First day in Van Diemens Land

April 5, 2025

Devonport to Deloraine Tasmania

The overnight ferry from Geelong Victoria to Devonport Tasmania took about 11 hours. The process for embarking and disembarking with the loaded bikes was very easy. Simpler and more pleasant than getting the bike on board the NZ ferry voyages I’ve experienced across Cook Strait which require cyclists to mingle with motor vehicles on the exhaust fume laden car deck.

We landed pre-dawn, and rode into central Devonport to have breakfast with a friend Tim, who I know from my previous job. He’d booked a table at a popular early opening cafe called The Laneway.

After a leisurely breakfast with Tim, Joel and I began riding toward Deloraine about 60km to the south. Most of the ride was on fairly quiet B or C roads, with a few short stretches on Highway 1, which wasn’t pleasant. We’ll be avoiding it as much as possible.

Overall the scenery was distinctively different with greener pastures, distant mountains, softer light and cooler temperatures. Cafe stops were frequent, as towns and villages seem to be closer together here.

By mid afternoon we rolled into Deloraine, and with the help of the Visitor Information Centre found accommodation in a motel at the edge of town. Although the cycling wasn’t very difficult, we were feeling weary from the ferry voyage and lack of sleep.

The day in pics.

With Tim outside The Laneway Cafe in Devonport. Great to see him again. We are both from Tamworth NSW.

Denser forests and lusher pastures here in Tasmania than we’ve been riding through on The Mainland

Deloraine accommodation. With interesting decor. Mannequins. We didn’t stay here.

Today's ride: 63 km (39 miles)
Total: 980 km (609 miles)

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