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a riders’ guide to
touring tasmania
Leon Cupit (asmC)
S M C
A U S T R A L I A
25 WorLd CLass riding experienCes
The AusTrAliA sociAl MoTorcycle club (AsMc) inviTes you To TAsMAniA “To DAnce WiTh The Devils”
a tWo WheeLed WonderLanda motorCyCLing meCCa!
introduCtionWith so many exCiting
options, it Can be diffiCuLt to Choose one partiCuLar ride When taking a trip to tasmania.Tasmania is a hidden sanctuary in an increasingly frantic world.
Empty, winding roads, deserted beaches, pristine forests, rolling farmland, majestic mountains clean water, clean air, and a relaxed population.
Tasmania’s towns are simple places, with a human scale… The simplicity lost in so many places.
Separated from the big island by the 240 km stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart – a place
of wild and beautiful landscapes; friendly, welcoming people; a pleasant, temperate climate; wonderful wine and food; a rich history; and a relaxed island lifestyle.
Tasmania is a Motorcyclists Mecca, a two wheeled wonderland.
Now, with ever increasing motorcycle enthusiast’s put Tassie on the top of their bucket list, the members of The Australia Social Motorcycle Club (ASMC) in Tasmania have pooled our collective knowledge in this booklet to share with you the best of the best rides not to miss when you come and visit us. We’ve put together a series of tours, and rides suitable for all levels of experience and skills. We have gathered some from various places on the net and many from our own experience, all in one place to help you choose your adventure.
We’ve done this because we can’t think of anything worse than spending time riding Tasmania only to find out later you’ve missed the best bits.
In Tasmania, where the freedom to be yourself and where “Ride Your Own Ride” is still prized, you’ll find a warm welcome, plenty of local riders happy to share their knowledge and great roads. There are also beautiful coastlines, mountainous wilderness and unbelievable scenery, no matter where you stop.
You can also get from the top of mountains to the sea in practically no time - and there’s not a lot of traffic to worry about either. In fact it’s so compact that you get to any part of Tasmania in less than half a day.
Tasmania’s Great Eastern Ride is already talked about by motorcyclists
and a great place to tour for small groups. And while our West Coast is becoming very well known to motorcyclists, it’s equally rewarding, given the road and the fact it passes through World Heritage Wilderness featuring spectacular and stunning scenery almost at every turn.
We have plenty of day rides from all areas to tempt you and ensure you enjoy the experience.
So whether you ride for passion or practicality, riding Tasmania is as good as it gets.
Stay safe and enjoy your Tassie Riding Experience.
Leon Cupit (asmC)
Cover image credit: Pete Harmsen Image credit: Wai Nang Poon
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It is possible to ride a thousand kilometres here, and not see a straight road. This is why we are so popular with motorcyclists from all over the world.
There are some dangers, which should be considered:
• bumpy winding roads require absolute concentration and skill, fatigue can set in quickly, so do not plan very long distances.
• Beware of unmarked corners, riders used to an advisory speed limit on every corner should beware in Tasmania not all corners are marked.
• On cool days roads can remain slippery all day if in the shadow of trees, you should never assume every corner is dry.
• night riding in Tasmania is dangerous because of the large number of native animals on the roads at night. You will notice the extreme numbers of road kill as proof of this danger.
After negotiating the mysteries of our corners, bends and bows, our poorly lit and at times moss covered wet roads, uneven and changing surfaces and our visiting tourists. Our abundant wildlife is a very real hazard particularly between dusk and dawn. The number of roadkill you will encounter should be confirmation enough of their significant numbers throughout Tasmania.
While Tasmania is a two wheeled wonderland, a motorcyclist mecca. Any lapse in total concentration could be fatal for you or your ride buddy, we don’t have the long relaxing straights and highways of the big island, so you must be on top of your game when considering a riding tour of Tassie.
We want you to go home with great memories, not a bent bike and medical bills, or worse still adding your name to our already large tally of visiting riders that didn’t make it home.
riders safety message - don’t ignore this Warning.
Whilst you might consider yourself a good rider, an experienced rider, a highly skilled rider. Unfortunately the statistics prove riding in Tasmania will conspire to bring your ego down a peg or two. The facts prove that we have a disproportionate number of interstate rider deaths in Tasmania compared to anywhere else in the country.
We are not exactly sure why this is, but I’m happy to share my opinion if it helps keep you safe and shiny side up.
When riding in Tasmania you’ll find everything you’ve been used too is much more compact, much more intense. By that I mean, there are many more corners and a lot closer together, the corners will tighten up on you, and a lot quicker than you’re used to. We have many corners with a negative camber in poorly lit areas that lay in wait to catch you out. Many of our roads are effected by the strobe effect, when the sunlight is filtering through the trees on the shaded road, this commonly effects your judgment of speed and distance, again conspiring to catch you out.
We have an abundance of international visitors also trying to navigate around our great state with varying degrees of success, so you shouldn’t be surprised when negotiating a blind corner you meet them personally without warning.
take note – you’ve been Warned. hoW you go home is noW up to you, so pLease ride smart, stay safe and arrive home With fantastiC memories. (we can also recommend a good plastic surgeon you’ll need to remove that permanent smile after your successful tour of Tassie).
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page01 The Great Eastern Ride LeveL 1 8
02 West Coast – Hobart to Devonport (or vice versa) LeveL 3 11
03 Your 10 Day tour of Tassie LeveL 1 13
04 Your 6 Day tour of Tassie LeveL 1 14
05 Five Days on the Island LeveL 2 15
06 The Classic Tassie Tour LeveL 1 18
07 The Charlie Boorman Ride LeveL 3 22
08 A Three Day Twistie Taste of Tasmania (1495km of white knuckle peg scraping fun) LeveL 3+
26
09 Hobart – Port Arthur – Peninsular Loop (227km) LeveL 1 29
10 Hobart – Cockle Creek (via the Cygnet Coast Rd 330km) LeveL 1 31
11 Hobart – National Park – Lake Pedder (338km return) LeveL 1 34
12 Hobart – Lake St Clair (350km return) LeveL 1 36
13 Southern Country Loop (282km) LeveL 1 38
14 Hobart – Bruny Island 248km return) LeveL 2 40
15 Hobart – Poatina – Swansea (453km) LeveL 2 42
16 Hobart – ‘KUNANYI’ – Mount Wellington (only 20.6km) LeveL 2 44
17 Launceston – Tamar River – Scottsdale Loop (274km) LeveL 2 46
18 Launceston – Ben Lomond. “Jacobs Ladder” (60km) LeveL 3+ 47
19 Launceston – Mount Barrow (only 40.5km) LeveL 3+ 48
20 Launceston to The Little Blue Lake (291km return) LeveL 1 49
21 Do The Passes If You Dare. Launceston – St Helens – St Marys – Bicheno – Fingal (424km) LeveL 3
51
22 Launceston – Hobart A Bikers Route (278km) LeveL 2 53
23 Devonport – Miena – Zeehan – Moina (527km) LeveL 3 54
24 Devonport – Deloraine – Cradle Mountain – Burnie (318km) LeveL 2 56
25 Devonport – Stanley – Marrawah (369km Return) LeveL 1 58
the ridesWhat kind of rider are you? …serious question. What kind of rider are you?
Tasmania’s roads might easily have been designed by a motorcyclist. Wherever you ride, there are inviting stretches curling into the mountains or wrapping around beaches. And taking your bike from the mainland is super easy with the Spirit of Tasmania. To get the most out of your ride, and to make sure you return home safely, it’s important to plan. Here are three motorcycle journeys to help plan your adventure.
