Tasmania's cycling specialist

West Coast Tour

Home>Our cycling tours> Self-guided tours>Price, terms & itinerary- West coast tour

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 12 days, 11 nights (without flight) Season 01 Nov. 08 - 15 May 09 Depature dates any day rentalbike included Accommodation category Price per person booking code Comfort category $1,850 twin share 5 a Executive category $2,190 twin share 5 b Economy category $1,450 twin share 5 c Hostel category $1,050 sharing 5 d supplement for one person in a room $1,050 / 850 / 600 / 275* (depending on category) *=single rooms not available everywhere ALL PRICES are displayed in AUSTRALIAN dollars (AUD)

Currency Calculator

What we include

Extensive preparatory material (a fully comprehensive, pre-travel guide), a comprehensive route description, rental bike with toolkit, lock, pump, helmet (panniers on request for a small fee), 11 nights in double/twin bed rooms (comfort depending on category booked, some including breakfast, single rooms are available for an additional fee), emergency telephone support.

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 an interesting honey farm in Cluddah (there are over 50 different types of honey), an interesting animal park and the start of a 30min walk to 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 spectacular wilderness, do other excursions 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 look like a lunar landscape. An alternative is to go on the historic ABT-Wilderness Railway (for about $95). Distance cycled; 42km (26m)

Day 9, Queenstown - Derwent Bridge

A quite exhausting but extremely pleasant section through World Heritage Aera with many opportunities for 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 eastwards, more donwhill than up. Distance cycled; 81km (50m)

Day 11, Ouse - Hobart

Today takes you back to civilisation. If you still have the energy you can make an excursion to Mount Field National Park and visit famous Rusell Falls and the 'tall trees' (the tallest hardwoods in the world). The traffic can't be avoided for the last 25km from New Norfolk, sorry. Distance cycled; 87km (54m)

Day 12, independant departure

Total Distance covered: 410 to 728km (256 to 455m) 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!