Tasmania is gaining a reputation as one of the best places to ride your bicycle in Australia, if not the world.

The island-state boasts a diverse landscape, a temperate climate, oodles of quiet back-country roads and plenty of welcoming locals. In just a few days you can ride from golden farming valleys to high mountains and then down to the seaside. Not only that, but there are oodles of campsites, many of them free or very cheap.

The capital Hobart has been voted one of the world’s most photogenic cities and whether you’re in town or country, you’ll always find good food to fuel your ride. There are heaps of country pubs, restaurants, bakeries and farm shops everywhere you look.

Tasmania is also relatively easy to get to. You can roll your bike onto the Spirit of Tasmania ferry or hop one of the many low-cost flights to Hobart or Launceston from points across Australia.

Only one word of warning: watch out for the Tasmanian weather. Snow isn’t uncoming on the higher peaks, even in summer, and no tour of Tassie is complete without at least a bit of headwind and a rain shower. Pack accordingly!

Notes for some nice rides in Tasmania:

• Cradle Mountain: Take a side trip from Gowrie Park to this landmark, unloaded!
• One Week Route: If you only have 7-10 days…
• Central Highlands: Beautiful isolation.
• Bruny Island: A nice excursion from Hobart.
• PDF Guide: The notes for one-week in Tasmania, Bruny Island, Cradle Mountain and Hobart in one easy-to-print PDF.

Also: Cyclists have outlined a “Giro Tasmania” around the island, available via a free downloadable PDF.

More information on cycling in Tasmania:

• Hobart: All about visiting the capital city.
• Bikes on Buses: It’s easy!
• Maps: Get a good one.
• Roads: What they’re like.
• Weather: It can be wild.
• National Parks: Experience nature.
• Spirit of Tasmania: Get the ferry from Melbourne to Devonport.
• Free Camping: Sleep without paying a penny and a guide map to free camping sites.