Australia / Tasmania

TOUR INTRODUCTION

Do you take your eating and drinking as seriously as your riding? Do you love nothing more than a challenging ride followed by an excellent beverage and fantastic food? Do you want to learn more from brewers, distillers, winemakers and chefs? Are you keen to find out for yourself why Tasmania has become one of Australia’s gastronomic capitals?

If you answered yes to the questions above, then this five-day trip is the stuff of dreams. Reward yourself with an unapologetically indulgent week of cycling, eating and drinking.

Each ride, professional cycling photographer and ride captain, Beardy McBeard, will guide you on roads less travelled, coastal routes, hills, gravel segments and scenic outlooks that have made this a true cycling destination. In the late afternoons, we’ll spend time with brewers, distillers, craftsmen and chefs learning about a different beverage each day.

We’ll cover ‘The Big Five’ of the Tasmanian drinks scene: Whisky, Gin, Cider, Beer and Wine, ensuring you develop a rich appreciation for why this island is such a craft beverage powerhouse. But we don’t stop there – you’ll also get to try the oysters, the cheese and the award-winning restaurants that have put Hobart on the foodie map.

In between it all, you’ll have plenty of time to relax, recover and explore all that this beautiful city has to offer.

So, join us for a once in a lifetime Gears & Gastronomy Experience on the remarkably beautiful island state of Tasmania.

This trip has been designed for avid cyclists, and non-riding partners seeking to experience a culinary experience like no other.

So, pack your bags, grab your bike and get ready to experience and taste the beautiful Island of Tasmania.

LIFE’S HARD WORK DESERVES UNFOGETTABLE EXPERIENCES. FULLY SUPPORTED RIDES ACROSS SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPES, FOLLOWED BY WORLD CLASS HOSPITALITY, DINING AND DRINKING FOR YOU TO INDULGE IN.

THE APRÈS VÉLO TASSIE GEARS & GASTRONOMY EXPERIENCE IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE BIKE. IT'S ABOUT THE APRÈS VÉLO LIFESTYLE AND CREATING FOND MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST FOREVER.

🚲 RIDE

Take the detour on roads less travelled and discover for yourself why Tasmania is amongst the greatest cycling destinations in Australia.
Fully supported rides with guides, mechanics, tools and support vehicle.

🍴 EAT & DRINK

We know you take eating & drinking as seriously as your riding, so we’ve lined up a daily journey through the absolute best of Tasmania’s food and drink.

📚 LEARN

Not only are you going to leave this tour fitter, but you’re also going to leave it smarter, learning from the brewers, distillers and chefs each and every day.

🛏 REST

We understand the importance of down time, comfort and peace. You’ll spend all 5 nights on tour in the same bed and have plenty of time to yourself to relax or explore all that Hobart has to offer.

JOIN US FOR THE TASMANIAN GEARS & GASTRONOMY EXPERIENCE

FULL ITINERARY

Monday 27th November – BEERDAY

The Ride
• Route: The Tinderbox Loop
• Distance: 56km
• Elevation: 1,000m

We kick things off with one of the Hobart cycling community’s favourite rides: Tinderbox. We’ll head up and over the infamous Bonnet Hill before taking in the twists, turns, hills and scenic views that define this coastal route.

On the way back, we’ll stop for a coffee at Kingston Beach before making our way back to the hotels for a well-earned break or to spend some time strolling along the waterfront, hitting some highlights on our Gastronomy Treasure Map or just taking a nap. It’s up to you!

The Beer & Dinner
After the break, you’ll take a short stroll to Tasmania’s premier craft brewery - Hobart Brewing. This ground-breaking brewery is an absolute favourite of the locals and produces a legendary range of core and special-edition beers. It goes without saying that we’ll have an expert, guided tasting of their beers along with a Q&A with one of their brewers before walking over to our restaurant for our welcome dinner.

Dinner is at the award-winning Italian restaurant, Peppina, in a private dining setting. Here, we’ll enjoy a multi-course meal with matching wines carefully selected to show off Tasmania’s incredible diversity.

We’ll also have a debrief of the week with our ride captains and a celebratory toast to the great experiences ahead.

Tuesday 28th November – WHISKYDAY

The Ride
• The Route: Bruny Island
• Distance: 79km
• Elevation: 830m

We’re up early and loading the bikes onto the minibus for a short drive to the Bruny Island Ferry in Kettering. The 10-minute ferry journey over to spectacular Bruny Island is a unique way to get to the start of one of the most spectacular of rides.

