Top Ten Experiences When Visiting Derby, Tasmania

Derby has well and truly established itself as one of Australia’s premier mountain biking towns since its inception in 2015. More than this, it is a place to immerse yourself in an authentic Tasmanian town, rich with experiences to fuel your adventurous spirit on two wheels, but also many of Tasmania’s flora and fauna iconic wonders.

Below is our list of ‘Top Ten Experiences’ to have when visiting Derby. Be assured, when you join a Blue Derby Pods Ride Experience, we can tick any or all of these suggestions!

The Derby Lake Trail starts by riding over the suspension bridge from the Pump Track in the middle of Derby. It then scouts around the perimeter of the Derby Lake, or the abandoned Briseis Mine.

The trail is wider than most single tracks and is a great place to start if you are a beginner to get your feel for mountain biking, or if you are a more experienced rider, where you can warm up your legs.

Make sure you stop while riding around the Lake, the reflections of the forest around you are sensational, as is the bird life. It is also the perfect spot to park your bike and jump in for a swim!

Derby Trail Grade:

• Derby Lake Trail - Beginner/Green

The Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails have many iconic trails, but for those wanting to feel like they are coasting down a natural rollercoaster, hot laps on Hazy Days, Flickety Sticks and Air Ya Goin’ should be a must when visiting Derby. All of these descent trails can be accessed by the Black Stump Shuttle Point or by riding up the beautifully designed ascent trail – Long Shadows.

If you are a Blue Derby Pods Ride guest, your shuttles are included as part of your Experience so finding time to enjoy this mix of trails will most definitely be part of your stay with us. Even better, our Pods special location within the Derby Forests means we are closer to the start of Long Shadows ascent trail.

Derby Trail Grade:

• Hazy Days – Beginner/Green
• Flickety Sticks – Intermediate/Blue
• Air Ya Goin’ – Advanced/Black

The Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails twist and turn through incredible Tasmanian forest full of wildlife. Whether it’s while you are on your bike, resting for a picnic lunch or during the evening on our deck, encounters with wildlife are a common occurrence.

Wallabies, pademelons, echidnas, ring tail possums, quolls, blue tongue lizards, owls, eagles (and many other native birds) can all be spotted while exploring The Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails. You can also see glow worms in the famous Derby Tunnel! So, take a moment to stop as you ride through this historic attraction and look up for a bright surprise!

If you are lucky, you’ll even spot a Platypus in the Ringarooma River that runs through Derby or one frolicking in the Derby Lake!

The image of a trail traversing through deep green rainforest has become a signature shot of riding in Derby, and rightly so. The rainforest that we have the privilege of riding through is nothing short of sensational. Coasting around man-ferns that are dwarfed by hundred year old myrtles is a feast for the eyes and lungs.

You’ll find small and large sections of rainforest throughout the entire Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails, but without doubt the Blue Tier and Atlas trails have the largest sections to ride, sometimes up to hours long of riding in rainforest.

Derby Trail Grade:

• Blue Tier – Intermediate/Blue
• Atlas – Intermediate/Blue

Derby’s trail network centres around the town itself. For example, trails like Return To Sender finishes at the historic post office!

When you’ve finished a morning of riding, why not get your caffeine hit with a local coffee, relaxing on a street side seat while soaking up the chilled town vibes.

If you need more than a coffee, Derby has a number of delicious eating options to re-fill the tank a little more. As a Blue Derby Pods Ride guest all your Tasmanian food is included as part of your Experience, which includes showcasing many local producers. However, it is still really special to take a moment to sip a coffee in the town of Derby.

Derby Trail Grade:

• Return To Sender – Intermediate/Blue

After riding along in the dense forest to then pop out at a vista that takes in the forest around you is breathtaking. Throughout the Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails there are many vista points along the journey, but Trouty, The Blue Tier and De Va Lu Lookout are three of our favourites.

De Va Lu Lookout can be found as part of Krushkas Trail and opens up to a stunning forest valley view after a meandering ascent trail through forest. It’s not only the perfect spot to catch your breath, but also take in this view of the trails.

The Blue Tier starts at the highest point of the Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails. You’ll shuttle up to this point and can then walk a short 5 minutes up to the highest point to see views all the way out to the East Coast of Tasmania and the surrounding mountain ranges. You’ll also get similar stunning views as you start riding the Blue Tier Trail.

Trouty is an iconic advanced trail that descents off Krushkas trail straight down to Derby. As you ride the huge granite boulders you’ll want to stop and take in the sensational views of Derby town and the countryside beyond.

Branxholm is the little town situated just before Derby. Unsurprisingly it has benefited immensely from Derby’s success and embodies a quirky charm just like Derby.

For those wanting to stretch out their legs, or beginner riders after a longer ride this town-to-town trails is a must.

Derby Trail Grade:

• Branxholm Link – Beginner/Green

It’s not every day you get the opportunity to ride from the mountains to the sea, but in Derby, that’s what we get to do. Starting again at The Blue Tier, this trail takes a turn east and works its way down 42km of diverse Tasmanian landscape.

This trail is well in truly an epic adventure and as a Blue Derby Pods Ride guest you will have the opportunity to experience it on our 4-Day Experience. To make this day extra special, our guests will finish with a private Tasmanian seafood lunch and cold beverages at the Bay of Fires beaches. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Derby Trail Grade:

• Bay Of Fires Trail – Intermediate/Blue

After a sweaty day of riding, it is so refreshing to jump into a fresh water swimming hole. Derby has multiple swimming hole options, which you can find detailed on another of our blogs here.

For another special water experience, the Derby Floating Sauna is a must. Situated on the Derby Lake, you’ll plunge into the Derby Lake after relaxing your muscles in a woodfired sauna. Believe it or not, this experience is worth while all year round! As a Blue Derby Pods Ride guest you can add this option when booking online with us.

Ride in the forest by day, sleep in the forests by night. It’s not something you get to do everyday, but that’s what our Blue Derby Pods Ride guests experience.

Our unique accommodation Pods and Hub are situated in the middle of our forests and it is where we base all of our Experiences. You’ll sit back on the deck, local beverage in hand, after a day of riding … In our opinion, life doesn’t get much better!