Why you’ll love it
Tasmania’s east coast is a classic cycle-friendly destination. The region’s mild climate, gently curving roads and incredible views create a superb environment for bike touring. Travelling by bike also means you can take full advantage of the fantastic experiences of the Great Eastern Drive, at your own pace.
Explore the Great Eastern Drive on two wheels from north or south, cycle part of the way or take time for an extended bike tour along the entire length of the route.
Where you’ll find it
On the Great Eastern Drive
Experience one of Australia’s best road trips on two wheels by cycle-touring along the Great Eastern Drive. Follow our road trip itinerary and explore the road between Orford and St Helens. Stay in your choice of east coast accommodation along the way and take your time to wander and enjoy everything the east coast has to offer—from fabulous food and wine, farm gates and festivals, to unforgettable outdoor adventures.
St Helens Mountain Bike Trails
Where else in the world can you ride from the mountain to the sea? The St Helens Mountain Bike Trails offer a unique coastal mountain bike experience spread over two stunning locations.
The Bay of Fires Trail is an epic 42km ride that starts at the top of the Blue Tier (at the same trail head as Blue Derby’s Blue Tier trail) and winds and wends through four distinctive habitats from rainforest to eucalypt forest until it ends at the internationally acclaimed Bay of Fires on Swimcart beach. Famous for its pristine white sands, turquoise waters and orange, lichen covered rocks, the Bay of Fires is the perfect spot to relax after a challenging wilderness ride.
Located 5 minute drive south of the St Helens township is a stacked loop network that once completed will feature more than 66km of trail of varying difficulty, scenery and length and a massive, purposefully designed Trailhead. Much of the trail at the trailhead is suitable for novice riders as well as some more difficult tracks for those wanting a challenge. The Trailhead off Flagstaff Rd, provides parking, shuttle drop-off, toilets, recreation area as well as a bike hygiene station. The eight stacked loops gravitate out from the trail head with one trail, a multi- directional, pedestrian and rider trail that allows users to ride or walk to and from the trail head from the St Helens Point Rd intersection.
For those looking for something a bit more challenging, the network offers two gravity descents from the top of Loila Tier, both are classed as intermediate or blue, with some Black Diamond descents scheduled to open mid 2020. All descent trails end back at the trailhead and can be easily accessed via shuttle operators in the area.
Image: Flow Mountain Bike
On Maria Island
Mountain biking is a great way to explore Maria Island National Park. Bring your own bike and spend a day (or several) to see Maria’s diverse landscapes, wildlife and history. There are no cars permitted here, (apart from Parks and Wildlife vehicles) and so riding is safe and uncrowded. This is also a great location for families and children to bring their bikes.
Check the Maria Island by Bike guide for more information on the island’s trails and tips for planning your trip. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service also offer quality bikes and helmets for hire on the island.
Quad biking at Freycinet National Park
For a slightly different kind of riding, All4Adventure offers two hour or half day quad bike experiences in Freycinet National Park, travelling along bush tracks, climbing hills and riding through eucalypt forest to reach the coast. Options include single quad bikes or family-friendly three seat vehicles.
Swansea Cycle Tours and Bike Hire
Swansea Cycle Tours are a unique cycling experience, the bespoke tours on private land are only available to Swansea Cycle Tour patrons. Cycling is such a great way to see the country, stay fit and keep your mind and body happy. You have the opportunity to meet the most wonderful people farming this land, growing grapes, farming oysters, and loving life on the east coast of Tasmania.
Tasmanian Expeditions
Offer some great experiences and there are few better ways to take in all the highlights than by travelling by bike at your own pace on this well crafted self guided itinerary.
Green Island Tours
Green Island Tours offer escorted group tour experiences or you can take in all the highlights travelling at your own pace with their self-guided itineraries.
How long will you need?
If you’re planning to cycle the Great Eastern Drive and begin and end your journey in Hobart or Launceston, allow at least a week for your tour (averaging 60km per day), or for a more leisurely approach (and a rest day here or there) stretch your itinerary to two weeks if you have time. You can explore the area around Darlington on Maria Island in a day trip (including travel to and from the island) or take two or more days for longer bike touring in the national park.
You can find suggested cycling itineraries and bike touring information in the Self-Guided Cycling Tour Guide Tasmania brochure, and Bicycle Tasmania has more information about cycling and bike touring in Tasmania.
To help plan your visit, check our travel times and driving distances.
