Ride Week Tasmania

Derby / Blue Tier / George Town Mountain Bike Trails

Our once-a-year trip open to everyone, (including males!). Join us to improve your skills and explore Derby, Georgetown and NE Tasmania.

Why Ride Week Tasmania?

This is your more traditional ride week, open to anyone and includes a mix of exploration and skills lessons to improve your riding. Many of our women participants have asked for a trip they can share with their male partners or even a trip their partner can go on alone or with a buddy and not miss all the fun.
Similar to our other trips, we split into groups with guides and coaches so you can ride at a level that is comfortable for you. Or head out on your own it is up to you! We aim to include iconic wilderness trails such as Blue Tier, Atlas, and Bay of Fires.
On some days, we allocate time for a lesson-style skills session and focus on a specific technique to help level up your riding. If a skills lesson isn’t your thing, it's totally fine; you can hit the trails and explore.
This is a once-per-year trip. Looking for a women’s specific retreat? Head back to Our Trips page to see what else is on offer.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Launceston/ Transfer Derby

We will collect you between 2 pm and 3 pm from either the Launceston Airport or a city hotel and transfer the group to the riding mecca of Derby. It is a 90-minute drive to your accommodation, with a 30-minute stop at a supermarket and bottle shop on the way.
Settle into your preallocated room and home away from home for the week. Relax and enjoy a drink on the deck. We will have a short meet and greet followed by dinner.

Day 2 - Blue Derby

Start your day with a delicious continental breakfast and a fresh coffee supplied in your lodge. When you’re ready, we can help unbox and build your bike (if you brought your own), or get you organised with a local hire bike if you have booked one of these.
Load bikes onto the trailer for a quick bus ride to the starting point in Branxholm. We complete a short skills session and bike check to make sure everyone and all our bikes are ready for the week to come. Our warm-up ride is the Valley Ponds trail back into Derby, where lunch awaits in your lodge.
The afternoon is spent exploring the Blue Derby trails. Less confident or more relaxed riders can enjoy the green trails around town and the lower slopes, while the go-getters will shuttle Black Stump for exhilarating runs down the famous trails. Guides are available, or you can head out independently to explore. The day finishes up with a cozy home-cooked dinner in the lodges.

Day 3 - Blue Tier / Weldborough Hotel

Wake up to a hearty continental breakfast in your lodge before embarking on an unforgettable adventure. Today, we journey to Blue Tier for a thrilling descent down the renowned Blue Tier trail. We load the bike trailer, grab a takeaway coffee in town, and head to the summit, where the excitement begins. One of the guides will follow at the back of the group. At the trail's end, we'll refuel with lunch at every mountain biker's favourite pub, the Weldborough Hotel. After a meal, we’ll drive back to Derby (some shuttles for anyone with energy), then to our accommodation. Cap off this epic day with a relaxing soak in the hot tubs and dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4 - Tippogoree Hills (George Town)

Today we jump aboard the bus to George Town, where we'll spend most of the day exploring the new trails around Tippogoree Hills near George Town. These trails offer fast flow trails, rocky challenges, and stunning coastal views. Perfect for all skill levels, it’s a must-ride destination on Tasmania’s northern coast.
Guides will be available to show you their favourite trails, or head out to find your own lines. Lunch at the trailhead and more riding through the afternoon. On the way home, we will stop by a local restaurant for dinner. The day finishes back at our accommodation in Derby.

Day 5 - Derby / Atlas Trail

Rise and shine to a delicious breakfast in your lodge. Then, for the fitter or more confident riders, a shuttle will zip you up to the Atlas wilderness trail, ending with a sublime ride back to Derby. Those opting for a more relaxed pace can join a guide to explore Derby's hidden gem trails or revisit favourite spots with shuttles. Enjoy lunch at a local café of your choice. The afternoon offers a chance to relax and recharge for tomorrow, but if you still have energy to burn, continue with Black Stump shuttles. Later in the afternoon, we relax in the famous floating sauna (*TBC), and then we cap off the day with a yummy dinner back at the lodges.

