North East Tasmania
Photo Hamish Johns
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Image - Nathan Chilcott
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North eastern Tasmania is currently Australia's mountain biking hot spot, with over 120 km of new purpose built mountain bike single track, including green, blue and black routes built in the region. This is on top of our current smorgasbord of over 200 km of trails single track & adventure riding) between Launceston and the Blue Tier, as listed in the above menu and described below.
North eastern Tasmania is a perfect MTB destination in its own right, with up to 7 days of riding pleasure to be found here. For those traveling from interstate and overseas, 3 days will let you taste its pleasures, but more time will be best, so you can really exploring this part of the state.
If planning a few days here, we suggest a night or 2 in Launceston to ride Trevallyn, Kate Reed & Hollybank and another 2 nights around Derby (ie. Branxholm or Weldborough). Hollybank, Derby and Weldborough all have the opportunity for self shuttling until businesses set up in these regions. This means more riding and less up hill work. If you really want to explore all the trails, 5 days would be best. Another 2 will let you finish with Hobart's North - South track and Meehan Range trails.
Note - Hollybank is only 20 minutes from Launceston's CBD and can either be ridden on the way to Derby and the Blue Tier or spend another night in Launceston. It has 2-3 hours of riding.
Why ride north east Tassie? Read what Wil Barrett said about the north east trails in Part 1 and Part 2 of his Enduro Magazine articles.
With currently over 200 km of trails to ride in the north east, some options could include;
Launceston to Hobart takes about 2 hours. Blue Tier to Hobart takes about 4 1/2 hours! A bit less if you know the short cut!
If travelling between November and March, please remember that Tassie has long a twilight. The sun is up by 5.30 am and does not go down until 9.30 pm. This makes it great for getting in heaps of riding in the island state.
Apart from the trails (see above destinations), you can explore Launceston's Cataract Gorge, Boag's Brewery, Hollybank Treetops Adventure, Tamar Valley Wine Route, Barnbougle Dunes or just kick back in some fine Tassie pubs or eateries Why not also follow the Tasmanian Microbrewery & Cider Trail?.
Other adventure activities in the north east include;
Rock Climbing - heaps and outstanding quality & locations.
Charter Fishing - seasonal
Trout Fishing
see NE Suppliers page for more information
Driving Travel Times, without stopping
Launceston Airport > Launceston - 20 minutes
Launceston > Hollybank - 20 minutes
Hollybank > Scottsdale - 45 minutes
Scottsdale > Branxholm > Derby - 45 minutes
Derby > Weldborough - 20 minutes
Weldborough > Blue Tier - 20 minutes
Launceston > Hobart 2 hours with no stops.
Supplies
Launceston > everything you need
Hollybank > no town = has toilets at 'cricket pitch' picnic grounds, but nil anything. Bring water as well.
Scottsdale > supermarket, pubs, variety store, 1 bike shop, petrol
Branxholm > (5 minutes before Derby) Pub, accommodation, camping, small but good country supermarket, petrol,
Derby > 2 pubs, camping near river permitted, bugger all else at this stage! (has petrol station and mechanics workshop) Winnaleah Hotel - Pub Includes large meals, clean, cosy & comfortable hotel accommodation
Weldborough > Best pub in Tassie It also has great feed, basic pub accommodation, Hilton bunk house (sleeps 6), camping and micro brewery!
The easiest supermarket to get to from the Launceston airport is on the way into Launceston;
Coles 129 Wellington St - map
Open 6 am to midnight 7 days
Other Supermarkets in Launceston Coles & Woolworths - Postcode is 7250
BWS in town is located at this map - 50 Wellington Street, Launceston - Behind Cock & Bull Hotel
North eastern Tasmania is a perfect MTB destination in its own right, with up to 7 days of riding pleasure to be found here. For those traveling from interstate and overseas, 3 days will let you taste its pleasures, but more time will be best, so you can really exploring this part of the state.
If planning a few days here, we suggest a night or 2 in Launceston to ride Trevallyn, Kate Reed & Hollybank and another 2 nights around Derby (ie. Branxholm or Weldborough). Hollybank, Derby and Weldborough all have the opportunity for self shuttling until businesses set up in these regions. This means more riding and less up hill work. If you really want to explore all the trails, 5 days would be best. Another 2 will let you finish with Hobart's North - South track and Meehan Range trails.
Note - Hollybank is only 20 minutes from Launceston's CBD and can either be ridden on the way to Derby and the Blue Tier or spend another night in Launceston. It has 2-3 hours of riding.
