Western Explorer

A journey of exploration to the new trails on the rugged West Coast of Tasmania

Western Explorer

Ride the West with a group of like minded women - from rocky alpine ridge lines and button grass plains to cool temperate forests. This is your chance to explore some of the new mountain bike trails built in this wild and remote region.

Why the West?

Because it is awesome! This trip will cater for all levels of riders by splitting into groups each day. Although known for its harder trails, there are many fantastic green-level trails that allow you to enjoy the area. The views and environment are just too good to miss.
This cycle trip is less of a retreat and more of a journey of exploration and adventure in this region. You will visit Tippogoree Hills (Georgetown), Maydena, Meadowbank Winery MTB, Mt Owen (Queenstown) and Silver CIty Trails (Zeehan)
Looking for a different style of trip? Head back to Our Trips page to see what else is on offer.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meet Launceston

We will meet in Launceston in the afternoon and spend the night at the renowned Peppers Silo Hotel. Here we get to know each other, build our bikes and enjoy some luxury prior to heading down the wild West coast of Tasmania. We will take the opportunity to find out why Launceston has been designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and wander to one of the award-winning restaurants close by for dinner. Plan your trip to arrive in Launceston from 12pm onwards. Shuttles will be on rotation to pick you up from the airport or nearby accommodation and transfer you to the hotel.

Day 2 - Tippogoree Hills (George Town)

Start the day with breakfast at ‘Grain of the Silos’ restaurant which won the Gault&Millau Australia’s New Restaurant of the Year award when it opened in 2019. Then onto the bus and to the George Town Trails where we will spend most of the day exploring the new trails around Tippogoree Hills. The group will split into three, confident riders will head straight into the trails while those less confident can have a skills session and explore some of the green trails. All groups will have guides. Mid afternoon, we will head to Maydena where we will spend 3 nights at the Giant’s Table & Cottages

Day 3 - Maydena

Maydena needs no introduction to the world of Australian mountain biking. Today we will explore this amazing bike park on the edge of World Heritage Wilderness. More confident riders will have an all-day shuttle to enable them to explore all the mountain has to offer. For those less confident, we recommend staying on the lower mountain shuttle that takes riders to the top of some beautiful green trails. At the end of a big day of riding, we pedal our way back to our nearby accommodation at the Giant’s Table and Cottages for a final wash-up and dinner.

Day 4 - Meadowbank Winery MTB

Today we are in for a treat and uniquely Tasmanian experience
Nestled off the beaten path in the Derwent Valley, Meadowbank is Tasmania’s oldest, continuously family run winery and provides a premium yet unpretentious Tasmanian wine experience. It also happens to be home to a unique mountain bike riding experience. We will ride in the morning and enjoy a long lunch in the afternoon.

Day 5 - Queenstown

Today we drive through the wilderness to Queenstown. This is a long drive but with a few sightseeing stops along the way as we traverse the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
In the afternoon we board shuttles to explore Queenstown’s recently opened Mount Owen. Mt Owen is a unique landscape with simply breathtaking views. We split into two groups. The first group will head up the mountain on shuttles and then descend the dark blue trail, Waterfall. Hardcore riders will have the option for a second shuttle on one of the black runs. For those less confident, the second group will head to the green trails on the lower mountain for the morning.
At the end of the day, we head to our accommodation in Queenstown where we will spend 2 nights.

Day 6 - Zeehan

Today we head to the Heemskirk Range in Zeehan. Here the group will split into two to explore the trails. The first group will take in the green trails of Spray Tunnel and the spectacular and very fun Oonah Hill. The second group will traverse the same trails with the option to add a blue trail across the plains. This evening you are in for a treat with dinner and a private film at the historic Paragon Theatre.

Day 7 - Return to Launceston

Sadly today is the end of our trip. We will journey back to our start point playing tourist along the way. We will arrive in Launceston Airport at at 2 pm then onto accomodation booked in the city. Make sure flights are booked 90min after our arrival.

What is included

Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Launceston Airport & accomodation
5 days of incredible mountain biking with optional coaching and skills
6 nights of boutique accommodation
All breakfasts
3 dinners
4 lunches
All mountain bike shuttles as indicated in the itinerary
2 x MTB guides when on the trails, bike mechanical support + more

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.
Beverages: In general, you are responsible for your own beverages & alcoholic drinks.
3 dinners and 2 lunches where we eat at local restaurants.
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
We strongly recommend you take out suitable insurance to cover you in the event of cancellations, accidents or loss.

Western Explorer FAQs

The style of this trip is different from our signature Women’s MTB Retreat in NE Tasmania but is run with the same philosophy. Our aim by the end is to allow you to escape, connect and evolve.
Who is this trip suitable for?

This trip isn’t suitable for a complete beginner. The more confident you are, the more you will get out of this trip. There is an emphasis on exploration, so our guides are less focused on skills and more on the adventure of the trip.
If you are looking for a trip and you are a real beginner or super cautious, we suggest our Gravel and Greens retreat that visits Derby and St Helens.
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 think you need a full-suspension mountain bike. While you can get away with a hardtail, it will be a much better experience on a dual-suspension bike. There isn’t a lot of dirt in Queenstown and Zeehan meaning the trails are made of crushed gravel. Extra cushioning is appreciated! A hardtail might also mean you are restricted to lower sections on Mt Owen (Queenstown) and Maydena.
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 12 to 18 riders and 4 staff. The larger group enables us to split into ability level and choose different routes to suit. We will have minimum 2 female bike guides, a bike mechanic and a driver to keep everyone moving
How do I book?

Head to our dates and inclusions page for details