We decided to pop up to Scottsdale and test out our lovely new (non-assisted, yes we want to put more effort into our recreational riding now!) bikes on the new North East Rail Trail. It was a lovely weekend and we had quite a busy morning. Di helped to set up the bike valet parking at the Sustainable Living Festival and then we took a tour around the stalls before starting to pack Wanda for our trip.
We finally left Hobart about 1pm. The day was hot and blustery, with a total fire ban in the south. We headed straight up to Launceston, wanting to get there as quickly as possible. Our first stop was beside quiet Lake Dulverton in Oatlands, where we enjoyed watching the birdlife as well as eating our gourmet picnic lunch. It was surprising to find that most of the shops in Oatlands were closed on a Saturday.
Some last minute shopping for charcoal beads in Perth was unsuccessful, but the giant Bunnings at Kingsmeadows had them.
The drive along the A3 (the Tasman Highway) from Launceston to Scottsdale was winding and pretty. This was the view from The Sideling, looking down towards Scottsdale:
Our low cost camping guide suggested a peaceful picnic area as a (no facilities) overnight campsite in the forest just south of Springfield, and we found it quite easily. Yes, it was secluded and private, a large lush meadow hidden in a pine plantation, with solid picnic tables and one remaining functional bbq. We were the only visitors there and loved it.
The picnic area was well sheltered from winds by the surrounding forest, and in the quiet evening we could indulge in some bird watching. I counted: Yellow throated honeyeater; Black cockatoos; Forest raven; Falcon; Black headed honeyeaters, but there were heaps more.
Robert tried out our excellent camping barbecue, and produced a very tasty bbq chicken w potatoes and salad.
After dinner, the coals came in useful to create a toasty campfire:
Timing it well, a light rain started just as we were starting to think about bed, and it was lovely lying in bed listening to the rain on the roof. Handily, there was a little shelter just the right size to keep our bikes dry too :).
Sunday morning was cool and overcast. We hit the town of Scottsdale, hoping to find a good cafe. The town was looking well maintained, with the newsagent, Woollies and a couple of cafes open. I counted three ATMs. Sadly the bakery that had been recommended to us was closed, and we didn't spot the boutique brewery or the bike shop.
At the Information Centre we enquired about how to find the Rail Trail. We were provided with directions, a detailed map and a NE MTB newsletter, a good start. Coffee at the Scottsdale Steak Out was OK.
4km to the east, the Rail Trail is well signposted off the highway at Tonganah, onto Tonganah Rd:
Unfortunately the signage is less helpful at the actual start of the trail. An arrow towards the trail would have been useful, as you could be forgiven for thinking that the ploughed up remains of the old railway line is meant to be the trail. You wouldn't ride a bike along that! The rail trail sign has been vandalised, with the "Motor" part of the "Motorbikes Prohibited" sign peeled off. Clearly there is a bit of competition around here from the trail bikers.
But there is a gravel road departing from the left of the carpark so we decided to see if that would lead us to the rail trail, and it did.
The first section of the trail was fairly smooth, on service roads alongside the old track, and very pleasant riding. There was a sign missing where we should have turned right to cross the old line, and we soon found ourselves back at the highway! Backtracking, we found where we should have turned, and just beyond that we found (at last) a couple of useful signs. Here the track inclines up a small hill and then maintains a very slight incline for several kilometres.
There are some very pretty patches, such as this fern-lined cutting:
Unfortunately, we found the track heavy going, as the gravel was a very coarse size, in patches often 2-3cm.
This made picking our way a bit of a chore, and particularly didn't suit Robert's commuter bike. My hybrid could make it, but it wasn't exactly a relaxing ride. So we turned around after about 3 km and enjoyed the downhill run back to the beginning. MTBs are the best bike for this ride, until the surface is covered with a finer gravel.
Back on the road and heading toward Derby, we saw where the current rail trail ends back at the highway at Billycock Hill. Riders then have to manage on the highway for a short stretch before the trail resumes in the direction of Legerwood. Apparently there are no cafes for end of trip refreshments at Legerwood (take your own coffee!).
In Derby the locals are eagerly awaiting the new world class MTB trails currently under construction there (Cascade Forest Trails), which are due to be launched in mid December. At Hobbyts Dragon Art Co-op, local craftswoman Carla is making bike jewellery - pendants, earrings and keyrings made from wire and buttons. Also chain link bracelets, pendants and earrings. I couldn't resist!
We found the evocative Chinese memorial at Moorina, where the early Chinese miners were cremated or buried. The traditional burial involved the bones being dug up several years later and shipped back to the family home in China. Moorina used to be the main tin mining town in the area - all gone now!
