Bicycle Australia's

Tasmanian

Bicycle Route Guide

Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988, 2000 Bicycle Australia Inc.

Introduction

The Tasmanian Bicyle Route is, naturally, in the state of Tasmania, which is that little triangular island to the immediate south of the eastern Australian mainland. It is part of the nation of Australia which is often forgotten by Australians and not realised by people from overseas. The Tasmanian Bicycle Route Guide includes a 1,133 kilometre circuit of the island, plus the 203 kilometre inland route and details of side trips to Port Arthur and The Channel Country.

The Tasmanian Bicycle Route is part of the Around Australia Bicycle Route and as such connects to the Southern Cross Bicycle Route from Sydney at Melbourne and connects to the Southern Ocean Bicycle Route to Adelaide at Melbourne.

'Beautiful' can be an over used word, but it is one that can be applied to much of the Tasmanian landscape. With the beauty goes variety; semi-alpine grasslands in the central plateau, lush rain forests, button-grass plains and horizontal scrud in the south-west, and tumbling wild rivers, snow-capped peaks, broad sandy beaches and wave pounded cliffs.

Much freedom on this route is gained by a camping trip, allowing you to stop at any place that takes your heart. There are facilities, but they may be rather scattered, especially on the west coast.

Some fitness, both physical and mental is recommended for an enjoyable trip as there are some substantial climbs and the weather can change rapidly, even in Summer.

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Update

This guide was first prepared by Bicyle Australia in 1986 and actively issued by Bicycle Australia until 1988. Some additional comments have been added by Terry Collins who ran the Bicycle Australia in 88 trip and from other riders.

However, it is greatly in need of updating and feedback from users. If you have something to contribute, please do so. Email. This guide is only as good as the contributions received.

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Table Of Contents

When To Ride The Route

Tasmania has a temperate maritime climate with relatively warm summers and cool winters. But being in the path of the Roaring Forties, the island experiences unpredictable, fast changes in the weather.

Rain can be expected during all seasons with a winter high between May and August. Snow and hail can be expected in the high country in any season, but especially in late Winter and Spring.

The best of Summer is usually between January and March when daytime temperatures range from 15 to 40 degrees celsius, though they can often drop between 15 at night.

There are many good clear days throughout the year, but the better time is Spring to Autumn (October to April). In Summer on the east coast, north coast and Midlands, one is unlikely to meet extremes of cold, but it is wise to allow for a couple of bad days in your itinerary.

The west coast weather can turn bad at any time! Within one hour you can find yourself changing from shorts and t-shirt to woollens, so be prepared for extreme cold, even in Summer, when traveling on the west coast.

In summary, the best time is mid Spring to Mid Autumn for the north eastern half and Summer for the south western half for the best weather, but with adeaquate cold weather gear at all times.

School and University holidays, particularly in Summer, may present some difficulties for transport to and from Tasmania, unless you book early.

The period from February to March is often recommended by many people.

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Which Way ?

This route guide has been written with an anti-clockwise bias, but there is no over riding reason for that.

There is one school of thought that suggests riding this route in a clockwise direction as the east coast is flatter and people can develop a bit of fitness before they hit the west coast. If you are ridding a basic bicycle without good low gears, this might be a consideration.

The other school of thought that says that with good low gears, you just take it easy on tackling the west side roads. There is better shelter on the west coast roads and while you might be climbing, you don't have the wind to content with that the open,flatter east coast roads have. A hill usually has a downhill somewhere, but winds rarely give back anything.

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How Hard Is It?

The Tasmanian Bicycle Route, and any bicycle touring in Tasmania must be considered as medium effort trip with peaks of hardness.

There are two factors to be considered.The Capricornia Route is probably one of the easier routes to ride. It is fully sealed and offers the basic choices of accommodation (bed or camp) along its full route. It is one of the few routes that can be undertaken without camping equipment.

Campers will have the greatest freedom as they can follow their impulses for interesting side trips. A "head down - bum up" ride will take nine days or less, but we recommend at least ten days allowing for one rest day, say around Gayndah. It would be very easy to make this a fortnight trip and have another four days for side trips.

It is possible to book accommodation for every night, although this may require a couple of longer days, but these should be easily achievable as you will not be carrying the weight of camping equipment. Accomodation will vary from basic Aussie pub accomodation to quality motels. Basic means good food and clean, but generally older spring beds. Some caravan parks will offer onsite vans, which may be a more economical alternative to some motels.

This route also allows for giving it ago and as many of the major towns have travel agents, if you need to withdraw for any reason there should be no major problems. Check the WWW Information links under Tourist Information for each town, or search Yellowpages. Most towns have a bus service that can be used to withdraw.

If you get the impression that we are recommending this route, you are correct. If you can do a weekend trip, then you can ride this route. It is the muscles in your head that are important.

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Maps

One of the benfits of bicycle touring a place like Tasmania is that it is so small that whenever someone makes a map of it, they always do the whole lot and the resultant map scale is usually okay. Unfortunately, because it is only an island, some of the service station road maps were made smaller, so some are next to useless. Compare the offerings at each brand of service station and at local newsagents, if your like this style map.

A far better series are the set of four put out by TasMap at 1:250,000 scale. Simply named North West, North East, South West and South Eastmaps. These are adequate unless you really want to know the exact height of each and every climb and descent. TasMap also put out a holiday Atlas of Tasmania which is of value for the town maps of some of the major towns and a table of various services available in each town.

