Getting Here

Unless you’ve flown in and hired a bike you will have arrived on one of the Spirit of Tasmania ferries.

That’s why our Lap guides start at Devonport.

For information about fares and bookings check out the Spirit of Tasmania website.  There are two ships and each boat leaves from either Geelong or Devonport every night and they cross paths in the middle of Bass Strait.

There are also day sailings in summer.  To bring a car and caravan across you would have to book months ahead, but there usually seems room to squeeze a bike on at short notice.

But … Get yourself organised and book early to make sure.  And book a cabin.  Don’t make the mistake of trying to sleep in one of the torture devices masquerading as recliner seats.

They recline to exactly the most uncomfortable angle that’s guaranteed to keep you awake all night.

There are two new, bigger ships on the way, but due to widespread incompetence, they are unlikely to be in service before 2027.  (sigh)

Can I ride round Tasmania in a day?

Ha ha ha ha, no.

Tassie is bigger than you think.  And even though the distance may look short on the map, the travel time is not.

You can do a complete lap in 3 days but you won’t have much time to look around.  If you’re going to the effort and expense of coming over, allow at least a week on the island if you can.

Check out our Clockwise Lap page for a guide to time and distances.

What’s the weather really like?

In a word … Variable.  The weather in Tasmania is changeable, depending on your location and the time of year.

There are four distinct seasons where common weather conditions dominate.  However it’s possible to experience almost any weather conditions at any time of year.

Summer:  During the summer months average temperatures range between 17 to 25 degrees C during the day with occasional hot days in the mid 30s.  The weather is generally pleasant and sunny, providing excellent riding conditions.  Vented jackets and summer gloves will make riding more enjoyable.

Autumn:  Temperatures cool down in Autumn with averages of 12 to 20 degrees C during the day.  The mornings and evenings are cooler so it’s wise to pack warmer layers to stay comfortable while riding.  While rainfall increases compared to summer, but the weather remains relatively stable providing good riding conditions amidst picturesque autumn colours.

Winter:  Winter is cold.  Daytime temperatures range from 8 to 15 degrees C in most places and can drop much further overnight.  There is the potential for snowfall in mountainous regions.  Wet roads are common and some areas are affected by frost.  Warm, waterproof gear is essential for riding in winter.

Spring:  In spring things warm up again with average daytime temperatures between 12 and 18 degrees.  Like autumn, spring weather can be changeable with occasional showers and windy days.  It can be quite warm in the sun, but chilly in the shade and when you’re on the move.

Tasmania’s weather varies, depending on your location, altitude and proximity to the coast.  The western region tends to be wetter and eastern areas drier.  Higher elevations are cooler and coastal areas usually milder.

Even in the middle of summer the nights can be cool.  It’s rare to have a really warm evening after sunset.  Hey, it’s not the tropics.

Unexpected cold snaps can happen in all seasons so you need to be prepared for cool riding conditions at any time of year.  Snow in summer is possible and temperatures may be quite different from one day to the next.

If you don’t like the weather in Tassie – come back in half an hour!

Riding In Tasmania

The roads in Tasmania are twisty, with many corners.  Many, many corners.

In order to have a successful ride around Tassie you need to get around every corner, safely and without incident.  If you miss just one – it could ruin your whole trip.

Don’t get too excited too quickly. Take a day or two to get used to the conditions.  Enjoy the scenery and get familiar with our roads and those thousands of corners.

Mainland riders have died from running off the road and crashing, less than an hour after getting off the ferry in Devonport.

Our main highways are pretty good, with plenty of overtaking opportunities, especially for motorcycles.

Country roads are usually well maintained, although sometimes a little bumpy.

Most sharp corners are signposted with a recommended speed, or have warning signs with black and yellow arrows.

Road Kill and Wildlife

There is an abundance of wildlife in Tasmania and unfortunately some of it ends up on our roads, both dead and alive.

Be careful if you are riding early morning or in the evening, or at night, as this is when native animals are most active.

Anyway, what are you doing riding at night?  You should be in the pub enjoying some local ales and wines long before it gets dark.

Even if you’re not riding at the high risk times you will still encounter dead animals on the road during the day.  Stay alert and be ready to warn your mate riding behind you, by sticking out your leg to warn them of a hazard on the road.

Not all animal encounters will be natives.  Dairy cows have regular crossing points on country roads and lambs can push their way through fences to get that extra juicy, green grass on the edge of the road.

If you do run into trouble, check the Tassie Town pages for info on medical serices and bike mechanics.