Think rolling hills, panoramic views, penguins, beaches, bakeries, towering seaside cliffs and buckets of history. When we’ve got enough kms in our legs, we’ll wrap things up with a hearty pub lunch at Bruny Hotel, followed by a stop at the Bruny Island Cheese Co. to find out why these locally made cheeses are some of Australia’s finest and a visit to Get Shucked, a locally owned and operated oyster farm and bar before we jump back on the bus for the ferry and drive back to the hotel.

The Whisky - Lark at The Still
You’ll have a few hours to recover, relax or explore Hobart further before we meet up at one of the city’s most luxurious destinations: The Still Whisky Bar. And we’re not just there to look around. We’ll learn what makes a great dram, how and why Tasmania has become such a hot spot for Whisky and what you should look for when picking your own favourite style.

Dinner on your own to continue at The Still or head back to the hotel to call it an evening or wander through the many bars and restaurants of the Hobart waterfront.

Wednesday 29th November – CIDERDAY

The Ride
• Route: Cygnet Coast
• Distance: 56km
• Elevation: 1,311m

It’s Ciderday - and what better place for that than the Huon Valley, the legendary area which put the apple in the Apple Isle.
After breakfast we’ll hop onto the minibus for an easy transfer to the idyllic village of Cygnet. There, a gorgeous, twisting gravel-filled route along a stunning coastline will challenge your legs with long climbs and blow your mind with incredible beauty. It’s one to get the camera out for.

The Cider - Willie Smith’s
After a quick change, we’ll jump back in the bus and head over to the famous Willy Smith’s Apple Shed - home of Tasmania’s most famous cider and apple museum (seriously), distillery and fantastic restaurant. We’ll meet the makers, get a tour of the facility and learn how this fruit becomes such an incredible drink in the right hands. A full tasting of the Willie Smith range will accompany a hearty lunch before we head back to Hobart when you’ll have plenty of time to relax and recover.

Dinner on your own at one of the many amazing restaurants and bars available in close proximity. Speak to us about recommendations to enable prior bookings.

Thursday 30th November – GINDAY

The Ride
• Route: Pipeline & Kunanyi/Mt. Wellington
• Distance: 53km
• Elevation: 1395m

That big mountain that dominates the Hobart skyline? Yep, we’re going all the way up there today. After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll hop on our bikes and head upwards.
Along the way, we’ll cycle along the magical pipeline track, a gravel path which meanders beneath a magical rainforest canopy of ancient trees and ferns. From there, it’s time to tackle the historic road to the summit of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington where the views are epic and the satisfaction of reaching the top is immense (Not up for high altitude? There is the option to do half the climb, stopping off at the Lost Freight Café, for a steamy cuppa). On the long descent back into town, we’ll stop in at Australia’s oldest brewery - Cascade - for a hearty pub lunch before the final short roll back to our hotels.

The Gin - The Gin Bar
Whether you use the few hours of free time to wander around town, tackle some more entries on our Gastronomy Treasure Map or have a nap, just make sure you’re at The Gin Bar by 6pm. There, we’ll sit down to a Gin Blending Masterclass where we’ll explore the sensory world of botanicals and learn to blend aromas and flavours under the close guidance of our Gin Professor. And the best bit? Everyone walks away with their own little piece of Tasmania: a bespoke, uniquely blended bottle of Tasmanian gin.

For dinner we’re off to an aperitivo bar set in a converted horse stable and influenced by the cuisines and cocktails of Spain and the Mediterranean.

Friday 1st December – WINEDAY

The Ride
• Route:
• Distance: 73km
• Elevation: 1153m

Today, a grand adventure awaits as we ride from the city out to some of the Derwent Valley’s most remote vineyards. Along the way, we’ll stop at the cafe Wondr, home of Hobart’s first coffee roaster for a sampling of different beans.

Once we’re fully caffeinated, we’ll get back at it and tackle a tough (but lovely) climb or two, a descent that will have you thinking you’ve been transported to Tuscany with sweeping turns and majestic meadows. We finish off our ride with an 8k gravel road that pays homage to Strada Bianche, before arriving at what seems like a mirage in the middle of the desert - the breath-taking Meadowbank Winery.

