Signature Retreat

Blue Derby / Bay of Fires Trails

Our original must-do retreat. We head to the home of Australian mountain biking, Blue Derby

Why Derby?

Derby is an essential experience for any rider's bucket list. The MTB trails in the stunning wilderness surrounding the historic mining town have been meticulously crafted to offer an unparalleled cycling experience. Regardless of your skill level or preferences, there is a trail suited to everyone. It has expansive wilderness trails offering world-class descents and beautiful green trails closer to town.
We will visit Blue Derby and St Helens MTB Trails. We will ride iconic wilderness trails such as Blue Tier, Atlas and Bay of Fires.
Looking for a different style of trip? Head back to Our Trips page to see what else is on offer.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive, Set Up and Unwind

**You are collected from the airport and travel to the famous MTB Mecca of Blue Derby**
The bus will pick you up from either your accommodation in Launceston or the airport prior to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
It is a 90-minute drive to your accommodation in Derby, with a 30 minute stop at the supermarket and bottle shop on the way, arriving around 6:00 pm
Settle into your preallocated room and your home away from home for the next 4 nights.
Tonight we will have dinner and talk about the week ahead.
Unwind in one of the wood-fired hot tubs or simply enjoy a drink on the deck and meet your fellow riders for the week.

Day 2 - Explore Derby Trails

**Start slowly, meet your supportive guides, enjoy a relaxed ride on the Vally Ponds trail, and then venture into the Derby trails.**
Rise and shine with a continental breakfast & coffee in your lodge.
When you’re ready, a bike mechanic will help unbox and build your bike (if you brought your own), or get you set up on a hire bike if you ordered one of these.
Load bikes onto the trailer and a short bus ride to the starting point in Branxholm.
Meet the guides and complete a short skills session. Form into ability groups and ride the Valley Ponds trail back into Derby.
Lunch is back at the lodge where you will discuss the afternoon riding plan.
Different ability groups will head in different directions for the afternoon. Those less confident will explore the lower trails of Derby while the more confident will take shuttles up the hill.
We will head out to one of the local restaurants for dinner.

Day 3 - Blue Tier / Derby

**A blissful descent from the Blue Tier, pub lunch in historic Weldborough and more.**
Hop out of bed to a continental breakfast & coffee in your lodge.
Today is a big day of adventure!
Starting at the top of the famous Blue Tier you descend the Blue Tier Wilderness Trail.
For those less confident, you will explore the green trails around Weldborough.
Lunch at the historic Weldborough Hotel.
Return to Derby on the bus for shuttles or more exploring.
We will have dinner back at our accommodation tonight.

Day 4 - Derby, Swim and Sauna

**We spend the morning continuing our exploration of Derby before enjoying a luxurious afternoon at the Sauna**
Wake up to a continental breakfast & coffee in your lodge.
We split into groups again to explore the seemingly endless Derby Trails. For those who would like, a trip to the Atlas trail is an option.
Some will shuttle, some will ride up and others stay around the base, it is up to you
In the afternoon we take a break from riding to enjoy Derby Lake and the famous Sauna

Day 5 - Bay of Fires Trail

**The Bay of Fires meets you with a day of incredible riding, food, all with your beautiful new friends**
Rise and shine with a continental breakfast & coffee in your lodge.
It is a big day out on the trails. Load your bikes and a day bag onto the bus ready to set off at a 0830 departure
Bay of Fires Trail starts on top of the Blue Tier and winds all the way to the coast.
You can ride the whole trail or only the first or second half.
Enjoy a beautiful picnic lunch amongst the eucalyptus trees at the halfway point.
Finish the day with nibbles and drinks on the stunning white sands of Swimcart Beach.
Grab some iconic food in St Helens before jumping on the bus to return to Derby.

Day 6 - Tippogoree Hills and Departure

**We head to Tippogoree Hills, Tasmania’s newest bike park.**
Today, we head to our final riding destination, the recently opened Tippogoree Hills.
Tippogoree Hills is the newest mountain bike park in Tasmania. Built by the renowned World Trail crew, the park currently offers around 45 km of trails, accessible via a short shuttle ride up the hill.
George Town is a northern coastal town on the Tamar River, just 50 km north of Launceston in northern Tasmania. It’s a little over an hour's drive from Derby and 45 minutes from the airport.
We will split into groups and spend the morning exploring the network, finishing with a late lunch at the trailhead.
Once we’re done, it’s time to pack up your bike, with help from our guides.
Then, we’ll head off to find a shower and freshen up with some clean clothes.
The bus will have you back at the airport by 2:45 pm. If you're staying longer, we’ll drop you at your hotel after this.

What is included*

Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Launceston Airport & accommodation
5 days of incredible mountain biking with optional coaching and skills
5 nights of boutique accommodation
A visit to the Derby Floating Sauna & Yoga at the Bay of Fires
All breakfasts
2 dinners
3 lunches
daily pre-Dinner charcuterie board to share
All mountain bike shuttles as indicated in the itinerary
2 x MTB guides when on the trails, bike mechanical support + more
*These are the standard inclusions in the signature Derby retreat. 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 if you like, just let us know when you register.
Beverages: In general, you are responsible for your own beverages & alcoholic drinks.
3 x Dinners and 2 x Lunches
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.

Signature Retreat FAQs

Our aim by the end is to allow you to escape, connect, evolve … and of course, indulge in local delicacies.
Who is this trip suitable for?

The retreat caters for up to 12 women, and accommodates all skill levels. Riders normally form into 2 groups each day based on confidence, fitness and skills, exploring trails most suited to that group. More experienced riders always have the option to take off ahead and ride at their own pace. 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. It will come down to
do you want to improve to ride blue trails?
do you have adequate base fitness?
are you confident mounting, dismounting, or riding a bike off roadside curbs?
if yes to the above, then you are a great candidate for this trip.
Is this a Women's Only Trip?

Certainly is! The trip is specifically designed for women, creating a safe and inclusive environment that fosters female empowerment. It offers a unique opportunity for women to connect, support each other, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. So, yes, it is a women's only trip.
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 to support you build and pack your bike out of the bag/box you transport it in.
What is the group size for this trip?

The group will be between 8 to 12 riders and 3 staff. On most days we have 2 bike guides, a bike mechanic and a driver to keep everyone enjoying the riding.
How do I book?

Head to our dates and inclusions page for details