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Mt Wellington Descent - An exclusive Tasmanian ride

Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, spreads along the shores of the River Derwent, between the widening estuary that opens into Storm Bay and the looming blue bulk of Mt Wellington.

The locals just know it as 'The Mountain' - the 1270 metre peak within 20 minutes of the city.

In summer, bright red waratahs bloom in the bush and there's a clink of climbing gear from the tall dolerite cliffs they call the Organ Pipes. In winter, Mt Wellington's flanks are dusted with snow and the harsh cry of currawongs drifts through the forest.

On a clear day from the Pinnacle you can just see the grey-blue profile of Ben Lomond, in the far north-east corner of the island - and glimpse the white quartzite crags of Federation Peak, in the far south-west.

This is a place that's worth exploring and experiencing at any time of the year. But to understand the mountain, you need to feel the wind in your hair, smell the tang of lemon-scented boronia in the heathlands and hear mountain breezes rustling in the snow gums.

You can't do that from inside a car - but you certainly can from the saddle of a mountain bike.

That's why the Mt Wellington Descent, pioneered by local cycling experts Island Cycle Tours, has become an essential Tasmanian experience for travellers who want to get to the heart of the place.

From the summit of the mountain, the route is laid out before you - a long sweeping downhill ride past boulder fields and scree slopes, alongside sheer cliffs and through tall forests, with brilliant views of the city, river and sea, stretching off into blue distances. There are regrouping and rest stops along the way at lookout points where the guides will point out features of the spectacular landscape - Fluted Cape on Bruny Island, the slender spires of Cape Raoul, the wide expanse of Storm Bay and the empty horizon of the Southern Ocean (next stop Antarctica, 3500 kilometres south).

As the route descends through the foothills of Mt Wellington, adventurous riders have the opportunity to go off-road and try their mountain-biking skills on rough bush tracks, while those who prefer the smoother way can stay on the bitumen.

At the base of the mountain on the outskirts of the city of Hobart, everyone meets up for an energy snack and a refuelling sports drink in the grounds of the famous Cascade Brewery.

Then it's on to complete the journey with an easy-paced pedal through the historic village of Battery Point, before stopping at Salamanca Place - where artists' studios, galleries, bars and cafes offer a cosmopolitan respite.

Your quads will know they've done some exercise and you might feel a touch of windburn on your face - but with the Mt Wellington Descent behind you, you've engaged with one of Tasmania's essential travel experiences.

So take the Island Cycle Tours van to the Pinnacle, buckle your helmet, step up onto the saddle of your mountain bike and get ready for a ride you'll always remember - it's downhill all the way to Salamanca.

The three-hour Mt Wellington Descent with Island Cycle Tours costs $65 for adults and $55 for kids 8-15 years and students, pensioners, YHA and VIP card holders.

Island Cycle Tours also operates a range of other cycling tours and combined cycling/sea kayaking experiences around Tasmania in association with Blackaby's Sea Kayaks.
More details: www.islandcycletours.com and www.blackabyseakayaks.com.au.

For multi-day cycle touring with quality accommodation also visit www.tas-ex.com and www.pedaltours.co.nz. Custom itineraries for couples, small groups of friends and larger groups of 20 or more cyclists are available.