The Riv5 is a 5km run, ride or walk along the Hobart Rivulet Track. The track is named after the Hobart Rivulet, which descends from the foothills of Mount Wellington/kunanyi. Platypuses, which live in burrows along the rivlet’s banks, are a common sighting in summer. Along the track you will also pass the historic gaol, the Cascade Female Factory, with the turning point under the famous façade of the Cascade Brewery.

Begin at the car park at Hamlet Café on Molle Street and travel 2.5km to the Cascade Gardens and return to the beginning. Alternatively, you can begin at Cascade Gardens and use the route in reverse. There is signage along the track to indicate each kilometer you pass as well as signs for the start and turning points.

Information courtesy of Hobart City Council.

Arguably the greatest running trail in Hobart, most people start the Pipeline track directly across from the Fern Tree Tavern.

Location:       Fern Tree

Access:           Follow Davey St towards the mountain, along Huon Rd – going past the Mt Wellington turn off

Parking:        Park across from the start at the Fern Tree Tavern or on the road. If the car park is full, there’s additional parking a few hundred metres back towards Hobart,

Distance:      24km return

Terrain:        Gravel road

Slope:           Gradual uphill on the way out

Map:                    

 

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Details:

After a few hundred metres the track turns to the south (the right hand turn at the junction takes you up to Silver Falls), and then travels along the contour of the mountain – past houses, and ferny gullies of Neika. At approximately the 4km, the track opens up to a beautiful view of the Derwent River (see pic) looking over Mt Nelson. After Neika the track winds in and out of a series of gullies above North West Bay River. A little past this, the track turns to the right (left takes you back down to Huon Rd – which can be an alternate starting point) and continues through sheltered forest. It passes an old gate before the 7km mark, and a tin shed at the 9km mark. Just past the shed is the St Crispin’s Well trail (a short track leading up to the ‘well’), but the Pipeline track continues along past this, where you’ll see spectacular views of Cathedral Rock across the valley (pic). The last track marker is at 12km, where you’ll come to a closed gate. Past this (not advised) it stretches about 13km to Wellington Falls weir.

The Pipeline Track is generally good in most weather conditions; shaded on hot days, sheltered on windy/rainy days. Garmin has trouble finding satellites, but there are wooden distance markers on the left hand side of the track (some are missing; see pic). There’s the odd tiger snake or two in summer.

There are a number of tracks that you can veer off on along the way (probably more for walking – e.g. Wellington Falls). There are toilets and a tap at the start, another tap at about 500m (hidden in bush across from the old hut) and fresh creeks flowing at a couple of points throughout (not in the height of summer though).

References/ more information:

• http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Recreation/Bushland/Ridgeway_Park_and_Pipeline_Track
• http://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/track/fern-tree-to-wellington-falls/ (Fern tree to Wellington Falls map)
• http://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/track/pipeline-track-fern-tree-to-waterworks-reserve/
• http://www.tassietrails.org/routesandtrails/mountain-bike/pipeline-track
• http://www.discovernaturalhobart.com/pipeline-track.html
• http://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/track
  /pipeline-track-fern-tree-to-waterworks-reserve/

 

 

 

 

 

We’re grateful to TRR member Danny Byas for providing much of the info and images regarding the Pilchers Hill trails (Hobart).

 

• https://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/places/pilchers-hill-reserve-trails/
• Pilchers Hill Loop: https://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/places/pilchers-hill-reserve-pilchers-hill-loop/ 
• Geilston Gully Circuit: https://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/places/geilston-gully-circuit-track/
• Pilchers Hill track review (Hobart Living): http://www.hobartliving.com/pilchers-hill-track-hobart-short-walks/
• Pilchers Hill via Tassie Rambler: http://www.tassierambler.org/2014/05/pilchers-hill.html 

We’re grateful to Tim Gunton from the Launceston Running Buddies for the following running routes in and around Launceston. Check them out on facebook (HERE) and join them for a run if you’re in the area.

Northern Suburbs

From Royal Park, thru the Seaport along the Esplanade and turn left over Tamar St Bridge, along Invermay Rd, up Mowbray Hill. Continue along Invermay Rd/Georgetown Rd turning right and follow Georgetown Road up the hill,  **(6.7km) and continue PAST the Black Stallion (7.5km) and turn right into Lilydale Road. Just after the railway overpass, turn right and take the short-cut across to the end of Cupania St (or feel free to take the long way around the road) head over the railway overpass and follow the fire trail all the way to Dover St. From Dover St go along Calais St, Verdun and Beatty Sts and turn left at Jellico St, we then turn left at Vermont Rd and turn right to the track just before the West’s residence that takes us back past Heritage Forrest and thru to Inveresk for a stroll along the board walk before exiting near the Tamar St bridge – across the bridge, along the Esplanade, thru the Seaport to Royal Park (18km).

