1-Day around Derby Itinerary options
It’s said ‘A Picture Paints a Thousand Words’, so for our day around Derby itinerary options, we have mainly focussed on the visual. I hope you enjoy the minimal words and maximum photo representation of this beautiful part of Tasmania.
To be honest for a such a small town there is a lot on offer for your day around Derby. I honestly couldn’t choose just one itinerary plan. So what follows are some examples of what is possible to do in a day around Derby.
Whilst Derby is currently renowned for the Mountain Bike Riding tracks available, and they are numerous. However, the town and surrounding area, has so much more to offer. A small break from the bike tracks, may just be warranted.
Alternatively, if you aren’t in town for the bike tracks. You may wish a day or three around Derby, exploring what the area has to offer. Whether it’s old mine areas, waterfalls, good food, or a trip east or west to the coastal towns. We will show you what’s on offer with our images…
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Preview – Best 1-Day Around Derby, Tasmania – Itinerary Guide
Our preview, briefly highlights, the areas you will discover in this photo journal as options available for a day around Derby itinerary. With so much to do, around the area you could plan for a few days to relax and take in the beauty of the area.
- Derby, Tasmania – Getting There – the routes that can be taken, including times and distances.
- The Heritage – uncover the past of Derby, within the old School House
- In and Around Town – take a wander about town and discover some hidden delights
- The Blue Tier – explore the Giant Tree Walk, the Goblin Forest and more around Weldborough
- Pyengana and The Falls – Take a day to explore the falls in the area and Mt Paris Dam
- Halls Falls, Anchor Stamper & Anchor Stamper & Halls Falls on your way East.
- A day to the East – venture towards St Helens and the Bay of Fires
- A day to the West – go west passing Mt Paris Dam towards Scottsdale, Bridport, and Barnbougle
Our pre-travel checklists, get you started on your independent travel journey. With all you need to get you planning your next adventure without missing a deadline.
Derby, Tasmania – Getting There
Derby is approximately, 1.5 hrs drive from Launceston Airport and an hour from St Helens on the east coast. Both are easy driving to begin your day around Derby. When driving from Launceston there are two options that can be taken for your day around Derby. Option one travels through Lilydale, which is the easier drive, whilst option two takes you along The Sidling, which is a winding route.
- Launceston – Derby via Lilydale – Drive: 101 km (63 miles), 1 hour, 23 minutes
- Launceston – Derby via The Sidling – Drive: 94 km (58 miles), 1 hour, 19 minute
- St Helens – Derby – Drive: 65 km (40 miles), 1 hour, 4 minutes
If staying longer than a day, you can opt to get shuttle buses to Derby. There are available from the airport. Alternatively, if based in St Helens there is a selection of shuttles available for daily trips into the area.
Note: Many roads you will travel on in a day around Derby are Gravel, please ensure you have insurance and correct type of vehicle.
The Heritage
Derby has always been a small yet busy town, surveyed in 1855, it became popular in the 1870’s when tin was discovered in the area. With the Krushka Brothers discovering a particularly large tin lode (1876), assuring the economic future of the town.
The historical images published in this post are with the permission of the Dorset Tasmania Historic Society.
In April 1929, disaster stuck the town of Derby, after 5 days of torrential rain. The Brises Dam could no longer hold back torrent of water. Starting to flow over the top of the dam before bursting, flooding the Cascade River, destroying homes, bridges and railway lines all the way into Launceston’s Cataract Gorge. Sadly the flood from the dam bursting is also said to claim 14 lives that were known.
The Derby Schoolhouse Museum
Housed in the heritage school building (1897), the old school house acts as the record keeper to the past. Discover the past with the schoolhouse museum being home to many historical records and artefacts related to the early days of Derby. This eclectic display includes to social as well as much industrial history of the town.
Open 11:00-15:00 Mon-Sat
In and Around Town
As well as a visit to the Schoolhouse museum, there are several other activities that will keep you busy for a day around Derby. Visit the painted stones known as “Trouty”, or the Floating Sauna that overlooks Briseis Hole. Alternatively, take the 3.7km loop trail around Briseis Hole, known as the Derby Lake Loop. There are also longer walking trails available, which are graded as moderate to hard.
A wander through town will take you past the Derby Bank House and, several other older buildings many of which are now self contained accommodations. One of the oldest buildings includes the Dorset Hotel whilst the original building (1883). The hotel building was replaced in 1911, constructed from concrete, bricks and mortar, which likely is what saved it from the 1929 flood.
Don’t forget Derby’s main attraction…Bike Trails, just in case you want a day around Derby on the bike. There are plenty to choose from.
The Food
The options for food on your day around Derby, are varied. Pick up a coffee, snack or light lunch at Two Doors Down Cafe or Elesmere pop up patisseries and providore. For lunch or dinner, try a pizza at The Hub, or burgers across the road at Main Street, and the Dorset hotel has a great menu.
Note: Check opening times as they vary with different seasons.
The Blue Tier
The Blue Tier has both walking and mountain bike tracks, and can fill a full day around Derby on it’s own. The majority of the walking tracks of the Blue Tier Regional Reserve are Grade 4. However, one track, the Goblin Forest Walk is Grade 1, and is also a wheelchair accessible track a short 20 min 400m loop.
There are six other walks, that vary in distance and times. From a walk to the top of Mt Poimona the highest mountain in the Blue Tier (30mins – 1.2km) to the Blue Tier Heritage Trail, following the old pioneer road this is a 4 hours one way journey of 10.5km. Shorter walks of 1.5 – 2 hours are also available in the area.
