Best of Australia Road Cycling Tour

Cycling Tour from $6,445 NZD

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13 Days
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • Best time to travel: October - April
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  • 28 Apr to 10 May $6,445NZD
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  • Availability Guide:
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Combine 2 famous coastal journeys on this road cycling tour-de force across Victoria and Tasmania. Stay in lovely 4 star accommodation.

The 243 km Great Ocean Road is renowned for the iconic 12 Apostles, rugged cliffs, surf beaches, lighthouses, waterfalls and native bush. Add Tasmania's spectacular East Coast, and you have a cycle tour like no other.

You'll cycle on constantly changing terrain, past pristine white beaches and quaint colonial villages. You'll also see the exciting cities of Melbourne and Hobart.

Melbourne to Hobart

Melbourne
  • Road cycling
  • Grade
  • Tour price subject to minimum numbers
  • AUD1120 single room surcharge
  • AUD350 bike hire
  • AUD1290 single room surcharge (Jan/Feb departures)
  • AUD370 bike hire (Jan/Feb departures)
  • This tour is invoiced in AUD
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Best of Australia Road Cycling Tour Fitness and Preparation

This tour caters for the moderate to advanced cyclist with optional cycling distances scheduled for each. This suits both cycling powerhouses, and others who want to spend more time out of the saddle exploring.

We'll spend 10 days cycling between 50 and 120 km per day, mainly on sealed roads. Riding is most suitable for road or touring bikes, or mountain bikes with slick tyres. There will be some short transfers required on the odd occasion over rough ground or long distances.

Each night we'll rest up in 4 star accommodation. Indulge in local cuisine and take time out to experience the local area.

Moderate Tours

Moderate tours have an expectation that you have an interest and regularly participate in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains. Moderate tours are suitable for increasing your activities and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise three-four times a week leading up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Melbourne to Port Fairy

No cycling

Welcome to Melbourne! We'll pick you up from the CBD between 9 am and 12 noon, or the airport between 12 and 3 pm, and travel in our van to the seaside town of Port Fairy. We'll start as we mean to go on — with beautiful scenery, travelling via the lakeside town of Colac and the sandstone Grampians mountains. You'll stay at a motel in Port Fairy, and we'll have dinner together and talk about the fun that lies ahead.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

Port Fairy to Port Campbell

Cycling: 60–94 km

Today our first cycling along this beautiful and rugged coastline formed 10–20 million years ago, and weathered by the force of the Southern Ocean into amazing shapes. We'll stop at Bay of Islands Coastal Park, and the Bay of Martyrs, with its many rock stack islands and reefs. This area, the 'Shipwreck Coast', was named after a series of 19th century shipwrecks. We'll finish in the small tourist town of Port Campbell. You can choose to cycle various legs of the journey up to 94 km. Remember the support van is always at hand when you need it.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks

DAY 3

Port Campbell to Apollo Bay

Cycling: 70–120 km

Today we'll cycle to Cape Otway National Park and tour the historic lighthouse (this is optional, and not included in the cycle tour price). We'll visit the incredible weather-carved structures of the 12 Apostles, rising from the sea and formed over thousands of years. We visit Loch Ard Gorge, site of Victoria's most tragic shipwreck over 120 years ago, where 52 people died as the Loch Ard steamer ran into the cliffs along the coastline. We'll stay tonight at a motel in pretty Apollo Bay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks

DAY 4

Apollo Bay to Torquay

Cycling: maximum 91 km

Today's ride is yet another filled with stunning views and long sandy beaches. Cycle all the way to Torquay (91 km) if you like; passing through several of Victoria's most popular tourist towns, including Lorne and Anglesea. Torquay, where we'll stay in a motel, is at the Great Ocean Road's eastern end. It's known for its surfing beaches. Bells Beach, home of the world's longest-running surf competition, is on the outskirts of town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks

DAY 5

Torquay to Melbourne

Cycling: 65–120 km

Start the day with a ferry trip across Port Phillip Bay to the township of Sorrento (you can take your bike with you on the ferry). Follow the coastline from Sorrento to the inner Melbourne suburb of St Kilda along the famous Beach Road, known for its 'Hell Ride' because so many cyclists use it on weekends. You'll stay at a hotel in Melbourne. We suggest a 50 km cycle from Sorrento to Mornington for intermediate riders. Advanced cyclists may want to bike all the way to St Kilda (110 km).

