Mt Wellington: Pipeline Track (Mid Section Start) | Up To 33km | Self-Guided | Skill: Easy | Fitness: Moderate | Bike Hire, Shuttle, & Map

Ride through up to 33km of trails on the lower slopes of Mt Wellington.

Beautiful temperate rainforest, with stunning views & curious wildlife. 

• This off-road trail is easy to ride, gentle gradients, smooth, hard-packed dirt/gravel.
• Tour includes a 15 minute shuttle to the midway section of the Pipeline Track (Fern Tree), departing from our shop.
• Choose regular mountain bike or e-mountain bike.
• Includes helmet, gloves, rider pack, and trail map.
• Easy to navigate.
• At the midway point, option to take a break at the Fern Tree Tavern.
• Duration: approx 3-5 hours
• Ride finishes at our shop and bikes must be returned by 4pm.

Option: Private Tour With A Guide

• Prefer to ride with a guide? We can offer a private guided ride experience.
• To express your interest in this option, please contact us with your enquiry.

Booking Confirmation Process

Once our team receive your online booking, we immediately check your bike selection is available. Once the checking process is completed, you will receive an email with a booking update. 

Booking For Tomorrow's Tour?

Online bookings must be submitted before 7 pm.

If it's after 7 pm, please email or text your enquiry. We often monitor emails after hours, so we may be able to add you to the tour.. 

Tour Highlights

We believe this is the friendliest and most accessible half day adventure ride on Mt Wellington. The trail is easy to ride with mostly gentle climbs and descents. 

Cruise through beautiful temperate rainforest, with stunning views of the Organ Pipes, Cathedral Rock, Derwent River estuary, and the city. 

Duck your head under tunnels of giant ferns, take a break at the Silver Falls waterfall, walk under historic aqueducts, gaze into crystal clear streams, and expect some close encounters with local wildlife.

'Out & Back Ride'

The total distance possible on this ride is 33 km and it's an out-and-back ride. This means you can shorten the ride at anytime, simply by stopping and heading back down the track.

From the midway drop-off point at Fern Tree, you can ride up the Pipeline Track for 13km. It's such a gentle climb, almost flat. 

When you arrive at the highest point of the track, you'll find a waterfall and weir. From here, turnaround and roll back along the track. The descent back to our shop is approx. 20km.

• Duration: 3-6 hours
• Skill level: Easy, green, level 1-2.
  Riders must be comfortable on a bike with good basic bike handling skills
• Fitness level: Moderate. (If riding an e-bike, required fitness level is low.)

Rider Ability & Expectations

Riders should be comfortable on a bike, with good basic bike handling skills. The ride is relatively easy, and the off-road track is wide and relatively smooth. The surface is a mixture of compacted dirt and gravel. 

Is This Ride Suitable For Kids?

This ride is less about setting a minimum age, it’s more about the ability of the rider.

Children must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 

Rider height is important - our smallest bikes (hardtail/24 inch wheels) are suitable for riders above 125cm tall.

The rainforest ride is child-friendly, 95% of the ride is in the forest. The final 750 metres of the ride is residential street, and juniors can ride on the path with their parent.

Hire Bike Options:

• The default bike option for this tour is a front suspension mountain bike (aka hardtail).
• Option to upgrade to a dual suspension mountain bike or a dual suspension e-mountain bike.

Front Suspension Mountain Bike 

This front suspension bike is well suited to this gentle trail. It's light and nimble, and fitted with premium components.
Scott Scale 980, front suspension, 100 mm travel, 29 inch wheels, dropper seat, 12 speed, Shimano brakes and drivetrain.
Frame sizes: x-large, large, medium, small, x-small.
View photo of bike.

Dual Suspension Mountain Bike (+$30)

This is a popular bike on Mt. Wellington trails, a great climber and very capable on rowdy descents.
On this gentle trail, the dual suspension and premium components will make for a very smooth & comfy ride.
Scott Genius 940, dual suspension, 150 mm travel, 29 inch wheels, dropper seat, Shimano brakes and drivetrain.
Frame sizes: x-large, large, medium, small.
View photo of bike.

