TEAR-OUT MAP #13

CRISS-CROSS THE (EAST) COAST TASMANIA

We revisit Tassie this month, after riding the wild west coast back in AMM issue #20. Tassie has many excellent adventure touring roads,and this is just another sample of what is on offer.

For this ride we based ourselves in Hobart, making our way up to Launceston.

HOBART

Hobart is the capital and most populous city of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony, Hobart is Australia’s second oldest capital city after Sydney.

All services are available, including an airport if you wish to fl y in and rent a bike for this trip.

SORELL

Sorell is one of Tasmania’s oldest farming towns. Today it is a busy regional centre and the last major town on the way to the Tasman Peninsula and East Coast. It’s only thirty minutes or so from Hobart, and the main attractions here are the various fruit farms.

ORFORD

This is a classic Tasmanian fishing town, located at the mouth of the Prosser River and surrounded by sweeping beaches, historic sites and idyllic fishing and boating spots. If you fancy a fish, you might even like to stay at Orford for a night and split this trip into two. There are plenty of places to stay and eat at Orford, but hopefully you catch some tasty dinner for yourself!

STONEHENGE

A great place to stop and get a photo. An enterprising Northern Midlands farmer, Philip Osbourne has built a giant grass castle out of hay bales. A new structure is built each year at Fairfield near Epping Forest on the Midlands Highway.

LITTLE SWANPORT

Really only a reference point for the turn onto Bresnehans Road.

WOODBURY

Give “me” a wave as you pass through the town of Woodbury. Who knows, I may have some six fi ngered relatives down there?

ROSS

Time to think about topping up with some fuel. There is a BP service station in town and plenty to see and do in the historic town of Ross. Experience the beauty and drama of Tasmania’s colonial history. You can walk amongst buildings erected in Australia’s earliest years or walk across the sandstone carved bridge fi nished in 1836.

CRANEBROOK

Another reference point. This time to turn onto Old Coach Road.

FINGAL

A small mining town which has a service station and an IGA supermarket if you need any fuel or food.

EVANDALE

Evandale is a National Trust classified Georgian village, popular for its unspoiled heritage buildings. Stop and have a look around if you wish, otherwise, Launceston is only a hop, skip and a jump away.

LAUNCESTON

Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after Hobart. Settled by Europeans in March 1806, Launceston is one of Australia’s oldest cities and is home to many historic buildings – great for a walk around the town after your riding. All major services are available, including Launceston airport, if you want to fly home.

Head east out of Hobart, over to Sorell and onto Nugent Road.

Follow this road all the way to… you guessed it, Nugent. Not much at Nugent, but there is a pond with reeds growing out of it at the right turn you need to make onto Mill Road, which is signposted.

Follow Mill Road to the end and veer left onto the main dirt trail (Wielangta Road). Once you get to Rheban Road,you can take this right turn and do the extra couple of kilometres into Orford, or keep straight on, which will get you into Orford a few minutes earlier. However, I do recommend going the extra distance on Rheban Road, as you’ll get to see some beautiful coastline.

Jump onto the Tasman Highway and head west to Buckland. Get onto Buckland Road and head north to Woodsdale, Stonehenge and over to Little Swanport. If you want an alternative, veer right about four kilometres from Buckland onto Sand River Road, which you follow all the way over to the Tasman Highway and head north into Little Swanport.

In Little Swanport, take the left turn onto Bresnehans Road and follow to the west, turning left onto McKays road.

Once you get to the T-intersection, turn left onto Stonehouse Road. Follow this to the end and veer right onto York Plains Road. Travel about fifteen kilometres and turn right onto Sorell Springs Road.

Head up the Midland Highway, past Woodbury and into Ross.

Head south out of Ross on Tooms Lake Road about seven kilometres, where you need to go through a gate and head east to Mt Connection, turn left onto Long Marsh Road and up to Lake Leake.

Turn right onto Lake Leake Highway and follow the twisties back onto the Tasman Highway and turn left.

Once in Cranebrook, turn left onto Old Coach Road and follow it for some time. Old Coach Road turns into Royal George Road around a big long left hand continuous bend. A couple of kilometres west from here you need to turn right onto Merrywood Road and follow this all the way to the T-intersection with Mount Foster Road. Continue north all the way to Esk Highway, turn right and head into Fingal.

Turn left onto Mathinna Road, once at the end, turn left onto Mangana Road, to Mangana. Turn left onto Rossarden Road, head through Storys Creek and turn right onto Gipps Creek Road a couple of kilometres out.

Follow Gipps Creek Road to the end and turn right onto Kingston Road,which sort of follows the edge of the Ben Lomond Rivulet. Once you get to Nile Road, turn right, head through Nile, Evandale, Relbia and into Launceston for a well-earned rest.

ROAD CONDITIONS

For road conditions, contact 1300 135 513 and make sure you visit www.forestrytas.com.au/visiting/road closures for any roads that may have been closed by Forestry Tasmania, since we went to print!

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