AUSTRALIA TASMANIA, the island state. 9 Days / 8 Nights LAUNCESTON to HOBART, WEST COAST TOUR ITINERARY Tasmania is the smallest and only island Australian State. It is named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who discovered the land in 1642 and has a population of 512,000. 45% of the State comprises World heritage Sites. It has much to offer: fabulous bays, wineries, tumbling rivers and ancient natural beauty and attractive, compact cities. Its history is a blend of aboriginal, convicts, miners, whalers and settlers. Please bring this information with you to the tour start. Cycling distances are entirely optional. The support vehicle will be available at all times. Suggested cycling distances are given for each day as follows: cas.=casual cyclists int.=intermediate cyclists adv.=advanced cyclists B = breakfast included, L = lunch included, D = dinner included
MEETING DAY / DAY ONE Launceston We meet at 5.00 pm at the City Park Grand, 22 Tamar Street, Launceston. Should you need to contact Pedaltours please call our Auckland office: 64 9 585-1338. Your guide will tell you a little about Tasmania and what you can expect to see and do in the days ahead. He will also assist you to unpack your bike or fit you to the Pedaltours rental bike should you not bring your own. Dinner will be at 7.00 pm Meals: D Lodging: City Park Grand Address: 22 Tamar Street, Launceston Phone: 6331 7633, www.cityparkgrand.com.au Features: Built 1855, beautifully restored, close to town centre. Best 3½ star hotel in Australasia award. Facilities: Restaurant, bar, gym Day 2: Launceston to Silver Ridge (via Sheffield): adv. 100 km / 62 mi Propect to Kimberley: int. 64 km / 40 mi Prospect to Deloraine cas. 44 km / 27 mi We drive out of Launceston to cycle on quiet roads to the little town of Sheffield, known for its murals. The terrain is flat to gently undulating initially with some short steep climbs approaching Sheffield. We pass by mostly agricultural land and old English type villages with some forest. Meals: B, D Lodging: Silver Ridge Retreat Address: Rysavy Rd (off C136), via Sheffield Phone: 6491-1727, www.sridge.com.au Facilities: Cottages, heated indoor pool and country style restaurant Features: Located on the fringe of Mt Roland wilderness area, with mountain views.
Day 3: Sheffield to Cradle Mountain Lodge: cas./int./adv. 45 km / 28 mi Sheffield to Cradle Mountain Lodge (sag hill): cas. 40 km / 25 mi Today s short ride includes a tough climb but the reward is magnificent mountain scenery. There will be time in the afternoon to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take a short walk in the National Park to Dove Lake. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Cradle Mountain Lodge Phone: 6492 1303, www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au Facilities: Comfortable chalets in bush setting. Features: On the edge of Cradle Mountain National Park. Excellent bush walks in the area. Day 4: Cradle Mountain to Strahan: 164 km / 102 mi Cradle Mountain to Zeehan: adv. 121 km / 75 mi Cradle to Henty River (via Lake Plimsoll) int. 101 km / 63 mi Cradle Mountain to Tullah cas. 57 km / 35 mi (downhill) We continue through the rugged and isolated mountains of the West Coast. Much of the morning is downhill to Tullah. Leaving Tullah we cross Lake Rosebery and head for Rosebery, with Mt Murchison on the left. The West Coast of Tasmania is rich in minerals and the three main industries are Mining, Tourism and Forestry. Zeehan is rich in history and the museum is well worth a visit. Strahan (pop 640) is a small fishing town that sits on the Macquarie harbour; it is the terminus of the recently reconstructed West Coast Wilderness Railway. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Strahan Village Cottages Address: The Esplanade, Strahan Phone: 6471 7191, www.strahanvillage.com.au Features: Waterfront cottages.
Day 5: Strahan. Rest Day The day is free to experience the attractions of Strahan. Take a train ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway or experience the Gordon River with Gordon River Cruises, or stroll along Ocean Beach. Meals: B Lodging: Strahan Village Cottages Day 6: Strahan to Lake St Clair: adv. 131 km / 81 mi Strahan to Lake St Clair: (sag hills) int. 75 km / 47 mi Strahan to Queenstown: cas. 41 km / 25 mi Today s ride is through superb mountain scenery. We stop at Lake Burbury for lunch and pass through the Belson Valley, with the Raglan Range to the right. The Franklin River is one of the countries major white water rafting rivers. After climbing King William Saddle head into the Central Plateau and Derwent Bridge. Stop for a drink at the pub before the last 5 km of gentle climbing. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Lake St Clair Lodge Phone: 6289 1137, www.lakestclairlodge.com.au Features: Bush setting by the lake. Facilities: Restaurant, cafe
Day 7: St Clair to Hamilton adv. 102 km / 63 mi St Clair to Hamilton (sag hill) int. 86 km / 53 mi St Clair to Tungtinah Power Station cas. 46 km / 29 mi We cycle past several lakes and mountain ranges to the heart of Tasmania s Hydro-Electric Generating Area, until we reach Tungatinah Power Station Picnic Area by the Nive River. At first we ride through thick highland bush followed by open farming country. There are some climbs but many more descents with an overall descent of about 600m. Meals: B, D Lodging: Curringa Farm Address: 5831 Lyell Highway, Hamilton Phone: 6286 3333, www.curringafarm.com.au Day 8: Hamilton to Hobart: adv. 98 km / 61 mi Hamilton to New Norfolk int. 61 km / 38 mi Hamilton to Bushy Park cas. 42 km / 26 mi On our final day of biking we cross the Derwent River on a very attractive quiet road as we bike through Ellendale and Westerway on our way to unch in New Norfolk. From here we drive into the city to relax prior to our farewell dinner Meals: B, D Lodging: Hotel Lenna Address: 20 Runneymede Street Phone: 6232 3900, www.lenna.com.au Features: Well located luxury hotel, in attractive old part of town. Short walk to the Salamanca and harbour. Facilities: Restaurant, bar Day 9: Depart for Home Meals: Breakfast. We trust you have had a wonderful holiday, wish you bon voyage, happy biking and hope to see you again one day.
You may like to leave the following accommodation list with family or friends: Day Date Location Accommodation Phone 1 Launceston City Park Grand 6331 7633 2 Sheffield Silver Ridge 6491-1727 3 Cradle Mountain Cradle Mtn Lodge 6492 1303 4 Strahan Strahan Village 6471 4200 5 Strahan 6 St Clair Lake StClair Chalets 6289 1137 7 Hamilton Curringa Farm 6286 3333 8 Hobart Lenna of Hobart 6232 3900 9 Depart