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Rides are for competent riders who enjoy a cruise, but with a few challenging sections and more kilometres throughout the day
Rides are for competent riders who enjoy easy routes with low kilometres each day. These rides are less about the adrenaline and more a relaxing cruise, relatively short rides so you can take the time to soak in the scenery, stop off for coffee’s, lunch and all those important happy snaps of your day.
Rides are for the expert riders, adrenaline junkies who expect white knuckle rides no matter how you pace yourself
For your reference we have categorized the rides to three levels
Image credit: Sean Scott
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01 the great eastern ride - from hobart to LaunCeston 416km
the great eastern ride CLings to tasmania’s CoLourfuL east Coast to Create the state’s very oWn great oCean road, but
the fun begins Long before you hit the beaChes. Travelling from Hobart towards Orford (where the ride officially starts) the Tasman Highway winds through hills with evocative names such as “Bust-Me-Gall”, giving a hint of the exhilaration to come. (A locals tip; The Gateway Café at Orford has the best coffee on the coast)
At Orford, the ride opens up as the highway turns north along the coast. Swooping down from Rocky Hills, the road clings to the coast, as beach follows beach to Swansea. The lovely open road past the Freycinet Peninsula and Bicheno provides a chance to chase the horizon as the highway straightens.
Detour into the Bay of Fires from St Helens, the last stop on the ride, to discover a place of white sand, oversized boulders and clear blue seas, before turning inland, where the highway provides a snaking ride through rainforest and hills into Launceston.
What’s aLL the fuss about?There’s so much value in Tasmania’s roads having been laid out. Oh...so long ago. Yes, this road was conceived long before the days of multi-lane highways and straight, boring sections. No better example than the snake like, black tarmac we call The Great Eastern Ride.
What We Love about the great eastern ride (a3)• it’s not straight – Forget commute rides. This one
is designed to let the cool climate air blow any CBD cobwebs to the weeds through the countless
TASMANIA HAS RECENTLY BEEN vOTED AS HAvING ONE OF AusTrAliA’s “besT riDes”.
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Image credit: Pete Harmsen
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“twisties” and “over crests” that confirm why you are so passionate about motorcycle touring.
• you can start and finish where you choose – This is not a route that has to be enjoyed in only one direction. Start in the north from Launceston or from Hobart in the south. Exit the A3 at St Marys (pick up the A4) or even exit just north of Swansea (Lake Leake Road B34). Or mix it all up – who cares. Your grin will poke out your visor as you’re treated to stunning sections of temperate rain forest or grassy plains and low alpine vistas.
• Kaleidoscope of views - Every motorcyclist who takes on this ride is in awe of just how quickly the scenery, terrain, climate and views change in such a small place. We truly are a world in a glass tube. The Great Eastern Ride takes in sandy plains, temperate rain forest, grassy open fields, sandy beaches, coastal fishing vistas, sub alpine hills, mature eucalypt forests and stunning blue water views that will cause you to stop for photos.
• All riders love it - you are sure to meet “someone from somewhere” on this ride. Apart from the local rider using it for regular fun, there are people from around Australia and the world ticking off their bucket list with this “must do” ride.
So what are you waiting for? You don’t even need a GPS - you just go east from Launceston or Hobart and there’s only one black strip - The Great Eastern Ride - just do it.
02 West Coast - from hobart to devonport 516km
tasmania’s West Coast is motorCyCLe heaven, With the often empty highWays WriggLing betWeen WorLd heritage-Listed
mountains in seemingLy endLess sWeeps. From Hobart, the Lyell Highway climbs through some wonderfully open rural country and then thick forest to Derwent Bridge, about 175 km away.
Here you enter the heart of Tasmania’s mountain country. As the highway continues west, it crosses the mystical Franklin River, while the daunting summit of Frenchman’s Cap – one of the state’s most striking mountains – appears to the south. The twisting descent into Queenstown, along the so-called 99 Bends Road, is among the finest sections of riding in Tasmania and a favourite in all forms of motorsport.
Duck across to the coast to Strahan for lunch, then head north to Zeehan to reach the gloriously empty Murchison Highway. Take the turn to Cradle Mountain and rise up over the stark Black Bluff Range, before leaving the high plateau to follow quiet country roads through some of the state’s most fertile farmland towards Devonport on the north coast.
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Image credit: Pete Harmsen
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne
Tourism Tasmania & Andrew Wilson
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03 your 10 day tour of tassie this undisputed Champion of road trips Weaves together many of tasmania’s iConiC rides, nationaL parks, speCtaCuLar sCenery and magnifiCent mountains.
This is a serious ride for experienced riders. The distances may look easy, but the continuously winding twisty road and changeable weather conditions means the riding is challenging and will test your skills every day.
When thinking about dates, remember that Hobart’s Salamanca Market is only on a Saturday.
LoCation Journey notes km
1 hobart Arrive, settle in to your accommodation and have a look around Hobart, pick up bike around 4pm
0
2 hobart D’Entrecasteux discovery -Tinderbox- Woodbridge – Huonville – Mount Wellington.
250
3 Freycinet Explore Port Arthur in the morning, then ride to Coles Bay via the glorious East Coast Highway. Maybe lunch in Swansea.
150
4 launceston Ride North East and North – Elephant Pass – Bicheno – Bay of Fires – Derby – Lillydale – Launceston.
220
5 stanley Ride to Mole Creek via, Sheffield, Paradise, Cethana, Cradle Mountain, Forth, Wynyard, Boat Harbour, Stanley.
300
6 stanley Tarkine Loop Road, superb old growth Temperate Rainforest and the last bastion of the Tasmanian Devil.
320
7 strahan via Hellyer Gorge – Waratah – Rosebery – Zeehan. 250
8 strahan Free Day River Cruise- Float plane or ABS Railway. Many ways to experience Tassie’s famous South West Wilderness.
270
9 Maydena Ride to Maydena, via mining town of Queenstown, World Heritage areas, spectacular scenery and wonderful roads.
0 or 350
10 hobart Ride to Strathgordon in Tasmania’s World Heritage Area, Huge Trees in Temperate rainforest, Wild Landscapes
300
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Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett Image credit: Wai Nang Poon12 13
04 your 6 day tour of tassie LeveL 1
LoCation Journey notes km
1 hobart Arrive, settle in to your accommodation and have a look around Hobart.
0
2 coles bay Ride the wonderful ‘Great Eastern Ride” to Coles Bay, have time to explore Wineglass Bay.
220
3 launceston Elephant Pass rainforest, Bicheno, Bay of Fires beautiful coastline. Travel the long way to Launceston, via Pyengana, Lillydale.
240
4 Deloraine Explore the North of Tasmania, Beauty Point, Latrobe, Sheffield, Paradise, Mole Creek. Quick look at Cradle Mountain.
180 to 300
5 Maydena Deloraine, Poatina, Lakes District, Bothwell, Hamilton, Westerway, National Park to Maydena.
270
6 hobart Ride to Lake Pedder, Strathgordon, then back to Westerway, New Norfolk and return to Hobart.
350
When thinking about dates, remember that Hobart’s Salamanca Market is only on a Saturday.
05 five days on the isLandLeveL 2
day 1. devonport to strahan - 236km
Sheffield, Morning tea 36kmCradle Mountain, Lunch 55kmRosebery 75kmStrahan 70km
day 2. strahan to hobart - 311km
Queenstown 40kmDerwent Bridge 85kmTarraleah 50kmHamilton 58kmNew Norfolk 45kmHobart 34km
day 3. hobart free day - tour optionsMuseuM oF olD AnD neW ArT – MonA
The Museum of Old and New Art – Mona is Australia’s largest private museum and arguably one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world. We think it’s the most interesting of any Gallery’s you have ever been to. It’s ‘nuts’!
