Mt Wellington bike descent & rainforest ride from Hobart
Summit views, then two rides downhill through forest
An easy guided bike tour from Hobart that starts at Mt Wellington's 1270m summit, descends 6 km on the summit road, then rides 12 km through temperate rainforest on a level, wide dirt track. The minibus handles the climb. You ride down. A live guide in English or French covers local history and wildlife along the way.
What’s included
- Mountain bike and safety helmet.
- air-conditioned minibus transport to Mt Wellington summit and to the rainforest trailhead.
- gloves.
- live guide in English or French providing commentary on local history and wildlife.
- 15-minute summit stop for photos and exploration.
Times
- Monday to Saturday 09:30
- Sunday 09:30 12:00
Before you book
Operated by Tasmanian Mountain Bike Adventures
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
How do you get to the top of a mountain without climbing it? The minibus does the 30-minute drive to Mt Wellington's summit while you sit inside. Once there, you have 15 minutes to walk around, take photos of the views across Hobart and the coast, then clip into your bike. The 6 km summit road descent is the exhilarating part: a real ride on pavement with switchbacks and views opening up as you lose elevation. If that road ride doesn't appeal to you, the support vehicle comes back down and picks you up. Either way, you end up at the Lost Freight Cafe for a drink, snack and a break.
The rainforest ride is the longer stretch: 12 km on a compact dirt track that's level and wide, with gentle gradients all the way down. Your guide rides with you and talks about the eucalyptus trees, the giant ferns, the waterfall you pass, and the history of the area. The track descends gradually through temperate rainforest, then opens into drier forest as you approach the city edge. Because it's downhill the whole way and the surface is firm, only basic bike handling matters: no climbing, no technical skill required. The whole day runs about four hours from the time you leave the South Hobart shop until you finish the rainforest ride.
You get a mountain bike fitted to your size, a safety helmet, and gloves at the shop before you leave. The minibus is air-conditioned for both the drive up and the 15-minute journey from the cafe to the rainforest trailhead. Riders need to be comfortable on a bike and at least 125 cm tall. The bikes work for riders up to 120 kg. Weather on the mountain changes fast, so bring a small backpack with a spray jacket and dress in layers. Public transport runs near the shop if you're staying elsewhere in Hobart and don't have a car.
Is this one for you?The minibus pickup from South Hobart means you don't need a car or a ride to the start: public transport runs nearby if you're staying elsewhere in the city. Because both rides descend downhill and the rainforest track is level and wide, basic fitness and bike handling are all you need. The mountain does the work.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and French.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the difference between the summit road and the rainforest ride?
The summit road is a 6 km descent on pavement with switchbacks and open views: the faster, more exhilarating part of the day. The rainforest ride is 12 km on a wide, level dirt track through forest with gentle gradients, where your guide talks about the trees, ferns, waterfall and local history. Both are downhill. The rainforest one is slower and more about the landscape around you.
Do I have to ride down from the summit if I don't want to?
No. If the 6 km summit road descent doesn't appeal to you, the support vehicle will bring you down instead. You still get the 15-minute stop at the summit to explore and take photos, then you rejoin the group at the cafe before the rainforest ride begins.
What happens if the weather is bad or the summit is closed?
If the summit is closed due to road works or bad weather, the tour switches to a longer ride on the rainforest trail instead. You still get the minibus transport and the guided descent through forest, just without the summit road portion.
Do I need to be fit to do this tour?
No. Because the entire route is downhill and the rainforest track is level with gentle gradients, only basic fitness is needed. The minibus handles the climb to the summit, so you're not pedaling uphill at any point.
What's included and what should I bring?
The tour includes the mountain bike, helmet, gloves, minibus transport to and from Mt Wellington, and a live guide. Bring a small backpack with a spray jacket in case the weather changes on the mountain, and dress in layers. You may also want to bring a drink and snack, though the stop at Lost Freight Cafe gives you a chance to buy one.
Mt Wellington bike descent & rainforest ride from Hobart
4h · EN · FR
from AU$ 179 per person
≈ US$ 127 in your currency
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