West coast Tour

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This is our GROUP TOUR through the rugged wilderness of the west coast and highlands.

It goes through very dramatic scenery, lots of it in World Heritage listed areas or alpine country. Its very lonesome, with long distances between settlements, many hills and a greta chance of rain. You don´t need to be exceptionally fit because you can join the support vehicle whenever you like.

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Prices, Terms & Itinerary

Departure- / Endpoint Hobart / Launceston Duration 9 days, 8 nights (without flight) Departure dates Thu 28.11.13 - Fri 06.12.13 Thu 30.01.14 - Fri 07.02.14 Thu 27.02.14 - Fri 07.03.14 Thu 27.11.14 - Fri 05.12.14 rentalbike $ 125 support vehicle, tour guide included Accomodation category Price per person booking code Comfort category $2,450 twin share 2 a Executive category $2,850 twin share 2 b Economy category $1,980 twin share 2 c Hostel category $1,480 sharing 2 d supplement for one person in a room $850 / 700 / 500 / 200* (depending on category) * = single rooms not available everywhere 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)
>8 nights in double/twin bed rooms, depending on category booked
> 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 12 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, personal spending.

Tour itinerary

Day 1, arrival

If you join us here we will arrange airport pick up.
If you have just completed our east coast tour then you´ll have a day off to explore Hobart. You can enjoy the open-to-the-world atmosphere of Tasmania’s capital and it´s people, visit the oldest brewery in Australia, go onto the top of Mount Wellington, do the spectacular Tahune Airwalk (6 hours), a plane excursion into the remote wilderness of the southwest, or go on a daytour to do a spectacular cruise along the coast line of Bruny Island. All at extra costs.

Day 2, Hobart - Bronte Park (B/L)

Bus transfer out of the city and the dense traffic to New Norfolk, where you can enjoy cycling again. The landscape becomes more open and wilder all the time. Around noon we visit the Mount Field National Park with its famous Russel Falls and many tall trees. Its a brilliant lunch spot, too. Later we follow the “Wild Way”, one of the most fascinating roads in the world going through world heritage area. Overnight we stay in the highlands in a remote location. Cycling: 55 km (34 m), + Bus 100 km (62 m)

Day 3, Bronte Park - Queenstown (B/L)

We continue cycling through this untouched World Heritage Area; the Wild Rivers National Park. There are many long descents. It's also a day for short walks in superb locations (e.g. Lake St Claire National Park, Donaghys Lookout [360° round-view] and the famous Nelson Falls). Cycling 55 km + Bus 64 km (40 m)

Day 4, Queenstown - Strahan (B/L)

In the morning there is time for checking out the town. Than we do a 6 hour walk along the wild Bird River through very beautiful rainforest (weather permitting). You may prefer to take a ride on the recently restored ABT 'Wilderness Railway' instead (at extra cost). If you are into cycling you will be pleased: our route follows a narrow, winding road with 243 curves, most of it through beautiful and dense forest. Generally speaking there is more downhill than uphill! Cycling: 42 km (26 m)

Day 5, day off (B)

A day for relaxing or tours. We recommend the half-day Gordon River cruise into the untouched Gordon River, do other excursions or have a rest day. One option is to take the railway trip described in yesterday’s itinerary (all at extra cost and pre-booking is required). You must not forget to visit Ocean Beach, with 33 km length Tasmania´s longest.

Day 6, Strahan - Tullah (B/L)

Today’s route is also very beautiful and more or less on the flat for the first 42 km. There will be a lunch-break in Zeehan, where we can visit the local mining museum. It is possible to do the 3 hour return walk to the 104m high Montezuma Falls (with a suspension bridge crossing). Later we take a coffee break in the old mining town, Roseberry. Our accommodation is situated at the very edge of a crystal-clear lake (swimming permitted). Cycling: 55 km (34 m), + Bus 34 km (21 m)

Day 7, Tullah - Cradle Mountain (B/L)

We will drive you the first 20 km up the Murchinson Highway, than you can cycle the hilly retst to the tourist icon Cradle Mountain National Park at 900 m altitude. We will arrive at around noon. After lunch we can walk around romantic Dove Lake (about 2 hours) or do even longer walks. After lunch you can cycle again (more downhill than up), however there are some very steep sections where you can use our support vehicle if you like. The lovely B&B near Gowrie Park (where most of the guests stay) has fine views and has often been rated one of the best by previous guests. Cycling: 26 km (16 m), + Bus 20 km (12 m)

Day 8, Cradle Mountain - Mole Creek (B/L):

You can start by bike again though an open, almost alpine landscape (more downhill than up), however there are some very steep sections where you can use our support vehicle if you like. At lunch we will arrive at the small country town of Sheffield, where you can have a look at the many murals. Later it goes up an ddown on a quite narrow and windy road back into warmth to the small romantic village of Mole Creek. If time allows we could do a 40min return walk to the Alum Cliffs, visit the honey farm in Cluddah (there are over 50 different types of honey) or an interesting animal park. Cycling: 68 km (42 m), + Bus 31 km (19 m)

Day 9, departure (B):

This trip ends with a 90mins long transfer to Launceston airport or to a destination of your choice in or around Launceston City, Tasmania's second largest city (pop. 80,000). We are sure you'll take home lots of lovely memories. Please note: due to the transfer, flights departing from Launceston before 10.00 am will not be reached.

Distance travelled: about 350km by bike and 650km by 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 undertaking this trip without advice and assistance. Some stretches are extremely hilly and exhausting. You could easily run out of supplies while off the main roads or could find you cant make it to the next accommodation. In some areas accommodation can be booked up months in advance and the next available could be up to 50km (30 m) away. Equally difficult can be sorting out which are the important highlights so let us organise your trip!