Described by its owner as a ‘subversive adult Disneyland’, the collection ranges from ancient Egyptian mummies to some of the world’s most infamous and thought-provoking contemporary art.
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob BurnettImage credit: Kathryn Leahy
Image credit: Poon Wai Nang
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With around 300 art works on display, the collection takes up three floors within a subterranean architectural masterpiece and is guaranteed to impress.
We catch a high speed ferry from Hobart’s waterfront for a 30-minute ride up the Derwent River right to the steps of the museum.
climateOur climate is temperate, and generally mild, but we ARE at 42 Degree South, right in the path of the “Roaring Forties’. Winds that sweep around the globe at this latitude. These winds mean we have beautiful clean air, and changeable weather. The maritime climate means we do not get much extreme weather, such as continental USA or Europe. Winters are cool, but not freezing, summers are warm but rarely hot. With appropriate clothing, motorcycling is pleasant almost all year round.
• Mid october to Mid April is Peak season in Tasmania. The weather is generally mild to warm.
• Mid April to June is cooler, but generally a really great time for motorcycling with clear air, little rain and empty roads. You can have Tassie almost to yourself.
• July and August are for the more heroic motorcyclist.
• september until Mid october can be nice but a bit less predictable, the weather can be cold or mild, nice or snowy.
roadsOther than the main Highway 1, Tasmania’s roads are generally winding and challenging.
It is possible to ride a thousand kilometres here, and not see a straight road. This is why we are so popular with motorcyclists from all over the world.
There are some dangers, which should be considered:
• Bumpy winding roads require absolute concentration and skill, fatigue can set in quickly, so do not plan very long distances.
• Beware of unmarked corners, riders used to an advisory speed limit on every corner should beware in Tasmania not all corners are marked.
• On cool days roads can remain slippery all day if in the shadow of trees, you should never assume every corner is dry.
• Night riding in Tasmania is dangerous because of the large number of native animals on the roads at night. You will notice the extreme numbers of road kill as proof of this danger.
day 4. hobart to st heLens - 310km
Richmond, Coffee 26kmSwansea 116kmFreycinet peninsula [hike to wineglass bay]
55km
Bicheno, Lunch 30kmSt Marys via Elephant pass [highlight]
57km
St Helens 35km
day 5. st heLens to devonport - 270km
Scottsdale 98kmCoffee, Tamar valley back roads to Devonport
170km
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
Image credit: Daniel Tran
Image credit: Wai Nang Poon
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06 the CLassiC tassie tour – at your Leisure
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CompLeteLy dominated by naturaL Wonder and breathtaking sCenery, this tour takes you from hobart to aLL the main
highLights......including Mt Field, Strahan, the stunning Cradle Mountain National Park, Devonport, the Bay of Fires, Freycinet National Park and the historical prison settlement of Port Arthur. All this combined with some of the greatest biking roads in Australia! Best undertaken in late spring to early autumn.
You can adjust this tour to match your preferences, timescale and motorcycle “must-do” lists.
First port of call in Tasmania, quite literally in fact is Devonport. Home to the terminal for the ‘Spirit of Tasmania I and II’ ferries, Devonport is a congenial port town that provides everything you could need to start your motorcycle tour off in style.
Head north-west along the old coast road out of town for unrivalled views of the Bass Strait you just crossed on the ferry.
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania
The bay of Fires
The Bay of Fires was thusly named by Captain Tobias Furneaux in 1773, when he spotted numerous fires along the coast which led him to believe the country was more densely populated than it actually turned out to be.
These days it’s more likely to be referred to as the Bay of BBQs, as the prevalence of pristine, almost eye-wateringly white beaches, Turquoise Ocean and soothing climate, make this the ideal spot to relax, cook up some food and savour the atmosphere.
Boating, bird watching, camping, swimming, snorkelling and a wide range of other activities mean there’s plenty to see and do, along with revelling in the beach lifestyle. It makes for one fantastic coastline to ride along too.
Freycinet national Park
Mid way up the east coast is this easily overlooked sliver of Tasmania, if it weren’t for the thin isthmus of land connecting it to the rest of Tassie, Freycinet would be an island by now. Whilst it would be easy to shoot straight past, revelling in the fantastic riding offered by the eastern coastal road, a short detour to visit the natural wonder that is Wineglass Bay is well worth it.
The near perfect swath of sand at Wineglass Bay has earned it the accolade of one of the top ten beaches in the world, as voted by several travel authorities and this motorcycle traveller alike. There’s plenty of fishing, boating, sea kayaking and rock climbing for those feeling energetic, and the spectacular
pink feldspar and Granite Mountains known as ‘The Hazards’ provide a pleasant contrast to all the beach on offer.
Port Arthur
Have you been speeding on your motorcycle? I certainly hope not, as you might well end up in a place like Port Arthur. A place like it perhaps, but the only way to get into this particular ancient convict settlement now is to take a tour like everyone else.
Port Arthur is an almost absurdly appropriate place for a penitentiary. The peninsula where the settlement is located, is only attached to the mainland by a 30m wide stretch of land known as Eaglehawk Neck. A formidable speed bump in any escape plans, but a great route to ride in on!
The guards and convicts may be long gone, but the atmosphere and fascinating history linger. The museum, historic buildings, informative displays, harbour cruise to the ‘Isle of the Dead’ and simply the setting itself, all provide an intriguing insight into what life must have been like for those convicts and soldiers alike, unlucky enough to be sent there.
hobart
State capital of Tasmania and second oldest city in Australia, Hobart is strongly influenced by its maritime roots. It boasts a waterfront location to rival that of Sydney, the Tasman Bridge playing the part of the Harbour Bridge with considerable aplomb. Dominating every view of the skyline from within the city is Mount Wellington, towering to 1,271m above sea level it casts a watchful eye over the city below. The many hiking trails 18 19
in the area provide an opportunity to get off the bike and stretch the legs, if you’re feeling up to that thousand or so metres of course! There’s always something going on in Hobart, so much so that you might find it hard to drag yourself away but trust us, there’s plenty more to experience on this tour.
Mount Field national Park
Founded in 1916 this is Tasmania’s oldest national park, and was the last refuge of the now reportedly extinct Tasmanian Tiger or Thylacine. Reportedly extinct because, well, there are so many places to hide in Tasmania’s lush wilderness and more remote areas, that you never really know what you might happen across on a motorbike tour! Easy access to some spectacular waterfalls, rainforest and great camping makes this a popular day stop on the way to the town of Strahan.
strahan and the West coast
Riding through part of the ‘Tasman
things, but that’s not so far from the truth really. Cradle Mountain is the place you’ve probably heard of before, the place everyone wants to see, and for good reason.
Iconic is one word that aptly describes the national park, the area literally embodies the state of Tasmania in one easily absorbed visit. Cradle Mountain itself, rising up from behind Dove Lake with its unmistakable outline, forms the epicentre in the astounding collection of natural wonders on offer.
Explore the pristine alpine landscape and encounter some of the many endemic varieties of animals that call the park their home, wallabies, quolls, wombats, possums, echidnas and the infamous Tasmanian Devil can all be found within the confines of the park; if you’re lucky you might just spot some.
