Launceston: Hollybank Forest Guided Segway Tour with Photos

Forest paths are more fun on two wheels. This 90-minute Hollybank Forest tour lets you glide beneath tall trees without carrying a hiking pack or working up a heavy sweat. I like the small groups of no more than five and the way the guide combines riding instruction with stories about the forest’s history and changing ecosystem. The complimentary digital photos are another useful touch, though the quality and selection may vary.

The tour costs $77 per person, which feels fair if you want a short, guided outdoor activity close to Launceston rather than a full-day adventure. I also like that the route includes different levels of track, from easy sections to more demanding paths. The main point to consider is that the ride may repeat some areas instead of taking you far into the forest, so this is best for a fun introduction to off-road Segway riding, not an extensive forest expedition.

Five things to know before riding

• Hollybank Forest is just north of Launceston: You get a peaceful woodland setting without committing to a long trip or strenuous walk.
• Training is part of the 90 minutes: You are not expected to arrive already knowing how to control a Segway.
• The group is limited to five people: That gives the English-speaking guide room to watch each rider and keep the pace together.
• The weight limit is strict: You must weigh between 45 kilograms and 117 kilograms to take part.
• Photos are included: The tour team takes digital pictures during the ride and provides them on a USB drive.
• The route has easy and more challenging paths: You can expect some variety, although parts of the track may feel repetitive.

Why Hollybank Forest works for a short outdoor tour

Hollybank Forest offers a change of pace from Launceston’s streets, museums, and historic buildings. It is close enough for an easy outing, yet the forest setting gives the experience a clear sense of escape. Instead of walking the whole route, you use a heavy-duty off-road Segway to cover the paths with less physical effort.

I like this format for a half-day holiday schedule. Ninety minutes is long enough to feel like a real activity, but short enough to leave room for lunch, another attraction, or a relaxed afternoon in Launceston. You get fresh air and woodland scenery without needing hiking clothes, specialist outdoor skills, or a full day in the bush.

The forest also gives the guide something to talk about beyond basic riding technique. As you move along the paths, the guide explains the area’s history and the way the ecosystem changes. That adds context to what you see and helps turn a simple ride into a short nature experience.

Still, keep your expectations in check. This is not a long-distance route through every corner of Hollybank Forest. One account found the track repetitive, with several passes over the same sections, and wished for more time farther into the forest. If your main goal is distance and discovery, that limitation matters.

Training comes before the forest ride

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, including training. This is important because the Segway becomes your main way of moving over the tracks, and the guide needs to make sure you can start, stop, steer, and balance before the group heads out.

You do not need previous Segway experience. The safety briefing and equipment are included, and the guide teaches you how to ride before the forest section begins. One especially positive account described the instruction as friendly, clear, and effective, with everyone made to feel welcome.

That training period also helps you settle your nerves. A Segway responds to your body movements, so the first few minutes can feel unfamiliar. Once you understand how to lean and steer, the machine does much of the work. You can then pay attention to the trees, the track, and the guide rather than worrying about every movement.

The group size helps here. With a maximum of five participants, the guide can keep an eye on the riders and deal with questions without trying to manage a large crowd. That is a better setup for first-time riders than a big procession of machines.

You should arrive in comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. No special equipment is needed because the tour supplies the Segway and other necessary gear. The weight requirement is not flexible, so check it before booking: participation is limited to people between 45 and 117 kilograms.

Riding the easy forest paths

After the briefing, the group heads onto Hollybank Forest’s paths. The early sections are likely to feel like a gentle introduction to off-road riding, giving you time to get used to the machine while moving through the trees.

This is where the Segway earns its place. You can cover ground with little effort, and you avoid the sweaty, heavy-legged feeling that can come with a longer forest walk. I like the fact that you can stay active while still enjoying a fairly relaxed pace.

The guide leads the group rather than sending you off alone. You follow the route together, with commentary about the forest’s past and the ecosystem around you. Since the tour is in English, you should be comfortable following spoken instructions and nature information in English.

The setting is tranquil, but the ride is not completely passive. You still need to steer and respond to the surface beneath you. Comfortable footwear gives you a steadier feel, while practical clothing lets you move freely and deal with changing conditions without fuss.

The tour is designed for a wide age range, from 13 to 70 and above, as long as each person meets the other requirements. That does not mean every section will feel equally easy for everyone. The guide takes you along a mix of paths, so some parts may require more concentration and balance than others.

The more demanding sections and route limits

The off-road Segway is built for forest paths, and the tour includes sections described as more challenging. These portions give the activity some bite. If the whole ride stayed flat and simple, it might feel like a slow sightseeing loop. The varied paths make you pay attention and give the ride a little adventure.

At the same time, this is not presented as an extreme activity. The tour is guided, training is included, and the route is suitable for a broad adult age range. You should still be ready to follow instructions and handle a Segway on changing surfaces.

The main drawback is route variety over the full 90 minutes. A rider who wanted to explore farther into the forest found the track repetitive, with the group returning to the same sections more than once. That may happen because of safety, timing, or the need to keep a small group together, but it affects how much new scenery you see.

I would choose this tour for the riding experience first and the forest mileage second. You get the pleasure of moving through the trees on an unusual machine, along with a guide’s commentary. If you picture a long, one-way journey through remote woodland, this may feel too contained.

What the guide adds to the experience

The guide is central to the quality of this outing. You are not simply renting a Segway and following a marked route. The guide handles the safety briefing, teaches the riding technique, sets the pace, and explains Hollybank Forest as you go.

