railtrack riders

We visited the Railtrack Riders site at National Park. Driving by, it looked very well set up and seemed like it would be an interesting addition to our Tasmanian adventure.My twin 13 year old boys and I quickly set up camp and went to investigate, images of old school rail workers running through our minds.Arriving at the office we were quite excited. The staff member who explained the procedure struggled to string a sentence together and when the tractor driver arrived we were even more worried. Between the pair of them you could see how the jokes about inbred Tasmanians had their beginnings.Regardless we finally got underway, the ride was 5 kilometres each way and because it ended up being quite difficult, for even my very fit boys in tandem, to pedal the cart for any distance we ended up being pushed along with a rail converted ride-on mower roaring in our ears. The track was similar to most railway lines, weed strewn without much of any interest to look at.In all it was quite a disappointing experience, particularly considering the effort the designers had gone to trying to develop an interesting tourist attraction. A great idea that didn't quite deliver. You will enjoy a walk around the waterfall tracks a great deal more.

My children had a wonderful experience in travelling along the Maydena Rail-riders. There were many giggles and a great adventure spent by both of them. The operators were very friendly and I would recommend everyone staying at the 'Maydena Chalet' to have a ride. You are able to book the accomodation at stayz.com or booking.com and the the rail-ride at the Hub in Maydena.Kind regards and happy holidaysJen

This is an enjoyable trip. You can ride as hard or as easy as you like, with the push tractor never too far behind. The hosts are knowledgeable and friendly. They are looking to extend the journey down to National Park, and I'll definitely do the longer journey when it's available.

Great fun, riding along a section of disused rail track in pedal carts, with a helping push from a repurposed ride-on lawnmower for the uphill parts or when you are feeling lazy. We had two 2 person carts and had a nice 90 minutes or so. At the end of the track where you turn around there is an informative display on local forestry history, and a nice little bushwalk. If you are up in this area visiting Mt Field, this would be a great addition to your day. Hopefully their plans to extend the track will work out.

You just have to do this. You pedal a special pedal car through the Tasmanian rain forest. All fairly flat so easy to pedal but if you have any difficulty they have a little powered cart to push you. Ron the assistant was brilliant, he was well informed and had a great laconic Tasmanian personality. At the turn around point you get to go for a walk through the rain forest and whilst we didn't get to see the platypus we did get to see where its nest in the bank was. The ride and the walk are a must do. We couldn't stop talking about it for the rest of the day.

We had a great time here.It's a great way to see some of the local history and get a little bit of exercise!I'm glad they give you a little push up the 'steep' sections! The rail carts are a clever bit of local engineering and ire good to see someone preserving a bit of this now unused rail infrastructure.The operators were friendly and had a lot of knowledge of the area and the kids loved looking for the 'secret' at the end of the line.A must-do experience. Make due you book beforehand to avoid disappointment!

This is GREAT! Went there yesterday with ten other family and it was the best fun we've had all holiday. I love the way they've made something of the old railway that seems to follow the river all the way up from New Norfolk. I loved the exhilaration and silliness of seeing everyone pedalling like crazy but the location is fantastic too - this isn't just a railway it's a wonderfully scenic one. Once we reached Florentine Station, we were told that there was a surprise in the woods. My four year old was disappointed that the surprise was a genuine Tassie Tiger lair and not a biscuit! I found 'Benjamin's Den' fascinating, it felt a privilege to be walking the same ground where some of the last tigers ever seen once walked. The small exhibition at Florentine Station focuses on tigers and the logging industry and all in all it was a refreshingly different day out. Thank you Railtrack Riders!

we have just been to maydena to the rail riders tour. If you are not familiar with them, they are steel frames with train wheels that you pedal along a stretch of disused track. We arrived and were greeted by Ian who went over the riders and gave us a short safety briefing and little history of the them and the town of maydena. them we were off pedalling our car which was a 2 seater they also have four seater versions as well. After clearing the only level crossing we entered the cool forest, this was the best fun on our holiday there are a few hills but Ian followed us on his motorised tractor to give us a push if you have trouble. We arrived at florentine station where you stretch your legs and get told a bit of history abot the area then go for a short walk in the forest and be on the lookout for a tassie tiger!!. We got to help Ian turn the rail riders for the trip back to maydena. We stopped on the way back next to some old cement silos for another talk before arriving back at Maydena. What an amazing attraction, the people of maydena should be commended on what they are doing for their community again thank you for a great day and thank you to Ian for making it such fun

Pedal power rail carts (with motor help if needed), the track runs beside old timber and workshop sites deep into cool rainforest where Thylacines once roamed. The interpretation centre and guides, remplit with history stories and photos of wood-getting, and an easy forest walk beside the stream, running clear on our visit after rain, was a break to cherish. A lively break from watching the platypusseseses in the dreamy Maydena lakes