If you aren’t keen on the gravel then take the tarmac road to the South Western region of Tasmania. It is almost entirely National Park, a combination of the Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, and the Southwest National Park. The region is now designated a world heritage area. The more traditional Australian ‘bush’, gives way to a pine-dominated landscape in the highlands around Strathgordon and Maydena. The route from New Norfolk to the Gordon Dam, just west of Strathgordon is the only road in the entire region. The rest of the park is only accessible by foot or from the air. The Gordon Dam itself, while being controversial at the time, is a truly spectacular feat of engineering; and the surrounding region is well worth a few days exploration.
The central highlands including the Great Western Tiers Conservation Area, and the Central Plateau Conservation Area, are home to Tasmania’s great lakes. Lake Sorrell, Arthur’s Lake and the Great Lake. They are all great places to get out onto the water, or enjoy a spot of fishing. However, remember that this region is some way above sea level and it’s not unheard of to have snow, even in summer!
Camping is a great way to experience Tasmania’s natural environment, with a plethora of excellent camp sites available all over the island. Some of the bed and breakfast accommodation is excellent too with spectacular views from some over superb sandy bays and turquoise seas.
A wide variety of different landscapes crammed into an area not much larger than 60,000 square km and a population of fewer than 500,000, leaves a lot of wild Tasmania to explore. The roads twist and undulate constantly and it will take you longer to get to your destination than you expect as there’s plenty of places to stop and the great biking roads slow you down.
World Heritage Area’, the landscape formed by the dolerite and quartzite mountains offer up some serious scenery and provide some equally serious rapids for those interested in spending some time bouncing around in a raft rather than sampling the delights of the Lyell Highway.
The only road through the area, the Lyell Highway twists and turns, rises and falls as it threads a sinuous route through the epic landscape, providing some fantastic riding through unsurpassed scenery.
You may be loathed to clamber from your faithful steed, but trust us, it’s worth investigating the national parks in the surrounding area on a more intimate level. One option is a cruise from Strahan, a relaxed approach to exploring this captivating World Heritage Area.
cradle Mountain - lake st claire national Park
Another national park! Anyone would think Tasmania was covered in the
The iconic Tasmanian DevilImage credit: Wai Nang Poon
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Samuel Shelley
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07 you Can reLive “the CharLey boorman ride” 6 Days
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day 1Tasmania is blessed with some of the finest most scenic riding in Australia and the ride from Devonport to St Helens is no different. We ride south to Launceston before turning northwest and up and over the Weldborough Pass. Remote pubs empty roads and stunning scenery is a feature on this day.
day tWoWe ride the east coast today through the beautiful Freycinet National Park and onto the Forestier Peninsula and the historic, and some say haunted, Port Arthur. We visit the historical penal colony of Port Arthur that housed prisoners from the UK & Ireland from the 1830s
day threeWe ride the 95 km / 59 mi to Hobart and keep going. We turn due south to experience the wonderful riding to be had on the Channel Highway as it twists and turns on its way south to the wonderfully named Snug and Cygnet where we get great views of the D’Entrecasteux Channel before returning to Hobart via Huonville.
day fourToday’s riding is spectacular as we visit Russell Falls, Tasmania’s most famous; shrouded in ferns these falls are located within the Mt Field National Park and offer some spectacular short walks amongst the towering Huon Pine. The ride continues through the legendary
Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park before arriving at the stunningly beautiful Strahan, on the shores of the Scenic Macquarie Harbour. We spend 2 nights here allowing us to catch a cruise along the wonderful Gordon River or explore the area around Strahan.
day fiveA free day today in this small village voted as the best little town in the world by the Chicago Tribune. There are many things we can do in Strahan, including cruising the incredible Gordon River (optional) or a flight (optional) over the pristine forests declared a world heritage wilderness area.
day sixWe turn north and ride the scenic Murchison Highway before turning off and visiting the beautiful Cradle Mountain inside the Cradle Mountain /Lake St Clair National Park. The wonderful riding continues on until we reach Devonport where we catch the overnight ferry back to Melbourne.
Imagine a place where all roads offer postcard perfect scenery and tantalising twists and turns. It exists, just south of the mainland, and it’s called Tasmania
Whether as a rite of passage or an annual pilgrimage, touring Tasmania by motorcycle is one of those trips every rider should take. From the varied vistas of its dramatic coastlines, its cool untouched forests or the blonde grassy hills of its parched inland heart, Tasmania offers not only the scenery that makes riding it so worthwhile, but some of the most entertaining stretches of black-top
you could hope to find anywhere.
The best thing about all of this is that Tasmania confers all of this in a compact, adrenalin-filled package even the most novice rider could knock over in a couple of days. As we discovered on a recent three-dayer to the Apple Isle you don’t need a week to discover the best bits of Australia’s southern-most state (though it would have been nice). Just pack up your swag, jump on the ferry, and take to the road for a ride you’ll not soon forget... And one I bet will have you wanting to return again and again.
The WilD, WilD WesT
With a dozen mates our trek began in Devonport, as is logical to do considering the only real option of getting to van Diemen’s Land is by ferry from Melbourne. Sure, there are a handful of reputable rental agencies dotted in the major cities, but in the interests of sticking to a budget, your own bike can’t be beat. But I digress.
From Devonport we headed for the Wild West coast via Railton, Sheffield, Barrington, Forth and Gawler. It might seem a little protracted, but the roads are well worth the detour. What’s more they’ll bring you out at Gunn’s Plains which in turn offers a number of routes (some familiar to Targa Tasmania ilk) each entertaining in their own right.
Looping north again through Riana and on to Burnie (where at least one of us discovered you can’t park on the footpath is Tassie) the scenery is astounding, and well worth a pause for happy snaps if you’re so inclined.
We then took the A10 south via Yolla and through the Hellyer Gorge State Reserve for one of the
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob BurnettImage credit: Tourism Tasmania & Arcade Publications
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best knee-down sections in the entire state. Then, a quick left-right east of Waratah sends us deeper into the heavily forested Granite Tor Conservation Area and Lake Mackintosh, where I highly recommend turning right on the Pieman Road (also marked Reece Dam Road). You’ll see why when you get there, it’s like an amusement park for motorcycles!
With just enough fuel we end up crossing the dam wall at Lake Pieman’s western tip before trundling down the fast-flowing Heemskerk Road to Zeehan.
Zeehan seems deserted at the best of times, there’s fewer than 900 people living in this once flourishing silver mining town, but thanks to the advent of EFTPOS, fuel can be bought anytime day or night. A quick dash through the scrubby bush to Strahan allowed glimpses of the Southern Ocean as we swung eastward to the Lyell Highway, Queenstown and our first night’s accommodation.
There’s GolD in TheM There hills
If you’ve never experienced Queenstown before you’re in for a treat. The landscape is positively alien, the barren granite hills bearing all the scars of more than a century’s mining, an industry still alive in the quirky valley town to this day. The hills also provide an entertaining exit (and remarkable view) as we power towards Gormanston, across Lake Burbury and bisect the world heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
The hydroelectric plants of Derwent Bridge and Brady’s Lake make a dramatic backdrop to what’s
otherwise a heavily wooded but fun section of highway en route to Hamilton and Bothwell.
The section of the Hollow tree Road from the A10 to Bothwell is as entertaining as it is compelling. It’s an open and well-kept stretch of road that for some unexplained reason is literally littered with road kill from start to finish. Fair dinkum, there’s a corpse every ten or so metres. The highest concentration of decomposing wildlife of any place we encountered in Tassie (and that’s saying something) almost every road we travelled seems to be permeated with the smell of putrefied flesh.
