Watch Relive video here: https://www.relive.com/view/vZqNKgdnGGv
On the Road – Distance 105km / 65mi Elevation 1427 / 4682ft
Although the total riding today was only just over 100km, we aimed for a prompt start to the day to compensate for more complicated logistics and some interesting stops along the way.
The first section of the ride was an easy, undulating and lovely 21km, followed by a scenic 19km of compacted dirt (with one genuine 4km pinch, but now paved!)
Then a rolling 55km brought us down to Stewarts Bay, adjacent to Port Arthur, the site of one of the most notorious convict settlements in the British Empire.
From the Eastcoaster Resort, we rode back out to the Tasman Highway into the township of Orford, crossed the Prosser River and followed it east and south for 5.5km.
We left the river to ride through forest and farmland before turning off into a great cut through, passing tiny homesteads and now abandoned villages.
Back on the bitumen, we rejoined the Tasman Highway for less than 1km before turning off again onto a stunning road though farmlands, vineyards and down onto Boomer Bay – a gorgeous 3km dirt stretch but so very worth every bump.
The road traced the coast and then turns back into bitumen and to our morning tea stop at Pheonix Farm Kitchen.
The homemade cakes here are fabulous! We then rolled on to Dunalley where we cross the man-made canal to Forestier Peninsula – notable for two things: it was the site of a convict probation station, and for the first release of healthy Tasmanian devils back into the wild.
The last part of our traverse of the Forestier Peninsula involved a climb up to a magnificent lookout across Pirates Bay. It was a fantastic spot for lunch and another coffee stop before we descended to Eaglehawk Neck and onto the Tasman Peninsula.
The day finished with a fairly flat 10km south to our lodge over the Bay near the end of Tasman Peninsula.
A clear night sky allowed us to see a full lunar eclipse and multitude of stars and shooting stars!
Life is Good in Port Arthur…Again!