RAPID East Coast Tour

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This is our RAPID self-guided tour along Tasmania´s breathtaking East Coast.

The route is identical to our standard East Coast Tour, but your night in Hobart and the "day off" in Bicheno have been taken out to make the tour duration shorter. You will cycle the 'classic' tourist route along Tasmania´s breathtaking East Coast, passing many outstanding empty white beaches in a mild, mostly dry and sunny climate. You will not see our capital Hobart but can still visit the famous Freycinet National Park, when you are really fit or use the small ferry to cross Moulting Lagoon (not always possible). There are some hills between Richmond and Orford, the rest is undulating. Experienced cyclists will find this tour easy, however this will depend on the wind direction on that day.

Prices, Terms & Itinerary

Start- / Endpoint Richmond (via Hobart airport) / St. Helens Duration 6 days, 5 nights Season mid October to end of April Departure dates any day of your choice avoid around New year Accommodation category Price per person booking code Hostel / Budget category $ 530 sharing 8 d Economy category $ 750 twin share 8 c Comfort category $ 980 twin share 8 a Executive category $ 1,390 twin share 8 b Optional bike hire incl. delivery/pick up $ 135 electric bike hire incl. delivery/pick up $ 285 pannier rental $ 25 per pair daily luggage transport $ 500 per booking bag transfer from first to last hotel $ 35 per item supplement for one person in a room 210* / 370 / 490 / 690 (Hostel* /Economy / Comfort / Executive - category) * =for locations without hostel ALL PRICES are displayed in AUSTRALIAN dollars (AUD) 7.5 % high season supplement applies for all nights between Dec 20th and Jan 15th On booking you agree to our Terms & Conditions

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Accommodation categories

Hostel/Budget:You will stay in a dorm where available, otherwise in basic hotels/motels (supplement applies here for single travellers). Always shared facilities.
Economy: Nothing fancy, but good value for money, mostly with shower/toilet.
Comfort: Comfortable feel-well properties, all rooms with shower/toilet (few exceptions).
Executive: Usually the best available accommodation in the given area, some with spa.
Please note: your chosen category will be substituted when not available!

What we include

> Extensive preparatory material (fully comprehensive, pre-travel guide)
> comprehensive route description
> 5 nights pre-booked accommodation, comfort level depending on category, some including breakfast (single rooms available for an additional fee)
> emergency telephone support 24/7
> Extra: Well serviced rental bike with tool kit, lock, pump, helmet (panniers on request for a small fee)

Not included in tour price

Flight, food and drinks, admission and National Park fees, excursions, personal spending

Tour itinerary

Day 1: independent Arrival - Richmond

You need to fly into Hobart Airport. From there you take a taxi to Richmond, which is a shorter distance than to Hobart (just 16 km). If you arrive early you have enough time to explore this interesting small historic town with its many old fashion shops, galleries and of course the oldest bridge in Australia (still in operation). Your rental bike(s) will be waiting for you at your first accommodation.

Day 2, Richmond - Orford

Once you've warmed-up there are some hills to climb. This will be one of the most exhausting days of the tour and there is some traffic, but there is no alternative available. You hit the magnificent east coast at your destination town. We recommend an additional night here so you ferry over to Maria Island and spent a day there. The entire island is nationalpark and can only reached by boat. Minimum distance to cycle: 59km (36miles)

Day 3, Orford – Swansea:

You'll follow the coast road with spectacular views out over the ocean. It’s rather flat except for the first and last sections. You can stop and explore Spiky Bridge (built by convicts), and/or drop into Kate's Berry Farm for a yummy ice-cream. With tailwind you will arrive early. Minimum distance to cycle: 59km (36miles)

Day 4, Swansea – Bicheno:

Today you ride over the relatively harmless Cherry Tree Hill to the “tourist town” of Bicheno. There are some wineries located along the route, where you can taste their produce (one even has a wooden lookout-tower with pectacular views into the Moulting Lagoon). When the ferry over Moulting Lagoon operates (or if you are really fit) you may take a trip into Freycinet National Park (additional 5km with / 58 km without ferry), where you can walk to the stunning Wineglass Bay lookout, voted one of the 10 best beaches in the world. After dusk, you may join a guided tour to a penguin colony (AU $40, pre-booking recommended). Minimum distance to cycle: 45km (30miles)

Day 5, Bicheno – St. Helens:

You continue cycling north on the breathtaking, partly undulated coast road. Just 3km (2m) from Bicheno you can visit the award-winning “Nature World Animal Park” (AU $30), where you see native animals, including the Tasmanian Devil. With a bit of luck you can even pet one! Later in the day you can opt to cycle via the exchausting Elephant Pass, where you can visit the well known Pancake Barn. After having enjoyed great coastal views you will pass a long beach, at the small holiday town of Scamander, before arriving in St Helens; the “capital” of the east coast (4500 inhabitants). This "Jewel of Tasmania's North-East" was voted "Tassie's Top Tourism Town" in 2020. Minimum distance to cycle: 75km (45miles)

Day 6, indepentend Departure

We do recommend an extension night in St. Helens to explore the stunning surroundings, including the nearby famous Bay of Fires, the Peron Dunes or the newly build Mountain Bike Trails. You can even go an a day tour to Pyengana to see the St. Columba Falls (Tasmanias second highest) and to taste the products of the local cheese factory. If you continue on our North-East Tour you can visit these today.
If you return home you leave the rental bike(s) at your hotel.
Your return flight should depart from Launceston. It is much easier, quicker and cheaper to get from St. Helens to Launceston airport than back to Hobart airport.
The bus service no 740 from "Calows Coaches" will get you to Launceston City Center (cost $ 31.60 p.p.), and via a connection to Launceston Airport and Hobart city. It departs at 8:15am Mo-Sa, and at 06.15am Mon-Fri during school terms. The 8.30am bus arrives in Launceston City at approx 11 am. For Launceston airport you get off in Perth and use a taxi for the last 8 km, what saves time and money. By doing this you should be able to catch all flights from 12 noon with the 8.30am bus and all flights from 10am with the 06.15am bus. Launceston is a very small airport - it takes only a few minutes to get through security. A private transfer to Launceston airport can also be arranged for $ 250 for up to 4 people; add $ 40 for bigger groups of up to 8 persons.
For Hobart you have to use the 8.30am bus and change to a "Redline" bus at Epping Forest. You will arrive in Hobart city at around 12.30 pm. From there you take a taxi to the airport (about 40 minutes / $ 50). You should be able to catch all flights from 3 pm.

Distance covered: minimum 238 km

Notes:
All distances are approximate only and may vary. We recommend you have previous touring experience. Some sections can be exhausting, depending on weather conditions.