Grin and bear it, because the Castle Hill pub at Bothwell is worth stopping for, even if the kitchen isn’t geared up for a dozen hungry bikers. The tucker is, however, almost worth the wait and the never-ending parade of bikes passing the front door will certainly give you enough to talk about.
By now the road (A5) has opened up, and after a few days of tight, twisty roads you’ll welcome the chance to, um, stretch your legs... So to speak.
Undulating terrain speckled with farms and livestock lining the road on each side will do its best to distract you, and while the road needs little more than a lazy glance ahead, the right hander to Poatina will sneak up on you. It is one turn you don’t want to miss.
The silky uphill section between Great Lake and Arthurs Lake will eventually be met by a series of switchbacks and a steep grade down to the resort town of Poatina, the change in temperature also noticeable as we track across the hot open plains to Cressy.
Launceston was our destination
for night two, and though we were tempted to link the roads from Cressy to Cluan, Golden valley and Deloraine, the offer of a BBQ dinner with a mate’s family was too good to pass up.
oF eleMenTs AnD elePhAnTs
The next morning we doubled back through Cressy and south for Campbell Town. The Midland Highway (A1) will get you here in double-time, but for my money, the Macquarie Road (C522) and its view of the Great Western Tiers just can’t be beat. The Red Bridge Cafe at Campbell Town makes what is arguably the best coffee in Tasmania, and certainly the best of our trip. It’s worth the stop.
From here, we hooked a right on the Lake Leake Highway and enjoyed a brisk squirt east to Bicheno where a curious little motorcycle museum proved too alluring for our motley crew. By now, unfortunately, the rain was upon us and as we headed for St Marys past the picturesque Maclean Bay the Tasman Sea, whipped by onshore winds pelted salt spray at our already sodden skin. The Elephant Pass (A4) through Gray and St Marys is worth the detour, as the number of bikes braving the elements clearly testified.
Re-joining the Tasman Highway (A3) for Scamander and Beaumaris, the road deviates inland again for St Helens, Goshen, Weldborough and the gorgeous little town of Derby via a stretch of tar that although populated heavily by Winnebago’s, 4WDs, caravans and the occasional log truck, is genuinely thrilling. The towering eucalypts and prehistorically proportioned tree ferns are captivating here, and can distract from the job at hand, so keep your wits about you.
All too soon the road descends past the rustic homesteads of once isolated farmland before literally popping you out in the main street of Scottsdale. This typically Tasmanian town oozes charm and, unlike some places we encountered along the way, was receptive to bikers. The proprietor of the local BP servo even greeted us with an atomiser full of soapy water and some clean, soft rags ready for visor and helmet cleaning.
As we were pressed for time (I told you I wished we had a week) we made the decision to bypass Bridport and the Batman Bridge for the quicker route through Launceston and back to Devonport, and our waiting ferry.
Leaving Scottsdale via the Sideling Pass the patchwork road surface caught us unaware on a few turns. The road, like many in Tasmania absolutely covered on its corners by marbles thrown up from vehicles dragging their rear wheel across the shoulder.
All too soon we were back in Launceston to re-join the freeway for Devonport. Although a tame road by the standards encountered elsewhere on our ride it’s not without its charm. The setting sun catching the Great Western Tiers and Alum Cliffs before we swing north to meet the Mersey River and our floating 200 car garage.
I’m sure I speak for everyone in our little group when I say the trip to Tasmania is well worth the effort. Every last kilometre offers postcard perfect scenery, tantalising twists and turns and a chance to explore mile after mile at a pace matching your mood. I’d recommend touring the Apple Isle to anyone with the means to make it happen, two wheels or otherwise.24 25
08 a three day tWistie taste of tasmania (1,495km of white knuckle peg scraping fun)
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i spent aWhiLe Working out a tWistie taste of tasmania ride route designed for those riders With Limited touring time and
a desire to experienCe the stunning WiLderness sCenery WhiLst shredding their tyres. This ride is guaranteed to have you grinning all day and be busy planning the next trip to our biker’s paradise. So expect white knuckle driving no matter how you pace yourself.
The trip is three riding days, 2 nights and starts as you ride off the boat. The route of 1495 km - doesn’t sound much but there are literally thousands of twisties in this ride from the long perfect sweepers of the Lake Leake Hwy to the multitude of peg scraping bends in the Central Highlands and Western Wilderness, Gorges and Passes. Where possible the ride avoids busy highways to maximise your riding enjoyment without the normal tourist traffic and unnecessary attention from the regulators....
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Joe Shemesh
Incorporating the stunning views and forests of our great mountain ranges and national parks, this ride is a legend among bikers for its patently absurd 500 curves. It’s a thrilling mix of technical thrills set amid stunning mountain scenery and forest passes.
This ride has long been a biker draw, thanks to its blend of fun riding with incredible scenery. Peppered throughout the ride are hairpin turns and a string of cuttings, as well as misty wetness that adds an extra element of danger. Make it to the end in one piece and you can take in a measure of pride knowing you’ve conquered the “Twistie Taste of Tasmania”
day one 632kmDepart the Spirit of Tasmania by 7:30am, head straight down to Deloraine, take a right at the roundabout to Mole Creek, Cethana Gorge, Cradle Mountain and out the Murchison Hwy, If time permits turn right because it’s worth a quick scoot up through Hellyer Gorge then back again down the Murchison Hwy to Queenstown. Now the Famous 99 Bends to Derwent Bridge, continue on the Lyell Hwy and turn right onto Ellendale Rd not far past Ouse, right again at Westerway will take you back along the Tyenna River through National Park to Maydena and onto Lake Pedder Chalet for the night.
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day tWo 455kmA few km further on is the famous Gordon River Dam, not to be missed. Back down the road to bushy Park, over sweeping curves of Hollow Tree to the Historic town of Bothwell and up into the highlands lake country before twisting down to Poatina, Cressy, Longford and Launceston. Taking the Tasman Hwy through “The Sidling” to Scottsdale then over the Weldborough Pass to the fishing village of St Helens for the night (if you’re still up for some sightseeing, Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires are just north of St Helens).
day three 414kmGet ready for another spectacular taste of Tassie twisties, soon after leaving St Helens you climb up the notorious “St Marys Pass” turn left and the Pub and head over the infamous “Elephant Pass” then you can quietly cruise down the Great Eastern Ride and turn right after Cranbrook to cross over the Lake Leak Rd to Campbell Town, from here you head back out to Poatina and climb the ladder to Miena, 20km of gravel Rd alongside the Great Lake before riding the twisties down the mountain to Deloraine and a quick squirt up the Hwy the Get back on the Spirit of Tasmania at Devonport at 5:30pm.
Many times your heart will flutter when you’re peg-to-pavement in a tight hairpin corner and your bike makes a new sound. This ride is about as much fun as you can have on two wheels and widely regarded as one of the most challenging rides in the world.
09 hobart – port arthur – peninsuLar Loop 227km return
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• Enjoy lunch in Dunalley, a quaint fishing village built around the man-made Denison Canal, with a swing bridge for road traffic. Sample local produce, including fresh seafood from the local Fish Market or the Dunalley Waterfront Café and Gallery.
• Continue to Eaglehawk Neck and the many attractions of the Tasman Peninsula including the Port Arthur Historic Site.
• Stop at the lookout over Pirates Bay - a magnificent beach bounded by dramatic coastline.