Dual Suspension E-Mountain Bike (+$70)

Extremely capable all-mountain bike, its long travel suspension handles the rowdiest of trails.
On this gentle trail, the dual suspension and premium components will make for a very smooth & comfy ride.
The electric motor makes climbing an almost effortless experience, and the big battery will ensure you can enjoy a long day on the bike.
Avanti E-Hammer LT2, 625w Bosch motor, dual suspension, 160 mm travel, 29 inch wheels, dropper seat, Shimano brakes, SRAM drive chain.
Frame sizes: large, medium, small.
View photo of bike.

Extra Equipment

• We provide riding helmet, gloves, basic bikes tools, and a spare tube.

Itinerary

• Meet at our office 30 mins before the shuttle departure time.
• Ride briefing and bike introduction. Collect helmet, gloves, and rider pack.
• Receive map and trail navigation instructions.
• Hop on our shuttle to the midway section of the Pipeline (Fern Tree). 
• Return the hire bike to the office before 4pm.

Navigating The Trail

There are trail signs to follow and we provide a trail map and instructions for using an online trail map. 

View the trail map on the Trailforks website or phone app: 
https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/planner/view/506225

We recommend testing the Trailforks map before arriving at our office. 
When using the map on your phone's web browser, 'location services' need to be enabled to activate GPS tracking.

Points Of Interest Along The Way

• Fern Tree Tavern
• Silver Falls waterfall
• McDermotts Saddle
• Historic aqueducts (c1881)
• Waterworks Reserve
• Australia's oldest brewery - Cascade Brewery (c1824)
• Platypus spotting in the Hobart Rivulet

Take A Break At Fern Tree

At the village of Fern Tree, you'll find the Fern Tree Tavern. This is a popular spot to take a break, grab a drink, or something to eat.
Be sure to check the Tavern's opening hours.
There is a public toilet at Fern Tree and a kids playground.

Tour Starting Point

Our shop, 466 Macquarie Street South Hobart.

What To Bring

• Suitable riding clothes. Mount Wellington is well known for changeable weather conditions, so please dress appropriately and be prepared for anything! 
  
• Gloves are useful, especially if it's a bit cooler. We provide gloves.
  
• A small backpack is advisable for carrying any extra clothing, snacks etc.
  
• Water and snacks - all the bikes are fitted with water bottle holders.
  
• Mobile phone. If the weather is wet, a small plastic ziplock bag is great for keeping your phone dry.
• Any personal medications.

Useful To Know

• There is a great cafe next door to our office, Ginger Brown. Delicious coffee, breakfast, and lunch.
• There's also a general store next door, great for snacks and drinks.
• It's a 25-minute walk from the city centre to our office.
• Parking - on weekends there is plenty of free parking close to our office. Monday to Friday, there is usually free on-street parking on nearby Washington St.
• The oldest operating brewery in Australia, Cascades, is a 15-minute walk from our office.

Safety Waiver

For the safety of all tour participants, we require everyone to sign a waiver before arrival. We've made the process easy and convenient for you by providing a 100% online waiver form.

Once you've made your booking, you'll receive an email from us with a link to the online waiver form. We kindly ask that you complete the form before your scheduled tour.

Cancellation Terms & Conditions

Customers can cancel their booking without incurring any charges up to 24 hours prior to the tour start time. Cancellations made within this specified period will receive a full refund, less a booking processing fee.

If a cancellation is made after the allowed cancellation period, a cancellation fee will be applicable. The cancellation fee will be 50% of the total booking amount.

Customers who cancel within the permitted cancellation period will be eligible for a full refund of the total booking amount. The refund will be processed within 7 business days after the cancellation request is received.

Customers may request modifications to their booking, such as changing the date, without incurring any fees, subject to availability. However, such modifications must be requested at least 24 hours before the scheduled tour start time.

In the case of delays or unforeseen emergencies, we understand that plans can be disrupted. We will make every effort to accommodate changes to your schedule under these circumstances. Please contact our office as soon as possible to discuss any necessary adjustments.

If a customer fails to show up for the tour without prior notice, it will be considered a no-show. No-shows are not eligible for a refund, and the full booking amount will be charged.

To cancel a booking, customers must contact our customer support team via phone or email. Please provide your booking details and the reason for cancellation.