New mountain tracks good for Hobart tourism, business and riders

Published on 15 March 2023

Ten kilometres of new tracks built on the lower slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington by the City of Hobart with state and federal government funding will be a shot in the arm for Hobart’s tourism economy and create more family friendly riding opportunities on the mountain.

“Our new tracks are creating a track 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 and on the tracks they love,” Deputy Hobart Lord Mayor Helen Burnet said.

“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. “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.

“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,” Ald Bloomfield said.

“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 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.

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

Rocky Wheel'n and Free Wheel'n were opened last month to encourage local riders onto the track to help bed down the surface ahead of today’s official opening.

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 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,” Ald Bloomfield said.

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.

Implementing the Riding the Mountain plan will deliver a better tourism experience – a recreational network that enables visitors to explore the mountain’s natural beauty and is accessible to a wide range of riders, walkers and runners.