Thor2017, Australia, Camping, December, Mountain Biking, Oceania, Places, Regions, Travel260 comments

The Apple Isle: Small, Fun, Manageable & Lots of Options:

A good taste of Tasmania can be had circumnavigating the island. The below covers most of the island and includes some tips for those who like to run or bike!
This is more an express trip for the time poor.. With time + campervan you could fill a month(s).

Given it’s temperate climate it’s a great place to get outdoors and incorporate some exercise, and major roads will scoot you between top and bottom in 3hours on a quality 110km/hr speed limit road.

  1. Bike! Tasmanian Trail: Devonport to Dover & back to Hobart (This is 1 week alone!)
    1. A 7-14 day bike/horse ride or 1 month trek
    2. Via numerous forests, tropical bushlands, open plains, small and large towns. You see the lot!
  2. Hire a car from Hobart (This is 1-2+ weeks depending on nights (and ++if you’re in holiday mode))
    1. To Strahan via.
      1. Tahune AirWalk (cut this out to curb a detour),
      2. Lake St Clair/Pumphouse Point (multiple hikes/trail run),
      3. Gordon River Cruise & West Coast Wilderness Railway
    2. To Launceston & Cataract Gorge via.
      1. Cradle Mountain (hike/trail run),
      2. Stanley Nut (cut this out to curb a detour),
      3. Mole Creek Caves
    3. To Coles Bay via.
      1. Lavender Fields,
      2. Blue Derby (mountain bike heaven),
      3. Binalong Bay (Bay of Fires),
      4. Freycinet (Wineglass Bay hike/trail run – the sign conservatively says 40mins to lookout; it’s 3kms and takes 15mins walking!).
    4. Back to Hobart via. the coast
      1. Spring Beach/Rehban/Marion Bay (Falls Festival),
      2. Tasman Bay Lookout (view to the Totem Pole climbing site),
      3. Arch/Devils Kitchen,
      4. Port Arthur (cut this out to curb a detour)
    5. Hobart:
      1. Mt Wellington (Hike & Mountain Bike),
      2. MONA,
      3. 3 Capes in a day from Fortescue Bay (hike/trail run)
An idea of 1-2 week around Tasmania. Spend 2-3 nights in each location and you have 3 weeks.. Nevertheless, you’ll be back!

Link to Google Maps possible route as something like this.

Time your trip between Xmas and New Years for..

  • The Falls Festival 29th Dec – 3rd Jan,
  • Taste of Tasmania food festival 28th Dec – 3rd Jan
  • + end of the Sydney to Hobart ~28th Dec.

After New Years..

  • Jan 13th MONA Mofo & 
  • 15-24 June MONA Dark Mofo

Along the way: Buy apples, other fruit and vegetables, amazing seafood, and spirits/cider/wine!

Our Exact 7 Day Loop Itinerary (FYI)

  • 18 Dec – Hired a car in Hobart
    • Tarraleah Hydro (Oldina Dr)
    • Lake Sinclare wander around
    • Camped the night at Derwent Bridge on the banks of Lake King William
  • 19 Dec – Morning tea at Queenstown
    • Afternoon tea Strahan historical train trip
    • Camped the night on the beach at Macquarie Heads (Road)
  • 20 Dec – Breakfast & Gordon River Cruise
    • Cradle Mountain lookout
    • Pub accom night in Launceston
  • 21 Dec – Early bike around Cataract Gorge in Launceston
    • Morning tea Bridestowe Lavender
    • Lunch & MTB at Derby / Camping by the river
  • 22 Dec – Derby MTB all day 🚵🏼‍♂️
  • 23 Dec – Morning tea at Binalong Bay
    • Lunch on the wharf at Bicheno
    • Afternoon walk around Freycinet National Park (Hazards Beach loop)
    • Caravan park camping at Trinabunna after fish and chips on the wharf
  • 24 Dec – Dirt coast road past the Falls Festival site
    • Morning Tea at “Pirates Bay Drive” Eaglehawk Neck lookout
    • Tasman National Park (Devils Kitchen,etc.)
    • Richmond wine estate for lunch
    • Back to Hobart
  • 25-26 – Hobart, MONA,etc..

Blue Derby

To ride Blue Derby in 2 days: Follow route 7 on day 1, and route 8 day 2 – hey presto you have done it all!

The shuttle is some $75 to get to Blue Tier. If you have legs, ride up via Poimena Rd (I made the mistake of Emu Flat Rd, it is tough going and not recommended!), and + 3 hours for this option.
Route 7-ish slow: https://www.strava.com/activities/1321601894
Route 8-ish fast: https://www.strava.com/activities/1322692624

Of course, you can make a holiday of it; camp by the river (free), use the public showers ($1), bike wash (free), and just chill out.. There isn’t much else to do unless you ride!
Route images from, and see more about the routes here: https://www.ridebluederby.com.au/choose-your-adventure/

Thor

Most likely to go crazy if left indoors for too long. Thor is best known for having a website dedicated to himself because he can. In addition, it is confirmed the only readers are his close family, so they have easy links to the live tracking of his events and can skim over the recounts. A photo collage of his ability to sleep anywhere and a documentary of this achievement is pending; it is expected to win prizes in seven countries for best mountain film.
Related Articles
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SEQ Adventures: Mt Greville

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