• Just before the Neck is Tessellated Pavement, an expanse of rock ‘tiles’ that look as though they’ve been neatly installed rather than naturally formed.
day trips – out of hobart
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Dan Fellow
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Cybele Malinowski
Image credit: Kathryn Leahy
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• Once down on the Neck itself, walk the ‘dog line’ near the Officers’ Quarters, now restored as a museum interpreting the history and life at Eaglehawk Neck. Built in 1832, it’s reputed to be the oldest wooden military building remaining in Australia.
• A short drive south are the impressive coastal rock formations of the Devil’s Kitchen, Tasman Arch, the Blowhole and Remarkable Cave.
• From here, walk to Crescent Bay, a secluded curve of striking beauty backed by huge sand dunes.
south of hobart, roads fLoW Like the rivers they run beside, Creating a gLorious ride to the southern-most end of
austraLia’s road netWork.• Take the Channel Highway out of Hobart to enjoy the sweeping bends over
Bonnet Hill and then detour down the curling C626 that cuts between Oyster Cove and Cygnet – it’s freedom on tarmac. Follow the meandering shoreline of the D’Entrecasteux Channel past the picturesque small townships scattered among the hills.
• Don’t miss the hamlet of Woodbridge with its waterside restaurant, Peppermint Bay, featuring local produce served in a beautiful setting.
• Next door is Grandvewe Cheeses where you can walk up the hill nearby and watch sheep being milked in preparation for the production of their fine organic cheeses, all of which can be sampled in their tasting room. Past Cygnet, the ride joins up with the Huon Highway at Huonville before running tight along the banks of the Huon River through Franklin. If you’ve set out in the
10 hobart – CoCkLe Creek (via the Cygnet Coast rd) 330km return
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Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Dennis Harding
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Gautam Bawa
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early morning, it’s likely the river will be mirror-still.
• In Huonville, take a thrilling (and sometime peaceful) jet boat ride on the Huon River – a great way to admire this beautiful river scape, complete with Huon pines. This now rare species is one of the oldest living things on earth, with some more than 2,000 years old.
• Nearby, enjoy the region’s produce at Home Hill Winery Restaurant at Ranelagh, with its stunning architecture and a menu of local Huon valley seasonal produce – salmon, oysters, beef, trout, lamb, fruits and vegetables, including the famed Huon valley mushrooms – all served in a picture-postcard rural setting.
• Beyond Huonville lies the historic township of Franklin, with its fascinating Wooden Boat Centre and Boat Building School, where shipwrights impart traditional skills to students from around the
occurring pure spring water maintained at 28 degrees year round and surrounded by beautiful forests.
• Before the road switches to gravel, clinging to the edge of spectacular Recherche Bay to its end at Cockle Creek. The only way to get any further south than this in Australia is to walk. Cockle Creek, the farthest south that one can drive in Australia, with its beautiful bay of sapphire-blue water fringed with pure white sand.
• Cockle Creek is also the start - or end - of the challenging multi-day South Coast Track and the Southwest National Park - part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Whatever journey you decide to take, plan ahead, be prepared, be aware of changing road conditions, and stick to the speed limit. Ride carefully and enjoy your Tasmanian road trip.
world. Past Geeveston, take the turning towards Surveyors Bay to continue along the coast, re-joining the highway in the bayside town of Dover.
• Drive to the Hartz Mountains National Park for a range of walks and superb views. From Hartz Peak (1255 metres) you can see east to the ocean and west into the heart of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area.
• Swing off the highway again soon after Southport to take an underground tour at Hastings Caves, or a swim at the caves’ thermal pools Continue farther south past the fishing town of Dover to the Hastings Caves. One of these, Newdegate Cave, is one of the world’s great dolomite caves containing vast chambers more than 40 million years old.
• After touring the caves, take a dip in the nearby outdoor thermal springs – wonderfully warm, clear, naturally
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & John de la Roche32 33
11 hobart – nationaL park – Lake pedder 338km return
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• Depart Hobart for New Norfolk. The road to New Norfolk follows the beautiful Derwent River. On the way, look out for the unusual architecture of the old ‘oast’ houses, once used for the storage and processing of hops, a staple ingredient in beer and a major export of the area.
• Explore New Norfolk, a small town with historic buildings picturesquely situated on the banks of the Derwent River. Wander along the river’s banks and around the town’s historic centre, Arthur Square, on a self-guided walking tour of some of Australia’s oldest hotels and churches.
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Lynette Graham
• At New Norfolk you can climb Pulpit Rock for a breathtaking panorama of this bustling town.
• Nearby at Plenty, don’t miss the Salmon Ponds, where the first brown trout in Australia were hatched after surviving the journey from Great Britain in 1864. The hatchery still contains trout and salmon in six large display ponds set in beautiful grounds amongst century-old trees. There’s also an interesting Museum of Trout Fishing.
• From New Norfolk, continue through the tiny hamlets of Bushy Park, Plenty and Westerway up into the mountains to Mt Field National Park and beyond to rugged Maydena and the Styx valley of Tasmania’s south-west. Decide how far west you want to go, according to your interests and time.
• Mt Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest and best-loved national parks with easy access to some of Tasmania’s wild beauty.
The Tyenna River en route to Mt Field is home to trophy-sized trout and one of the best rivers to fish in Tasmania.
• In the national park, take a short walk through the ferns and rainforest to the much-photographed spectacular Russell Falls and Lady Barron Falls or take the Tall Trees Walk and be awed by the forest giants.
• Alternatively, head farther on past Mt Field to Maydena and the Styx valley and marvel at the tallest hardwood trees in the world, found in a tiny reserve – the Big Tree Reserve – in the Styx valley nearby.
• Rainforests flourish in the Florentine valley - said to be the last haunt of the now extinct Tasmanian Tiger.
• Take in the unforgettable scenery of Lake Pedder and the South-West National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
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12 hobart – Lake st CLair 350km return
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Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Jason Charles Hill
starting in hobart, this sCeniC ride through the derWent vaLLey and on to the heart of tasmania takes you through a
variety of LandsCapes - from tranquiL rivers, roLLing hiLLs to giant forests and rugged mountain WiLderness to Lake st CLair and the sourCe of the derWent river.• Depart Hobart for New Norfolk.
• The road to New Norfolk follows the beautiful Derwent River. On the way, look out for the unusual architecture of the old ‘oast’ houses, once used for the storage and processing of hops, a staple ingredient in beer and a major export of the area.
• From New Norfolk, drive north to the classified historic township of Hamilton with its many Georgian buildings still intact and in use today as accommodation, craft galleries or restaurants.
• At Hamilton, visit the luxuriant garden at the heritage-listed Prospect villa with its mixture of English and Italianate styles protected by 170-year-old stone walls and clipped hedges.
• Continue to Lake St Clair at the southern end of the famous Overland Track in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The lake is Australia’s deepest natural freshwater lake, stretching more than 17km in the heart of the World Heritage Area and surrounded by a magnificent mountain range.
• Not to be missed is “The Wall in the Wilderness” an incredible carving in Huon Pine telling the story of Tasmania’s rich history. A ten year epic labor of love for sculptor Greg Duncan.Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne36 37
13 southern Country Loop 282km
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Image credit: Tourism Tasmania, Pen Taylor & Centre Staff
• Depart Hobart for New Norfolk.
• The road to New Norfolk follows the beautiful Derwent River.
• Explore New Norfolk, a small town with historic buildings picturesquely situated on the banks of the Derwent River. Wander along the river’s banks and around the town’s historic centre, Arthur Square, on a self-guided walking tour of some of Australia’s oldest hotels and churches.
– At New Norfolk you can climb Pulpit Rock for a breathtaking panorama of this bustling town.
