Eight great motorcycling roads in Tasmania

Touring Tasmania is motorcycling bliss. It doesn't really matter what direction you head in, no sooner are you out of town than the roads get twisty, and they're generally in pretty good condition too. The fun generally begins with boarding the Spirit of Tasmania ferry in Melbourne, although the construction of a new terminal will soon see the ship depart from Corio, near Geelong.

Most bike tours then follow a largely circuitous route from Devonport, either clockwise or not, but it really doesn't matter. There are a stack of epic rides on offer through the southern state, from the wild and rugged west coast to the scenic east coast, south of Hobart and on into the interior. Here are just a selection of some of our favourite Tassie blasts...

Depending on how much time you have, the run from St Marys on Tasmania’s northeast coast down to the coastal highway via Elephant Pass is a cracker. It’s less than 30 kays long but, like every road in Tasmania, it’s in excellent condition and there’s very little traffic. If you’ve got the time, we’d suggest pushing on to Freycinet via Coles Bay. Not only is it a thrilling extension to an already great ride, the Freycinet Peninsula with Wineglass Bay has some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll ever see.

Head north out of St Marys towards St Helens and there’s a fantastic 200km route that will land you in Launceston, the state’s second-largest city. Head northwest from St Helens towards Derby where the nature of the road will belie its highway moniker, serving you up a delectable feast of corners and scenery. Take the time to catch your breath for the 30km run between Derby and Scottsdale before bringing your A-game again for the 60km run into Launceston via Targa.

If you’ve got a morning to kill in Hobart, there’s a beaut two-hour, 140km-long loop that’s worth a run after you’ve had breakfast. Head south on the Southern Outlet before turning right on the Huon Highway towards Huonville. Turn left just before you cross the Huon River onto the Channel Highway, following it through the picturesque town of Cygnet, down to the bottom of the point. From there, stick to the coast and head north through Gordon and Snug, before ending up at the same roundabout where you turned onto the Huon Highway. It’s straight through the roundabout this time, and back into Hobart.

If you’ve got a bit more time, turn right at Kettering before you get to Snug, and take the ferry over to Bruny Island. Motorcycles only pay $6.30 (compared to a car’s $46.00 fare) and there are some great roads to explore, some amazing things to see and some delicious fare to eat. This is one of those rides that’s just as special for where you are and what you’re seeing than the actual ride itself. But once you’re on the island, make sure you get all the way down to the lighthouse at the southernmost tip.

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If you want to visit Cradle Mountain – and we strongly suggest you do – if you approach it from the north after rolling off the ferry, you will not be disappointed. Take Forth Road off the Bass Highway, turning left onto Wilmot Road just after you cross the river. The next 80-odd kays are great: great surface, great corners, great sweeping sections and even a weird and wonderful array of letterboxes before it culminates in stunning views of Cradle Mountain.

Hellyer Gorge is a short but fun stretch of road that twists and turns its way down into the bottom of the gorge before you climb out the other side on an equally smooth and fun section of the Murchison Highway. There are picnic tables and clean toilets at the bottom, while a 15-minute walking loop that can be done in bike boots is a great way to stretch the legs and reset the brain before getting back on the bike.

While you’re in the northwest part of the state, the road linking Waratah to Savage River is a beauty. A 40-kay run along the side of a mountain and through wooded rainforest, the narrow road is challenging and tight, but the surface is well maintained and offers good grip. Keep an eye out across the valley for approaching vehicles.

The weather’s often wild and unpredictable on the west coast, so even though the sun might be shining when you leave, take your wet-weather gear. As an aside, and it’s hard to imagine now, but Waratah was the first Australian town to get electric streetlights.

The 130km ride from the picturesque Strahan on Tasmania’s west coast, up to Queenstown on the B12 and then across to Derwent Bridge, is up there as one of the best rides in Australia. If you can take your eyes off the road, the moonscape scenery as you approach Queenstown will take your breath away as the evidence of the area’s long association with copper mining becomes apparent. Alternatively, if you’re spending more than one night in Strahan, turn left at Queenstown and head north to Zeehan before heading south again towards Strahan. It’s a 165km loop that’s well worth doing – twice!