Tasmania: The Huon D Entrecasteaux Cycling Trail

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1 Tasmania: The Huon D Entrecasteaux Cycling Trail An apple orchard frames Sleeping Beauty in the Huon Valley This cycling guide should be used in conjunction with the following guides and sites as they provide more information on accommodation, services and attractions: Huon Trail Touring Guide Pennicott Wilderness Cruises Bruny Island Tasmania Cider Trail Bicycle Hire

2 Tasmania is a small state known for its wilderness experiences, fine food, ciders and wines. Many cyclists have probably been tempted to cycle tour around Tasmania but have baulked at the unknown, difficult terrain or suitable routes. There are classic rides like the East Coast but the logistics of time and connections often point to organised tours. The Huon Cycling route was rated in April 2015 at Number 11 in Australia s 25 Most Scenic Rides by Ride On magazine and its designated route did not include the spectacular Bruny Island. Have you ever considered cycling in France, Italy or along the Danube? Well, here is a great place to start the dream by practicing all you need to know in a region every bit as spectacular as the other side of the world. This is a self guided tour that combines cider, food, wine and wilderness experiences starting and finishing in Hobart. While only around 240 kilometres in length, this circuit ride is best completed by enjoying plenty of relaxing rest days tasting ciders with cheese, a glass of award winning pinot noir next to a river, camping on Bruny Island next to a beach eating oysters or sitting on an award winning Pennicott wilderness cruise. History The Huon s aboriginal history is too broad to detail here but it was rich with many towns still bearing testimony like Alonnah and Lunawanna on Bruny Island. Recherche Bay was the first recorded meeting between Europeans (French) and the local people. Oyster Cove is infamous as the site where 47 Tasmanian Aboriginal survivors of fifteen years incarceration at Wybalenna on Flinders Island were forcibly returned in The Huon s colonial history, as the name implies, dates back to the French explorers. The region abounds with names such as Bruny Island, D Entrecasteaux Channel, Labillardiere Peninsula, Huon river, Esperance and Recherche Bay (The Captain of the Esperance was Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, Bruni D Entrecasteaux was a French navigator and Jacques Labillardiere was a French biologist). Recherche is French for research. The Cycling Route From the airport you have a choice between a bus shuttle or cycling about 20 klm with a choice between a wide shoulder on a freeway (Caution: Take care when crossing exit and entry ramps) or a quieter series of back roads. Both routes connect with a bike path across the Tasman Bridge into Hobart CBD and Salamanca. The quieter route via Kennedy Drive and Cambridge Road to Mornington and Bellerive is recommended. The best directions can be found at: Any type of bicycle is suitable with the usual provisos, ie., mountain bikes are slower and heavier; road bikes might want to avoid dirt roads such as the Cygnet Coast road (about 9 klm is dirt) by staying on the Channel highway into Cygnet. The ride is highly suitable for both touring bikes and credit card road cycling with many Bed & Breakfast accommodation houses on route. The best time is from September to April with your choice of spring, summer or autumn seasons in all its glory. Huon Valley Bicycle Hire also has daily or multiple day hire options with a connecting bus service from Hobart. The route is mostly on quieter roads from Hobart, south to the Huon Valley and returning on a coastal road along the D Entrecasteaux Channel. The road from Hobart is the old Huon Road and necessitates two significant climbs of about 350 metres elevation and 6 kilometres each. If you decide to climb Mount Wellington to its summit (6.2 klm) then it is a demanding challenge! Once you enter the Huon Valley and Channel regions it is mostly flat to undulating. The Channel Highway can be busy at weekends as many from Hobart do round day drives in the area. Weekdays are generally very quiet. Bruny Island, outside ferry embarkations, is very quiet.

3 The design of the route allows for smaller circuitous routes such as Bruny Island itself. Just drive to the ferry terminal and ride your bikes for free. Other circular routes include Cygnet to Oyster Cove, Cygnet via the Coast Road and the Ranelagh-Judbury-Glen Huon loop. Road Safety in Tasmania Although the route mostly uses quieter roads there are a number of sections with higher traffic flows. Ten tips for when you are riding on-road: 1. Be seen: Wear light or bright colours and use your lights to increase your visibility. Consider a hi-visibility vest. 2. Wear a helmet: It s the law. 3. Single file: Although it is legal to ride two abreast in Tasmania it is strongly recommended, if your party is less than four, to ride single file as many road shoulders are narrow. In Tasmania, a motor vehicle overtaking a cyclist must leave at least one metre clearance in speed zones up to 60km/h and 1.5 metres in zones above 60km/h. 4. Avoid busy times: Car commuters to and from Hobart use the Huon Highway during peak hours. The best times to avoid commuters and school buses are between 09:00 and 15:30. Touring drivers from Hobart often use the Channel Highway on weekends (refer Trail notes). As daily distances are relatively short, it is simple to aim for low traffic times in built up areas like Hobart, Margate and Kingston. 5. Be predictable: use hand signals to indicate your intention before changing lanes or turning. 6. Follow the road rules: everyone needs to stop at a red traffic light; breaking the law creates tension on our roads. 7. Ride safe: keep your bike in good roadworthy condition. 8. Be ready to ride: plan and make sure you re prepared for your trip. Never ride tired. Know your body and its capabilities. 9. Be alert. Ride to the conditions. Look out for other vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians entering and exiting driveways and laneways. Make eye contact with drivers. 10. Be identifiable. Always have in case of emergency contact details on you and let people know where you are riding. Public toilets are frequent along this route at parks and most townships. Further Reading Tasmap 1: D Entrecasteaux and Derwent for a very good level of detail or any Tasmanian roadmap Cycling (Mountain biking) in Tasmania Cycle Paths around Hobart Bike touring basics Self guided cycle touring in Tasmania

