Launceston: Hollybank Forest Guided Segway Tour with Photos

Hollybank Forest is a fine place to try an off-road Segway. You glide under tall trees, follow quiet forest tracks, and hear about the area’s changing ecosystem without carrying a pack or working up a serious sweat. I especially like the small groups of up to five and the clear training session, which helps first-time riders feel at home quickly.

The other strong point is the complimentary digital photography. The tour team takes pictures during the ride, so you can keep your hands on the controls and still leave with a record of the outing. The main caution is that the route may feel repetitive, and some photos may be more useful as souvenirs than as polished travel pictures.

Key points at a glance

• Ride beneath Hollybank’s tall forest canopy on an off-road Segway route just north of Launceston.
• Train before setting off, with all equipment and a safety briefing included.
• Travel in a group of no more than five, giving the guide room to help each rider.
• Hear about forest history and changing ecosystems as you move through the tracks.
• Receive digital photographs after the tour, though image quality may vary.
• Check the weight rules carefully: riders must weigh between 45 and 117 kilograms and be at least 13 years old.

Riding into Hollybank Forest

This is a short, active way to see Hollybank Forest without committing to a long walk. The Segway carries much of the physical load, leaving you free to watch the trees, listen to the guide, and concentrate on the changing surface beneath you.

The setting is the main attraction. Hollybank lies in Underwood, a short drive north of Launceston, and the tour takes you along forest paths beneath a tall canopy. You are not simply riding around an open recreation area. The route leads into the forest, where the trees and track shape the experience.

I like the way a Segway changes your pace. You cover more ground than you would on foot, yet you still move slowly enough to notice the forest around you. You may see a wallaby or other wildlife, but sightings are not promised, so book this for the ride and the woodland setting rather than for a wildlife guarantee.

The tour lasts about 90 minutes, including instruction. That makes it easy to fit into a Launceston day alongside other activities. It also means the outing has a clear limit. You get a taste of Hollybank rather than an all-day forest expedition.

The first minutes: training and safety

The opening training matters more than it may sound. A Segway responds to your body position, so you need a few minutes to understand how leaning changes your movement and how to stop with control.

Your guide gives a safety briefing and teaches you to use the equipment before you head onto the forest paths. This is especially useful if you have never ridden a Segway. One of the strongest parts of the experience is the way the instruction is handled: the guide explains the controls clearly, checks that the group is comfortable, and creates a welcoming start.

The small group size helps here. With a maximum of five participants, the guide can pay attention to individual riders instead of giving one broad explanation and sending everyone off at once. If you feel awkward at first, you have a better chance of getting help before the route becomes more demanding.

Wear comfortable clothes and closed, comfortable shoes. The supplied information does not list a formal dress code beyond that, but sensible footwear will make it easier to stay balanced and relaxed on the tracks.

You must weigh between 45 and 117 kilograms. This is a strict operating requirement, not a minor suggestion, so check it before booking. Children under 13 cannot join, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women.

Easy tracks before more testing ground

Once everyone has completed the training, the guide leads the group onto the forest paths. The tracks range from easy to more challenging, so the ride has some variety rather than staying on one flat surface from start to finish.

The easier sections let you settle into the Segway. You can focus on looking ahead, steering smoothly, and getting used to the way the machine moves over an off-road surface. This is also where the forest atmosphere has the most room to sink in. You glide rather than hike, with the guide adding information as the group moves.

The more difficult sections give the ride its adventure edge. They are not described in detail, so you should expect changes in the path rather than a named obstacle course. If you are uncertain about your balance, tell the guide early. The training and group format are designed to support beginners, but you still need to ride within your comfort level.

The route is not presented as an extreme test. It is better understood as a guided forest outing with a bit of skill and movement added. That balance makes it suitable for a wide age range, from 13-year-olds to people in their 70s and beyond, provided they meet the weight rules and can safely take part.

What the guide adds to the ride

A guide makes this more than a vehicle rental. As you move through Hollybank, the guide talks about the forest’s history and its changing ecosystem. That context gives you something to listen for as you ride, especially if you are not familiar with Northern Tasmania’s woodland environments.

The guide also keeps the practical side moving. You receive instruction, follow different paths, and get help with the Segway as needed. The quality of this human element matters a great deal. The available feedback points to a friendly, clear, and effective teaching style, with the guide helping everyone feel welcome.

That praise is worth taking seriously because Segway tours can go wrong at the start if the instruction is rushed. Here, the guide’s role is not decorative. It shapes how quickly you gain confidence and how much attention you can give the forest.

Still, do not expect a long natural-history lecture. The tour lasts only 90 minutes, and much of that time includes training and riding. The information is there to add meaning to the route, not to turn the outing into a formal ecology class.