**Shorter options are turn up either Parklands Parade or Mayfield St and continue to the end of either of these streets and take the tracks to the fire trail

URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3312286

Riveside/Tamar Island

From Royal Park, past Still Water, across Kings Bridge, Past Tamar Marine, along to the tail race and down to Tamar Island – keeping on the tracks as much as possible

Turn at the pub for about 11km return. Turn at Cormiston Road/bus stop 13km return journey. Continue all the way to Tamar Island car park 15km return journey. Continue out to the Island to the jetty; DON’T touch the pontoon because it not there anymore! (10km). Turn and head back to Royal Park for a total of 20km.

East

From Royal Park, left into Paterson Street, then right into George Street, left into Brisbane Street and continue out to Newstead, turn left into Hoblers Bridge Road then turn left onto North Esk track (4.5km). Follow this across to Henry Street (7km). Turn left – Henry Street becomes Boland Street continue on to the Tamar Street bridge (8.8 km).** 2 options from here

Option 1 is to continue along the Esplanade and back thru the Seaport for a total of about 10.2km

URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4228438

Option 2 is to turn right and go across the bridge and onto Invermay Road. Continue along Invermay Road until you get to the bottom of Mowbray hill (11.3km), turn left into McKenzie Street run along until you get to the flood levy. Continue on the flood levy until you reach Mayne Street (12.7 km), cross over Mayne Street and continue on to Seaport and back to Royal Park total of about 15.0km

URL for this route is http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2921412

Prospect

Along Park St, left into Paterson St and right in to Margaret St, along to the end of Margaret and turn right into Frankland St, continue up Frankland into Hillside Cres, which becomes Brougham St and turn left into Granville St. Continue to the end of Granville St and turn right at Peel St, follow Peel St all the way and turn Left at Holyman Drive**. Turn left and go along Holyman Drive which becomes Richard St. Continue along to Las Vegas Drive and turn left, once we hit Country Club Ave we turn left and continue to the roundabout at Westbury Rd (7.7km) where we turn left and follow Westbury Rd all the way to Wellington St. (12.0km) Turn left at Wellington St and stroll down until we turn left into  Frankland St, then right into Margaret St , along to Paterson St then back to Park St, then we are back to where we started from. (14.4km)

**Turn left at Stanley St then left at Westbury Road will shorten the run to about 10k’s

URL: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3270917

Long run

From Royal Park, left into Paterson Street and along to George Street, right into George Street then left into Brisbane Street. Brisbane Street then becomes Elphin Road, continues along Elphin Road to just past the Coles Supermarket and then left onto Hoblers Bridge Road and continue to the roundabout at the junction with St. Leonards Road (5km)*. Along St. Leonards Road- it’s then 8km when you get to Johnsons Road ** St Leonards Road becomes Blessington Road and continue until you get to Corra Lynn bridge (12.7km). Turn and head back along Blessington Road/ St Leonards Road/ Hoblers Bridge Road. On Hoblers Bridge Road, turn right into Olive Street then right again when you get to Elphin road and right again into Dowling Street (23km). Left into Racecourse Crescent and left again into Boland Street, turn right across Tamar Street bridge and down Invermay Road to Forster Street (just past Aurora Stadium). Turn right into Forster Street, which becomes Churchill Park Drive, and then up onto the levy bank to pick up the trail at the back of Heritage forest to take you up to Vermont Road. Then left along Vermont Road, left again at the top of Mowbray hill. Head back down the hill along Invermay Road. Then left along Lindsay Street and cross over to Seaport and back to Royal Park (32.6km). Extra 2.4km run a few laps around the Stillwater, Royal Park Loop (35km).