Day 6 - Bay of Fires Epic Trail

Wake up and prepare a continental breakfast in your lodge to fuel up for an exciting day ahead. We'll load our bikes onto the trailer and grab a takeaway coffee as we drive out of Derby. Today’s adventure is the Bay of Fires Trail, which begins atop the Blue Tier and leads us to Tasmania's breathtaking East Coast. You can ride the entire trail or tackle the first or second half. Midway, we'll enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch amidst the serene eucalyptus trees. Marvel at the dramatic landscape shift from the sub-alpine Blue Tier to the granite boulders of the Bay of Fires. Our journey culminates with a refreshing swim and drinks on the pristine white sands of Swimcart Beach. We'll then head to the charming township of St Helens for a wander and an early dinner before driving back to Derby.

Day 7 - Departure Day

Sadly, our adventure comes to an end and we prepare to head back to Launceston. Pack up your bike with the help of our guides before we depart the accommodation at 9:30 AM. Along the way, we'll have a morning tea stop at one of the small towns en route. We arrive at Launceston Airport by 12:30 PM, in time to catch your flights home, carrying the thrill of our Tasmanian mountain biking journey with you.

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What is included*

Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Launceston Airport & accommodation
5 days of incredible mountain biking with optional coaching and skills
6 nights of quality accommodation
All breakfasts
6 dinners (riding days)
4 lunches
All mountain bike shuttles, as indicated in the itinerary
MTB guides, bike mechanical support + more
*These are the standard inclusions in the Ride Week Tasmania. Other trips have different inclusions. Check their page for details.

What is not included

Bike Rental: This is an extra if you do not have your own bike. Click here for details
Non-scheduled Launceston shuttles. Sorry, we don’t offer shuttles at alternative times. You are welcome to make your own way to Derby and back if you like; just let us know when you register.
Beverages: Generally, you are responsible for your own beverages & alcoholic drinks.
Specialised Riding Snacks: Although some snacks and drinks will be available each day, you might like to bring your own personal ride snacks and electrolyte replacements.
Airfares
Travel Insurance. We strongly recommend you take this to cover you in the event of cancellations or accidents/ loss.

Ride Week Tasmania FAQs

This week is open to all and is about exploring adventure and improving skills. It is great if you are short on time and want someone to take the hassle out of all the organisation, planning, and bookings. Just turn up and ride!
Who is this trip suitable for?

The trip caters to up to 12-15+ people, is flexible, and accommodates all skill levels. Generally, riders are welcome to either head out on their own or join one of the guides to explore with them. They will form groups daily based on confidence, fitness, and skills, exploring trails most suited to each group. Take a look at the day-by-day itinerary for more details. If you are a beginner and not sure if this trip is for you, please reach out to us, and we can discuss.
Is this a Women's Only Trip?

Unlike our other trips, this one is open to all. It is our once-per-year mixed ride week for everyone to enjoy. Many of the women who have attended the women’s retreats were looking for a trip either their partners could go on, or a trip they could share as a couple. This is where Ride Week Tasmania comes in!
What are the skills lessons?

On some days, an hour or two will be set aside for a more traditional skills lesson for anyone who wants to participate. Our coaches will talk through some theory and then put into practice a specific mountain bike skill. If lessons aren’t your thing, no problem. Just hit the trails either with one of the other guides or head off by yourself to explore.
Are there male and female guides and coaches?

Yes, this trip will have a combination of male and female coaches and guides.
What sort of a bike do I need?

For this trip, we will likely head onto the blue trails and think you need a full-suspension bike. While you can get away with a hardtail, it will be a much better experience on a dual-suspension bike.
You need to make sure your bike is recently serviced and bring some spare parts. We are heading to remote areas with limited support for bikes. We will have a bike mechanic along for the trip with some generic parts as we understand how important it is to keep you moving. As with all our trips, we are there if you need help to build and pack your bike out of the bag/box you transport it in.
How do I book?

Head to our dates and inclusions page for details