4 Suggested Seven Day Cycling Itinerary Day One: Hobart to Huonville (40klms with two moderate climbs) Hobart has many attractions including the Cascade Brewery where tastings can be made. Mt Wellington rises above Hobart and is a challenging ride. Salamanca markets are held on Saturdays while the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) can be accessed by bike paths. Wander and ride around historic Battery Point and enjoy a meal or coffee with cake at Jackman and McRoss bakery on Hampton Road. A number of mountain bike paths are also available around Hobart. One of the views from the flank of Mt Wellington as you descend from Neika on the Huon Road to Longley. It is not always blue skies in southern Tasmania but the moods are always spectacular. Left: The Huon River from the bridge. Right: Franklin s Wooden Boat Centre Relax another day or two around Huonville and enjoy the Apple Valley with Willie Smith s cider and Home Hill wines. A return loop can be ridden upstream next to the Huon River via Glen Huon, Judbury and Ranelagh (about 9 klms dirt). Ride to Franklin (16 klm return) and enjoy a Franks cider after visiting the Wooden Boat Centre. For those hardier types with another week available, the Huon Highway departs from this Trail and continues south past Franklin to Geeveston and Dover. The Huon Highway is not a loop so all distances must be doubled for the return ride: The Timber Town of Geeveston (22klm from Huonville) is the gateway to the Tahune Forest Airwalk (another 28klms along Arve Road) 9 klm further from Geeveston is the turn-off to Police point on the Esperance Coast Road to Dover (22 klm cycling loop route) and beyond to Hastings Caves and Ida Bay railway. Tahune Airwalk Geeveston Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs Dover Ida Bay Railway Ida Bay An alternative is to catch a bus from Huonville to Dover and book your bike as luggage before the return cycle.

5 Day Two: Huonville to Gordon (67 klms easy with one short moderate climb) The Cygnet Coast Road is one of the most scenic easy day rides in Australia. This ride can also be done as a loop ride by those who are time poor. There are the delights of the Huon River, Cygnet, blueberry farms, Panorama Vineyard and Pagan Cider. Left: View looking south over Randall s Bay and the Huon River on the Channel Highway. A short diversion can bring you to a quiet beach and bush reserve. Right: One of your first views towards Bruny Island across the D Entrecasteaux Channel from the Channel Highway. Taste sheep milk cheese at Grandvewe Cheeses near Woodbridge. Enjoy lunch at Peppermint Bay in Woodbridge. The ferry terminal at Kettering has a very good cafe for breakfast before your crossing. Time your ride for January and experience the Cygnet Folk Festival Look for an early bird booking with camping at Burton Reserve or a variety of other accommodation.

6 Day Three: Gordon to Adventure Bay, Bruny Island (45 klms easy) Bruny Island has gained a deserved international reputation for quality produce and unsurpassed scenery. One could easily stay a week but this guide will only suggest a few highlights: BISH Smokehouse Once you disembark it is just a short ride over the hill and around a few bends. Get Shucked oysters The best oysters the author has eaten anywhere. Bruny Island cheese A European variety of quality cheese with lunch, boutique beers, local wines and wood fired baguettes also available. Penguin rookery Enjoy the views by day or see the penguins by night. Pictured are views from the penguin rookery on the neck of Bruny, first looking south towards South Bruny then north towards North Bruny. A campground is about 2 klm south of this point. The rest is for you to explore. Two views of the spectacular coastline from Pennicott s Wilderness Cruise on Bruny Island (The Monument on the left) where seals, dolphins, shearwaters, albatross and other wildlife are common sights. Relax another day or two with a Pennicott wilderness cruise down Bruny Island s east coast or exploree Bruny s north and south islands by bike. Day Four: Adventure Bay to Snug (46 klms undulating) Conningham Beach is a short 2 klm diversion (signposted) or walk to Snug Falls. Try Snug s Specialist Butchery while the Snug camping ground is to the right next to the butcher. Day Five: Snug to Hobart (29 klms undulating) Pass through Margate (the Margate Train has a cafe) and Kingston on your final route to Hobart via Taroona. Just past Margate there is an alternative longer route via Howden and Blackman s Bay to Kingston. Look out for the Shot Tower (historic site) and Nutgrove Beach after buying some treats at Lipscombe Larder. Sandy Bay Road will take you past Wrest Point and Battery Point on your return to Salamanca Place. Days four and five could be combined for those with a plane to catch!

7 Below: Huon D Entrecasteaux Trail Route (to be read with notes) Detail of Hobart:

8 Route to Huonville via Ranelagh (Home Hill Wines, Summer Kitchen and Huonville Caravan Park): Cygnet Coast Road:

9 Kingston detail (Channel Highway and alternative route via Blackman s Bay): Altitude graph from Hobart via Old Huon Road through Kettering and return to Hobart via Taroona. NB Bruny Island is excluded from this view but is undulating similar to the Channel Highway.