*Head back for a total of 10k’s ** Head back the way you came to Royal Park 16.k’s

The URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com?r=2246765

Another long run

From Royal Park, through Seaport and along the bike track, cross over at the Mayne Street overpass and continue along the bike track down to McKenzie Street. Turn right and head back along Invermay Road. Turn right at Mayne Street (Swamp Café) and continue down Mayne Street to the overpass and back along the bike track to Seaport (but don’t turn in ). Continue straight ahead along the track back up to Paterson Street (7.5km), then left and up to Charles Street. Turn right into Charles Street and follow all the way up to the L.G.H. Left into Howick Street, right into Mulgrave Street and veer right into Meredith Crescent, up to Hobart Road (10.5km). Along Hobart Road to Opossum Road (Maccas on the corner) turn left into Opossum Road, crossing over to pick up the Carr Villa trail; follow this around-it goes around Opossum Road and then right into Quarantine Road, and head back down to Hobart Road (15km).** Turn left and continue along Hobart Road to Alma Street (log cabin nursery), turn left into Alma Street, then right into Redwood Crescent and right again at the roundabout into Poplar Parade, continue back along Poplar Parade and you’re  back on Hobart Road again (18.5km)**. Turn left onto Hobart Road, and then left again into Relbia Road and follow this all the way along to the Glenwood Road (opposite Josef Chromys Restaurant) (22.5km). Turn and head back along Relbia Road, then right onto Hobart Road, going straight down Hobart Road, through Youngtown and Kingsmeadows, until you get back to Meredith Crescent (30km). Turn right into Meredith Crescent; veer left into Mulgrave Street, left into Howick Street and right into Charles Street. Continue down Charles Street, ten turn right into Paterson Street, right into George Street, left into Brisbane Street, left into Tamar Street and then head down to the Esplanade. Turn left into the Esplanade, then back through Seaport to Royal Park (35.5 km)

** Turn right and head back the way you came via Meredith Crescent to Royal Park.  20.5km

** Turn right and head back the way you came via Meredith Crescent to Royal Park.  25.5km

URL: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1844158

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Location:          Queens Domain, Hobart

Access:              Upper Domain Road

Parking:          Available at Legacy Park

Facilities:        Toilets at Legacy Park

Distance:        2km loop

Terrain:           Bitumen/soft bark

Slope:              Gradual

Map:            

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Details:

Maxs Infinity Loop is a multi-use running, walking and cycling track at Queens Domain. The track features bitumen on one side and soft bark on the other, making it suitable for a range of users. There are also many biking, walking and running tracks traversing the bushland around the summit, making Queens Domain an ideal location for all sorts of short to medium runs.

https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Community/Parks-reserves-and-sporting-facilities/Find-a-park-or-sportsground/Maxs-Infinity-Loop

http://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/track/city-to-the-royal-tasmanian-botanical-gardens-loop/

http://www.dogwalkingtas.org.au/wordpress/?p=130

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Location:          Eastern Shore, Hobart

Access:              Risdon Brook Dam is approximately 12kms (15 minutes drive) from Hobart.  You access it by  heading across the Tasman Bridge and turning left towards Lindisfarne.  After leaving the bridge head north on the East Derwent Highway for ~7km until the roundabout. Take the second exit at this roundabout heading up Grass Tree Hill to Richmond, and then almost immediately turn left into the Reserve (signed).  It’s another few hundred metres to the car park.

Parking:           There is plenty of parking at the start

Facilities:        Toilets, BBQ areas and drinking water at the start

Distance:         ~4km circuit

Terrain:           Gravel

Slope:               Mostly flat (couple small hills)

Map:                  

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Details

Risdon Brook Dam is a popular running location for Hobartians, and is also now the home of Park Run (a free 5km fun run every Saturday morning, 9am). Risdon Brook Park, set amongst bushland on the Eastern Shore and is home to one of Hobart’s largest drinking water reservoirs. Several 4wd tracks lead off the main loop making it possible to extend your run distance. Gates are open from 7:30am – 4:30pm every day of the year (open until 8pm during Daylight Savings).

If you choose to run the track anti-clockwise (either way is fine), head out of the car park the same way you drove in, but turn right at the top of the  (past past the toilets, heading back down a bitumen slip lane that takes you across the dam wall, and continue to the right. This track is mostly flat. Approximately 1km from the car park the start of the Mt Direction track commences through a small gate off a hairpin bend, or you can continue past and keep heading around the dam, eventually taking you back to the start.