If you want the detail of the 1:100,000 series put out by NatMaps, then you will need the following maps as the minimum for the cirsuit.

??8016 Table Cape????
8015 Hellyer8115 Forth8215 Tamar8315 St Patricks8415 Forester8515 Georges Bay
8014 Sophia8514 Break O'Day
7913 Cape Sorrell8013 Franklin8113 Nive8213 Shannon8413 Little Swanport8513 Freycinet
8212 Tyenna8312 Derwent8412 Prosser8512 Maria
8411 Storm Bay(Pt Arthur)

On the WWW, Tourism Tasmania has some overview maps that may be of interest.

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Getting There And Back



Rail Services

Obviously, as Tamania being an island, no train services run to it. Nor does it have any internal passenger services. These are now RedBus. Of course, you can always catch a train to Melbourne and catch the Vehicular Ferry across.

Vehicular Ferry

TT Line is the oldest vehicular ferry service operating and the only ferry service. It now operates two different ferries. BOOK EARLY, end of story.

Spirit of Tasmania is the traditional overnight service (13 hours), three days a week (Mon, Wed and Fri), with a fourth service on Sunday at 9am "depending on demand". A quick check of their WWW says that these extra services run August to May. Did we say book early? Fares are from $126/$152 for you (hostel style) and $21/$27 for your bicycle, each way, in shoulder/peak seasons. If you take your time and undertake a complete, very lesiurely tour of as much of the ship as possible, your time in D/E hostel style can be filled adequately. The filling your time on the return journey is the trick. This service runs Melbourne to Devonport, where co-incidentaly the bicycle route guide starts.

Devil Cat is the newest ferry from TT Line. The journey is only six hours, but it only operates from late December to mid April on Thursday, Saturday and Monday and only if sea conditions are less than four metres. The fare is $175/$145 for you and $27/21 for your bicycle each way in peak/shoulder season (it doesn't operate until peak season). The service runs from Melbourne to Georgetown, which is 52kms north of Launceston (on the route), which is about 100kms east of Launceston. So, listed itineraries would need to be adjusted. This WWW map shows the relative difference in the landing places of the two services.

Bus Services

There are two issues here, getting to Melbourne and bus travel within Tasmania either as part of your itinerary or in an emergency.

Did you know that Greyhound Buses started in Australia, before the name went to the USA and became famous in US movies? They have extensive information on their WWW pages, which include Melbourne.

McCaffertys is another bus company that provides services to Melbourne. Again, refer to their WWW pages for details.

Once you are in Tasmania, the internal bus services are either Tasmanian Redline Buses, or TWT TassieLink. It may also be possible to get services from specialised bushwalker pick up services.

Tasmanian Tours and Travel was a company we found that provides east and west coast bus services, and others and it looks like they know what they are about. Visit their WWW site for further information.

Air Services

With all the fiddle of getting to Melbourne, then getting across on the ferry, most people may find it easier to fly direct to Hobart or Launceston, which are the two major airports in Tasmania.

The new airlines Impulse Airlines and Virgin Blue only offer services to and from Melbourne.

Qantas fly to both Launceston and Hobart most likely Ansett does as well, but their WWW site was off air when we went to check.

Regional air services may exist and we suggest you consult the Yellowpages for current and further information. This will usually generate a telephone number at least.

Other Services

Where it exists, we have given a WWW link to Queensland Tourism pages for each town along the route. This will give you better details of the transport services available. These will be particularly handy iIf you need to take advantage of these in an emergency, or only wish to undertake a shorter ride.

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Equipment Requirements

Bicycle: Not all the route is fully sealed. Some roads on the west coast are unsealed and other short, unsealed sections may be encountered elsewhere. For this reason, we recommend a touring bicycle with a minimum of 1.25" tyres. A mountain bike is not required unless you intend to do some poking into off-road areas. As some of the days are likely to be long due to climbs, we recommend a lighting system and safety vest.

Bicycle Helmet: The Australia Medical Association, in its wisdom, has read the bones and decided that wearing a helmet will reduce head injuries for bicyclist, thus saving lives. It has consequently managed to convince our useless crop of politicians to mandate the wearing of bicycle helmets. This rule is usually arbitarly enforced, but you should be aware of it. We think a good sun hat is a better item to wear on your head when touring, but do recommend wearing a helmet in towns and cities.

It is also noted that the British Medical Association has recently rejected similar moves in the United Kingdom and pointed out the falicy of the logic in the claim.

Spare Parts and Tools: Bicycle Australia knows of fifteen bicycle shops on the route, but as many of these are in the major towns, you should still carry the standard basic spares. If your bicycle has exotic parts, you should also carry the contact details of a reliable bicycle shop (usually in capital cities). Most towns will have some one who sells some bicycle bits, usually standard tubes and puncture kits at least.

Racks and Panniers: Standard touring racks and panniers should be fine. Give some consideration to double lining your panniers with large/garbage bags in case of inclement weather. Wind driven rain can penentrate remarkedly well.

Tent: Ensure that your tent can withstand high winds and you have the full kit for windy situations. When you pitch your tent, ensure it is pitched into the dominant wind direction.

Cooking Gear: A stove is necessary and a basic reccomendation by Bicycle Australia as popular camping sites are often devoid of suitable wood. Methylated spirits and kerosene should be easily obtainable along the route. Camping fuel can be hard to come by.

