Bushwalk Australia

Hi all,

I am interested in doing the Tasmania Trail on mountain bikes with my 12 year old son. We intend to break the trip into the 3 map stages. I intend to tow a bob trailer along with us and was wondering if the track was suitable to do this and has anyone else done the trail with the bob trailer.

Also we intend to buy a copy of the book online, and was wondering if the track is well sign posted at the moment, as I have re ad on an earlier post that it wasn,t. Would a GPS be advisable and does the book give any co-ordinates.

Any help or advice woukd be greatly appreciated as this is our first adventure.

Looks like it just follows forestry roads rather than tracks. However, some of these might be rough going. Have you considered panniers for your gear?

Hi JJ,
The book is very good. It does provide co-ordinates for points along the trail that may be difficult to find or identify. It also provides user specific directions and information for walkers, bike and horse riders. There are alternative route suggestions for bikers where the going may be tough. The alternative routes don't have trail markers.

I've only done the Railton to Sheffield section, but have half a plan to do the whole thing with my boys. It would be an awesome adventure.

Good luck with it.

Strider wrote:Looks like it just follows forestry roads rather than tracks. However, some of these might be rough going. Have you considered panniers for your gear?

Have considered panniers and maybe they might be better, I thought the trailer may be a better option with more room.

Jazzajack wrote:

Strider wrote:Looks like it just follows forestry roads rather than tracks. However, some of these might be rough going. Have you considered panniers for your gear?

Have considered panniers and maybe they might be better, I thought the trailer may be a better option with more room.

It really depends on if you're planning on taking bushwalking gear or car camping gear. A trailer can also be a hassle if you want to explore somewhere else where the trailer can't go.

I've walked nearly 80% of it (Devonport to Lachlan). A lot of it is on forestry tracks, farm tracks or just lesser used roads. However, where the book advises bikes to take a detour there is usually an off-road section, sometimes a very rough track or no track (through paddocks). I think you could take a trailer if you use all the recommended detours for bikes. It's an interesting cross-section of Tasmania, through farms, forest (old and new) and bush. The Trail tends to go over a lot of hills to avoid taking sealed roads around the hilly bits.

Check the website. Part of the trail is still closed due to the fire at Lake repulse, but the bikes detour round that area, so it won't matter. The track from Lachlan to Judbury has only just reopened and that's my next section, so can't comment on that.

Some of the downhill sections are reported to be great fun on a bike, but might not be so good at high speed with a trailer. In a few places you might need to heave your bike over fallen trees, but they try to keep it clear enough for non-jumping horses.

A GPS is recommended, since there are some critical checkpoints. However, it is mostly easy to follow with a map and the instructions, with the signs usually there to confirm you are on the right track. The hard to navigate sections where signs are essential are not in the rideable parts. If you get the on-line book they should be able to also supply colour maps that are heaps better than the black and white ones in the book.

Thanks for the advice, I think I will get a GPS it will be handy for other things as well.

geoskid wrote:Hi JJ,
The book is very good. It does provide co-ordinates for points along the trail that may be difficult to find or identify. It also provides user specific directions and information for walkers, bike and horse riders. There are alternative route suggestions for bikers where the going may be tough. The alternative routes don't have trail markers.

I've only done the Railton to Sheffield section, but have half a plan to do the whole thing with my boys. It would be an awesome adventure.

Good luck with it.

It will be a great adventure and I can't wait to have a go at it. Went and brought a small hiking tent yesterday!