From underwater adventures, to epic new MTB trails, and skydiving over the kanamaluka / Tamar River – there’s a lot of adventure on offer in the Wild Tamar.

 

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on Lutruwita, the traditional Country of the Palawa people who occupied and cared for this land and water for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Just a 35 minute drive north of Launceston, the Wild Tamar region is Tasmania’s newest adventure hub. Base yourself in George Town, or on the coast at Low Head, for a gnarly long weekend down in Tassie.

Get ready to choose-your-own-adventure when you  visit – or why not try them all? Load up the bikes and send it on freshly made MTB tracks in the Tippogoree Hills. Scuba dive to explore sponge gardens and look for seahorses. Or try another kind of dive – skydiving from 10,000 feet in the air! There’s also some of the best sport climbing in the state.

We love a good adventure destination and the Wild Tamar delivers with all these thrill-seeking activities on offer close to town.

1.  Scuba Diving in the kanamaluka / Tamar River

The Wild Tamar region has some of the best and most accessible scuba diving in Tasmania. There are some excellent shore dives in the kanamaluka / Tamar River – which is actually a saltwater tidal estuary.

 

 

The water level rises and falls with the tide and it’s home to a host of interesting sea creatures. 

From York Cove in George Town you can dive The Avon tugboat wreck. Here you can cruise through a giant kelp forest and look for seahorses amongst the sponge gardens.

 

 

Another great shore dive is The Monument, where you can spot seahorses, cuttlefish, and octopus.

If you’re not qualified to go it alone, check out Tasmanian Divers Group who coordinates regular dives. Their website also has details of where, when, and how to dive these sites and others in the area. 

2. Riding World-class Mountain Biking Trails

Northeastern Tassie is known for its epic mountain bike trails and the Wild Tamar region should definitely be on your list. There are two different trail networks that make up the George Town Mountain Bike Trails – both within a ten minute drive of George Town. The trails at both networks cater to beginners and pros, with a mix of green, blue and black runs.

 

 

Mt George is divided into two areas – the Summit Trails and East Peak Trails – with a traverse to connect the two. The 16 kilometres of singletrack features red dirt, techy descents, flowy berms, and a lot of rock with views out over the ocean.

The first section of the Tippogoree Hills network has just opened this month. There’s currently 22km of track ready to ride – with a planned 57km when complete. This network has more backcountry-style riding – with rugged terrain, longer descents and plenty of slabby rock features.

Both networks have climbing tracks or Send It MTB Shuttles runs uplift services that will keep you riding all day. Stay in George Town for an epic riding weekend and you’ll even find a brand new pump track in town to get some practice in.

Hot Tip: George Town Mountain Biking Trails are a great first stop on a tour of northern Tasmania’s epic MTB trails. You can easily link up the MTB trails in the Wild Tamar region with a visit to Derby and St Helens as well.

3. Skydiving Over Tasmania’s Coastline

Skydiving might just be the ultimate thrill in the Wild Tamar region. If falling from 10,000 feet sounds like your kind of adventure – get in touch with Tasmania Skydivers.

They have the only all-inclusive tandem skydiving experience in Tasmania – with some epic island views on the descent.

 

 

You can enjoy Tassie’s rugged northern coastline from above – once you’ve gotten over the initial freefall! Expect to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h before opening the parachute and catching views of the Low Head Lighthouse, George Town, and the kanamaluka / Tamar River while gliding back down to earth.

After more chill activities? Read: Guide to a Weekend Escape in Wild Tamar

4. Tackling Tassie’s Best Sport Climbing Crag

Hillwood Rock in the Wild Tamar is the largest, and arguably best, sport climbing area in Tasmania. The long-extinct volcano is an impressive sport climbing crag, with almost 150 routes bolted into the basalt rock.

Grades range from 15 to 28 and include razor crimps, slopers, large blocks, roofs and a heap of side pulls to choose from.

 

 

This is a great destination as, unlike a lot of Tassie’s climbing spots, Hillwood Rock is climbable most of the year. The cliffs face in all directions giving you options in most wind conditions.

Note: The Hillwood Rock climbing area is currently closed, but you can keep an eye on the Wild Tamar website for updates on when it is expected to reopen.

Wild Tamar FAQs

Where can I skydive in Tasmania?

George Town, 35 minutes’ drive from Launceston, is the only place to do an all-inclusive tandem skydive in Tasmania.

Where is the Hillwood Rock climbing area located?

Hillwood is a 25 minute drive from Launceston, on the way to George Town. Although the climbing area is currently closed, the Council is working with the landowner to reopen it to climbers.

Are the George Town Mountain Bike Tracks open?

The Mt George trail network is currently open, as well as stage one of the Tippogoree Hills MTB Trails. The remaining trails are expected to open in 2023 – giving the region more than 70 kilometres of fresh MTB tracks to ride.

What is kanamaluka?

kanamaluka is the original name given to the Tamar River in palawa kani – the language of First Nations Tasmanians.

Where can I stay in George Town?

We reckon the Pier Hotel in George Town is a great base for Wild Tamar adventures – you finish a thrill-seeking day at the onsite Lounge Bar, with a local Tassie micro-brew in hand. Or, for easy and affordable accommodation, set up your swag or book into a cabin at the Low Head Tourist Park at the mouth of the kanamaluka / Tamar River.

 

As if Tassie’s national parks, wilderness hikes, and rugged coastal views weren’t enough! The Wild Tamar region is proving that there are plenty more thrills to be had in Tasmania for all kinds of adventurers.

 

All photos thanks to Wild Tamar