Fishing Gear: Tasmania has crystal clear streams and some excellent coastal fishing. If you are that way inclind, a collapsible rod, appropriately kitted might be worth considering. Don't forget to allow time in your itinerary. Please check the current state regulations at a fishing shop at one of the trail ends.

Other Useful Items: A full cold weather kit should be packed within easy reach. Gloves and beanies are worth including as they are quick to put on or off and excellent for keeping warm. Most people recommend the multiple layers of clothing. Make sure you have a good wind proof jacket.

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Water

Water is not expected to be a problem in Tasmania, except in cropping, grazing and tourist areas where you should consider cleanliness.

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Rubbish

Human refuse has become a substantial problem at the popular camping and picnic spots. Too many motor vehicle drivers are too lazy to take home their garbage.

Cyclists are of course different.

Do yourself and your fellow travellers a favour by cleaning up the camp site before you get settled. Rubbish should be collected in a garbage bag and deposited in the rubbish disposal bins you will find around.

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Food Supplies

You will need to carry at least a couple of days food, particularly along the west coast. Keep in mind that you should have one day's food in reserve should you encounter very foul weather and need to camp it out for a day.

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Safety

Bicycling along the Tasmanian Route should be no more dangerous than bicycling anywhere in Australia. You should be aware of vehicles along the whole route as these can be encountered anywhere. Foul weather may affect some drivers vision.

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Bities And Other Nasties

The greatest danger is cold weather. Otherwise, dangers tend to be the standard ones.

Motor Vehicles - These are by far your greatest danger. Locals are usually not a problem as they drive carefully and know the road, even if they do seem more interested in what is over the fence. The greatest problem is usually city people on holiday in a hire vehicle that they do not know trying to travel at highway speeds on other roads in inclement weather.

Snakes - Tasmania has snakes and they seek the sun when out. Button grass can be a favourite environment for active snakes. Generally quietness is not the way as the snakes will hear you coming and move away. Snakes only attack if you transgress against them like insisting on taking their close up photograph or wanting to stroke their tummies. Back off and let them go away. Killing snakes is illegal in Australia. Snakes may also come out onto the sunny patches on the road to warm up, so be careful not to injure the wildlife.

If one of your party is bitten by a snake, please give a stiff whisky to the snake. The recommended treatment for the bitten party is first to sit them down and calm them down (a piece of 2"x2" should suffice), then bandage the bitten limb on the single bone part (upper arm and leg), away from the heart with a tightly wrapped bandage. Do not forget to release the bandage every ten minutes for a few seconds to restore circulation otherwise limb cells will die, which could lead to a worse problem. This treatment is to reduce the influx of venon through the lymphatic system to a level that the body can handle. Arrange for transportation (not by bicycle) of the bittten person to a source of snake bite serum. The snake will recover if left to its own devices.

Tics - These little blighters, usually picked up from grass in summer, are the worst as they can bury into skin folds and pump toxin into your blood as they gorge themselves on your blood to mature their eggs. A daily inspection and removal with long fingernails or tweezers (make sure you get the head) will suffice. You can also try insect repellant to dislodge them. Unless you have an allergy, death is unlikely, but a few days of toxin injection is definitely not recommended for good health. They are known mostly as a problem for bushwalkers in Tasmania.

Leeches - Another blood sucker that favours moist, grassy areas in warmer weather and requires blood to mature their eggs. Again check shoes and skin folds daily. Salt will cause most to shrivel up and drop off. Opinion is divided about the resultant blood flow from the puncture wound. Some let it contine to flow to flush out as much of the anti-coagulant as possible. Bicycle Australia doesn't know of anyone who has died from a leech bite and there are some good side effects apparently. Australian leeches are used in some medical treatments such as reducing brusing and increasing blood flow in certain areas.

Apart from packing tweezers, salt and a gauze bandage as safeguards, you will usually have nothing to worry about.

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Route Description

The Tasmanian Bicycle Route Guide runs from Devonport, down the west coast to historic Queenstown, across to Hobart, then up the eastern coastline to St Helens, before heading inland and west through Scottsdale to Launceston and Devonport.

The guide also describes the inland route, a return option to Port Arthur in the southwest and an option for channel country.

Rugged natural beauty best describes the west coast and everything else is on the eastern side. Not quite true. History is everywhere. So is natural beauty. The state is also prepared for tourists and will do its best to let you see everything that you want to see.

Note on Distances: Two Distances are given following the town place name. The first is the distance from the last town, the second is the culmulative distance along the route. Both are in kilometres. Distances given in the text refer to the last town centre and acculmulate until the next town centre is reached.

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Devonport

00

Formed in 1890 from the merging of the east bank town of Torquay and the west bank town of Formby, it has been the major port of the north for many a year. Much mining and other produce was shipped out through it and now it ships in tourists from the TT Line Spirit of Tasmania terminal on the east bank of the Mersey River.

Victoria Bridge will take you from the ferry terminal to the main shopping centre on the west bank. The town is described as haing full facilities and there is a Bicycle Museum on the corner of Oldaker and Fenton Streets.

Tourist Centre: 18 Rooke St, Tel (004) 24 1526, WWW information

Accomodation: ???

Depart Devonport heading west for Ulverstone and Penguin. Follow the main around around the coast. Traffic can be heavy as this is the main (only) route to the north and south west.

Basically flat, with an occassional rise and fall.

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Ulverstone

2121

A modern prosperous town and the business centre of a large, productive agricultural area blessed with a rich chocolate soil.

