Lyell Highway and Queenstown Bends

Tasmania's strongest west-coast crossing through rainforest and alpine lakes.

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Why this ride

Tasmania's strongest west-coast crossing through rainforest and alpine lakes. The road: A10. Distance and riding time are estimates from the checkpoints until the road is measured on this page.

Roadbook

1. Hobart start

   Hobart tucks itself against the foot of Mount Wellington, with the wide Derwent estuary at its feet, and it has the compact, sandstone-and-timber feel of a port that never grew too large. It is the capital of Tasmania and Australia's second oldest city, founded in 1804 as a convict settlement, and the old warehouses along Salamanca Place and the cottages of Battery Point survive from the early years of the colony. On Saturdays, Salamanca Place fills with a crowded market of stalls selling food, crafts and plants.

   The sea defines the town. Each year, ocean racing yachts finish the Sydney to Hobart race in the harbour on or around 27 December, and crowds gather at Constitution Dock to cheer them in. The Museum of Old and New Art, MONA, on a peninsula up the river, has put the city on the international arts map with a bold underground gallery, and is reached by ferry. Mount Wellington, at about 1,270 metres, often carries snow even in summer, and a narrow road climbs to a lookout with views over the whole river.

   The ride east begins with a crossing of the Tasman Bridge, then follows the Tasman and Tasman Highway through Sorell, Orford and Triabunna, with the coast of the Tasman Sea opening up. The Great Eastern Drive continues to Swansea, with stretches of bays, white beaches and low hills, and then up toward Freycinet Peninsula, famous for the granite peaks called the Hazards and Wineglass Bay. The roads are well maintained, with smooth bends and limited traffic outside school holidays. Wildlife, especially wallabies and wombats, is a real hazard at dawn and dusk. Weather changes quickly, so carry layers even in summer.

   Hobart has everything: fuel stations, supermarkets, workshops and accommodation. Fuel is available in towns along the east coast, though they are some distance apart, so fill up when you can. Try fresh scallops, oysters or fish and chips from a floating shop on the harbour, and local cool-climate wines and whisky. Book accommodation ahead in January, when the city is busy.

2. Derwent Bridge stop
3. Lake St Clair stop
4. Queenstown stop
5. Strahan finish

Where this sits

Other rides by starting-point distance