Wielangta Tramway Trail

Wielangta Tramway Trail The Wielangta Tramway Trail, around 65 km north-east of Hobart in south-east Tasmania, is a remote 6.5 km forest trail following the route of a former timber tramway near Rheban and the Sandspit River. The compacted-earth route passes through beautiful blue gum forest, fern-filled gullies and pockets of cool temperate rainforest, giving it a wonderfully wild feel. It is open to mountain bikes and walkers, with access from Wielangta Road. The original tramway followed the Sandspit River through Wielangta Forest, carrying timber from logging areas to sawmills at the former Wielangta settlement and eventually towards the coast opposite Maria Island, where sawn timber could be loaded onto ships. At its peak, Wielangta supported several sawmills as well as a general store, bakery, blacksmith and school before bushfires devastated the settlement in the 1920s and it was abandoned in 1928. Although the original railway formation was built with gentle gradients, today's trail is considerably more adventurous. Former timber trestle bridges have disappeared, leaving steep dips and climbs around old bridge sites, while sections can be washed out, muddy or underwater. Creek crossings and steep sections may require riders to get off and carry or push their bikes, particularly following heavy rain. The surrounding Wielangta Forest is particularly significant. It contains remnant glacial refugia forest, blue gums and cool temperate rainforest and provides habitat for threatened wildlife including the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, swift parrot, spotted-tail quoll and Wielangta stag beetle. The name Wielangta is a local Aboriginal name meaning “tall trees.” RTS Tip: Don't let the 6.5 km distance or “rail trail” label fool you — Wielangta can feel much more like a backcountry MTB adventure than a conventional rail trail. A mountain bike with good tyres is the best choice, and expect to walk sections where bridges have disappeared or the formation has washed out. Conditions can become very wet and muddy after rain, so a summer or drier-weather visit is likely to provide the best riding. The area is remote with no public transport, so download your route beforehand and carry everything you need.