Departing Ulverstone, take the coast road to Penguin. This is to the north of the main road and provides a pleasant alternative. From Penguin to Burnie, the busy highway must be used again. It is wide and follows the shoreline closely.

Burnie

2849

An industrial deepwater port and headquarters for Associated Pulp and Paper Mills Ltd, which employs around 3,000 people throughout Tasmania. The town is also the headquarters of the Emu Bay Railway, which operates the trains for all the tracks on the west coast.

Of further interest is the Pioneer Village Museum in High Street behind the Law Courts. The town is described as having full facilities.

Tourist Centre: 48 Cattley St, Tel: (004) 30 2224, WWW information

Accommodation: The only reported camp sites are in the two caravan parks at each end of the city centre.

Strip development extends along the highway to Somerset, where the Murchison Highway turns inland.

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Somerset

655

Aboriginal word for "soft". A hotel offering accommodation and counter meals. There is a shop, but five days open only. Population 52.

Public telephone outsied hotel and Post Office is nearby.

100 metres past the hotel is an intersection where you fork left. On the right is a rest area off the road with toilet facilities, tables and chairs. Rain water is available from a tank by the tennis courts. Camping is possible here.

At 18.5kms cross over the Dee River again and continue ahead for Jambin and Biloela.

The route from Dululu to Biloela is flat with a few minor rises and very open. It now continues almost due South through mixed farming crop country interspersed with Brigalow and crosses Alma Creek, Don River and Bell Creek. There are no shade trees and the road is prone to flooding after rain. A school on the left after 41kms signals the approach of Jambin.

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Jambin

44114

A very small settlement with hotel/motel and general store combined with post office. The later stocks amongst other things handbags, confetti and ballroom chalk - all necessities for the average bicycle tourist! Groceries are also available from the store which is open seven days a week. It is possible to camp behind the hotel with permission in an emergency, but the tank water is not accessible from outside the hall.

Update - Obviously they hold dances at the hall. The real question is when?

Accommodation: Hotel/Motel - recomended for Bed and Breakfast and counter lunches/teas.

Leave Jambin heading South on the same road, cross over the railway and a little later under it. The road is narrow and the surface can be bad after local heavy rain and flooding. Within the next 15kms, the frequency of houses increases amongst the cotton fields. At an intersection at the 21kms mark, follow the main road to the right for Biloela and Monto.

Approximately 1km further on, at the outskirts of Biloela, is a fork in the road. The right fork takes you to Biloela Caravan Park (250 metres up on the left towards Banana, where the on-site shop is open twice seven days a week. The left fork is the main route and enters Biloela.

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Biloela

28142

Aboriginal for "white cockatoo". Of interest are Callide Valley Cotton Festival, held every two years in April in alternate years to Thangool's festival. The Cotton Ginnery, Agricultural Research Centre, Callide Dam and power station are out of town. There is also open-cut coal mines at Callide and Moura, featuring enormous drag lines and Greycliffe Homestead which is situated 6kms out of town.

There are full shopping facilties with supermarket on the corner of Gladstone and Kariboe Streets. The Post Office is on the corner of Kariboe and Melton Streets. There is a coin operated laundromat situated in Rainbow Street.

Tourist Information Centre:: Yellow Cross Chemist, Kariboe Street, WWW information.

Accommodation: 6 Hotels/motels, 3 caravan/camping parks (Biloela CP to west of town, Boomerang near town centre off Dunn Street).

Depart heading south east, taking the Thangool/Monto road (turning right at the service station before the town centre and the railway crossing), and then passing the Countryman Motel on the right. The road is flat and open to both sides and exposed to winds. Take care crossing Kroombit Creek bridge 2kms further on. enter Thangool (5.5kms) with Airport on the right.

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Thangool

12154

Aboriginal word for "O'Possum". Gateway to the Banana and Calide Valley Irrigation Area for cotton and lucerne. A small town with one main street; shops on one side and a rest area with toilet facilties, plus tables and chairs on the other.

Of interest; Mt. Scoria, one of only three 'musical' mountains in the world and well worth a visit to see this phenomenon (6kms out of town).

Accommodation: One hotel and one hotel/motel. No camping facilities.

Warning: There is no food, water or accommodation available until Monto.

Depart east for Monto (signposted 85kms). 1.7kms at fork, bear left. Cross South Kariboe Creek at a low level bridge (15.4kms) and commence climb to top of Lawgi Hill (top of climb is 17kms and there is a locked water tank in exposed position by a hall). Road continues to climb gently along top of range until descent at 25kms. Good views of many peaks to east.

Cross Grevillea Creek (35kms) and enter Monto Shire 5kms further on.

Cross Cattle Creek (50kms) and commence ascent of Mt. Margaret. This climb lasts for 14kms with a couple of minor dips and is steep in parts (allow two hours if riding a loaded bicycle). There is a rest area at the top of the second climb with toilet facilities, water tank and covered eating shelters. Camping is possible away from the road at the back of the reserve under power lines in the state forest.

Following a descent of 6kms, the road widens at Cania Gorge and Dam turn-off (turn left for the Gorge 13kms and Dam 26kms) with good surface. The Gorge provides good camping and picnic facilties. Camping is prohibited at the dam itself.

Continuing on, the road undulates with some short tight pinches, crosses a concrete bridge, breasts a rises and enters the outskirts of Monto, passing the hospital on the right and Lions Park and rest area on the left. Turn left, heading east, and cross the railway bridge for the town centre. Turn first left and proceed parallel to the railway line with the shopping centre the second road on the right.

