Rocherlea Rail Trail

Trail

Rocherlea Rail Trail

Type:	Rail trail
Location:	Launceston, 198km from Hobart
Start/end:	Rocherlea to Mowbray and Inveresk
Status:	Open
Length open:	4km
Surface:	Sealed
Contact Region:	Northern Tasmania

A nice cutting along the trail (Nov 2012))

Start of trail at Southern end (Nov 2012)

Riding along the trail (Nov 2012)

Details

Features

It is possible to use this trail all the way from Rocherlea into the city of Launceston. However you will need to use the roads to get around the racecourse at the moment due to a missing bridge behind the racecourse.

The trail features some nice cuttings and embankments at the Rocherlea end
The Rocherlea end of the trail is sealed with a good surface
Good views of the disused rail line adjacent to the trail
Good views of the city of Launceston
Ride the tourist tram at the Inveresk Cultural Precinct
Visit Australia's largest regional museum, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

Description

Access Points

Rocherlea at Hume St, off George Town Road
Mowbray at Dover St adjacent to a small park called the Dover Village Recreation ground
Inveresk Cultural precinct

The Rocherlea Rail Trail is a sealed trail that follows the old railway between Mowbray and Rocherlea. The trail links to an existing walking and cycling path starting at Vermont Rd and follows the Tamar River to Inveresk, in the port area near the centre of Launceston. It will form a good commuter link for people from the suburbs of Rocherlea and Mowbray.

The trail starts near the end of Hume St, off George Town Rd in Rocherlea. From here you can walk or cycle about 4 Km toward Launceston on a sealed trail. The old disused freight railway to Tonganah is on the left and urban housing and sports fields are on the right. The trail ends at a dam behind the racecourse but it is easier to get off the trail at the end of Dover St in Mowbray.

Another sealed section of trail has been built between Vermont Rd and Remount Rd. The trail finishes at this point as a local trucking company has fenced and taken over the railway corridor behind the racecourse. To get around the racecourse, use the local streets to get to Vemount and Remount Rds. On the other side of the racecourse the old railway formation continues on to host a gravel trail along the top of the flood levee another 2 km to Inveresk. The track along the flood levee and boardwalk along the river at Inveresk is temporarily closed due to construction work, a nice alternative is to ride alongside the old tram line through the centre of Inveresk. However, be aware of the rails and the tourist tram. Near the end of the tram line you can visit the Launceston Tramway Museum, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery or connect with further trails.

For more information on this trail see the book Rail Trails of Tasmania.