Why ride north east Tassie? Read what Wil Barrett said about the north east trails in Part 1 and Part 2 of his Enduro Magazine articles.
With currently over 200 km of trails to ride in the north east, some options could include;
- Kate Reed and Trevallyn Reserves. Total of about 40+ km of mostly purpose built singletrack. Undulating terrain, but no huge hills!
- Hollybank 20+ km out and back purpose built single track (with self-shuttle option) with a bigish hill to made the downhill flow faster!
- Ben Lomond 20+ km mix of single track and old forestry trails
- Blue Derby Trails - currently there is over 75 km of new World Trail trails at Blue Derby (purpose built green, blue and black singletrack) and over 40 km of old school trails.
- Blue Tier, Mutual Road - Ringarooma River, OC Track Currently, over 80km of trails with another 30+ km of new singletrack to open in late 2016. (4 km Big Chook now open! from Weldborough Hotel)
- St Helens - Under construction
Launceston to Hobart takes about 2 hours. Blue Tier to Hobart takes about 4 1/2 hours! A bit less if you know the short cut!
If travelling between November and March, please remember that Tassie has long a twilight. The sun is up by 5.30 am and does not go down until 9.30 pm. This makes it great for getting in heaps of riding in the island state.
Apart from the trails (see above destinations), you can explore Launceston's Cataract Gorge, Boag's Brewery, Hollybank Treetops Adventure, Tamar Valley Wine Route, Barnbougle Dunes or just kick back in some fine Tassie pubs or eateries Why not also follow the Tasmanian Microbrewery & Cider Trail?.
Other adventure activities in the north east include;
Rock Climbing - heaps and outstanding quality & locations.
Charter Fishing - seasonal
Trout Fishing
see NE Suppliers page for more information
Driving Travel Times, without stopping
Launceston Airport > Launceston - 20 minutes
Launceston > Hollybank - 20 minutes
Hollybank > Scottsdale - 45 minutes
Scottsdale > Branxholm > Derby - 45 minutes
Derby > Weldborough - 20 minutes
Weldborough > Blue Tier - 20 minutes
Launceston > Hobart 2 hours with no stops.
Supplies
Launceston > everything you need
Hollybank > no town = has toilets at 'cricket pitch' picnic grounds, but nil anything. Bring water as well.
Scottsdale > supermarket, pubs, variety store, 1 bike shop, petrol
Branxholm > (5 minutes before Derby) Pub, accommodation, camping, small but good country supermarket, petrol,
Derby > 2 pubs, camping near river permitted, bugger all else at this stage! (has petrol station and mechanics workshop) Winnaleah Hotel - Pub Includes large meals, clean, cosy & comfortable hotel accommodation
Weldborough > Best pub in Tassie It also has great feed, basic pub accommodation, Hilton bunk house (sleeps 6), camping and micro brewery!
The easiest supermarket to get to from the Launceston airport is on the way into Launceston;
Coles 129 Wellington St - map
Open 6 am to midnight 7 days
Other Supermarkets in Launceston Coles & Woolworths - Postcode is 7250
BWS in town is located at this map - 50 Wellington Street, Launceston - Behind Cock & Bull Hotel
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Non - Riders? There are heaps of things to do if you are bringing non-riders with you. The north & north east has a wide range of historical points of interest, national parks, seaside towns and wineries.
http://www.visitlauncestontamar.com.au/
http://www.northerntasmania.com.au/
http://www.northeasttasmania.com.au/
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255344-Activities-Launceston_Tasmania.html
http://www.visitlauncestontamar.com.au/
http://www.northerntasmania.com.au/
http://www.northeasttasmania.com.au/
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g255344-Activities-Launceston_Tasmania.html
Launceston Airport bike facilities
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Found outside opposite terminal
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North East MTB Events
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Launceston Mountain Bike Club hold a 4 and 6 hour race each year as well as weekly Wednesday night twilight races over the summer months.
Events at this link |
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Cranky Penguin MTB Marathon
70 km - 2400 metres of climbing 40 km - 1600 metres of climbing Need we say more? website Video trailer 1 Technically not in the north east, but too good not to mention here! 1 1/2 hour drive north west from Launceston @ the coastal town of Penguin. When - unknown |
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Blue Dragon
2 day pairs racing over 80 km of hills! Pain fest I hear you say? Hell yeah! Runs out of Derby & Weldborough Video trailer 1 When - unknown |
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Photo Credits - Blue Tier - Photographer Hamish Johns
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamishjohns
https://www.facebook.com/hajosphotos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamishjohns
https://www.facebook.com/hajosphotos
