arrive in Hobart during the day and make your way to our hotel. You’re conveniently located close to the wonderful harbour precinct with its many restaurants, rich history and great pubs. Your guides will be on hand to help with check-in, prepare your bike ready to roll and go over the trip ahead.
As flights from mainland Australia vary guests are free to arrive in Hobart during the day and make your way to our hotel. You’re conveniently located close to the wonderful harbour precinct with its many restaurants, rich history and great pubs. Your guides will be on hand to help with check-in, prepare your bike ready to roll and go over the trip ahead.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Arrive, Hobart
- Hobart Harbour
- Welcome Dinner
NO RIDE TODAY
Our staff will help you assemble your bike before setting off on our short afternoon ride where we can see a few sights, ponder our ascent of Mt Wellington (for another day) and test our bikes are in working order.
Richmond, Coal River Valley, River Derwent and MONA
Sunday, 14 March 2021
Hobart, Tasmania
Breakfast, Welcome Dinner
Our trip officially starts today at 9 am from our hotel. We explore the greater Hobart region today, our first challenge comes crossing the River Derwent. Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia. Although it’s centre is on the western side of the River Derwent, the original penal colony and defensive outpost was established on the eastern side. However, prior to Europeans, the Palawa people occupied the isolated island for more than 30,000 years. Within 50 years of European settlement, just 47 Palawa’s had survived the violence and disease, and within the next 50 years all pure descendents had succumbed.
Those Palawa people who had survived often were put to work with convicts to build key infrastructure for development. An example of colonial Australia is on display in Richmond, our main stop today. We can set on the banks of the Coal River under the main attraction, the Richmond Bridge. A short distance away is the Richmond Gaol and the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The Ice Creamery, cheese shop and lolly shop are also a must-visit.
Our ride finishes at MONA today, where we can explore the museum - curators took the opportunity of COVID to redesign several aspects. This is the most unique gallery I have personally ever visited. David Walsh’s creation is an international hit, and is most noted for its central themes around sex and death.
Tonight, enjoy our welcome dinner, sampling some of Tasmania’s finest food, including beer and wine.
Those Palawa people who had survived often were put to work with convicts to build key infrastructure for development. An example of colonial Australia is on display in Richmond, our main stop today. We can set on the banks of the Coal River under the main attraction, the Richmond Bridge. A short distance away is the Richmond Gaol and the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The Ice Creamery, cheese shop and lolly shop are also a must-visit.
Our ride finishes at MONA today, where we can explore the museum - curators took the opportunity of COVID to redesign several aspects. This is the most unique gallery I have personally ever visited. David Walsh’s creation is an international hit, and is most noted for its central themes around sex and death.
Tonight, enjoy our welcome dinner, sampling some of Tasmania’s finest food, including beer and wine.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Tasman Bridge
- Richmond Bridge
- MONA
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride today takes us over the Tasman Bridge, which was at the centre of one of Hobart’s greatest tragedies – it collapsing after a bulk ore carrier collided with a pylon. New safety measures are in place and a dedicated cycleway will help guide our safe crossing. After crossing the Derwent, we head into the Coal River Valley to Richmond. Our return journey crosses the Derwent much further upstream and soon after finishing at MONA. This will give us the afternoon to explore MONA before catching the ferry back to Hobart.
Mt Wellington and the Cascade Brewery
Monday, 15 March 2021
Hobart, Tasmania
Breakfast
Today we have one of more difficult rides, not for its distance but its vertical ascent. One of the most distinguishing features of Hobart is the looming landscape or silhouette of Mt Wellington. The Palawi people called the mountain kunanyi, and since 2013 it is recognised as kunanyi / Mt Wellington. There is an observatory at the top which provides stunning views across Hobart, the Derwent estuaries and about 100km of World Heritage Area to the West.
Our return journey is abbreviated with a stop at the Cascade brewery. To make good beer, one needs a good clean water source or a mountain spring, and that’s what ensured that Cascade is the oldest operating brewery in Australia.
Our return journey is abbreviated with a stop at the Cascade brewery. To make good beer, one needs a good clean water source or a mountain spring, and that’s what ensured that Cascade is the oldest operating brewery in Australia.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Mt Wellington
- Cascade brewery
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride heads out from Battery Point around Mount Nelson, where we can admire the views across the water where each year yachts race to Constitution Dock for the Sydney to Hobart. We can reflect on the significance of racing down Australia’s East Coast before aiming our sights upward for the 22km climb to the Mt Wellington Summit. From an elevation of 1217m, enjoy the views before descending back to the foothills and the Cascade brewery.
Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park
Tuesday, 16 March 2021
Swansea, Tasmania
Breakfast, Dinner
We’ll travel our way up through the centre of Tasmania today on the national highway. Not only will this avoid riding along some busy roads, it will also give us some gains in elevation so that gravity will be in our favour.
We’ll enjoy a morning snack at the traditional Ross bakery to fuel up for our ride starting from the central hub of Campbell Town, it is often a stopover on the journey between the major centres of Hobart and Launceston.
For us, we’ll depart off the main highway on our bikes and head east. It is very much about our destination today, as we discover one of Tasmania’s great jewels, the Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay. We’ll change our cycling shoes for some comfortable walking shoes and make the short hike through the National Park.
We’ll enjoy a morning snack at the traditional Ross bakery to fuel up for our ride starting from the central hub of Campbell Town, it is often a stopover on the journey between the major centres of Hobart and Launceston.
For us, we’ll depart off the main highway on our bikes and head east. It is very much about our destination today, as we discover one of Tasmania’s great jewels, the Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay. We’ll change our cycling shoes for some comfortable walking shoes and make the short hike through the National Park.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Traditional Bakery
- Freycinet National Park
- Wineglass Bay
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
As we leave Campbell Town, we will tick off the most difficult part of the journey with the steady uphill to Lake Leake. Once here, we enjoy a long gentle downhill through Wye River state reserve before reaching a popular and emerging wine growing area of Tasmania, the East Coast winery trail. You are probably familiar with Devil’s Corner wines.
Bay of Fires and the East Coast
Wednesday, 17 March 2021
St Helens, Tasmania
Breakfast
Our journey today takes us along much of the East Coast and is one of the great drives to do in Tasmania. We’ll have the pleasure of doing it on our bicycles and immersing ourselves in the natural beauty. Our ride is punctuated by sparkling beaches and a pristine coastline.
Our first stop along the coast is Bicheno. Of an evening penguins take refuge in their burrows. As we reach further north, the long white beaches offer surfers with the best surfing on the island, and further offshore you may be lucky to spot a whale.
Today’s highlight will surely be memorable, as large boulders begin to appear on the northern beaches the colour contrasts are striking. The orange lichen that covers the boulders, set with a backdrop of turquoise waters makes this one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
Our first stop along the coast is Bicheno. Of an evening penguins take refuge in their burrows. As we reach further north, the long white beaches offer surfers with the best surfing on the island, and further offshore you may be lucky to spot a whale.
Today’s highlight will surely be memorable, as large boulders begin to appear on the northern beaches the colour contrasts are striking. The orange lichen that covers the boulders, set with a backdrop of turquoise waters makes this one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Bay of Fires
- Sparkling beaches
- Pristine coastline
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride today is flat and follows the coastline toward the north-east. Usually, a gentle ocean breeze keeps the conditions moderate and with much of our ride completed during the morning, the sun will glisten off the pristine waters.
Soon after departing Bicheno, we’ll cross the Douglas River, popular fishing, kayaking and surfing location. From here the surfing beaches begin.
Soon after departing Bicheno, we’ll cross the Douglas River, popular fishing, kayaking and surfing location. From here the surfing beaches begin.
Blue Tier, Vertigo to Scottsdale
Thursday, 18 March 2021
Barnbougle, Tasmania
Breakfast, Dinner
We fuel ourselves this morning before we start our journey away from the east coast. From St Helen, we follow the valley created from the George River. For much of today, we travel the route of a once-thriving area of Tasmania. Communities built around the mining and timber industry have now been abandoned and some of the towns have re-established for nature lovers, especially for mountain bikers.
World Trail was commissioned by the locals to build something exceptional, and with the combination of Derby and Blue Tier trail systems, new money was brought to the area. This is now the flagship model for many regional councils looking for future economic growth built on sustainability.
World Trail was commissioned by the locals to build something exceptional, and with the combination of Derby and Blue Tier trail systems, new money was brought to the area. This is now the flagship model for many regional councils looking for future economic growth built on sustainability.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Derby
- Tasmanian Rainforests
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride today features an ever-changing environment. We depart the coastal landscape and ride through some temperate forest, with flowing streams not too far from us. As the road heads up, the temperate forest makes way for more rainforest species and ferns appear. The whole ride is below 600m elevation, so the climbing is straight forward. We’ll take a pause at Derby, where we’ll share the coffee shops with some muddy mountain bikers before our final 40km over the undulating terrain.
Jacob’s Ladder and Launceston
Friday, 19 March 2021
Launceston, Tasmania
Breakfast
Today is our gravel adventure for some and if you’d rather not challenge yourself on the gravel, we also have a more direct route to Launceston. We both depart from Scottsdale this morning and before long we begin climbing toward the sideling lookout. Again we’ll be mesmerised by the dense forest and abundance of ferns as we make our way over the undulations. Our rides separate near the town of Targa (not to be mistaken for any association with the Targa Tasmania tarmac rally).