Meals:

DAY 6

Melbourne to Tasmania (Rest Day)

No cycling

After all the cycling of previous days, today is a free day to enjoy scintillating Melbourne, Australia's second largest city. At 5 pm, meet back at the hotel to depart for Port Melbourne and board the Spirit of Tasmania ship. You'll stay in a comfortable twin-berth cabin.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

Devonport, Tasmania to Launceston, Tasmania

Cycling: approx. 40 km (optional)

Welcome to Tasmania! You'll arrive in the city of Devonport and transfer to Launceston to spend the day as you choose, and enjoy its interesting architecture. Alternatively, you could join an organised group ride around the Tamar Valley Wine region. With this option, we'll stop for lunch at a fantastic winery overlooking the Tamar River and sample some cool climate wines. You can always ride in the van back to Launceston if the tastings were more than just tempting! Otherwise, ride back to Launceston at a leisurely pace. You'll stay overnight at a hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

DAY 8

Launceston to St Helens

Cycling: 75 km (maximum 120 km)

Today, a 15 km ride through farmland to Whitehills, a newly-developed wine region. Then we'll head to the classified historic town of Evandale, for a morning coffee. Evandale is famous for its beautifully preserved buildings, its Sunday market, and for hosting the annual World Penny Farthing Bicycle Championships. We'll jump on our 21st century bikes to follow a backroad to Nile and Conara, then drive to the small coastal town of St Helens. Later this afternoon, we'll drive to explore the Bay of Fires Conservation Area and walk on the dazzling white sandy beach.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks

DAY 9

St Helens to Bicheno

Cycling: 75–95 km

Start today's ride from St Helens and travel along the coast to Bicheno, a fishing village and resort town with lichen-covered 'red rocks'. OR, drive to the inland town of St Marys and enjoy a spectacular downhill ride along the Elephant Pass (over Mt Elephant) to the coast, and follow the coastline to Bicheno. This is the flattest riding of the entire trip, so enjoy the leisurely day, with views most of the day over the Tasman Sea as you pedal past pristine white sandy beaches. We'll stay overnight at a motel in Bicheno.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10

Bicheno to Coles Bay to Freycinet National Park to Swansea

Cycling: 40 km + a 3 hour hike

An easy cycling day today, with a gently undulating 40 km ride to popular Coles Bay along the Freycinet Peninsula road. We'll regroup in Coles Bay and walk to Wineglass Bay, voted one of the world's top 10 beaches by several travel authorities. Freycinet National Park, Tasmania's first national park, features stunning red and pink granite formations and 'The Hazards', a series of jagged granite peaks in a line. Enjoy the park for the afternoon, and then we'll drive to Swansea, one of Tasmania's oldest towns, in Great Oyster Bay in the centre of the East Coast.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks

DAY 11

Swansea to Port Arthur to Hobart

Cycling: 60–120 km

This morning we farewell Swansea, with its view of the National Park, and cycle 60 km south down the coastline to the coastal town of Triabunna, then tiny Buckland. From here we'll drive to Port Arthur and explore this historic town for the afternoon. We'll finish by catching the fast catamaran to Hobart while your bike and luggage travel back by van. (If for some reason the catamaran cannot depart, we will substitute a boat trip on day 6 to make up for it). We'll stay in a motel in Tasmania's go-ahead capital, Hobart.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks

DAY 12

Hobart and surrounds

Cycling: 60–80 km

Today we have a fabulous ride alongside the River Derwent towards the quiet coastal township of Kingston. From Kingston we'll turn inland. Those who are keen can take on the challenging 8% ascent over 12 km to the summit of iconic Mt Wellington (1207 m), with views over all of southern Tasmania. The rest of the group will drive to the summit! Next we'll cycle back down to sea level on the easiest 21 km of cycling you'll ever do. We can have dinner at a Hobart restaurant to sample some local produce, wine and beers (meal not included in tour price).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks

DAY 13

Departure Day: Hobart

Today is free to explore Hobart, Tasmania's cosmopolitan capital city, with a population of just over 200,000 people. Airport transfers are available until noon. For those continuing on their journey, enjoy the rest of your holiday, wherever it may take you! And for those returning home, happy travels. You'll be leaving with some wonderful memories.

Meals: Breakfast

Let's talk about your Australian road cycling tour!

Nathalie_236x184

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • Airport transfers on first and last days
  • 11 nights accommodation in 3-4 star standard ensuite (based on twin share)
  • 1 night aboard Spirit of Tasmania ship in twin berth cabins
  • Expert Guide/driver
  • Luggage transfers
  • Meals: Breakfasts and lunches daily, dinner as per itinerary
  • National Parks Fees
  • Ferry to Sorrento
  • Cape Otway Lighthouse tour
  • Entry to Port Arthur Historic Site
  • Fast Catamaran from Port Arthur to Hobart
  • Comprehensive trip notes, maps and itinerary planning

Tour Excludes:

  • International Airfares to/from Melbourne/Hobart
  • Some meals (there are suitable restaurants in each overnight town)
  • Cycling clothing or wet weather gear (may be hired if required)
  • Bike and equipment (mountain or touring bike hire is available if required)
  • Single Supplement
  • Passport/Visa fees
  • Personal Expenses
  • Travel Insurance