The strongest praise has focused on the guides. One recent rider singled out the guide as awesome, while another found the instruction friendly, clear, and effective. Those details matter because good teaching can make a first Segway ride feel easy and enjoyable.

The guide also shapes the mood of the tour. A small group allows for more direct conversation, so you can ask about the forest or the machine as questions come up. You are less likely to feel anonymous in a group of five than in a large outdoor tour.

The experience is not perfect every time. One account described a moody guide, which suggests that the personal side of the tour can vary. You cannot control the guide’s personality, but the small-group format still gives the activity a more personal structure than a large group ride.

The digital photos: a useful extra with limits

The tour team takes digital photos during the outing and gives you the images on a USB drive at the end. This is a nice extra, especially if you want proof that you actually managed the forest paths rather than simply watched someone else ride.

The photos can also solve a common problem with active tours. You may not want to stop repeatedly to handle your own phone, and taking pictures while controlling a Segway is not ideal. Having the team document parts of the ride lets you focus on steering and the scenery.

I would treat the photo package as a bonus, not the main reason to book. The selection and camera work may be uneven. One account described receiving many images, but also noted blurry pictures, shots of the backs of heads, and a large number of trees and other forest details. That means you may get several good keepsakes, but you should not expect a polished professional photo session.

The USB format is practical, though you may need an adapter or computer access if you mainly use a phone or tablet. The supplied information confirms that the photos are digital and delivered on a USB drive, but it does not specify the exact number, file type, or delivery process.

Is $77 a fair price for 90 minutes?

At $77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see trees around Launceston. You are paying for more than access to a forest path, though. The price covers the Segway, equipment, safety briefing, instruction, a live English-speaking guide, the small-group format, and digital photos.

That package makes the cost easier to justify for someone who wants a guided activity with very little preparation. You do not need to bring specialist gear, arrange a route, or learn to operate the machine on your own. The guide also adds information about the forest, which gives the ride more purpose than a basic equipment rental.

Value depends on what you want from the outing. If you enjoy trying unusual transport and like guided nature activities, $77 is reasonable for a compact experience. If you mainly want a long forest walk or extensive route coverage, the repeated sections could make the price feel high.

The small group is one of the better value points. A maximum of five people means your money buys a more personal experience, with closer instruction and less waiting for a large line of riders. I would especially value that arrangement if you are new to Segways or slightly nervous about balance.

The free cancellation policy also reduces the risk of booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your Launceston plans are still moving around.

Who will enjoy this Hollybank outing?

I would recommend this tour to adults and older teenagers who want a light outdoor activity without a major physical demand. It suits first-time Segway riders, couples, small groups of friends, and families with children aged 13 or older who meet the weight requirement.

It is also a good fit if you want a short break from urban sightseeing. You get woodland air, a bit of skill-building, and a guided ride, all within 90 minutes. The age range is broad, from 13 to 70 and above, which makes it possible for several generations to enjoy the same activity if everyone is comfortable on the machine.

You may want to choose something else if you are pregnant, under 13, outside the 45 to 117 kilogram weight range, or looking for a long and varied trek. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, and the weight limits are strict.

I would also think twice if photography is your main goal. The team does provide images, but the package may include plenty of scenery shots and some blurry or poorly framed pictures. Bring your own camera only if you can carry it safely and still follow the riding instructions.

Practical advice for a smoother ride

Wear comfortable shoes with enough support for standing and steering. Choose comfortable clothes rather than anything restrictive, since you will be riding over off-road paths and may need to shift your weight.

Allow the full 90 minutes, including the training. Do not judge the activity by the first few minutes, when you are still learning the controls. The instruction is part of the experience, not wasted time before the real ride.

Listen closely when the guide explains how to control the Segway. The machine is designed to feel like an extension of your body, but that only happens after you learn how small movements affect your speed and direction.

Expect a mixture of path types. Some sections should be easy, while others may require more attention. If you are unsure about a particular section, ask the guide rather than trying to prove anything. The point is to enjoy the forest safely, not to race.

Finally, keep the photos in perspective. They are a free record of the activity, and you may get some excellent images, but the package is not guaranteed to be consistently sharp or well composed.

Should you book the Hollybank Segway Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, guided introduction to off-road Segway riding near Launceston. The strongest reasons are the small group, included training, gentle access to Hollybank Forest, and guide-led explanation of the area. High scores from most participants and repeated praise for the instruction support that choice.

Be more cautious if you need a long route with fresh scenery around every bend. The track can repeat, and the photo package may be hit or miss. At $77, the tour offers fair value for a compact activity, especially if you care more about the unusual ride and personal guidance than covering a large amount of forest.

For the right person, this is an easygoing way to add motion and woodland time to a Tasmania itinerary. Check the weight rules, wear sensible clothes, and book it as a 90-minute adventure rather than a full forest expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Hollybank Forest Segway Tour last?

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

Where does the tour take place?

It takes place in Hollybank Forest in Underwood, a short drive north of Launceston in Tasmania, Australia.

Is Segway training included?

Yes. The activity includes a safety briefing, training, the Segway, and all necessary equipment.

What is the minimum age?

Children under 13 cannot take part. The tour is suitable for participants aged 13 and above, subject to the other requirements.

Is there a weight requirement?

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

Are digital photos included?

Yes. The tour team takes digital photographs during the experience and provides them on a USB drive.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.