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Monto

85239

Aboriginal for "Ridgy Plains". Estalished in 1824 at junction of Three Moon and Monal Creeks, town is situated in rich agricultural area where sorghum, lucerne, wheat and sunflower are the main crops. Of interest is Cania Gorge, which is one of the most spectacular and colourful areas in southern Queensland, towering Castle Mountain, which overlooks the picturesque Cania Dam, gold panning, Old Monal Goldfields and Coominglah Scenic Drive.

The district is rich in geological features including 200 million year old coral reef, old gold, copper and coal mines. The town offers basic shopping facilities with two supermarkets. Their is a Bike shop opposite the Albert Hotel and basic spare parts and puncture repair kits are stocked by the Caltex service station adjacent to the railway line. There is a laundromat open to the public at the caravan/camping park.

Tourist Centre: Shire Office, 51 Newton Street, Tel: (071) 66 1155, WWW information

Accommodation: Three hotel/motels, caravan and camping park. The Albert Hotel (diagonally opposite Shire chambers) has been recommended as good value and has meals available.

Leave town heading for Mulgildie and Eidsvold. Continue past turnoff to Jaycees Park. At 4kms, take right fork and continue south east for Mulgildie.

Commence climb (7.3kms). Good views at top of climb (8.8kms) followed by good descent. Pass state school on left, railway on right and enter Mulgildie.

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Mulgildie

13252

Town centre has four general shops and take-away food outlets. Hotel offers counter meals. Camping is possible at the showground 50 metres past supermarket on left.

Leave town from intersection in the centre by supermarket. Leave highway and turn right across railway line for Warum Dam and Abercorn, then immediately left onto bitumen single laned road. Road undulates for 5kms before short climb.

The countryside changes from pastoral to bush and after descent, returns to pastoral and continues heading south. At 'T' intersection with dirt road (signposted Dareen) keep to the bitumen by turning left and heading east. At 22.5kms pas a churh on the right and eter Abercorn.

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Abercorn

23275

Major feature are numerous tennis courts with two water tanks and sports centre (soft drinks) with Post Office attached. There is a Country Womens Association (CWA) hall with facilities for hire.

Continue through settlement, just past CWA hall, turn left at intersection crossing railway line for Eidsvold. Road undulates through bush ranges. At 10.1kms, turn right and rejoin Burnett Highway. The country opens up over the next 5kms into wide grazing country.

There is a rest area by Burnett River with tables, shelter, tank water and toilet facilities at 19.3kms. The route continues to undulate. Passing service station on left, you enter Eidsvold.

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Eidsvold

29304

Named after Eidsvoll in Norway. Eidsvold Station was established in 1848, the original slab building has been restored. Also noted for gold discovery in 1887 and an Australian record for cattle yarding of 7,482 head in 1932.

Of interest Waruma Dam on the Nogo River, the Geo Schafer Collection of Rocks, Minerals and Bottles, and Knockbreak Cottage.

full facilities including rest area in centre of town. Warrens carries basic bicycle parts.

Tourist Information: Warren's Motel, Tel (071) 65 1209. WWW information

Accommodation: One cafe/motel (Warrens and recommended), One hotel/motel, one caravan/camping park, which is situated on the left in Esplanade Street (one street back from main street) and has laundry and good showers.

Turn left at Hodgkinson Street and cross Harkness Boundary Creek passing the showground on the right, then cross the railway line. BP Service Station on left, then take right fork in road heading for Munduberra. Road surface is good and the road continues along the top of small ranges. At 4kms, road descends onto flat pastoral land.

Caution - cattle trucks operate on this section of the route.

Approaching Munduberra there are two notable climbs and descents. At 35kms leave the main road, turn right, signposted Munduberra, and 1km further on you pass the Big Mandarin, Citrus Caravan Park on the right. 40 metres further on you take the right fork to the town centre and then turn left intoLyons Road - the town's main street.

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Mundubbera

36340

Aboriginal for "Step marks in trees". Situated in large citrus and agricultural area. Of interest; The Enormous Ellendale (Big Mandarin) with Ceratodus Lung Fish on display, Auburn Falls National Park with balancing rocks, falls and caves.

The town has full facilities.

Tourist Centre: Big Mandarin, Citrus Country Caravan Village. WWW information

Accommodation: Four hotels/motels, and one caravan/camping park with laundry facilties.

Retrace your steps to the Big Mandarin, leave the caravan park on the left and rejoin the highway heading for Gayndah. For the next 1kkms there are six reasonable climbs and descents through the ranges before a steady climb to the Binjour Plateau. Cross Philpott Creek at 15.5kms and Fox Creek a little later.

The top of the climb is at 19.2kms and descends into Binjour Valley with general purpose shop open seven days a week with mechanic on call. Take the right fork at the shop and commence a gradual climb. Top of the climb is 27kms. There is the Binjour Range rest area 200 metres off the road with full facilities (?) and commanding views.

Following a steep descent into valley, road undulates through general crop growing country. At 44kms pass quarry on left and Kelly's Citrus Centre on right, before entering Gayndah.

There is a caravan park and motel on the right. 0.5kms further on, turn right at the intersection and cross bridge over Burnett River, then short steep ascent before turning left into the main street at the Burnett Hotel.