References/ more information: 

• http://www.taswater.com.au/Community—Environment/Risdon-Brook-Park
• http://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1462
• http://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/track/risdon-brook-track/
• http://www.tassietrails.org/8-routes/mtb/63-risdon-brook-dam
• http://www.coolrunning.com.au/runningguide/wiki/index.php/Risdon_Brook_Dam

 

 

 

Sandy Bay Road

Location:          Hobart

Access:              Plenty of options.

Parking:           Actual car parks Marieville Esplanade, Long Point Rd, Long Beach bbq area, and further along at Hinsby Beach Taroona)

Facilities:        Marieville Esplanade, Nelson Rd (near the Queenborogh Sports Oval), Long Point Rd, Long Beach bbq area, and further along at Hinsby Beach Taroona)

Distance:

Terrain:           Footpath/gravel/road (Bonnet Hill does not have proper footpaths and is not advised in traffic)

Slope:                Gradual uphill on the way south, gets quite steep over the Bonnet

Map:                    

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Details:

Sandy Bay road runs (ha) for approximately 7km from Davey St in the Hobart CBD to Cartwright Reserve (which leads up to Mt Nelson via Truganini Reserve) in Sandy Bay where it becomes Channel Highway and continues on through Taroona, over Bonnet Hill to Kingston<

While this entire stretch (over the Bonnet) can make for a great run (just be weary of cars!), it’s the 2.5km stretch from Marieville Esplanade to Lower Sandy Bay which serves as the most utilised by recreational runners and walkers alike. In summer, there is never a shortage of runners, walkers and cyclists soaking up everything that Sandy Bay has to offer.

It’s not hard to understand why this is such a popular place for runners in Hobart There is ample parking, plenty of toilets, water, shops, cafe’s, wide footpaths and on a hot day, there’s also the temptation of finishing off with a quick dip in the ocean at Lower Sandy Bay.

Even at 5:30am on a cold winter’s day you’re likely to see a few keen runners out training along Sandy Bay Rd – making it arguably Hobart’s unofficial ‘training track’ for recreational runners.

References/ more information:

https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/better-conditions/2802/
https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/better-conditions/3137/
http://www.cyclingsouth.org/index.php/component/k2/item/113-channelhwy-bonnet

The Intercity Cycleway

Location:          Hobart

Access:              Hobart Cenotaph (War Memorial; Queens Domain, near the Hobart Regatta grounds).

Parking:           There is plenty of parking at the start (McVilly Drive)

Facilities:        Toilets at start, 3km, approx. 6km if you go into K&D warehouse, just before the 7km mark if the café is open, across the road at ~11km (near the caravan park) and near the finish (oval just before Claremont Village).

Distance:         26km return

Terrain:           Cycleway (cement)

Slope:                Flat.

Map:                    

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Details:

Also called the Intercity Cycleway; for most runners, the ‘bike track’ starts at the Hobart Cenotaph located on Queens Domain (although you can start further in town at Sullivans Cove if you like). It is a dual lane shared cycling and pedestrian track that runs alongside the now-unused rail tracks, crossing a number of roads, and is cement.

The track runs north along the Derwent River from the Cenotaph, and passes under the Tasman Bridge after just over 1km, turning right and going along the Collegiate Rowing Sheds road a short distance before getting back on the track. At about 3km, the track crosses a road just near the Cornelian Boathouse (public toilets). At this point, you can continue on, or take a short detour out to the Cornelian Bay lookout (gravel path that runs near the cemetery). Continuing on, there’s a great view of Mt Wellington as you pass the Station Street Nursery on the left (and hockey grounds on the right). The track goes past another small café (Rust & Co. Store: Café, Vintage Collectibles, Garden Ware) at around 7km that invites riders and runners to “Take a break”. The first overpass is just after 10km, and you travel past some vineyards and get some water views at around 11km (looking over a road that forms part of the official Cadbury marathon course). The track ends end at around 13km. You can venture right up to the Cadbury Chocolate factory for a little extra, and take in the sights of the start/finish to Hobart’s iconic marathon (see Cadbury Marathon).

 

There’s some contention over the bike track and whether it’s wise to train often on a hard surface (it’s cement the whole way, although there are a few places you can run beside on a dirt path). We’re just letting you know your options – it’s up to you should you choose to run here. Please note care must be taken when crossing roads.

 

References/ more information:

• http://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/track/intercity-cycleway/
• http://www.cyclingsouth.org/index.php/maps-rides/item/18-cycleways
• http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Intercity-Cycleway-Hobart-to-Claremont
• http://www.railtrails.org.au/trail?view=trail&id=127