• From New Norfolk, drive north staying on the left side of the river to Westerway, Ellendale to the
• Bothwell to Oatlands and its sandstone-lined streets. Oatlands has the largest collection of colonial sandstone buildings in a village environment in Australia, many built by convict labour.
Still in Oatlands, look out for the hard-to-miss Callington Mill, a unique landmark. The mill is Australia’s third oldest windmill, built in 1837 and restored to working order in 2010.
• Another landmark, St Pauls’ Catholic Church, was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin, the father of Gothic Revival architecture. Then back through more winding country roads to Parattah, Tunnack and Levendale before coming out at Runnymede on the Tasman Hwy
to take you back towards Hobart, however another gem awaits.
• Ride to the village of Richmond with its colonial past, antique shops, art and craft galleries, restaurants and tea rooms.
• On the way you’ll pass through the Coal River valley wine region with more than 16 vineyards dotted throughout the valley surrounding Richmond.
• In Richmond, learn about Tasmania’s rich colonial heritage and take in Australia’s oldest bridge, oldest still-standing Catholic Church and oldest gaol.
• The region is also rich in produce including wine, cheese and olives.
classified historic township of Hamilton with its many Georgian buildings still intact and in use today as accommodation, craft galleries or restaurants.
• At Hamilton, visit the luxuriant garden at the heritage-listed Prospect villa with its mixture of English and Italianate styles protected by 170-year-old stone walls and clipped hedges.
• Heading south out of Hamilton, turn right through Hollow Tree to Bothwell, Explore the classified historic town of Bothwell, settled in the 1820s and still retaining its early 19th century ambience with wide streets and 53 National Trust classified buildings, most built by convicts.38 39
14 hobart – bruny isLand 248km return
note 50% of the bruny isLand roads are graveL
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• On to Kettering via the southern outlet and Channel Hwy and the car ferry across to Bruny Island.
• Discover Bruny Island’s fabulous produce such as the Bruny Island Cheese Company, oysters at Get Shucked, the Bruny Island Hotel for fine pub meals, Bruny Island Premium Wines, Bruny Island Provedore and Bruny Island Berry Farm.
• Overnight at Adventure Bay or one of many accommodation options available on the island if you want more.
• Spend the day exploring Bruny Island with its fascinating history, prolific wildlife and superb scenery.
• Take the main road south to the scenic penguin-viewing platform at the isthmus that joins North and South Bruny Island.
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
• At Adventure Bay, join a multi-award winning wildlife cruise to the southern tip of Bruny Island, one of the best wildlife experiences in Tasmania, with regular sightings of sea eagles, dolphins, whales and seals as well as close-up views of spectacular rock formations and sea caves.
• Ride to the Cape Bruny Lighthouse on a wild, windswept cape looking out across the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean. The lighthouse was first lit in 1834.
• Return to Kettering by ferry and head back to Hobart (40 minutes) via Kingston. From Kingston, take the scenic route along the old Channel Highway (B68) into Hobart, rather than the Southern Outlet (A6).
• On the Channel Highway at Taroona, just out of Hobart, climb to the top of the Shot Tower (1870) for majestic views of the Derwent River estuary and a fascinating insight into the art of making lead gunshot.
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Andrew Wilson
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15 hobart - poatina – sWansea 453km
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Image credit: Pete Harmsen
Image credit: Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman
this 430km tour starts and ends in the area of hobart. most of this route traveLs through forests, past historiC toWns,
Conservation areas or by the sea so there is no shortage of great sCenery and vistas. The route itself is made up of local favourite roads. To begin we leave to the east towards Buckland on a road with nice curves and follow the A3 coast road north to Swansea where there is a nice view of Coles and Oyster bays, and a quick detour in to Coles Bay should not be missed.
After that we travel west through more forest and past some lakes on the B24 to Campbell Town, then take the twisty minor road to Poatina. After Poatina there is a nice section of turns then the road takes us through beautiful great lake area. Between Bothwell on the A5 is the Steppes Historic Site. This large state reserve is a kind of museum to the areas historic buildings and cultural way of life. Eventually we arrive at Hamilton and from here we take the awesome C615 to Molesworth and back to Hobart a real joy at the end of the route.
This one-day ride across the central highlands and the east coast offers nonstop bends, fast straights, wild scenery and gentle vales dotted with small friendly towns.42 43
16 hobart - ‘kunanyi’ mount WeLLington only 20.6km to the pinnacle
not to be missed!
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aLthough proteCted as a reserve and not a nationaL park, WeLLington park Contains
a WeaLth of WiLderness right on hobart’s doorstep, With maJestiC kunanyi/mount WeLLington toWering above the City. Only in Tasmania would you find so much wilderness and natural beauty so close to the city - 18,000 hectares of it just a 20-minute spectacular ride away. Not to be missed on a clear day.
Kunanyi / Mount Wellington is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.271 metres (4,170 ft) above the sea level, located behind the city of Hobart. From the city side,
Image credit: Events Tasmania & Alastair Bett
majestic Kunanyi/Mount Wellington is the star - dominating the scene, feeding the waterways that flow down to the harbour and supplying some of the freshest drinking water in the world.
Beside Mt Wellington are the mountains of Sleeping Beauty, Collins Cap and Cathedral Rock.
The 21 km ride to the pinnacle passes through temperate rainforest to sub-alpine flora and glacial rock formations, and ends with panoramic views of Hobart, Bruny Island, the D’Entrecasteux Channel and into the South West Wilderness.
The road to the summit is asphalted. It’s called Pinnacle Road (also known as 616) and was completed in 1937. It’s 11.6 km long. It’s steep and pretty narrow. The ride is part of the experience a little scary for those with a fear off heights, there is not much walking as you can ride right to the top.
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
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17 LaunCeston - tamar river - sCottsdaLe Loop 274km
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From Launceston follow the Tamar river along the west side to the river mouth at Greens Beach, This is serious Wine country, back down to cross the spectacular Batman Bridge and up the east side of the river to Low Head. Then east through prime Wine country to the seaside town of Bridport, south to Scottsdale and loop back to Launceston.
There are many great country roads out here to explore and challenge your skills.
one of onLy a feW tasmanian roads to make onto the WorLd’s most
dangerous/sCeniC roads List.Whilst only a short ride from Launceston this ride offers some nice countryside bends before you head off the tar for 12km riding through the National Park through a cathedral of forest trees when suddenly it open up to a magnificent wall of Ben Lomond rock.
And the only way to the top is climbing the ladder – “Jacobs Ladder” Note for the faint hearted the gravel hairpins and steep accent offers a rider special challenges, none more than keeping your eyes on the road and not the magnificent scenery. “It’s the most beautiful view in the world, but extremely dangerous. You’re always pretty close to sliding and you really have to concentrate and stay focused. If you fall, you need to have a parachute on.”
18 LaunCeston – ben Lomond to CLimb the infamous “JaCobs Ladder” 60km
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Jacob’s ladder is the name of the sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a steep and narrow zig-zag road in Ben Lomond Ranges, Tasmania. The road climbs up to Ben Lomond Mountain, at an elevation of 1.570 meters (5,150 ft) above the sea level. The road is unsealed and the final climb up Jacob’s ladder to the plateau is steep. It’s one of the famous hair-pinned roads in the world. Avoid riding in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren’t your strong point. Stay away if you’re scared of heights.
day trips – out of LaunCeston
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
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19 LaunCeston to mount barroW only 40.5km
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another of onLy a feW tasmanian roads to make onto the WorLd’s most dangerous/sCeniC roads List.