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Gayndah

46386

Home of the famous Gayndah Oranges. Once considered as a possible site for the capital of Queensland. First Queensland Derby held here in 1868. Of interest; the Big Orange, Folk Museum. The town has full facilities.

Tourist Information: Historical Museum Complex, Simon Street, Gayndah, Tel: (07) 4161 1698, Fax: (07) 4161 1689, WWW information

Accommodation: Four hotels/motels of which the Burnett hotel can be recommended, and two caravan/camping parks.

Follow main street parallel to river past supermarket on left and you are heading for Ban Ban Springs. 1km further on you pass the Shire swimming pool on the left. After two short climbs the road flattens and passes through pastoral country with good views. At about 11kms, at Baramba Creek, emergency camping is possible.

About 12kms, there is short hill before the Mt. Perry - Goomeri junction.

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Ban Ban Springs

26412

Permanent bubbling spring. Gateway to the Central Burnett and turnoff to Biggenden and Coulston Lakes with their Mt Walsh National Park and Crater Lake. Good rest area by the Springs. 24 hour service station and restaurant.

Accommodation: Motel with shower facilities for campers. Camping in rest area is possible, but watch out for cane toads and snakes.

Continue straight on through the intersection with Isis Highway, heading south east, then south for Goomeri. The road is flat and gently winding through varied and attractive scenery. Cross Gravelly Creek (10.2kms) and Bolts Creek (13.0kms). A gentle climb for 3kms follows. Cross Marcella Creek (30.7kms), Tomine Creek (36.3kms) and Boonara Creek (38.3kms) for the first time.

Lawless Park rest area with water tank (41.3kms) signified by "Booubijan 1847-1947". Commence ascent for 6.3kms. Good views of ranges at top of climb and a good downhill section. On approach to and after Booubijan, the road is very narrow and and poorly surfaced in plarts.

At 52.9kms pass the intersection with Oakfield Road, then two kilometres of climbing followed by a fast descent into a valley. Cross Billabong Creek (56.6kms) and Banarra Creek (57kms) and pass through Tansey (rest area on left with toilets).

Two medium climbs follow on leaving Tansey. Pass through Boonara at 63.2kms (church and homesteads). Road surface deteriorates approaching Goomeri and is very narrow in parts. For the final 3kms into Goomeri, the road meanders through lightly timbered country.

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Goomeri

74486

Of interest; Kinbombi Falls and Gallangowan State forest, Gem Fossicking.

Limited facilties but includes supermarket. Newsagent stocks limite bicycle parts. All shops and the the Post Office close for one hour between 12:00 and 14:00.

Tourist Centre: Shire Office, Bligh Street, Kilkivan, Tel (071) 84 1133.

Accommodation: One hotel which serves counter meals. One 3 star Motel (Goomeri Motor Inn - highly recommended). Caravan Park.

Continue straight past the BP (restuarant open 7 days a week) and the Ampol (with caravan park) service stations on the right heading for Nanango. For the next 60kms, the road can be likened to a continuous roller coaster. Some hard ascents and good downhills will be encountered. The road surface is poor in parts and the road narrow with dirt shoulders.

after 1km cross Nangur Creek. Good road surface initially, mainly pastoral country with few trees. After 22.5kms cross Four Mile Creek and 2.5kms further on Six Mile Creek (new bitumen surface in 1990) and enter the Shire of Nanango. At 42.5 kms you cross Wyalla Creek with two bridges, then is is 30kms on the Highway until Nanango. The increasing frequency of named side roads indicates the approach of town and the road is flatter.

Follow road past caravan park on the left and Fitzroy Hotel on right, take the next left into Drayton Street, which is the main street.

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Nanango

61547

Tourist Centre: Shire Office, 48 Drayton St, Tel: (07) 163 1307. WWW information

Accommodation: Five hotel/motels, three caravan/camping parks (the Twin Gums CP, 1km along Yarraman Road can be recommended).

Leave by turning right before the Shire Council offices and head south for Yarraman. The road is undulating for the next eleven (11) kilometres with a few steep pinches. At 18kms enter the Yarraman State Forest passing the turn off to Tarong Power Station on the rights. The road surface improves and the road widens with the approach into Yarraman. At 20.2kms, the descent into Yarraman commences, past the caravan park, followed by a steeper descent with winding road into the township.

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Yarraman

21568

Accommodation: Four hotel/motels, one caravan/camping park.

Continue on the same road, descending to Cooyar Creek.

Caution - Heavy Traffic

The road undulates and becomes narrow at times. Cross Nukku Bridge (11kms) and Taremeo Creek (25kms) before entering Blackbutt.

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Blackbutt

15583

Spectacular forestry views further south up the range. Supermarket combined with cafe and delicatessen. Rest area with toilet facilties on left hand side of road intersection in middle of town. Arts and crafts shop combined with tea rooms on left leaving town to south.

Laundromat and Bakery in town. Picnic tables at Commisioner's Lookout.

Accommodation: One hotel (one motel 1990), one small caravan/camping park (behind Caltex service station).

Continue on the same road, leaving the township by climbing and descending a hill , whilst heading east for Moore and Esk. The route continues along ranges in dense forest. The surface is poor and the road narrow in places.

Pass a timber mill (4kms) on the left, cross narrow bridge then Benarkin State School on the left and the road undulates with steep pinches. The top of Blackbutt Mountain is 11kms along with Commissioner's Lookout. This is bellbird country.