Our epic challenge aims for Tasmania's premier alpine skiing operations at Ben Lomond. Development started on the ski area in the 1930s, and was upgraded to a resort in the 1950s. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that an access road took you all the way to the resort area, aptly named “Jacob’s Ladder”. This is an iconic climb, a twisting gravel road between towering dolerite cliffs.
We stay in Launceston tonight and we’ll enjoy dinner together celebrating our achievements along the west coast.
Our epic challenge aims for Tasmania's premier alpine skiing operations at Ben Lomond. Development started on the ski area in the 1930s, and was upgraded to a resort in the 1950s. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that an access road took you all the way to the resort area, aptly named “Jacob’s Ladder”. This is an iconic climb, a twisting gravel road between towering dolerite cliffs.
We stay in Launceston tonight and we’ll enjoy dinner together celebrating our achievements along the west coast.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Jacob's Ladder
- 60km Gravel Roads
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our epic ride today has about 60km of gravel road, including the 18km climb to reach Ben Lomond ski fields. However, those able to overcome the challenges are rewarded with one of the most memorable days on their bike, including the insane switchbacks of Jacob's Ladder. Both rides finish in Launceston.
Launceston to Devonport, West Tamar
Saturday, 20 March 2021
Devonport, Tasmania
Breakfast
Today we explore one of the most popular wine-growing areas of Australia. Arguably some of the best Pinot Noir is produced out of the West Tamar, just North of Launceston.
Launceston is at the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers. Both rivers share a similar catchment area, yet take a different journey to Launceston. South Esk is spectacular just before it reaches the Tamar, forming the Cataract Gorge a recreational reserve. These rivers form the Tamar River at Launceston before reaching the Bass Strait. Did you know that most of Tasmania’s electricity needs are sourced from sustainable hydro and wind generation? Not without its teething problems though.
After riding through the Tamar Valley, and stopping for a coffee we’ll reach the historic mining town of Beaconsfield. It is most renowned for the collapse of it’s gold mine where an incredible story of tragedy and survival. We then set our compass for Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania launches and connects Tasmania to the mainland.
Launceston is at the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers. Both rivers share a similar catchment area, yet take a different journey to Launceston. South Esk is spectacular just before it reaches the Tamar, forming the Cataract Gorge a recreational reserve. These rivers form the Tamar River at Launceston before reaching the Bass Strait. Did you know that most of Tasmania’s electricity needs are sourced from sustainable hydro and wind generation? Not without its teething problems though.
After riding through the Tamar Valley, and stopping for a coffee we’ll reach the historic mining town of Beaconsfield. It is most renowned for the collapse of it’s gold mine where an incredible story of tragedy and survival. We then set our compass for Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania launches and connects Tasmania to the mainland.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Cataract Gorge
- Tamar River
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride to Devonport follows the Tamar through the many wineries. We’ll also pass Batman bridge, which was the first cable-stayed bridge built in Australia. Once we reach Beaconsfield we have a small climb to negotiate as we stay on the quieter roads to reach Devonport.
Cradle Mountain and Lake Clair National Park
Sunday, 21 March 2021
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we set our targets on probably Tasmania’s most visited tourist site, Cradle Mountain. There will be time this afternoon to walk around Dove Lake and observe the dramatic sight of Cradle Mountain itself. Wombats are also a common sight near the start of the walking trail. It's a popular place for day visitors, but it is also the starting point of Australia’s favourite Alpine Walk, the overland track.
Tonight we’ll stay close to the mountain in warm accommodation.
Tonight we’ll stay close to the mountain in warm accommodation.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Cradle Mountain
- Dove Lake Walk
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride is a little shorter today, but most of it is climbing and we’ll leave some time for us to walk around the National Park later in the day.
Cradle Mountain to Queenstown
Monday, 22 March 2021
Queenstown, Tasmania
Breakfast
We depart from our cosy lodgings near Cradle Mountain and before setting off on our bikes we’ll enjoy a substantial breakfast and nice coffee. Today’s route takes us through more remote parts of Tasmania, we head west first before heading south passing Mount Murchison and finishing in a picturesque country town Queenstown on the edge of the West Coast Range.
As we leave Cradle Mountain we ride along the edge of the Belvoir Conservation Reserve, a unique habitat that homes the densest population of vulnerable and endangered marsupials. From the highest point of the reserve, we turn south and follow the Murchison highway, enjoying a long downhill run before we cross the Murchison River. Our climb soon begins on a quiet road off the main highway where we enjoy great views to each of the peaks between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, the course of the Overland Track.
