AusLeisure

The City of Hobart has completed the building of 10 kilometres of new trails on the lower slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington which it anticipates will boost Hobart’s tourism economy and create more family friendly riding opportunities on the mountain.

The new trails are part of a network in the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington that enables visitors to explore the mountain’s natural beauty while keeping riders, walkers and runners off busy roads.

The new trails have been funded by a partnership between all three levels of government – including $238,000 from the Australian Government under the Recovery for Regional Tourism program, an initiative of the $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund; and the Tasmanian Government’s Cycle Tourism Grant program to the tune of $367,500, matched dollar for dollar by the City of Hobart.

Deputy Hobart Lord Mayor Helen Burnet advises “two of these new tracks, Rocky Wheel’n and Free Wheel’n, are fantastic green graded mountain bike rides that fill a gap in the market by creating riding opportunities for less experienced riders, including younger kids and families.

“Rocky Wheel’n is an easy climbing, walking and running track designed for people of most ages and fitness levels and creates a new improved route from Fern Tree up to The Springs (while) Free Wheel’n is ideal for new riders who want a safe but fun taste of riding downhill.

“If you’ve just started getting into mountain bike riding and want to improve your skills on tracks that are fun but not too challenging these tracks are for you.”

The new tracks, which include the Crosscut and Upper Luge, are part of the City of Hobart’s Riding the Mountain plan for improved mountain bike riding in the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

City Economy Portfolio Chair Alderman Louise Bloomfield said a cost benefit analysis by SGS Economics and Planning found the new tracks would increase participation in mountain biking and active outdoors recreation, and bring more mountain bike tourists and events to Hobart.

Bloomfield notes “The SGS Economics and Planning report into the economic and social benefits of an improved track network on kunanyi/Mt Wellington found that new tracks will draw new visitors to Tasmania and entice those coming for mountain bike riding to stay longer.

“The report also found that with mountain biking becoming a key tourist drawcard for Tasmania we can expect that better riding opportunities will play an important role in growing Hobart’s share of this key tourism market.

“A world class trail network that meets the needs of healthy exercise and nature-based experiences builds on Tasmania’s clean, green advantage and is a win for both the state and local businesses.

“The City of Hobart’s Riding the Mountain plan responds to the growing popularity of mountain biking and positions the City to make a strong contribution to Tasmania’s competitive advantage in mountain bike tourism.”

Two of the new tracks, Crosscut and Upper Luge, were opened last year.

Together, the new tracks form a keystone in the City of Hobart’s Riding the Mountain plan, which aims to improve the riding network in kunanyi/Mount Wellington’s foothills and better serve local and tourism needs.

Two of the new climbing trails are shared use – enabling walkers and trail runners to share in an easier ascent up part of the mountain.

The trails heading downhill are mountain bike only, separating use where required to make the network safer and better for all.

The design of each track underwent comprehensive on-ground environmental, heritage and Aboriginal value assessments to ensure minimum impacts.

These detailed studies informed the track alignment, in order to carefully avoid large trees, environmental features and help interpret old tracks and timber getting relics from past land use.

The project is part of broader City of Hobart plans that will see almost two million dollars spent in the next two years on track and trail works, providing work for Tasmanian trail building companies, and better local trails for tourism providers to operate on.

Images courtesy of the City of Hobart.

Related Articles

2nd March 2023 - New modern urban park opens in North Hobart

2nd March 2023 - Tweed section of the northern NSW rail trail opens

12th January 2023 - Christchurch’s new Rapaki trails proving popular and ease pressure on busy Rapaki Track

27th November 2022 - $60 million cycle trail proposed for South Island’s Glacier Country

3rd November 2022 - Tasmania’s planning authority rules against plans for cable car at Hobart’s Mt Wellington

13th September 2022 - 56 kilometre section of Western Australia’s Wiilman Bilya trail and pedestrian bridge now open

1st September 2022 - Pippita Rail Trail to improve access to parklands and open space in Cumberland City

1st September 2022 - New Mountain Bike trails contribute to rising popularity of Western Australia’s national parks

30th August 2022 - Landscape Australia Construction selected to build Fremantle’s Boo Park mountain bike trails

24th August 2022 - Community feedback sought on Bethania to Logan Village rail trail

24th August 2022 - Administrative Appeal hearing commences into proposal for cable car at Hobart’s Mt Wellington

20th May 2022 - Grampians Trail and waterfalls to receive $7.76 million upgrade

6th May 2022 - New website promotes Western Australia’s trails network

18th March 2022 - Murray River Adventure Trail closer to completion

20th January 2022 - New bike and walking trail to activate tourism along the Great Ocean Road

24th December 2021 - Tasmania Planning Tribunal accepts amended Mount Wellington cable car proposal

8th December 2021 - New Zealand walking trail Te Araroa turns 10

12th November 2021 - 160 kilometre Grampians Peak Trail opened in western Victoria

16th August 2021 - Mount Wellington Cableway Company to appeal Hobart City Council rejection

20th May 2021 - Tasmanians to have a say on Mt Wellington cable car project

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.