Blue Tier Regional Reserve rises above Weldborough and Lottah in north-east Tasmania. Rainforest, exposed high country and the remains of tin mining make it a varied walking and mountain-biking area rather than a single lookout.

Match the track to your day

The 400-metre Goblin Forest circuit is a Grade 1 accessible walk. Mount Poimena is short but Grade 4, while the 4.4-kilometre Australia Hill Circuit and 10.5-kilometre one-way Heritage Trail require bushwalking experience. Distance alone does not describe steepness, surface or exposure.

Dense wet forest and a small waterfall in Tasmania
Cool wet forest is one of the Blue Tier’s contrasting environments.Thomas & Olivia Williams, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Weather changes quickly

The plateau can be cold, foggy and wet when the coast is fine. Carry warm and waterproof layers, water, food and navigation. Tell someone your route and turn back if cloud, wind or track conditions make progress unsafe.

Cassiterite from the Blue Tier tinfield
Tin ore drove mining across the tier and left fragile heritage sites.Ralph Bottrill, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mining heritage is fragile

Tin extraction reshaped parts of the Blue Tier. Shafts, races, machinery sites and disturbed ground remain in the forest. Stay on marked routes, keep out of openings and leave artefacts where they are.

Main Street in nearby Derby
Derby is a regional base for riders and north-east travel.jacobharrisau, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Poimena is reached by narrow roads used by cars, trailers and bike shuttles. Drive slowly and avoid night travel for wildlife. Camping is prohibited throughout the reserve, including Poimena. Use authorised tracks for riding and check current Parks Tasmania alerts before leaving Weldborough or Derby.