The Tasmanian natural setting lends itself perfectly to sensational mountain bike riding. Tasmania boasts some of the best mountain bike trails in Australia with the added excitement that being off the beaten track brings with it. Biking around Tasmania is an amazing way to soak in the state’s charming historic townships and natural beauty, both beaches and bushland. There are a range of trails specifically for mountain bikes and the driving routes set up by Tourism Tasmania can also be conquered by bike giving the added advantage of the slow pace and the chance to get to know the locals and the lifestyle. Read about the self-drive routes here. You can even circumnavigate the whole of Tasmania by bike, an experience only a few can boast to have had.
In April, the Shimano Enduro World series mountain bike competition is set in the lesser known town of Derby in Tasmania. So much of a hidden secret is the town that many local Tasmanians haven’t even heard of it. The town is delightful and charming but for bike riders the real draw card is the well-structured, deep and dirty mountain bike trails. The competition attracts a growing crowd every year, and in 2017 between the 8-9 of April competitors will all converge on the Derby township to battle it out and race and ride some of the most beautiful mountain bike trails in Tasmania.
For those riders who would like to explore Tasmania’s East Coast more after or before the race, The Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park is a perfect base. Right in between The Bay of Fires and Freycinet National Park, it’s an easy point to stay to see tourism gems like St. Helens, Bay of Fires, Binalong Bay and Bicheno. Set right behind the wild and wonderful Steele Beach with private access to the beach and the adjacent nature reserve, Winifred Curtis Scamander Reserve, or “The Sanctuary” as it’s known, riders can relax pre-event or recover post-event while exploring the stunning East Coast of Tasmania. Choose to stay in a permanent safari tent, camping in self-catering style but still feeling a part of the outdoors. Or there are camp sites and caravan sites for those who like to feel closer to the great outdoors.
Located 1.5 hours away from Derby, Scamander is a great spot to either relax pre-event or recover in post event. We are happy to cater for larger groups with sites or tents alongside each other so drop us a line if you'd like to find out more.
Here are some more links for those interested in bike riding on the East Coast of Tasmania -
http://www.tassierambler.org/2013/02/winifred-curtis-scamander-reserve.html
http://www.tassietrails.org/routesandtrails/mountain-bike/tag/region/east-coast
http://eastcoasttasmania.com/to-do/adventure/itinerary/cycling/
http://www.biketas.org.au/maps_and_routes
