Tasmania's cycling specialist

West Coast Tour

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This is our SELF-GUIDED TOUR through the wilderness of the west coast and highlands.

It goes through very dramatic scenery, much of it in World Heritage listed areas and alpine regions. You can expect long distances between settlements, many hills and a lot of rain. This section is only suitable for really fit cylists. Due to the remoteness, the daily distances are longer and the terrain is mostly hilly with some long ascents. There is a good chance of bad weather, especially rain.

For more information click on the "back to description" - button on the left.

Prices, Terms & Itinerary

Start- / Endpoint Launceston / Hobart Duration 13 days, 12 nights (without flight) Season from November to end of April Departure dates any day of your choice rentalbike $ 160 incl. delivery Accommodation category Price per person booking code Comfort category $2,180 twin share 5 a Economy category $1,580 twin share 5 c Budget category $1280 twin share 5 e Hostel category $790 sharing 5 d supplement for one person in a room $1,050 / 1050 / 750 / 250* (depending on category) *for 5 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 (fully comprehensive, pre-travel guide)
> comprehensive route description
> 11 nights prebooked accommodation, comfort level depending on category, some including breakfast (single rooms available for an additional fee)
> emergency telephone support 24/7
> Extra: Well serviced rental bike with toolkit, lock, pump, helmet (panniers on request for a small fee)

Not included in tour price

Flight, food and drinks, admissions, National Park fees, excursions, personal spending

Tour itinerary

Day 1, Arrival or day off

The first day is an arrival day. Launceston airport is just 3km from the accommodation.
If you have just finished the north-east tour then you can have a rest day to explore the nearby city of Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city (pop. 80,000).

Day 2, Evandale – Mole Creek

The route takes you westwards on very flat, narrow country roads with little traffic, via the lovely shopping town of Doleraine, to the village of Mole Creek. You will pass the interesting honey farm in Cluddah (more than 50 types of honey with free tasting), an interesting animal park and a 40min return walk to the fascinating Alum Cliffs. Distance cycled; 98km (60m)

Day 3, Mole Creek - Cradle Country:

After completing any excursions you may have missed yesterday, you begin cycling up into "high country". That means a long ascent. You'll be rewarded by breathtaking scenery and the lovely accommodation. Distance cycled: 45km (28m)

Day 4, Cradle Country - Cradle Mountain Nationalpark:

The final ascent to Cradle Mountain National Park features some very steep sections despite which you'll arrive around noon and can spend the afternoon walking around romantic Dove Lake or do even longer walks. Distance cycled: 34km (21m)

Day 5, Cradle Mountain National Park - Rosebery

Today's route is quite long and hilly, but goes more downhill than up through a wonderful ladscape. The last 10km, however are really exhausting. Distance cycled: 70km (43m)

Day 6, Rosebery - Strahan

Until lunchbreak in Zeehan, where there is a great museum, it's quite hilly, but the last 40km are almost comletely flat and on the downhill. Distance cycled; 75km (58m)

Day 7 Strahan - day off

You can take a half-day Gordon-River-Cruise into the untouched Gordon River. On the afternoon you can visit nearby Ocean beach, with 33 km Tasmania´s longest. Or just have a rest day.

Day 8, Strahan - Queenstown

This stretch is a highlight for every cyclist, the narrow road with 273 bends, winding through dense forest to the old mining town of Queenstown, unfortunately more uphill than down. The surroudings of the destination look like a lunar landscape. Alternatively you can use the historic ABT-Wilderness Railway (costs about $115). Distance cycled; 42km (26m)

Day 9, Queenstown - Derwent Bridge

A quite exhausting but extremely pleasant section through World Heritage Aera with many opportunities for fantastic short walks. Your destination is the 3-house settlement of Derwent Bridge. Distance cycled; 88km (55m)

Day 10, Derwent Bridge - Ouse

In the morning you can undertake a walk in nearby Lake St.Clair National Park and later you'll follow the Wild-Way highway eastwards, more donwhill than uphill. Distance cycled; 81km (50m)

Day 11, Ouse - New Norfolk

Today takes you back to civilisation. We strongly suggest an excursion to the Mount Field National Park and visit famous Russell Falls and the 'tall trees' (the tallest hardwood trees in the world). You stay in the small city of New Norfolk. 62 km (39m)

Day 12. New Norfolk - Hobart

Its only 25 km to Hobart, but because tegher is a lot of traffic we suggest you leave the bikes in New Norfolk and take the bus. This is much more relaxing than cycling. On the afternoon you got plenty of time to explore Tasmania´s capital. 25 km

Day 13, independant departure

Total Distance covered: 385 to 703 km (240 to 440m) depending on options taken.

Note:
All distances are approximate only 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 distances can be absolutely exhausting, you could run out of supplies while off the main roads or just not be able to 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 (30m) away. It can also be difficult to know which are the really important highlights so, let us organise your trip for you!