Tasmania
has a temperate maritime climate and experiences unpredictable and
rapid changes in weather, particularly in the western half. Snow often
falls on the higher mountains, even in midsummer. Generally the best of
summer is between January and March, with the coldest and wettest
weather between June and August. It can be windy thoughout the year with
early autumn usually enjoying the calmest days."Summer days are longer
than on mainland Australia allowing more time for cycling, sightseeing
and setting up camp. In midsummer (December 21) there is cyclable light
between 5:30 am and 9:30 pm. Of course, midwinter days are very short,
with usable light between 7:45 am and 4:30 pm." - Bicycling Tasmania.
You
will need to obtain a road touring map such as the RACT Touring Map of
Tasmania (which shows camping grounds and tourist spots) and/or the
1:250000 maps of Tasmania published by Hobart Land Information Bureau
(which show contours and more of the minor roads). There is an excellent
shop for maps in Hobart, Tasmanian Map Centre, 96 Elizabeth St, or you
could contact the Land Information Bureau, GPO Box 44A, Hobart Tas 7001,
Ph: (03) 6233 3382, Fax: (03) 6233 2158. I have listed camping grounds, caravan parks and youth hostels in the text of the Giro Tasmania,
along with the cheapest other accomodation options. However, if you are
prepared to spend upwards of $100/night for a double room then there
are a wide range of excellent bed and breakfasts all over the state
which are good value for money. You can pick up a free guide to
accomodation in Tasmanian (Tasmanian Travelways)
from the Tasmanian Visitor Information Centre, 20 Davey St, Hobart Tas
7000, Phone: 03 6230 8235 Fax: 03 6230 8353 or email and they can also
make reservations. Youth Hostels may be booked by writing to YHA
Tasmania, GPO Box 174, Hobart Tas 7001, or your local YHA office can
make the bookings for you for a small fee. If
you are willing to carry camping equipment on your cycle tour then you
will be much more flexible, save money, not have to book ahead, and be
able to camp in some really lovely places. There are a range of camping
options, from staying at Caravan Parks or Camping Grounds, which have
hot showers, generally a laundry, and sometimes a campers kitchen and
cost about $8 - $16 per tent, to staying in free camping grounds
(maintained by the local Lions or Rotary Club) which have toilets,
drinking water and often a picnic shelter, to wild camping in state
forest or National Parks, obtaining drinking water from streams. If you
will camp then please take care when going to the toilet that you bury
your faeces at least 100 m from any water. At present it is generally
safe to drink from creeks and rivers provided that you drink up-stream
from camping areas (where others may not have been as careful as you in
their sanitary habits). Tasmania is one of the few places left in the
world which does not have giardia ("Bali Belly") and where you can still
drink from rivers and creeks. Let's keep it that way!
Away
from the major centres in Tasmania - Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and
Burnie - you may have trouble finding an automatic teller machine (ATM)
or a bank which is open. Nearly every small town, however, has a post
office, and these are agents for the Commonwealth Bank and will cash
traveller's cheques and provide cash advances on credit cards. Banks
will also provide this service. Most supermarkets in country centres
have EFTPOS facilities and may allow you to withdraw cash when making a
purchase with your ATM card.Along the Giro route I have listed the
banks, ATMs, shops with EFTPOS and post offices. Many of the ATMs (e.g.
Commonwealth Bank and Westpac) are connected to Cirrus, which means that
if your ATM card has a Cirrus symbol on it then you can withdraw money
direct from your bank account back home (anywhere in the world). Check
with your bank.
Cycling helmets are compulsory in Australia. Cyclists of all ages are
permitted on footpaths in Tasmania unless otherwise signed (such signs
are generally around busy pedestrian areas like shopping centres).
Traffic drives on the left hand side of the road and a bicycle must be
ridden in accordance with normal road rules. Cyclists may ride two
abreast but this is not recommended on narrow, winding country roads.
Tasmanian motorists are generally not bicycle aware.
Cycle
very defensively in Tasmania - and don't expect the drivers to use
their indicators! Tasmanian drivers are not as polite to cyclists as
European drivers, and will try very hard to overtake you without having
to cross lanes. Large trucks carrying logs are the major concern of
cyclists touring in Tasmania. Log trucks can be expected on nearly any
road in the state. "Use caution with log trucks, especially on narrow,
high speed roads or gravel roads, or if a truck is about to pass with
another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. Always be ready
to pull over and wait if you feel it's unsafe." - Bicycling Tasmania.
Many of the roads in Tassie are so narrow and winding that it is wise
to get off the road completely if you see or hear a log truck
approaching either from in front or behind.
"Some
bridges in Tasmania are built with wooden planks running parallel to
the direction of travel. The gap between planks can trap a bicycle wheel
resulting in nasty falls and extensive damage to the bike." - Bicycling Tasmania. Be prepared to stop and walk the bike across, if necessary.
Always
lock your bike securely, even in country areas, and even if you are
sleeping by it or have just popped into a shop to buy something. Don't leave valuables on your bike.
Swimming:
Although this isn't exactly a cycling hazard it is important to stress
the dangers in swimming at deserted beaches around Tasmania. The water,
even in the middle of summer, is very cold and there are commonly
dangerous currents which will carry you out into the Southern Ocean.
Never swim out of your depth.
Books and Information
For more information on cycle touring in Tasmania, I recommend the excellent book "Bicycling Tasmania"
by Ian Terry and Rob Beedham, pub. Nugara Guides, GPO Box 887, Hobart
Tasmania 7001 (1st ed. 1991, 2nd ed. 1993).
A new book has been published
called "
A new book has been published
called "Cycle the Tasmanian Way"
as an alternative to the Tasmanian Trail. This is an interesting 500km
ride from Devonport in the North to Cockle Creek in the South.
A more
detailed cycle touring book which contains both 1-9 day touring bike
trips and off the beaten track mountain bike routes is "
A more
detailed cycle touring book which contains both 1-9 day touring bike
trips and off the beaten track mountain bike routes is "Cycling the Bush - 100 Rides in Tasmania" by Sven Klinge, pub. Hill Of Content, Melbourne (1993).
In Australia, the "
In Australia, the "Tasmanian Trail"
official guide book may be bought from "The Wilderness Shop" in any
capital city or most outdoor equipment shops and many bookshops.In
Tasmania, it may be obtained in most outdoor equipment shops.
The free newspaper "Tasmanian Travelways", published bi-monthly, is available from Tasmanian Travel Centres in all states of Australia. Tasmanian Travelways
contains current information on travelling to and from the state,
internal public transport, accomodation of all kinds, restaurants,
guided tours, adventure pursuits and other visitor activities and
attractions.
