Great trail pics by Derby Base guest, Mick Ross, Flow MTB.
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GETTING TO DERBY
By car, if you’re travelling from Launceston, the trip should take about 1.5 hours (via Lilydale has less bends!). Travelling up the East coast from St Helens, allow around 1.75 hours. If you’re coming off the ferry from the mainland, Derby is around a 2.25 hour drive.
If you're headed to Derby chances are that you're already aware that it has over 40km of world class mountain bike trails at Blue Derby Trails - Ride Blue Derby has a fantastic website withs maps, gradings and lots of other useful information https://www.ridebluederby.com.au/trails/
Along with the awesome MTB trails, Derby has some great cafes, HUB pizza (wood-fired pizza and refreshing bevvies), general store, 2 pubs, bike hire and petrol (part-time), but if you want to stock up on grocery essentials do so before you arrive at Derby Base. While there are some basic supplies available to get you started, the cottage is self-contained accommodation.
If travelling from the west, Scottsdale is your best bet for supplies. There’s a large Woolworths and the IGA, along with a pharmacy, bakery, Reject Shop, BP and Caltex, several of the major liquor stores and there’s Little Rivers Brewing Company.
If you’re coming from the east coast, St Helens would be the best place to stock up – they have a Supa IGA, an Everyday IGA, bakery, BWS, BP and United Petroleum and pharmacy.
Branxholm (5 minutes down the road) has an IGA, italian restaurant, cafe and pub.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CAR
Premium MTB Services offer a shuttle service from Launceston airport directly to Derby and RD & FH Sainty North East Bus Services run services from Launceston to Derby – check out their websites for details
https://www.premiummtb.com.au/transfers/
http://www.saintysnortheastbusservice.com.au/timetables.html
WHAT TO DO IN DERBY (OTHER THAN MTB)
Other than world class mountain bike trails, the walking trails around Derby are simply stunning - check out Environment Tasmania for more info http://www.et.org.au/blue_tier_giant_walk
Or you can always put in your kayak or canoe (you’ll need to BYO) down at the Derby picnic ground and enjoy the view from the Ringarooma River (even throw in a line – the river is well-known for flyfishing).
Be sure to check out Blue Lake – also ideal for canoeing, fishing and boating. Keep an eye out for some smokey quartz or topaz.
Take a day trip up to the coastal town of Bridport (about 30 mins) and enjoy an easy walk along the waterway and grab a coffee at one of the local cafes. You could then head west to check out some great wineries such as Jansz, Josef Chromy, Bay of Fires and Brook Eden (just to name a few!).
Scottsdale has a 9 hole golf course with very reasonable green fees if you’re after a more leisurely pursuit.
Check out the Dorset Council’s website for a list of events happening in the area:
https://www.dorset.tas.gov.au/events/