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East Coast Tour

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This is our GROUP-TOUR through the fascinating diversity of the north-east, with its temperate rainforest, and along the breathtaking east coast of Tasmania.

The first section goes inland and displays astonishing contrasts of rolling, green hills with rainforest. It offers many places well worth visiting. The east coast is a 'classic' tourist route; more or less flat country with endless empty white beaches to be experienced in a mild, dry and sunny climate. You will spend time to on these world-class beaches. Fitness levels are not an issue because you can use the support vehicle whenever you like.

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Prices, Terms & Itinerary

Start- / Endpoint Launceston / Hobart Duration 11 days, 10 nights (without flight) Depature dates Mon 22.11.10 - Thu 02.12.10 Mon 17.01.11 - Thu 27.01.11 Mon 14.02.11 - Thu 24.02.11 Mon 21.11.11 - Thu 01.12.11 rentalbike $ 150 support vehicle, tour guide included Accommodation category Price per person booking code Comfort category $2,980 twin share 1 a Executive category $3,580 twin share 1 b Economy category $2,480 twin share 1 c Hostel category $1,790 sharing 1 d single supplement (one person per room) $980 / 800 / 550 / 150* (Executive / Comfort / Economy / Hostel- category) *=for three nights where no dorm (hostel) is available ALL PRICES are displayed in AUSTRALIAN dollars (AUD) On booking you agree to our Terms & Conditions

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Accommodation categories

Comfort: Comfortable feel-well properties, all rooms with shower/toilet (few exceptions).
Executive: Usually the best available accommodation in the given area, some with spa.
Economy: Nothing fancy, but good value for money, mostly with shower/toilet.
Budget: Quite basic, but you always have your own room. Usually shared facilities.
Hostel: You share your bedroom with others, usually dorm, shared facilities.
Please note: your chosen category will be substituted when not available!

What we include

> Extensive preparatory material (a fully comprehensive, pre-travel guide including road book)
>10 nights accommodation, comfort level depending on category
> picnic style lunch, snacks and drinks (incl. alcoholic beverages) from tour bus until arrival. Some breakfasts are to be prepared by the group.
> all transfers, luggage and bicycle transport
> national park entry fees and other admission mentionend in the itinerary
> knowledgeable tourguide (driver), fully insured minibus (with air-conditioning) and purpose-built trailer
> minimum 4, maximum 13 guests.
> Extra: well serviced rental bike with helmet

What we do NOT include

Flight, evening meals and drinks, additional excursions and trips not mentioned in the itinerary and personal spending.

Tour itinerary

B=breakfast, L=picnic-style lunch

Day 1, Arrival

Please do not arrive later than 4.30 pm. Short transfer from Launceston airport to your accommodation in the historic village of Evandale; briefing; adjustment and a quick test-drive of rental bikes.

Day 2, Evandale - Scottsdale (B/L)

You cycle through the outskirts of Launceston to meet up with the lonely and beautiful Tasman Highway, which winds it´s way up through picturesque, hilly countryside. Just before the long final descent into Scottsdale you get beautiful views down into the valley. Cycling: 56 km (35 m), + Bus 26 km (16 m)

Day 3, Scottsdale - Pyengana (B/L)

An adventure packed day: First we drive you to the Legerwood carvings, which were done by chainsaw, folow by a beautifull cycling through farmland. In Branxholm we walk to remains of a viaduct. We bypass Derby on a lovely backroad and wind our way up on a narrow and winding road through dense forest to Weldborough were we have our lunch. Later we take a short stroll through a magic myrtle rainforest. The highlight of the day is a spectacular 10 km downhill ride!! If time allows we visit remains of some half-overgrown mine-machinery amidst beautiful rainforest. A beer-drinking pig await´s us at the 'basic' accommodation; the “Pub in the Paddock” in a spectacular location. Cycling: 54 km (33 m), + Bus 19 km (12 m).

Day 4, Pyengana - St. Helens (B/L)

At first short bus excursions to famous St Columba Falls (Tasmanias second highest), followed by cheese tasting in the local cheese factory. Back on the bike it´s more downhill than uphill to St Helens, the “capital of the east coast” (4,500 inhabitants). Cycling: 30 km (20 m), + Bus 18 km (11 m)

Day 5, day off (B)

Today you can relax and do your personal shoppings. Shops, banks and public internet connection are available. And / or you can explore the beautiful surroundings (like the amous Bay of Fires or the Peron sand dunes).

Day 6, St. Helens - Bicheno (B/L):

Today you cycle down the beautiful and mostly flat east coast, passing spectacular beaches along the way. One option is to go via St Marys and the Elephant Pass in order to visit the famous Pancake Barn. Just before our destination Bicheno we visit the award-winning “Nature World Animal Park”, where you can at 3.30 pm watch the feeding of tasmanian devils and maybe even pet one. Cycling: 60 km + Bus 17 / 33 km)

Day 7, Bicheno - Swansea (B/L)

After an initial cycle we drive you to friendly beaches lookout and continue to the reknowned Freycinet National Park, where we walk to the famous Wineglass Bay Lookout (the beach is rated as one of the 10 most beautiful in the world). After lunch you cross the Moulting Lagoon on a tiny boat (weather permitting), followed by a bike ride directly on the 9 Mile Beach! Cycling: 51km (32 m), + Bus 37 km (23 m)

Day 8, Swansea - Eaglehawk Neck (B/L)

The ride on this coast road is an absolute pleasure. After about 30 km the road turns away from the coast. In Orford we are having our lunch at the lovely spring beach, where you can have a walk afterwards. Than we pack up for a 2 hours bus transfer with a possible stopover in Sorrell (back into civilisation). Cycling: 62 km (39 m), + Bus 107 km (67 m)

Day 9, day off (B/L)

In the morning you have the choice of either visiting the historic penal settlement of Port Arthur or to do a cruise on a boat along one of Australias most beautiful coastlines (both extras). On the afternoon we do a round tour by bus were you will see the impressive natural wonders like the Remarkable Cave, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole. You may have a stroll on White Beach. Bus 93 km (56 m).

Day 10, Eaglehawk Neck - Hobart (B/L)

First we will bring you up a big hill, than you are cycle out of this peninsula. From Dunally on its a gravel road (usually in good condition, with some hilly sections) with wonderful coastal views. In Dodges Ferry you will have a last beach walk before we drive you to the nearby lunchpoint. From there we bring you straight into Hobart via the famous Tasman Bridge Cycling: 38 km (23 m), + Bus 31 km (19 m).

Day 11, departure or day off

If you leave us here we will arrange your transfer to the airport.
If you continue on our West Coast Tour you get a day off to enjoy Hobart. You can just enjoy the open-to-the-world atmosphere of Tasmania's capital and it´s people or visit the oldest brewery in Australia, do the mini-cruise to Peppermint Bay, a trip to Mount Wellington and/or the spectacular Tahune Airwalk (6 hours) or a plane excursion into the remote wilderness of the south-west .


Distance: about 450 km per bike / 600km per bus (depending on your fitness level)

Notes:
All distances are approximate and may vary. The cycling distances depend on your personal level of fitness, weather conditions, chosen options on that day, and other variables.
We strongly recommend not to undertake this trip without our advice and help. Some distances are unexpectedly hilly, exhausting, you could run out of supplies while off the main roads or just not make it to the next accommodation. In addition in some areas accommodation can be booked up months in advance and the next available could be up to 50 km (30 m) away. It can be difficult to select really important highlights without prior experience. Better let us organize your trip!