The Wine - Meadowbank
Meadowbank Wines is one of Tasmania’s oldest vineyards, and has developed a cult following with their unique, premium wines. After a welcoming glass of their famous bubbles, we’ll meet up with the owners for a tour of the vineyard, an overview of Viticulture and a (very) long lunch with plenty of conversation, laughs and large glasses of their most iconic wines to take us through it.

Dinner is on your own. Informal gathering at a local brewery later in the evening for final rounds.

Saturday 2nd December - ADIOS
Farewell, Tasmania. Unfortunately, your riding, eating and drinking adventure through Tasmania's finest has come to an end. Hotel check out and transfer to Hobart Airport at a pre-designated time, UNLESS you choose to spend the weekend in Hobart ...what a great opportunity.

The visitingjamestown itinerary may be subject to slight route changes, and other modifications subject to circumstances.

PRICES

We are offering three levels of accommodation, very close to each other, to suit different budgets and needs. Refer below under ACCOMMODATION for more details.

Please note that we have limited accommodation space at each hotel. BOOK NOW whilst you can.

INCLUSIONS

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights accommodation in the heart of Hobart.

We are offering three levels of accommodation to suit people's needs.

1. MACq 01 Hotel

Nestled in the heart of the historic Hobart waterfront, MACq 01 is a luxurious hotel that combines premium accommodations with unforgettable storytelling.

18 Hunter Street
Hobart TAS 7000

2. Grand Chancellor Hotel Hobart

Luxury hotel accommodation and situated right on Hobart’s picturesque waterfront. Complimentary gym, heated swimming pool and sauna. The perfect mix of style, comfort and convenience.

1 Davey Street
Hobart TAS 7000

3. The Macquarie Manor Hotel

Located only 5 minutes’ walk from Hobart's waterfront, this beautifully restored hotel is situated in a heritage 1875 building.

A personalised and cosy stay with Chris (Lord of the Manor) as your ever-friendly host.

172 Macquarie Street,
Hobart TAS 7000

MEALS

5 x Breakfast at your hotel.
Willy Smith’s apple cider lunch.
Vineyard long lunch experience.
2 x Premium dinner experiences.
Alcohol with all experiences & meals.

EXPERIENCES

Brewery tour & tasting.
Apple cider tour & tasting.
Matching wines at dinners.
Whisky tasting & talk.
Gin blending masterclass.
Vineyard tour, talk & tasting.

SUPPORT

Ride support with safety focus paramount. Our resident ride guides will ensure that your rides are truly local and take in many of the roads less traveled. We recognise that no rider is the same and we ensure that no-one is left behind whilst Living the Ride with us in Tassie.
Support van providing mechanical assistance if required.
On road nutrition & hydration support, including coffee stops off the beaten track.

TRANSFERS

Transfers (with bike) from and to the airport at the designated pick-up time on the Monday and Saturday.
Transfers (with bike) mid tour.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Receive a gallery of lifelong memories with incredible images taken by Beardy McBeard on tour.

GEAR

Commemorative visitingjamestown Tasmania Jersey & T-shirt.

NOT INCLUDED

Airfare.
Travel insurance.
3 x Dinners; 2 x Lunches.
Bike hire (if required). We can arrange for you.
Refreshments at Café stops.
In-room hotel charges.

NON-RIDING PARTNERS

APRÈS VÉLO ENCOURAGES AND WELCOMES NON-RIDING PARTNERS TO ATTEND OUR TASMANIAN GEARS & GASTRONOMY EXPERIENCE.

Riders and non-riding partners share all breakfasts, long lunches, dinners and all other experience, making it an inclusive and shared experience for all.

COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE

With prior arrangement, non-riding partners will also have the opportunity of experiencing the beauty and uniqueness of each area we visit on bike, but in the comfort of our support vehicle. Please pre-book your spot in the vehicle by contacting us at service-clients@visitingjamestown, as spots are limited.
Non-Riding partners will receive a 10% discount off the quoted prices.

POST RIDE ACTIVITIES

Hobart offers a contrasting blend of heritage, scenery and culture, with world class activities and attractions nearby. Nestled amongst the foothills of Kunanyi / Mt Wellington, Hobart combines heritage charm with a modern lifestyle in a setting of exceptional beauty. It's no wonder Lonely Planet has called Hobart one of the top ten spots to visit in the world right now.

With its captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences, the city has something for everyone. Things to see and do are plentiful. Here are but a few recommendations once the wheels stop spinning.