North-east Tour

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This is our SELF-GUIDED TOUR through the diversity of the North-East and its unique temperate rainforests.

This tour takes you inland into rolling, green hills and rainforests - an astonishing contrast to the stunning coast line. Some long ascents make this tour more difficult than our East Coast Tour, but if you are at least moderately trained or have just completed our East coast tour, this should not present a problem for you.

Prices, Terms & Itinerary

Start- / Endpoint St. Helens / Launceston Duration 5 days, 4 nights Season from end October to mid of April Departure dates any day of your choice Accommodation category Price per person booking code Budget category $ 475 twin share 6 e Economy category $ 690 twin share 6 c Comfort category $ 750 twin share 6 a Executive category $ 970 twin share 6 b Optional bike hire incl. delivery & pick up $ 145 electric bike hire incl. delivery & pick up $ 290 pannier rental $ 25 per pair daily luggage transport from hotel to hotel $ 350 per booking bag transfer from first to last hotel ONLY $ 45 per item supplement for one person in a room $ 240 / 340 / 380 / 480 (Budget / Economy / Comfort / Executive - category) 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 for single travellers). Always shared facilities.
Economy: Nothing fancy, but good value for money, usually with shower/toilet.
Comfort: Comfortable feel-well properties, all rooms with shower/toilet and good breakfasts.
Executive: Usually the best accommodation available in the given area, some even with spa.
Please note: your chosen category will be substituted when not available!

What we include

> comprehensive route description ("roadbook") from door to door, customised to your tour and the hotels you are staying in
> 4 nights pre-booked accommodation, comfort and breakfast level depending on category, (single rooms available for an additional fee)
> emergency telephone support 24/7
> Extra: Well serviced rental bike with extensive tool kit, lock, pump and helmet. Panniers are available on request for a small fee.

Not included in tour price

Flight, food and drinks, admissions, National Park fees, excursions, luggage transport, personal spending

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Independent Arrival in St. Helens

This first day is an arrival day (accommodation included, but no transfer). Your destination is small town of St. Helens, the "Jewel of Tasmania's North-East". I won the "Tassie's Top Tourism Town" competition in 2020. You are best best to fly into Launceston Airport, take the airport shuttle or a taxi to the "Transit Center" in Launceston City, Tasmania's second largest city. From there use the service no 740 from "Calows Coaches", which goes directly to St. Helens. It departs 4.15 pm Mon-Sa and and 7.10 pm on Sun PLUS 1.30pm Mo-Fr during school terms, It costs AU $31.60 p.p. and arrives in St. Helens around 2 1/2 hours later. A private transfer can also be arranged directly from Launceston Airport for $ 250 and from Launceston City for $ 280 (for up to 4 people; add $ 40 for bigger groups up to 8 people).
Your hotel in St. Helens is located within walking distance from the bus stop. If booked, your rental bike(s) will be waiting at your first hotel.
Note: We strongly recommend an extension night in St. Helens to explore the stunning surroundings, such as nearby famous Bay of Fires, the endless Peron Dunes or the newly build Mountain Bike Trails.
If you have just concluded our East Coast Tour you can today explore the beautiful surroundings as mentionend above.

Day 2: St. Helens – Pyengana

You'll leave the coast and cycle into hilly country to farmerings settlement of Pyengana, where there's much to see; including a small cheese factory where you can taste samples. They also have a coffe shop with yummi home made produce. You could also visit St. Columba Falls (Tasmania’s second highest waterfall) , which you will reach after a short but spectacular rainforest walk (+15 km). Here you stay in a basic, heritage protected country hotel (rooms are small and no en-suite), the "Pub in the Paddock," boasting a beer-drinking pig as its mascot! Guests in our Executive category will spend this night in St. Helens again. Minimum distance to cycle: 30km (20miles) plus possible excursions.

Day 3, Pyengana – Scottsdale

Today is a test of endurance! After 3 kilometres the climb to the Weldborough Pass starts, where you gain almost 500m (1500ft) in altitude during 10 km of riding! The descent is steep at first on a winding narrow road through thick rainforest. Halfway down the other side youmight choose to rest awhile at the rustic Weldborough Pub. Later you pass through the old mining town of Derby, where you might choose to try out one of the new Mountain Bike Treks (but NOT with our bikes, please). Branxholm, a flat 9 km later, is a nice place for lunch. After your break we recommend you take a short detour to the amazing woodcarvings of Legerwood, which were carved by chainsaw. Afterwards you follow the quite hilly Tasman Highway as it winds through an open landscape, your destination being the small regional shopping town Scottsdale (population 8500). Alternatively you can use the "North East Rail Trail", a converted railway track for the last 26 km The surface is a bit rough in places and is a tiny bit longer but the trail will save you many hills. Minimum distance to cycle: 74km (43miles).

Day 4: Scottsdale – Evandale:

Today´s start is very strenuously; there is a bit of up and down at first, followed by a steep climb. Your efforts will be rewarded with a spectacular view from the “Sideling” lookout at the summit. This is followed by a long descent with sharp bends through rainforest. The rest of the day goes through open landscape, slightly downhill for most of the time - you'll love it! There is even a very nice picnic spot at the Myrtle Park Recreation ground. Later on, you ride around the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city (pop 80,000). You'll spend the last night in the quiet, historic village of Evandale, just 4 km from Launceston Airport. Minimum distance to cycle: 82km (50miles) Launceston

Day 5: Independent Departure

Leave your rental bikes at the hotel. Launceston Airport is just 4 km (2.5miles) away in the event you are departingfrom here.
If you are continuing onto our West Coast Tour than you could spend the day visiting Tasmania's second largest city, Launceston (pop. 80,000).

Minimum distance to cycle: 186 km (112 miles)

Notes:
All distances are approximate only and may vary. The cycling distances depend on your personal level of fitness, weather conditions, chosen options on that day, and other variables.
We strongly recommend not undertaking this trip without advice or assistance. Some distances can be exhausting, you could run out of supplies while off the main roads or just not be able to make it to the next accommodation. In addition in some areas accommodation can be booked up for months in advance and the next available could be up to 50km (30m) away. It can be difficult selecting the really important highlights on your own so, let us organise your trip for you!