8 Day Tassie All Over

Tour Highlights

• View Russell Falls at Mt Field
• Sea kayak on Hobart waterfront
• Bike the backroad to Tullah
• Hike at Cradle Mountain
• Explore the seaside town of Strahan
• Bike the Great Western Tiers
• Shop at Salamanca Market in Hobart
• Downhill bike ride down Mt Wellington

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Hobart to St Helens (bike and hike)

The east coast especially the north east, is an untapped wonderland waiting for you to pop by; it's peaceful, it's home to a string of stunning pristine white beaches and very appealing blue bays, and it's the sunniest place in Tasmania.  Head out of Hobart for a while before you begin your east coast exploration.  Take an adrenalin pumping downhill bike ride to sea level and lunch on the coast before a leisurely cycle into St Helens (35km). This afternoon take a relaxing walk along the beaches at Bay of Fires. 
Overnight: St Helens
Meals: lunch

Day 2: St Helens to Bicheno (bike)

Cycle south down the distractingly scenic coastline enroute to Bicheno, this coastal road is one of Australia’s greatest journey’s and doing it by bike is the best way to experience it (30-75km).  Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Douglas Apsley National Park waterhole.  The crystal clear waters that run through the park are a welcome sight on a hot summer's day. Try rock hopping along the river bank or read your book on the waters edge.
Overnight: Bicheno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Bicheno to Hobart (bike and hike)

Cycle 40km from Bicheno, or take a van transfer and regroup in Coles Bay.  Those transferring will get the chance for a longer sea kayak option before being joined by the cyclists.  The Freycinet peninsula consists of knuckles of granite mountains surrounded by azure bays and white sand beaches. The dramatic peaks of the Hazards welcome you as you enter the park on the bike or in the van, either way, have your camera ready! Join the group for a walk over to Freycinet National Park and marvel at the superb beach at Wineglass Bay.  Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach and return to Hobart this evening.
Overnight: Hobart
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Hobart to Lake St Clair (kayak and hike)

Up early for a refreshing start to the day on a gentle 2 hour sea kayak tour on the Hobart waterfront.  Travel to Mt Field National Park and take a fabulous walk at Tasmania’s oldest national park, Mt Field.  Travel just over an hour out of the city and into the heart of the rainforest. 
Overnight: Lake St Clair
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lake St Clair to Tullah (bike)

Check out the town of Strahan this morning and enjoy some time to explore this popular yet wild west coast fishing town.  Try your hand at sandboarding on the massive Henty Dunes, or for an even bigger thrill, try a quad bike tour on the dunes.  Bike ride this afternoon to your finish point of Tullah via some superb prehistoric landscapes around Mt Murchison.  Rugged mountains and towering manferns will make you feel as if you’re riding with the dinosaurs.  Bike ride today is 40-60km.
Overnight: Tullah
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Tullah to Cradle Mountain (hike)

Spend the day exploring Cradle Mountain National park and world heritage listed area and get back to one with nature.  There are a huge number of hiking options and trails in this area, and you’ll even get to stay and watch the sunset.  
Overnight: Cradle Mt
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Cradle Mt to Hobart (bike)

Transfer to Mole Creek and cycle to Deloraine on the backroads through rolling rural landscapes and The Great Western Tiers, a long mountain range running alongside you. 
Overnight: Hobart

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Hobart adventures (bike)

Enjoy exploring Salamanca Market today – a fabulous experience that occurs every Saturday in Hobart.  Also today you’ll take part in Hobart’s ultimate adventure – the Mt Wellington Descent downhill bike ride from 1270m at the summit of Mt Wellington, cycling 21km all the way back to sea level. 

Meals: breakfast

Further Details

Inclusions

• 7 nights’ accommodation (or 9 nights if the package is booked)
• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Air Conditioned Mini Coach with Driver/Guide
• Group size maximum 18
• Meals as listed (8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 1 dinner)
• Bike and helmet
• Mt Wellington Descent and Hobart kayak
• All National Park entry fees

Departures: From Hobart, finishing in Hobart

These trip notes will provide you with important information and tips to help you prepare for your ride and assist in planning for the tour.