Fast descent with hairpins to bottom of the valley at Blackbutt Creek. Cross Wallaby Creek (19kms) for first time (three times in all) whilst descending gently through the ranges and along the valley floor to approach Moore.

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Moore

21604

Hosts annually one of the state's most popular rodeos. Service station, general store and Old Wares shop. Rest area with full facilties on opposite side of road to shops.

Accommodation: Camping with permission which can be obtained from Old Wares Shop in rest area.

Continue on same road heading for Esk. Cross Stradbroke Creek (4kms) and Emu Creek (6kms) and pass through Collington (store open seven days from 5am). The road undulates and is narrow and traffic dense. Cross railway line (11kms) and turn right for Harlin (the main highway continues to Kilcoy). Cross Turtle Creek as you approach Harlin.

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Harlin

12616

Hamlet with hotel/motel and service station. Rest area with full facilities on opposite side of road.

Accommodation: One hotel/motel which can be recommended.

Continue through Harlin on gently approaching road. Cross Boundary Creek (11.9kms) before approaching Toogoolawah. The route bypasses the main business area just after the Ampol 24hour service station. You are heading south.

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Toogoolawah

13629

Attractive parks and houses. Full facilities including rest areas with toilet blocks situated in town and at parks.

Accommodation: Four hotel/motels.

continue on past Ampol roadhouse heading for Esk. There are two moderate ascents prior to Esk. the road has hard shoulders for most part and heavy traffic.

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Esk

19648

A picturesque town surrounded by mountains. Centre of The Valley of Lakes. Lake Wivenhoe was Australia's largest excavation project, there are picnic areas and lookout just off the main highway.

Lake Somerset (25kms north east) has been compared to the Scottish lochs with its picnic areas and lookouts.

Full facilties including laundromat situated close to Post Office and next to small service station. Rest area with full facilities in centre of town.

Tourist Centre: Shire Office,Tel: (07) 584 1200. WWW information

Accommodation: Three hotel/motels, one caravan/camping park which can be recommended.

Continue on heading for Ipswich on good road with shoulders. Cross Paddy Gully Creek (6.7kms), Tea Tree Gully (15.4kms) and Logan Creek (17kms) via the Captain Logan bridge. Wivenhoe Dam (29.5kms) carries the main road and is 2.2kms long. There are full facilties at the picnic ground on the south eastern end of the dam wall. Continue to Fernvale (40.2kms) where there is a Lions Rest Area park. Fernvale also has a supermarket, hotel/motel and a bakery.

Caution - There is a narrow bridge with no side rails prior to Fernvale where the only safe line is the centre of the road.

The road on leaving Fernvale climbs one further range prior to reaching the outskirts of Ipswich where the road merges with the highway to/from Toowoomba. From here you follow the signs to Ipswich and Brisbane, but take care in the fast moving traffic. Route 38 is required for entry into the town centre of Ipswich, which is badly signposted in parts, but basically follows Pine Mountain Road. There is a steep ascent into Ipswich. One you cross the Breme River bridge, you have reached the town centre.

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Railton

351110

A substantial country town and home ot the Portland Cement Company. Most faciltities are available here.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Continue along the route.

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Railton

351110

A substantial country town and home ot the Portland Cement Company. Most faciltities are available here.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Continue along the route.

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Railton

351110

A substantial country town and home ot the Portland Cement Company. Most faciltities are available here.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Continue along the route.

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Railton

351110

A substantial country town and home ot the Portland Cement Company. Most faciltities are available here.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Continue along the route.

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Railton

351110

A substantial country town and home ot the Portland Cement Company. Most faciltities are available here.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Continue along the route.

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Longford

27988

Classified as an historic town with many old colonial buildings, some of which were built with convict labour. The district is rich agriculturally. Longford offers full facilities.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation: Three hotels and a caravan park on the bank of the Lake River.

Leave heading south. After approximately 2kms, turn right onto the C518 for Bishopsbourne and Toiberry.

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Bishopbourne

131028

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Continue through the township heading south on C513. After 6kms, turn right onto the C511 for Bracknell.

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Bracknell

81036

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Leave on the C511 heading west. After 3kms, turn right onto the C505 for Cluan. A further 12kms on, turn left onto the C501 for Deloraine, joining the C503 2kms before entering the twon.

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Deloraine

321068

Founded in the 1840's, Deloraine is set amidst very English looking countryside - rolling hills, stone walls, hedgeros and small fields. The quiet Meander River winds through the town with the Western Tiers mountains as a backdrop. Full facilties are available.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Leave Deloraine heading west on the B12 for Lemma and Mole Creek.

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Lemana

71075

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Turn right onto the C163, joining Highway 1 two kilometres before Elizabeth Town. At Eleizabeth Town, turn left onto the B13 and continue through Moltema and Kimberley to Railton..

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Railton

351110

A substantial country town and home ot the Portland Cement Company. Most faciltities are available here.

Tourist Centre: WWW information

Accommodation:

Continue along the route.

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Devonport and Journey's End

231133

Journey's end and the your trip around Tasmania is completed.

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List Of Suggested Equipment

This is a generic bicycle touring packing list for your jogging your memory. It is most definitely not suggested that you take all of this stuff.

Panniers and Tie Downs Tent and Bedding Cooking Equipment Washing Clothing

Food Supplies

Miscellaneous Bicycle Repair Kit Bicycle Miscellaneous Return to Table of Contents

Suggested Itinerary

The itinerary below is suitable for an accomodated ride or a fitter camper.

