Bicycle Touring in Tasmania

• Its’ compact nature provides you cycle routes across varied landscapes.
• A comfortable paced ride will let you connect with the natural Tasmanian surrounds.
• Undulating terrain will challenge your pedal power and improve physical fitness.
• Quaint historic villages offer you leisurely cycling at a relaxed tempo.

Tasmania offers a variety of cycle tours from exhilarating mountain descents to relaxing wine, food and heritage experiences where all you need to do is roll up to the gate. Find out about cycle touring in Tasmania including popular routes, trip elevations, suggested detours and trip planning advice.

Many country roads in Tasmania have a low volume of traffic, and are ideal for cycling adventure. Take a coastal route and cycle past some of the island’s most popular beaches, and be sure to keep an eye out for our unique wildlife.

You can hire a bike, helmet and other equipment from a number of operators in Tasmania’s major towns as well as book cycling tours. For more information about cycling in Tasmania, visit the Bicycle Tasmania information site.

• Popular cycle routes
• Ultra rides
• Short rides

For the cycling enthusiast, Tasmania offers everything from one-hour scenic routes along the waterfront through to three-week cycling holidays around the island.

Hop on your bike in Hobart and discover the historic homes of Battery Point, or test yourself with a 1270 metre climb up Mount Wellington, the city’s impressive backdrop.

If you have several days, make your way up Tasmania’s east coast, passing the coastal towns of Swansea, Bicheno and St Helens. Stop off to sample cool-climate wine at one of the east coast wineries, walk along sparkling beaches and if time allows, take a ferry trip from Triabunna across to Maria Island. Exploring by bicycle is the ideal way to experience Maria, an island steeped in history and home to prolific wildlife and birdlife.

For those who have about three weeks in Tasmania, continue up the east coast towards the northeast then cycle your way into the northwest where you will find Mole Creek. Here you can see Tasmanian devils at Trowunna Wildlife Park before continuing through to spectacular Cradle Mountain. To complete a full tour of Tasmania, head towards the west coast town of Strahan and back to Hobart through the central highlands. Find out more about cycling round the entire island.

Some excellent bicycle touring opportunities are available from Hobart, Tasmania’s harbour capital. Spend time exploring the heritage precinct of Battery Point, or head out of the city 26 kilometres (16 miles) to historic Richmond. You may also wish to explore the Tasman Peninsula, cycling to Port Arthur Historic Site, about 102 kilometres (64 miles) south of Hobart.

It is suggested that if you intend to cycle a full loop of Tasmania, it is best to travel in an anti-clockwise direction to make the most of the prevailing westerly winds on your cycle home if you plan to start in Hobart. Of course, it is possible to take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne and start your tour in Devonport, or in the northern city of Launceston.

Tasmania has a maritime climate and is susceptible to very changeable weather, particularly in the west. Typically, the best cycling months fall between January and April. Summer days are ideal as the light is suitable for riding from approximately 5.30am through to 9.30pm.

The colder and wetter months of June through to August are likely to be less suitable for biking tours. However, in Tasmania snow can fall in the mountainous regions even in the middle of summer.

It is important to be aware of large log trucks on Tasmanian roads, especially those that are narrow and winding. Be prepared to pull over if necessary, particularly if there is traffic coming from the opposite direction to the log truck. There are also some older bridges in Tasmania that have cracks and gaps wide enough to trap a bicycle wheel, so use additional caution when approaching bridges.
Be sure to lock your bike and do not leave valuable items on your bike when travelling.

Cycle Touring Map
Tasmanian Weather

Search for accommodation across Tasmania suitable for cyclists, ranging from camping grounds through to quaint bed and breakfast or self-contained options. There is also a comprehensive list of camping grounds, caravan parks and youth hostels situated along the key touring routes. Alternatively, call a Tassie Specialist on 1300 Tassie from anywhere in Australia.

For the camping enthusiast, carrying your own equipment allows you the flexibility to stay for as little or as long as you desire in a given area. In addition, you will save money, with most camp sites ranging from $8-$16 and often accompanied by camp kitchens, hot showers, and laundry facilities.

Bike Ride
McBain Cycles
Appleby Cycles
Tas Equipment Hire 
Derwent Bike Hire
Island Cycle Tours