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Start- / Endpoint |
St. Helens / Orford |
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Duration |
10 days, 9 nights |
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Season |
from mid October to mid April
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Departure dates |
any day of your choice
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Accommodation category |
Price per person |
booking code |
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Hostel / Budget category |
$ 1,230 sharing |
5 d |
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Economy category |
$ 1,590 twin share |
5 c |
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Comfort category |
$ 1,990 twin share |
5 a |
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Executive category |
$ 2,490 twin share |
5 b |
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Optional |
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bike hire incl. delivery/pick up |
$ 205 |
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electric bike hire incl. delivery/pick up |
$ 410 |
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pannier rental |
$ 25 per pair |
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daily luggage transport |
$ 500 per booking (all items must fit in one car) |
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bag transfer from first to last hotel |
$ 45 per item |
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supplement for one person in a room |
525* / 800 / 990 / 1,245 |
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(Hostel / Economy / Comfort / Executive - category) |
* =for locations without hostel |
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 Currency Calculator
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Accommodation categories
Hostel/Budget: You will stay in a dorm where available, otherwise in basic hotels/motels (supplement applies for single travellers). Always shared facilities.
Economy: Nothing fancy, but good value for money, usually with shower/toilet.
Comfort: Comfortable feel-well properties, all rooms with shower/toilet and good breakfasts.
Executive: Usually the best accommodation available in the given area, some even with spa.
Please note: your chosen category will be substituted when not available! You only have to pay for what you get.
What we include
> comprehensive route description from door to door, customised to your tour and the hotels you are staying in
> 10 nights prebooked accommodation in stricly selected premises, comfort and breakfast level depending on category (single rooms available for an additional fee)
> emergency telephone support 24/7
> Available for additional charge: well maintained rental bike with extensive toolkit, lock, pump and helmet. Panniers are available on request for a small fee
Not included in tour price
Flight, food and drinks, admission and National Park fees, excursions, luggage transport, personal spending
Tour itinerary
Day 1: Independent Arrival in St. Helens
This first day is an arrival day (accommodation included, but no transfer). Your start point St. Helens is the "Jewel of Tasmania's North-East" and won "Tassie's Top Tourism Town" competition in 2020. You are best best to fly into Launceston Airport, take the airport shuttle or a taxi to the "Transit Center" in Launceston City, Tasmania's second largest city. From there use the service no 740 from "Calows Coaches", which goes directly to St. Helens. It departs 4.15 pm Mon-Sa and and 7.10 pm on Sun PLUS 1.30pm Mo-Fr during school terms, It costs AU $31.60 p.p. and arrives in St. Helens around 2 1/2 hours later. A private transfer can also be arranged directly from Launceston Airport for $ 250 and from Launceston City for $ 280 (for up to 4 people; add $ 40 for bigger groups up to 8 people).
Your hotel in St. Helens is located within walking distance from the bus stop. If booked, your rental bike(s) will be waiting at your first hotel.
Day 2: St. Helens - Day Off
Today you can recover from yesterday´s journey. We strongly suggest visiting the nearby Bay of Fires (25 km return), which has become a tourist icon; and / or the endless Peron Dunes at the other side of the bay (20 km return). Alternatively you could try out the new mountain bike treks or go paddeling in the bay. If you are short on time you could leave out this day, but it would be a pity to miss the beautiful surroundings. Minimum distance to cycle: 0 km
Day 3: St. Helens - Ironhouse Point
Today you cycle down the beautiful mostly flat East Coast, passing spectacular beaches along the way. After 22 km you should stop in the small seaside town of Scamander to look at their fantastic beach (where whales and dolphins are often spotted from); and to visit the nearby "Eureka Farm" where you can try their award-winning ice cream and other homemade products. Guests of all categories will stay at an exclusive resort with private beach access. Minimum distance to cycle: 37 km (23 miles)
Day 4: Ironhouse Point - Bicheno:
After some 10 km the road moves away from the coast but you may take a stroll on the spectacular "Lagoons beach" before that happens. Just before todays destination Bicheno, you can visit the award-winning “Nature World Animal Park” (AU $29). Here you see native animals, and at 3.30 pm watch the feeding of Tasmanian Devils. With a bit of luck you can even pet one! Minimum distance to cycle: 39 km (24miles)
Day 5: Bicheno - Day Off:
We suggest visiting the famous Freycinet National Park (fees apply) by shuttle bus (fees apply, does not operate on weekends). There you can walk to the stunning Wineglass Bay lookout and return or continue to Wineglass Bay (voted one of the 10 best beaches in the world) and Hazard beach and return via a bush trek. After dusk, you may join a guided tour to the penguin colony (AU $40, pre-booking recommended).
Note: If you are short on time we could leave out this day but you would not be able to see the park. Minimum distance to cycle: 0 km
Day 6: Bicheno - Swansea
Today you need to ride around the Moulting Lagoon and over Cherry Tree Hill. There are several wineries located along the route, where you can taste their produce (one even has a wooden lookout-tower with spectacular views into the Moulting Lagoon). The first 15 km are flat. Minimum distance to cycle: 45km (28miles)
Day 7: Swansea - Little Swanport
Today´s section contains one of the best sea views along Tasmania´s Eastcoast road. After about 30 km the road turns away from the coast but the environs is still lovely. Guests of all categories will stay in economy style bush-cabins in an adventure park; the breakfast has to be self-prepared with own food. Minimum distance to cycle: 34 km (21miles)
Day 8: Little Swanport - Orford
A lovey inland cycle. If you arrive early you should not miss visiting the nearby Spring Beach. Minimum distance to cycle: 31 km (19miles)
Day 9: Orford - Day Off
Today you can rest. We suggest visiting Maria Island by boat (approx $ 50) from nearby Triabunna (7 km - 4 miles). The entire island is National Park and contains some fantastic features like the "painted cliffs". Can walk on the island or hire a mountain bike (our bikes are not suitable). If you are short on time you could leave out this day, but it would be a pity. Minimum distance to cycle: 0 km
Day 10: Independent Departure
You leave the rental bike at your hotel. The bus service no 737 is departing from the local roadhouse at 10:15 every day, will get you to Hobart City Center at 11:45am. From it is about 35 minutes to the airport. If you want to stay in Hobart you have to book it by yourself.
Distance covered: 186 to 283km (114 to 173miles) depending on options
Notes:
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 variable.
We strongly recommend not to undertake this trip without advice or assistance. Some sections can be very exhausting, you could run out of supplies while off the main roads or just not make it to the next accommodation. In some areas all accommodation can be booked up months in advance and the next available could be up to 50km (30m) away. It can be hard to know which of the really important highlights to select as well so, better let us organise the trip for you!
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