DayFrom ToDailyCulmulativeNotes
1Rockhampton Dululu 7070Climb to Mt Morgan.
2DululuBiloela72142none
3BiloelaMonto97239none
4MontoEidsvold65304
5EidsvoldGayndah82386
6GayndahGayndah0386Rest day.
7GayndahGoomeri100486
8GoomeriYarraman82568
9YarramanEsk80648
10EskIpswich64712
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Tour Planner

The table below is to help you develop you own itinerary. We have listed various fields to help you plan. The three most important are usually distance to be covered, where to put your head for the night and how do you get fed. The Key is below:

This table could be improved by more information.
Distance CampVanPubMotelFood TownNotes
00YesYesYesYesRockhampton
123StoreBouldercombe
215YesNo5?Cafe,Counter(6)Mt Morgan
332YesShop(5), CounterDululu
444EmerYesStore(7), CounterJambin
5283?6?SuperBiloela
612No11Shop, Thangool
785Yes?3?SuperMonto
813Shops, Takeaway, CounterMulgildie
923Abercorn
10291?11FullEidsvold
11361?4?Full?Mundubbera
12462?4?FullGayndah
1326Yes?1RestBan Ban Springs
147411Super, CounterGoomeri
15612?5?Full?Nanango
162114?Yarraman
171511Super/deli/cafeBlackbutt
1821PerStoreMoore
19121Harlin
20134?Toolgoolwah
21191?YesYes?Esk
21401?SuperFernvale
1242YesYesYesYesIpswich
142YesYesYesYesYesBrisbane
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Bicycle Shops On The Route

The following information is know to Bicycle Australia about bicycle shops. The year is the age of the information.

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Further Reading

This is a list of places where the route or portion of the route is ridden and written up. We welcome other references.

WWW Links

Helen Beggs's GiroTasmaina is a good online resource to Tasmania (Feb 1999).

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Other Routes

There are a number of other rides possible in Tasmania. Open any map and they jump out. Most are on unsealed roads, but many enjoy a fair bit of sealed roads. Ones worth of consideration are:

If you do any of them, we would welcome adding them to this guide, or a general Bicycle Touring Routes in Tasmania guide.

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Recommendations

Where recommendations are given for facilities and services, these are the personal recommendations of the individual concerned. They should be considered simply as a positive report when a service or facility has been used.

Bicycle Australia does not recommend any facility or service over another, nor are we able to rank or rate facilities or services.

Where a service or facility is known to be of an unacceptable standard, we will report such.

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Warning and Disclaimer

The information contained in this route guide is copyright for Bicycle Australia.

Individuals may use it for free and we ask you to send feedback, updates, corrections, additions, etc to keep this guide as useful as possible.

For commercial use, we would like you to clear your conscience by sending a small fee per rider to Bicycle Australia.

Lastly, in this litigatious world, we have to point out that this information is used at your own risk.

Whilst every care has been taken in researching the information, Bicycle Australia and the members associated with the production of this guide can not accept any liability for incorrect or outdated information. The guide has been checked by bicyclist ridden the route. Should you feel inspired to follow in their wheeltracks, any additional information or comment you feel you could contribute to this guide would be appreciated.

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Route Development

All the work in route research is undertaken on a voluntary basis. Consequently, should you find either additional information for or incorrect information in this guide, please let us know so we may correct it.

Bicycle Australia also welcomes contributions of ride notes from other tours you have done. Should you be contemplating another ride and would like to assist with developing other routes, please contact Bicycle Australia. We can then inform you of the information we are looking for in the area in which you are planning to ride. We thank you now for any assistance that you are able to give.

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Guide Dates

Guide Dates are significant dates in the history of the production of this WWW guide. A combination of work todo and work done.

TODO:Check NatMaps needed, Fix telephone numbers (any number less than 10 digits), update bicycle shop contacts, add extra WWW links, list possible off-road and rough road varations (impossible to do all).

  1. 20001026 - Guide entered onto WWW site with some current WWW links.
  2. 198807/08 - Bicycle Australia in 88 Ride, Guide reviewed on road
  3. 1987 - Guide compiled and road reviewed by compilers.
  4. 1986 - On road research
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Bicycle Australia

Bicycle Australia is the national bicycle touring association. It is a not-for-profit association of indvidual members. All our work is carried out by volunteers.

It's aim is the development of a network of rural bicycle routes. It's current primary goal is the development of the Around Australia Bicycle Route, but we are still working on all the other routes. It's policy is to make all information available on the WWW.

You can support the work by:

  1. submitting route and town information, or
  2. providing updated information, or
  3. making a donation if you found this guide useful. We suggest $1Aust for each day's riding (per rider for commercial groups), or
  4. letting us know where the guide was not useful, or
  5. taking out Bicycle Australia membership at $25Aust for a year.

Bicycle Australia can be contacted on:

Please note that Bicycle Australia does not answer touring enquiries. All the information we have available is listed or will be listed on our WWW pages. This is not rudeness, but an essential rule as answering individual enquiries takes time away from entering and updating WWW information. Touring enquiries are best addressed to the newsgroups Aus.Bicycles, Rec.Bicycles.Rides and rec.bicycles.off-road as appropriate.

Commercial consultation and guiding is available at negotiated rates.

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Acknowledgements

Bicycle Australia would like to thank the many bicycle riders who have contributed to the research that forms the basis of this guide.

This includes Mike and Leonie Fretwell, Wendy Davies and Terry Collins.

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