FIVE TOP BICYCLE RIDES IN HOBART

Reid Cycles - Vintage Lite

The sun is out and the bike trails are begging. If you have two wheels, now is the time to explore Hobart by pedal power. We’ve ridden our way alongside the River Derwent, past museums, around city neighbourhoods and up winding hills to bring you our top five bicycle rides in Hobart. We know there’ll be locals who have their fave secret rides, so feel free to share yours with us too.

1. RIDE TO MONA
What better way to head out to David Walsh’s famed subversive wonderland than by bicycle? Mona has put Tasmania on the world map and they love you coming by bike so much they provide a fleet of their own two-wheeled wonders.
From central Hobart this 12 kilometre mostly flat ride takes you along Hobart’s cycleway, hugging the shoreline of the River Derwent. Try to keep up with the Mona Ferry if you’re game, or take your time dropping into the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and admiring GASP (Glenorchy Arts and Sculpture Park) along the way.

2. BIKES AND BEER
Hobart is home to Australia’s first brewery. Cascade Brewery sits elegantly at the foothills of Mount Wellington. A lovely walking and cycling trail can be found that leads you almost to the front door. Start at Hobart's waterfront, as pictured above and pedal through town. The Hobart Rivulet Track can be found in Molle Steet and enjoys plenty of shade as it winds its way through South Hobart. Drop into the Female Factory if you’d like a dose of convict history on your way to a rewarding ale.

3. BATTERY POINT PEDALLING
Explore the village streets of historic Battery Point. This old neighbourhood brims with historic tales, sandstone homes, antique stores, leafy streets, galleries and a famed bakery that often has a bike or two out the front. There’s even a sculpture trail that can be followed for those keen to delve into the history and artsy side of Battery Point. Grab a coffee and find a sunny patch of grass in the middle of Arthur’s Circus to rest your legs.

4.SANDY BAY CYCLING
An easy flat ride along the waterfront leads from central Hobart out to the suburb of Sandy Bay. Along the way you’ll pass Wrest Point Casino, old boat houses, jetties and waterside homes. There’s a cycle lane that’s popular with morning commuters and the best place to end your ride is in the Long Beach/Nutgrove area. With barbecues, cafes, seafood and sandy beaches it’s the ideal place to kick off your shoes. For those after a challenge, ride up into the hills of Sandy Bay or continue through to Taroona.

5.BRIDGE RIDING
Feel like climbing a bridge? The Tasman Bridge leads over to Hobart’s Eastern Shore and is a hoot to ride over. The views down the Derwent and across to Mount Wellington are spectacular from up here. Find out about the bridge’s past and the day a ship captain came to grief with our capital city’s primary connection between its eastern and western shores. Continue along to find cycle paths that line Hobart’s eastern shore. Any way you pedal in Hobart you’ll find well-crafted trails and plenty of friendly locals giving a helmet-topped nod in your direction.

Words and images: Alice Hansen (Reid Cycles kindly discounted their Vintage Lite bike that appears in the imagery above. For more information visit www.reidcycles.com.au).