Mount Barrow is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.413 metres (4,636 ft) above the sea level, located just east of Launceston in north east Tasmania. The ride is stunning. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the world. Avoid riding in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren’t your strong point. Stay away if you’re scared of heights.
The road to the summit is gravel. It’s called Mount Barrow Road, also known as C404, and is a 14km long, unsealed spur route. The road to the summit is periodically closed in winter due to snow.
you’LL Love the roLLing hiLLs of the Countryside before you hit the tWisties of the sidLing rd to sCottsdaLe, staying on the
tasman hWy one toWn Worth CheCking out is derby situated aLongside the ringarooma river. The Little Blue Lake is just metres off the roadside B82 between Derby and Gladstone, is a natural phenomenon resulting from the pioneering mining days of South Mount Cameron and the surrounding areas of the Far North East of Tasmania. Originally a mine hole, the lake reflects a vivid aqua blue from the minerals in its base. Now popular with locals for water skiing, swimming is, nevertheless, not recommended due to the high mineral content in the water.
While you’re out this way you could pay a visit to Gladstone, The north-eastern district surrounding Gladstone was once a thriving mining area, yielding both tin
20 LaunCeston to the LittLe bLue Lake 291km return
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Image credit: iStock photo
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and gold. Today many of the once-substantial townships nearby are ghost towns. Gladstone has survived, but its successful mining days have long since given way to tourism. It acts as a tiny service centre for surrounding dairy, sheep and cattle
21 LaunCeston – st heLens – st marys – biCheno – fingaL 424km
do the passes if you dare!
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if you Like a ChaLLenge, this ride is sure to satisfy, there’s pLenty of fun to be had
on “the sidLing” road from LaunCeston to sCottsdaLe, a notorious stretCh that has been the undoing of many targa drivers. Then it starts getting interesting, weaving up through Derby before climbing the over the famous Weldborough Pass. The twisties don’t stop until you hit the fishing town of St Helens, then a nice cruise down the coast to Scamander is interrupted when you climb back up the infamous St Marys Pass, then straight back down the equally infamous Elephant Pass. It’s only then you can
farms, as well as for visitors to Mount William National Park, and has the distinction of being Tasmania’s most north-easterly town. The Gladstone Hotel is a popular lunch stop for motorcyclists.
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Owen HughesImage credit: Pete Harmsen
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get your breath back by cruising around the Chain of Lagoons before attacking St Marys Pass again, then cruise across the open plains of the Fingal valley to turn north to Launceston at Conara.
A couple of great stops you don’t want to miss along the way are “The Pub in the Paddock” at 250 St Columba Falls Rd, Pyengana and Mount Elephant Pancakes 824 Elephant Pass Rd. 22 LaunCeston to hobart
– a bikers route 278km
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Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Ray Joyce
Let’s get off the main drag. This route goes through, farmland, Launceston to Poatina. Some historic towns like Longford part of a historic formula track (Measuring over 7-kilometres in length, the Longford Motor Racing track was a closed public road circuit which hosted motorcycle and then car racing between 1953 and 1969. It was Australia’s fastest race track when they were road circuits) Longford. After Poatina you ride up the highland pass, a classic switchback that takes you form fertile farmland to the Ghostly landscapes of the Central Highlands & Lakes Country in less
than 30 mins. From here you’ll find lots of under-advertised historic features to see, like the Steppes Stones, Ratho Golf Links - the southern Hemispheres oldest golf course at Bothwell and some very old Pubs. Take the scenic route to New Norfolk through the rolling hills of Hollow Tree, Hamilton, Ellendale & Bushy Park, take a right turn at Sorell Creek for some knee down fun up through Molesworth before dropping back down into Glenorchy and cruise into Hobart with your heart still racing. A very scenic way of travelling from Launceston to Hobart.
Image credit: Pierre Destribats Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne
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23 devonport - miena - Zeehan – moina 527km
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this 500km Loop of stunning tasmanian naturaL beauty and some amaZing tWisty riding. this route rises and faLLs, has
great vistas and WonderfuL Lake vieWs. Starting in Devonport takes in some of the fantastic natural views that Tasmania has to offer. Then head towards Elizabeth Town then Jackeys Marsh and the wonderfully twisty Great Lakes Road (a local favourite) which passes a large man-made reservoir.
At the top of the Great Lakes Road there is a short unsealed section. Next we head west towards Derwent Bridge and Strahan on the stunning A10/B24. (If you prefer to shorten the route slightly, it is possible to head north to Tullah here from Queenstown) otherwise you can stop and visit the historic mining town of Zeehan. From there follow the route to Cradle Mountain. The lookout there is a popular place for bikers to meet and have a chat, then follow more twisting beauty back to Devonport.
You’ll pass through historic mining towns, national parks and forests and world-class tourist areas. And you’ll encounter various hairpin turns, straightaways, and drop-offs where the cliffs seem to be right next to you.
But be warned ... It can be desolate at night and extremely dangerous in the winter months.
day trips – out of devonport
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Peter Bellingham
Image credit: Flow Mountain Bike
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24 devonport – deLoraine – CradLe mountain – burnie 318km
for those Who Like Corners and Curves this a good ride.
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From the caves over the mountain down through the very, very tight twisties of Cethana gorge and the then out through the alpine forest past the Cradle Mt. turn-off and onto wide sweepers of Black Mountain through to the west coast highway. Then get ready to tackle the twisties of Hellyer Gorge before the nice sweeping curves of the countryside as you head out Burnie and follow the coastline back to Devonport.
The pick of this ride is the Hellyer Gorge, A very, very twisty piece of road that destroys rally cars and inattentive bike riders.
The only real drawback is it’s prone to Moss in the winter even snow on occasions.
Image credit details
Image credit: Tourism Tasmania & Geoffrey Lea
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25 devonport – stanLey – marraWah 369km return
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A fantastic stretch of road following the northwest coastline to Marrawah, it’s an easy ride along the old coast road through quirky little towns all along the coast through some of the best farming lands in Tassie. Stanley and the famous ‘NUT’ is a prominent feature along the ride and the cable car ride to the top is a favourite with many. Heading on out to Marrawah you’ll ride through some prime dairy country so expect to share the road with a milk tanker or two.
Marrawah is on Tasmania’s remote, rugged far North West Coast and the most westerly settlement on the island - and when the waves are up, it’s a surfer’s idea of heaven. There are plenty of coastal walks, good fishing spots and opportunities to find highly prized abalone on the rocks.
summary
Talking to other riders just finishing their Tassie Tours, some of the phrases I hear often are, friendly, laid back, spectacular scenery, the best ride ever, a two wheeled wonderland, a rider’s paradise, a motorcycling mecca, magnificent mountains, pristine lakes, beautiful beaches.
As a local I know we have everything a rider could want and it’s all here in our compact little Island we call Tassie. Everyone I’ve spoken to have promised to return and will be taking home some absolutely fantastic memories and riding experiences. The Australia Social Motorcycle Club (ASMC) is the fastest growing Social Motorcycle Club in the country and always looking for new members to share our riding with. It’s FREE to join at www.australiasmc.com.
We hope you might consider joining our national motorcycle community and join in the fun.
The Australia Social Motorcycle Club are excited to present this, our first ‘Riders’ Guide to Touring Tasmania’. We hope you found it useful in planning your Tassie Adventure. I personally welcome any feedback you might have, any rides you’ve done that you think should be included in the next edition. Share your experiences with everyone on social media, we’d love to hear from you.
leon cupit (ASMC) Tasmanian State Officer
Graphic design & layout by Holly Webber (hollywebber.com.au)
Image credit: Wai Nang Poon
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