Photo: Wee Ping Khoo ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Mainland and island in one journey.
From Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road, 243 km of cliffs and the Twelve Apostles, then the Spirit of Tasmania ferry across Bass Strait and a loop of Tasmania: Cradle Mountain, the 99 bends above Queenstown, the wild Lyell Highway, Hobart and the East Coast with Wineglass Bay. Tasmania has long been rated Australia’s finest motorcycling region, and this route pairs it with the mainland’s most famous road.
- The Twelve Apostles and Lorne on the Great Ocean Road
- The 99 bends of the Lyell Highway above Queenstown
- Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake
- Wineglass Bay and the Great Eastern Drive
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 150 km, riding on the left
Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula
We meet in Melbourne, collect the bikes and take a shakedown ride down the Mornington Peninsula to Arthurs Seat and Cape Schanck. About 150 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Melbourne - DAY 2 · 250 km, the coast
Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay
Geelong, Torquay and the memorial arch at the start of the Great Ocean Road, built by First World War veterans. The coast through Lorne to Apollo Bay, then a loop through the Otway hills. About 250 km.
Overnight: Motel in Apollo Bay - DAY 3 · 260 km and an overnight ferry
The Twelve Apostles and the ferry
Through the Otway forest to the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Port Campbell, then inland via Colac back to Geelong. Evening boarding of the Spirit of Tasmania and a night on Bass Strait. About 260 km.
Overnight: Ferry cabin - DAY 4 · 120 km and a 6 km walk
Devonport and Cradle Mountain
Morning disembarkation in Devonport, then via mural-painted Sheffield into the mountains to Cradle Mountain at 900 m. A 6 km walk around Dove Lake. About 120 km.
Overnight: Lodge at Cradle Mountain - DAY 5 · 200 km, the 99 bends
The West Coast and Strahan
Via Tullah and Rosebery to Zeehan, then the mining town of Queenstown and the 99 bends of the Lyell Highway above its lunar spoil heaps. Down to Strahan on Macquarie Harbour. About 200 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Strahan - DAY 6 · 300 km, the Lyell Highway
The Lyell Highway through the wild west
The A10 east: Lake Burbury, Franklin-Gordon national park, Lake St Clair and the descent via Derwent Bridge and Hamilton into Hobart. One of Australia’s finest roads, with almost no traffic. About 300 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Hobart - DAY 7 · 220 km, mountain at 1,271 m
Hobart, Mount Wellington and Port Arthur
A morning climb of kunanyi / Mount Wellington at 1,271 m right above the city, then the Tasman Peninsula: Eaglehawk Neck and the historic Port Arthur penal settlement. About 220 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Hobart - DAY 8 · 230 km, Freycinet
The Great Eastern Drive and Wineglass Bay
The A3 up the east coast via Orford and Swansea to the Freycinet Peninsula; the 3 km walk up to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Night in Coles Bay. About 230 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Coles Bay - DAY 9 · 280 km, Weldborough Pass
Bay of Fires and Launceston
Bicheno, St Helens and the orange granite boulders of the Bay of Fires, then the Weldborough Pass mountain road through rainforest to Scottsdale and Launceston. About 280 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Launceston - DAY 10 · 150 km and an overnight ferry
The Tamar Valley and the return ferry
Cataract Gorge in Launceston, the Tamar Valley vineyards and the coast to Devonport. Evening boarding of the Spirit of Tasmania. About 150 km.
Overnight: Ferry cabin - DAY 11 · 80 km, bikes returned
Geelong and bikes returned in Melbourne
Morning disembarkation in Geelong, the 80 km run to Melbourne and bikes returned by noon. Departures.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
BMW F 900 XR or Triumph Tiger 900 hire with panniers
10 nights in motels and lodges with breakfast, including a ferry cabin
Spirit of Tasmania Geelong — Devonport ferry both ways with the bikes
Lead rider and GPS tracks
Tasmanian national parks pass
Three group dinners
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel
Lunches and remaining dinners
Single supplement
The eVisitor or ETA electronic visa
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and at least 5,000 km; traffic is on the left. Ivan covers left-hand riding and Tasmanian road specifics: wildlife at dusk, damp shade in the forest and gravel on the outside of bends.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.