Weldborough Hotel, nestled at the base of the Blue Tier Reserve, is a great stop for light snacks, lunch or dinner. You will also find a great array of Tasmanian craft beer, cider, wines and spirits to try.
Note: In winter months, daylight hours and climate may limit the walks you are able to accomplish. During any time of the year, ensure you always carry a warm, waterproof jacket.
Grade 1: No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them.
Grade 4: Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
A Great Way to Showcase Your Images
Pyengana and The Falls
Take a leisurely drive travelling east for your day around Derby and you will discover some gorgeous scenic walks and a spectacular waterfall.
St Columba Falls is part of the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Services, 60 Great Short Walks. Offering a short walk (20-30 mins return), with wonderful natural bushland scenery all the way.
After visiting the falls on this day around Derby, a stop at the Pyengana Dairy is a treat. Here you can rest, have a cheese tasting, ice cream if you aren’t a fan of cheese, a light lunch or snack. Enjoying the gorgeous scenery at the back of the farm, you may even see a few cows wandering about near the dairy. The shop is also stocked with local Tasmanian produce to take with you on your day around Derby.
Alternatively, a little further down the road is the iconic Pyengana Pub in the Paddock. This pub was one of Tasmania’s oldest pubs, first licensed in 1880. Here you can get an amazing (massive) pub meal, wander the rooms and discover the history of the pub and area. You can also meet Priscilla and Priscilla II, famous in their own right.
Halls Falls and Anchor Stamper
Just a short distance past Pyengana on your way to the East Coast, turn off onto Anchor Road, to Halls Falls and Anchor Stamper. Another example of nature reclaiming what man abandons.
First stop is Halls Falls, the falls drop from the remnants of the 19th century weir, used during the time when the area was mined for tin. The walk is an easy track, approx an hour return.
Travelling 10 mins further along Anchor Road, you arrive at the car park for Anchor Stamper. The Anchor tin mine was established in the late 1800’s. Having a series of owners throughout it’s life opening and closing several times before permanently closing in 1996. The area the old mine sits is now part of the Blue Tier Regional Reserve, though, remnants of the old mine can still be found a short walk from the car park.
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A Day to the East
Venturing further east for a day around Derby, brings you to the town of St Helens, gateway to the top North East towns of Ansons Bay, Eddystones Point, Musselroe Bay and the Bay of Fires. Additionally, the town gives you access to the North East end of the Tasman Hwy that will continue down the East Coast of Tasmania.
St Helens, became an integral part of the area and it’s connection to Derby was synonymous with the discovery of tin in the late 1800’s. Being the closest port in the north to Derby, for the arriving miners and shipping of tin to mainland Australia.
The St Helens History Room has extensive has extensive displays for viewing. Including a scale model of the Anchor Tin mine, a display dedicated to the Chinese Experience, the Trail of the Tin Dragon as well as maritime and impressive indigenous displays.
A short drive from St Helens is the Bay of Fires and whilst many associate the name with orange coloured rocks (the orange hue is a result of growing lichen), found to dominate the landscape. When in actual fact the name was given to the bay in 1773 when Captain Tobias Furneaux saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches.
Venture to Binnalong bay to view some magnificent scenery, stay a night or two at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat. Where you can take a leisurely bush walk, visit the winery or explore further up the coast. If travelling from the East Coast Tasmania, before getting into your day around Derby, this is also a great place to stop for a day of two.
A Day to the West
Going west of the town has you travelling past Mt Paris dam just under a 15 min drive from Derby, off the beaten track a bit (gravel road). Though it is truly worth the visit, this structure was built in 1936 for the mining industry. To see nature reclaim what man abandoned is an amazing sight.
After which you can continue on to the Ralph Falls turn off at Legerwood which is about a 15-20 min drive (on gravel roads). A walk to the falls is 30mins return or do the full loop past Cash Gorge being 60mins.
Continue further west to Scottsdale and Bridport, both bustling little towns that have charms of their own.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale a small bustling town, that you can stop for a bite to eat at one of the cafes. Home of the original Ellesmere Providore where you can relax for a great coffee, snack or meal. Wander along the paths of Northeast park, where you may spot an elusive platypus or two. Alternatively, visit the RSL Military Museum, Little Rivers Micro Brewery and Darby & Norris Gin distillery are also in town, both have cellar doors available for tastings.
Bridport
Following the road further west of your one day around Derby road trip. You will discover the little town of Bridport. A beautiful town that has Bass Strait as it’s backyard. Wander along the foreshore, to the old jetty and learn a little about the history of the town along the way. Stop at one of the cafes or a trip to the bakery is definitely a must.
Visit the old Church that now houses Bridport Distillery for some liqid refreshments or Little Rivers ale, along with a light meal.
If you fancy a round if golf, you will find world class golf courses at Barnbougle, Bridport. Here you will find 3 golf courses that take you along the coast line. The Lost Farm course also offers a spa to relax and gaze across the dunes to Bass Straight is a great way to spend a day around Derby, the latter is always my choice.
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I am always happy to reply to any comments, suggestions for next articles or a hello. You can contact me through our Social Media or at jeanine@letsgoawandering.com with any questions or comments.
I always love your posts. They make me so excited to travel again! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much and so happy they make you excited to travel…that’s our main aim
How fascinating! I love Tassie and can’t wait to get there again. You have beautiful photos and an informative post. Thank you!
Thank you for reading and I love Tassie also have a wonderful rip when you get back…I hope we can inspire you
Love the info in this post and the photos are amazing! That derby bank house is so cute!
I’m hoping to travel to Tassie next year so I’ll certainly be referring to this post then! Bridport looks stunning and who can say no to a liquid refreshment or two 🙂 thanks for sharing!