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Hobart Intercity Cycleway

Tasmania - South East

Location: Hobart area, 1km from Hobart
Length: 15 km
Surface: Sealed
Start / End: Hobart to Claremont
Public Transport: Bus, Coach
Suitable for:
  • Cycling – Mountain BikesCycling – Mountain Bikes
  • Cycling – Touring and Hybrid BikesCycling – Touring and Hybrid Bikes
  • PramsPrams
  • Scooters and Inline SkatesScooters and Inline Skates
  • WalkingWalking
  • WheelchairsWheelchairs

  • Rail Trail
  • On Road
  • Potential RT
  • Other Trail
  • Former Railway
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This is the best (and safest) way to get into Hobart city from the North or the East of Tasmania. The Hobart Intercity Cycleway runs all the way from Claremont in the North and almost to the CBD. It is a wide concrete path that runs through a bunch of suburbs with plenty of shopping centres, coffee shops and supermarkets nearby. There are a number of road crossings that can be busy during peak hours but otherwise are quite easy to cross with caution.

Coming from the North end of the city, the path runs close to the Cadbury chocolate factory in Claremont (please note that Cadburys no longer have a visitor centre or offer tours); The Tasmanian Transport Museum; the famous (and brilliant) Mona gallery; a local ice cream parlour; garden centre; Cornelian Bay playground (and public toilets); Tasmanian Botanical Gardens; under the Tasman Bridge; and finishing at the Regatta Grounds and Cenotaph. 

It is a much loved path and many Hobart workers use the track every day to commute into work. On the weekends there are stacks of kids on bikes, parents with strollers and early morning road bike pelotons.

Nearby Attractions

  • MONA Museum of old and new art
  • Cadbury Factory at Claremont
  • Tasmanian Transport Museum
  • Many Heritage buildings
  • Hobart historic waterfront and Constitution Dock
  • Cascade Brewery (on the foothills of the mountain )

Last updated: 6 December 2022

Access Points

From the Northern end, access is via Bilton Street, Claremont

At the Southern end, the Hobart Regatta Grounds are at the entry point.

There are also numerous entry points to the path along the route at the various cross-roads.

 

 

Unfortunately at this stage Metro Tasmania bikes do not carry bikes in Hobart.

Do you know of a bike hire or transportation service on this rail trail that should appear here? If so, let us know at admin@railtrails.org.au.

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Background Information

Traditional Owners

We acknowledge the Mouheneener people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is built.

Development and future of the trail

Recently (February 2022) the full concrete path of the cycleway was extended further towards the Regatta Ground grandstand. From there you can ride a short section of bitumen (shared with cars), and travel onto yet another short section of concrete path. This leads to a smooth dirt track and onto a (currently closed) bitumen road that leads to a cycleway towards the Hobart docks. The alternative path that runs over the Cenotaph hill and tracks next to the Brooker Highway is more direct but noisier.

Plans for more permanent extension of the Cycleway through the new Macquarie Point Development are included in long term plans for the precinct. 

At the other (Northern) end of the Cycleway in Claremont, the council plans to extend the cycleway into Austin’s Ferry (further North) and has been negotiating with several stakeholders to form a corridor along the disused single railway line.

Rail line history

The railway between Hobart and Launceston was built by the Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company and was officially opened on 1 November 1876. Because the TMLR had limited finances, the line was built to the narrow (1067 mm) gauge. In 1974, Hobart’s passenger service came to the end of the line, but freight haulage continued. These days, TasRail operates a freight service from Brighton in the south to Western Junction near Launceston.

From its inception the line was known as the Main Line and carried this title until around 1978 when Australian National renamed it the South Line. Despite being in use for over 125 years, only limited deviations have been built and the line follows the original alignment. Track standards have been improved by the use of heavier rail welded into long lengths, steel sleepers and better ballast.

The line remains in service, and sees multiple freight trains most days, these generally operating Burnie to Boyer and Burnie / Launceston to Hobart and return.

Trail descriptions are maintained by volunteers. Please consider a donation to help improve this website. Rail Trails Australia gets no government funding.
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