Tassie on two wheels
Tasmania's windy roads are a favourite for many domestic and international motorcyclists
With more than 24,000 kilometres of roads to explore, Tasmania attracts motorbike tourers from around the world. Out-of-state enthusiasts roll off the Spirit of Tasmania at Devonport ready for adventure; locals gather at lookouts, cafes and pitstops from Port Arthur to Queenstown. It’s an island made for two wheels, with winding tracks and picture-perfect views at every turn.
Motorbike heaven
“Tasmania has some of the best riding roads in the country, if not the world,” says Mike Blake of Dragonfly Classics, a motorcycle rental business based in Tasmania’s north-west. “Motorcycling places you directly in the environment: you see it, smell it, feel it.”
From tight switchbacks through mountain forests to long, winding coastal loops, Tasmania serves up a smorgasbord of riding experiences. You’re never far from your next lookout, bakery stop or windswept beach. “The nature of the roads and the scenery and the bush is fantastic,” says Damien Codognotto, spokesperson for the Motorcycle Riders Association Australia. “The people are welcoming, and the food and wine down here are sensational.”
Rider-approved route: Damien Codognotto
Spokesperson, Motorcycle Riders Association Australia
Ride: Moto Guzzi V7 2017
Route: Channel Loop - Ferntree, Longley, Huonville, Cygnet, Kettering and Kingston
Why: “It is a great ride with beautiful scenery. There are good eateries in Cygnet, too.”
Pro tip: “For a longer ride, take the ferry to Bruny Island and – if you like oysters straight
out of the water – visit Get Shucked.” https://www.getshucked.com.au/
Ride like a local
To know where the best routes and wildest roads are found, ask someone who rides them. In Hobart, locals gather at Moto Vecchia, a motorcycle cafe in Bellerive that’s known as much for its community-focused generosity as it is for its caffeine fix. Run by Natalie and Kerry Casten, the cafe blends coffee with collector cred: vintage bikes line the floor, from a Launceston-built 1909 Champion to a stable of Royal Enfields.
“Riding in Tassie is a group sport,” says Natalie. “There are so many little places on the way that you can just stop anywhere and see something different within 10 kilometres.” On Tuesdays, Moto Vecchia’s courtyard fills with chatter as the Riders of Tasmania group meet for paninis, coffee and bike banter. There’s joy and camaraderie here that captures the social side of riding, a cacophony of post-ride stories and passionate comparisons of tyres and trail snacks.
Rider-approved route: Mike Blake
Owner, Dragonfly Classics
Ride: BMW R100S
Route: Anthony Road, from Tullah to Queenstown
Why: “It’s Tasmania’s most visually stunning landscape by road.”
Pro tip: “Take it easy around the mountain corners. Slow down and enjoy the view.”
Touring tips and road smarts
Leisure motorbike touring isn’t just a thrilling way to see Tasmania – it’s also a win for local communities. “A travelling motorcyclist spends more money per kilometre than the caravan or car,” says Codognotto. “You have to travel light. You have to stop and buy food. If you don’t want to spend the night in the tent, you stay in a hotel or motel. That’s what motorcycle touring is all about.”
But the very qualities that make Tasmania such a memorable ride – the wild roads, the remote scenery, the roaming wildlife – also call for extra care in the seat. “You have to keep your wits about you,” says Blake. “You can never predict what other road users are going to do.”
Rider-approved route: Jarrod Doyle
President, Motorcycle Riders Association Southern Tasmania
Ride: KTM 1290 SuperDuke
Route: Hobart, around the Channel, including Woodbridge Hill, Allens Rivulet and Southport via the Dover Coast Road.
Why: “Lots of windy roads, not much traffic, amazing views of the coast and quiet country towns to stop in if you need food or petrol.”
Pro tip: “Check your tyre pressures, tyre tread and brake pads.”
Roadside risks are heightened in Tasmania, where stretches of long, dramatic roads – while fun for riders – come with risks. Decreased visibility, blind spots, loose gravel, hidden crossroads and tree limbs loosened by the state’s quintessential winds are very real challenges that Tassie riders will undoubtedly face. Beloved wildlife, emboldened by unlit highways and freedom to roam mostly unencumbered, regularly cross roads, while car-bound leisure drivers can be unpredictable. On shorter days, the low-lying sun can be blinding for all.
On narrow two-lane highways, the temptation to overtake can be strong; Codognotto urges caution. “Riding is a three-dimensional experience that demands all your senses.” His advice? Dress for every forecast – protective outerwear and layers are a must. Pack light, but smart. Avoid riding solo where possible. If you’re unfamiliar with the region, register with a local club before heading off.
Fuel for the soul
Tasmania’s roads are a drawcard for motorcyclists. The scenery changes fast, traffic is light and the distances are manageable. Riders can hit the coast, wind through the wilderness and climb into the highlands all in one day. With fuel stops, cafes and regional towns never far apart, the island is naturally suited to two-wheeled touring. And with events like the annual Spoke Motorcycle Festival and classic bike rentals on the rise, motorbike touring is quietly becoming part of the Tasmanian experience. Or, as Damien Codognotto puts it: “The whole place is an adventure. If you want to go exploring, especially on two wheels, this place is paradise.”
Rider-approved route: Natalie and Kerry Casten
Owner-operators, Moto Vecchia
Ride: 1947 WL Harley Davidson and Yeats sidecar
Route: Mole Creek to Sheffield via Paradise
Why: “Just for the joy of the ride!”
Pro tip: “This is a winding road, narrow in places, and very scenic through some forest. Take care of trucks and corners.”
Two-wheel essentials
To borrow a bike:
Tasmanian Motorcycle Tours and Rentals, based in Hobart, rents bikes by the day and offers self-guided all-inclusive itineraries that include suggested routes.
https://tmtr.com.au/
Dragonfly Classics Motorcycle Hire offers a nostalgic selection of bikes from the ’70s and ’80s, with day rates starting at $170.
https://dragonflyclassics.com.au/
To get among the fun:
The Spoke Motorcycle Festival brings motorcyclists, motorcycling enthusiasts and nature lovers together for a three-day event held in Little Swanport. Running 27 February to 1 March 2026, it features events such as grass and beach racing, moto polo, gymkhana, postie bike races and enduro racing.
https://spokemcfestival.com.au/
For an easy and quick guided trip:
Available as 30-, 60- or 90-minute adventures, Trikemania tours depart from Hobart to take in the sights on a three-wheel motorbike with a local tour guide.
To join a club:
The British Motorcycle Club meets across the island and runs an annual rally, and the Italian Motorcycle Club catches up in Hobart on the first Sunday of each month.