Melbourne to Tasmania and Melbourne Loop Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour

Melbourne to Tasmania and Melbourne Loop is a 14-day, 12-night self-guided motorcycle tour of about 3,616 km, starting and finishing in Melbourne, with the bike and hotels arranged by BikeRoundOz. The route links the mainland with Tasmania, and the Bass Strait ferry crossing is not included in the price.

Early on is Freycinet National Park, with a short detour to Wineglass Bay, which the operator ranks among the top ten beaches in the world, beneath the pink granite of the Hazards. Next is Port Arthur, the former convict settlement reached over Eaglehawk Neck. Then Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair National Park.

Further along, the Snowy Mountains, where alpine forest roads and snow-fed lakes sit in a state the operator says has more ski runs than Switzerland. The route continues to the Grampians National Park, granite highlands with lookouts and waterfalls, planned around the Halls Gap visitor centre. Later comes the 280 km Great Ocean Road, which hugs the coastal cliffs with the Otway Ranges as a backdrop, and takes longer than expected because of stops such as the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto, London Bridge and the Arch.

BikeRoundOz provides the motorcycle of your choice, accommodation for one or two riders, usually in 3.5 or 4 star hotels, resorts or bed and breakfasts with a pillion staying at no extra cost, a detailed itinerary document and digital maps customised to the tour, plus advice before you go. Not included are the Tasmania ferry crossing, which the operator can quote for, breakfast and other meals, parking charges and GPS or sat nav units, which can be supplied if required. The operator rates September to April as the best time to ride. Prices start at AUD 6,948 per rider on the first bike tier, about £3,625, and rise with the bike chosen. Riders bringing their own motorcycle pay less, from AUD 3,861.