In any tour group there will be obvious differences in fitness and experience. The tour is not a race and there is no requirement to cycle or walk at the pace of other riders. It is important to not feel pressured to undertake an activity that you are not comfortable with. Ride and walk safely within your own comfort zone and enjoy yourself. The one requirement we have is that you follow the instructions of your guide and read the trip notes to get a feel for the daily itinerary. There are very few ways of getting lost, but it can and may happen if you don’t listen to the instructions or head off on your own without following instructions.

Each day will take you through various landscapes and regions. Every day will also be different in how we get from one place to the next. Sometimes we will be using vehicle transport to skip difficult or less interesting parts of the route. Other days we will be riding for one two hours to get to the next place before a break then a walk or kayak in the afternoon after lunch or something like that. Your guide will go over the following day’s activities the day before and also on that morning. Travelling by bicycle in a different place can present unexpected challenges and may necessitate alterations to the route or timing. Keeping an open mind and these challenges may become the highlight of your trip.

Accommodation

Wilderness lodges, cabins, unique hotels and motels are used throughout the tour. We have great relationships with a whole range of accommodation operators and have preferred agreements with certain places.

Our selected accommodation houses used on our Active tours include:

• Hobart Macquarie Motor Inn (pre and post tour accommodation)
• Bayside Inn, St Helens
• Silver Sands Hotel, Bicheno
• Lakeside St Clair, Lake St Clair
• Tullah Lakeside Lodge, Tullah
• Cradle Mountain Discovery Park, Cradle Mountain

(occasionally we may use a similar property in the same town due to availability)

The tour price includes accommodation in twin or double share rooms (twin has two beds, double has one bed).

Further Information

Single Travellers

We understand that many people prefer to travel on their own. This is fine, you have two choices: we can try to match you up with other solo travellers (of the same sex) in a twin share capacity, or you can choose the guaranteed single room and no one needs to hear you snore at all. If we can’t match you up, you will be required to pay the single supplement to have your own room throughout the tour.

Group sizes

6 -16

Families and children

These trips are designed for adults in mind, and as such we recommend the youngest age suitable is 15 years.

Transport

Private support vehicle, mountain bikes, kayaks and your feet.

Physical Rating

Your tour will provide the opportunity for some serious physical activity. None of the activities on our tours are compulsory and there is always a support van around to assist with a lift for weary bodies.

There may be cycling or walking opportunities, depending on the tour you choose, of up to 3-4 hours per day sometimes over hilly or mountainous terrain if you feel up to it. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the tour.

The Bikes

Our Active Tour program uses mountain bikes with front suspension, or flat bar touring bikes with rigid forks that are less than 2 years old. If you have a preference, please advise at the time of booking, we have a a range of sizes. If you’re not too familiar with bikes, don’t worry, your tour guide will be able to undertake any necessary repairs throughout the tour, and we always carry spare parts.

Helmets

It is law to wear a helmet whilst riding a bicycle in Tasmania. We do provide adjustable comfortable helmets for our tour guests, although if you prefer to bring their own helmet, feel free.

Pedals

Our bikes are fitted with flat pedals (cages available at no additional cost) suitable for running shoes or similar. We are happy to change our pedals over to your preferred type, and it is essential that you bring your own pedals and shoes with you.

Bringing your own bike

You are more than welcome to bring your own bike to Tasmania, although it doesn’t change the tour price.

Joining point

Hobart – we provide hotel pick-ups the morning of departure starting at 8.00am, you will need to provide us with your hotel name in advance, and contact us the day prior to departure to confirm.

Finishing Point

Hobart – we provide hotel drop-offs the evening the tour finishes. It’s customary for a group debrief on the final night if you are interested. We do not recommend arranging an outward flight from Hobart the night the tour finishes, as it is preferable to have a night in Hobart after your tour to relax and discuss the highlights of the tour with your fellow travellers.

Support Vehicle

Our tours are accompanied by a support vehicle at all times. If you feel unable to participate in any section because of illness or injury, or even if you simply need a rest, there will be a place available for you to travel with your guide.
Our guides are also first aid trained and can assist participants in case of accidents.

Food

Active tours are designed for relatively active people who prefer getting out and enjoying life. There’ll be plenty of food to keep you going, with a good of food using local flavours and produce as much as possible.

For breakfast expect continental buffets where you can help yourself to cereals, wholemeal, grain and white bread as per the preferences of the group, fruits, juices, tea, coffee, skim, full cream and even soy milk plus the occasional bakery treat if you’re good.