As we leave Cradle Mountain we ride along the edge of the Belvoir Conservation Reserve, a unique habitat that homes the densest population of vulnerable and endangered marsupials. From the highest point of the reserve, we turn south and follow the Murchison highway, enjoying a long downhill run before we cross the Murchison River. Our climb soon begins on a quiet road off the main highway where we enjoy great views to each of the peaks between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, the course of the Overland Track.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Belvoir Conservation Reserve
- West Coast Range
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Ride through the remote parts of Tasmania. We start from Cradle Mountain and a conservation park helping protect our most vulnerable marsupials. We are helped by gravity on our short stretch on the highway today as we descend into our rest stop on the Murchison river. Our most interesting section of today’s route takes us along a road developed for the expansion of the west coast hydro-electric schemes. From here we have magnificent views to the peaks of the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park.
99 Bends Tasmania and World Heritage Wilderness
Tuesday, 23 March 2021
Tarraleah, Tasmania
Breakfast
Today is about the wilderness of Tasmania and an engineering masterpiece to take us through it. The feature this morning is as we leave Queenstown and enjoy the ‘99 bends’ to Gormanston. The shapely road takes us gradually uphill and to Gormanston, a historical gold mining town. Our journey now crosses the northern edge of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park which is part of the World Heritage Wilderness Area. We’ll utilise the lookouts along the route to observe the outstanding features, including the distinctive Frenchmans Cap.
One of the opportunities today is to see the ambitious art project known as The Wall, a 100m long by 3m high wood carving recording the 100 year history of the central highlands.
One of the opportunities today is to see the ambitious art project known as The Wall, a 100m long by 3m high wood carving recording the 100 year history of the central highlands.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
- Lake Saint Clair
- Wooden Hyrdo Pipeline
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride today will be scenic and it will also be challenging. As soon as we leave Queenstown we find ourselves on a stunning winding road. Once we traverse the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park we begin our gradual climb toward Lake Saint Clair. Our final stop before we take a gravel road will shortcut the highway and take us past another historical attraction, a wooden hydro pipeline. It takes the work of a cooper to the next level.
River Derwent and Hobart Arrival
Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Hobart, Tasmania
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today we follow the River Derwent from near its source in the central highlands to the capital city, Hobart. This means we’ll be heading downhill more often than uphill! As we nearer Hobart, the wilderness will make way for progressively more rural properties.
We will stop at the historical town of Hamilton along the way. Once a frontier town for the early settlement serving as a hub for travellers and possibly more importantly for its illegal liquor trade.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a final dinner together in Hobart, celebrating our journey through Tasmania’s west coast.
We will stop at the historical town of Hamilton along the way. Once a frontier town for the early settlement serving as a hub for travellers and possibly more importantly for its illegal liquor trade.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a final dinner together in Hobart, celebrating our journey through Tasmania’s west coast.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- River Derwent
- Farewell Dinner
SHORT RIDE
LONG RIDE
Our ride follows the Lyell highway from the central highlands to Hobart, as we make a number of deviations along the way staying on quieter roads. Our scenery today will transition from a wilderness zone to rural farmlands, market gardens and finally the urbanisation of greater Hobart.
Cycling adventure around Tasmania
Thursday, 25 March 2021
N/A
Breakfast
Sadly today we farewell our guests on our cycling adventure around Tasmania. We’ve experienced cycle through World Heritage Wilderness, Magnificent Coastlines and fascinating historic villages and much, much more.
We have various shuttles to the airport throughout the day, enabling you to connect with your preferred flight back home.
We have various shuttles to the airport throughout the day, enabling you to connect with your preferred flight back home.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Depart, Hobart
NO RIDE TODAY
Why Book with Bikestyle Tours?
Because we understand the commitment to book in uncertain times.
A COVID-Safe plan
- All staff and guests must complete a pre-travel questionnaire prior to the start of the trip
- Bikestyle Tours complies with the QLD COVID Safe Industry Plan (Tourism and Accommodation, Bike Tours); such as controls for social distancing, cleaning and hygiene, vehicle transport.
Bookings are risk-free and guarantee you a spot!
Our covid-19 period booking system is a risk-free way to reserve your place. That means during the declared pandemic you are eligible to reschedule your trip or receive a full refund if due to travel restrictions enforced by Australian government jurisdictions you are unable to arrive at the designated start location on the date specified.
Are Trips Guaranteed Departures?
We make every effort to guarantee departures to give you peace of mind that once you’ve booked your trip – you’re going! We do not cancel trips due to insufficient numbers leaving you stranded.