The route: peaceful, but possibly repetitive

Hollybank provides a calm setting, and the ride takes you along several paths through the forest. The quiet is part of the appeal. You are away from city traffic and moving through a wooded area at a pace that feels unhurried.

The tradeoff is route variety. Some riders find that the group returns to the same sections more than once and would prefer to travel farther into the forest. That is the most useful point to keep in mind when deciding how to spend your money.

If you want a short introduction to off-road Segway riding, repeated sections may not bother you. They can give you time to improve your handling and enjoy the setting without rushing. If you are booking mainly to cover a large stretch of Hollybank, the tour may feel limited.

I would treat the itinerary as a controlled forest circuit, not a point-to-point journey. You get a sample of the area, a lesson in Segway handling, and a guide-led look at the local ecosystem. That is a solid fit for a first ride, but less ideal for someone seeking a long, varied trek.

Photos you can keep after the ride

The tour team takes photographs during the outing and provides digital images afterward. This is a practical extra because you do not need to stop constantly to use your own phone. You can focus on riding while the guide or tour team records parts of the experience.

The pictures also help preserve the memory of an activity that is hard to photograph while you are doing it. A Segway ride looks better from the outside than from behind the controls, and having someone else handle the camera is useful.

Keep your expectations sensible. The supplied feedback includes a large batch of images, but some were shaky, poorly framed, or focused on the backs of riders’ heads and general forest details. You may receive plenty of photographs, but quantity does not guarantee a set of frame-worthy portraits.

I would regard the photos as a free bonus, not a reason to pay for the tour by itself. If you get several sharp pictures of you riding beneath the trees, that is a welcome extra. If the images are uneven, the main value still comes from the guided ride and the forest setting.

Is $77 a fair price?

At $77 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to spend 90 minutes near Launceston. The price includes the Segway, safety briefing, training, guide, equipment, and digital photographs, so you are paying for a managed activity rather than simply access to a path.

The small group makes the price easier to justify. With no more than five people, the guide can spend time on instruction and help riders through the different track sections. A larger group would likely feel less personal, especially during the opening lesson.

The value also depends on what you want from the outing. For a visitor who likes active sightseeing but does not want a long hike, this gives you a memorable way to reach the forest. For someone who mainly wants to walk among trees or cover a lot of distance, a short tour with some repeated sections may not feel as strong.

The photos add a little value, but I would not use them to make the booking decision. Think of the $77 as covering a guided, beginner-friendly off-road experience with equipment provided. That is reasonable if you enjoy trying unusual ways to see nature and can accept the limited duration.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this tour to first-time Segway riders, couples, small families with teenagers, and active adults who want something lighter than a long hike. The age range is broad, but every participant needs to meet the weight requirements and be comfortable taking part in a moving outdoor activity.

It also works well for a Launceston itinerary that needs one short excursion. The 90-minute duration leaves room for other plans, and the forest is only a short drive north of the city.

You may want to skip it if you are pregnant, under 13, outside the required weight range, or looking for a full day in the bush. It may also disappoint you if you expect a polished photography session or a long journey into untouched parts of the forest.

The tour is conducted in English. That is important if you want to follow the safety instructions and understand the guide’s explanations about the forest.

Booking is flexible, with cancellation allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Launceston schedule is still shifting.

My verdict on the Hollybank ride

I like this tour because it makes forest sightseeing active without making it punishing. The Segway removes much of the effort of walking, while the off-road tracks keep the outing more interesting than a simple paved ride.

The best parts are the careful training, the small group, and the guide’s role in making the ride approachable. The main weaknesses are the limited 90-minute format, some repeated track sections, and photographs that may be uneven.

Book it if you want a friendly introduction to off-road Segway riding in a quiet Tasmanian forest. Skip it if your priority is distance, challenging adventure, or professional-quality photos. At $77, it is a fair choice for a compact, guided nature activity, especially when you value ease, instruction, and a little novelty.

FAQ

Where does the Segway tour take place?

The tour takes place in Hollybank Forest in Underwood, a short drive north of Launceston in Tasmania.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, or 1.5 hours, including the training session.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Segway tour, an English-speaking guide, a safety briefing, training, all necessary equipment, and complimentary digital photographs.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $77 per person.

Is training provided before the ride?

Yes. The experience includes training and a safety briefing before you follow the forest paths.

How large is the group?

The tour is a small-group activity limited to five participants.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide conducts the tour in English.

What weight limits apply?

Participants must weigh at least 45 kilograms and no more than 117 kilograms.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 13 are not permitted to take part.

Are digital photos included?

Yes. The tour team takes photographs during the activity and provides complimentary digital photos afterward.