For lunches we stop for picnics and again you can make your own rolls with fresh fillings of several types of meat, hommus, salad, plus there’ll be fresh fruit, some sort of sweet and cordials to drink.  For dinner we allow you to go and do your own thing and try the local cafes or restaurants. 

Should you have any dietary requirements, don’t be afraid to let us know beforehand, or even on the trip, there’s a good chance we can help you out without embarrassing you in front of the other guests.

Drinks

Water is always provided to fill up your drink bottles and will be located in the support van and at rest stops. We provide juices for breakfasts, and cordial at lunch times.

Weather

Tasmania has a pleasant temperate climate with low humidity which makes for ideal walk and cycle conditions. During summer expect temperatures of around 18-28 degrees C with Spring and Autumn temperatures of 12 – 22 degrees C. It is generally cooler at night and in the mornings and warms up significantly during the day. All we can suggest is layer, layer, layer. Check your gear list and remember to have lots of layers to put on and take off throughout the day. It can rain at any time of the year in Tasmania, a light rain jacket is always recommended to be safe.

Spending Money

Nearly all of the meals on this tour are included, just check your itinerary to see which one is not catered by us. Allow about AUD$15-25 for dinners depending on what sort of meal experience you want to have. Spending money will be required for additional purchases of other items or souvenirs and before and after the tour.

Your fellow travellers

As you travel with us in Tasmania, you will be exposed to the pleasures and also maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group, though from our experience these tours have excellent group dynamics. Your fellow travellers will likely come from a variety of backgrounds and may be a variety of ages. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group; patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone’s travel experience.

Your group leader

All trips are accompanied by one of our wonderful tour leaders. The aim of the guide is to co-ordinate the tour effectively to ensure you have the best trip possible. They will prepare meals and dine with the group, they may even deliver luggage to your rooms if you’re good to them, and check you in and out of your hotel/hostel. They will have a fantastic understanding of the local area, be able to provide advice on the best things to see and do and introduce you to some of the locals.

Responsible Travel

We believe strongly in minimal impact tourism and consider our style of walking and cycling touring to the have the least impact on the environment of any other means of transport. We believe we have a positive impact on tourism in Tasmania and show respect for our environment by leaving no traces and taking only photographs.

Laundry

There will be laundry facilities available each night of the tour, we will provide non-polluting biodegradable soaps for your use. In Hobart your hotel may provide laundry services at a charge.

What to take

When packing bear in mind Tasmania is a little cooler than mainland Australia, and as such may require slightly warmer clothing. Tasmania is not overly-conservative by nature and quite tolerant of most dress habits, plus it’s not usually warm enough to dress too offensively.

As a general guideline, casual clothes are the most appropriate; the only time smarter dress may be needed is during dinners in restaurants. Wearing shorts and tank-tops or t-shirts during the day is perfectly fine, and dressing in lycra cycling shorts is common amongst the many cycle tourists in Tasmania. If you prefer not to be seen in lycra, wear loose fitting shorts over the top.
It can get colder in the evenings, so a warm jacket or sweater is useful during the evening. Likewise a lightweight waterproof jacket is essential and a sun hat and glasses for during the day.

Suggested packing list

• Helmet & gloves (we will supply these, but you can bring your own if you prefer)
• Water bottle
• T-shirts
• Padded shorts for biking
• Shorts for general walking
• A rain coat (just in case!)
• Walking shoes
• Sandals
• Plenty of changes of underwear and socks
• Sweater or jumper (it can get chilly in the evenings and mornings)
• Long trousers (preferably not jeans for hiking sections, but jeans are ok for evenings)
• Sunscreen (we also carry some)
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat or cap
• Swimsuit
• Beach towel
• Toiletries
• First-aid kit (your own personal kit should contain lip balm, aspirin, band aids, a cream for sore muscles (e.g. deep heat), extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

Spending Money

• Meals – dinners are not included in the trip price. You should budget AUD$15-25 for dinner.
• Other expenses – aside from meals, there are no required additional expenses for this trip, but you might like to take spending money for such things as souvenir shopping, nightlife and internet cafes.
• Tipping – there is no requirement for tipping in Australia unless you feel the service was above expectations

We use our own private transport on our tours, and as such you may pack your gear in a backpack, overnight bag with shoulder strap or suitcase. Please limit your gear to one large bag and one small day pack.