Launceston: Hollybank Forest Guided Segway Tour with Photos

A heavy-duty Segway lets you cover Hollybank Forest without carrying a pack or working up a sweat. You glide beneath the tall trees while your guide explains the forest’s past and its changing ecosystem, with enough path variety to keep the ride active.

I like the small limit of five people, since learning to control a Segway is easier when the guide can watch each rider. I also like the included digital photographs, a useful extra for an activity where you may not want to stop and handle your own camera. The main drawback is that parts of the route can feel repetitive, and the quality of the photos may vary.

Key points at a glance

• A 90-minute forest ride: The time includes training, so you get a clear introduction before setting off.
• Off-road Segways: The machines are built for forest paths, with routes ranging from easy sections to more challenging stretches.
• Small groups of five: You receive direct help rather than riding in a large line of people.
• A guide adds context: The tour covers Hollybank Forest’s history and its changing ecosystem, not just Segway controls.
• Photos are included: The team takes digital photographs during the ride and provides them afterward on a USB drive.
• Clear age and weight limits: Riders must be at least 13 and weigh between 45 and 117 kilograms.

Riding beneath Hollybank’s tall trees

Hollybank Forest sits in Underwood, a short drive north of Launceston. The setting gives you a quick change from city sightseeing to quiet woodland paths without committing to a long walk or a full-day outing.

The appeal is simple. You move through the forest at a steady pace, standing on the Segway rather than hiking over the same ground. The trees rise above you, and the machine handles the work of carrying you along the route. You still need to pay attention and shift your weight, but the activity is less physically demanding than a long forest walk.

I see this as a good fit for a day when you want fresh air and a touch of adventure but do not want to arrive at your next stop tired and sweaty. The tour is short enough to fit around other Launceston plans, yet long enough to give you a proper taste of Hollybank Forest.

The setting also gives the guide something useful to talk about. This is not only a lesson in steering and stopping. You hear about the forest’s history and the way its ecosystem changes over time, which helps turn a pleasant ride into a more informed visit.

Training first, forest ride second

The 90-minute duration includes training, safety instructions, and the ride itself. That matters because the Segway can feel unfamiliar at first. You control it through body movement, so the early practice gives you a chance to learn how forward and backward shifts affect speed and direction.

The guide also supplies the necessary equipment and leads the safety briefing. With only five participants, the setup should feel more personal than a large commercial group. You have a better chance to ask a quick question, repeat a movement, or get help before the group reaches the more demanding paths.

You do not need to arrive as an experienced rider. The activity is designed for beginners, and the guide teaches you how to use the machine before taking you into the forest. Still, do not treat the training as something to rush through. Your comfort during the rest of the ride depends on getting the basic movements right.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You need enough freedom of movement to balance and steer, but there is no need to dress for a strenuous hike. The tour supplies the Segway and safety gear, so your main job is to arrive ready to listen and ride.

What the route feels like on an off-road Segway

Once training is complete, the group follows different paths through Hollybank Forest. The route includes easy sections and more challenging stretches, giving the ride some physical variety without turning it into a technical sport.

The Segway changes how you notice the forest. On foot, you may focus on each step, roots, and uneven ground. On the machine, you can look farther ahead and pay more attention to the tall trees and the quiet around the track. At the same time, you still need to scan the path and adjust your balance, so this is not a passive sightseeing ride.

The guide controls the pace and explains what you are seeing along the way. That keeps the outing from becoming a simple circuit through the trees. You get a sense of how the forest works and how its character has shifted over time.

There is one fair limitation. The route may use the same sections more than once, and some riders may wish they went farther into the forest. If you are booking mainly for a long-distance woodland expedition, this may feel contained. If you want a compact introduction with instruction and photographs included, the route is more suitable.

The changing path difficulty also means you should expect some variation in how confident you feel. The easier sections help you settle into the Segway. The more challenging parts add interest, but you should follow the guide’s instructions rather than focus on speed or trying to show off.

The guide makes the difference

The guide has two jobs here: teaching you to ride and helping you understand Hollybank Forest. The first job is practical. Clear instruction matters, especially during the early minutes when your feet and body are learning a new control system.

The second job is what gives the activity its sense of place. A forest ride can otherwise become a pleasant but forgettable loop. Explanations about local history and ecosystem changes help you connect the trees and paths with a larger story.

The strongest feedback about the tour points to the guide’s friendly manner and clear teaching. That is important for a small-group activity. You are not simply following a signposted route with equipment handed over at the start. You rely on the guide to set the tone, explain the controls, and make the group feel comfortable.

The quality of the guiding can also shape the pace. A good guide gives nervous riders time to settle in while keeping confident riders interested. Since the group can include anyone from age 13 to riders over 70, the ability to handle different comfort levels matters.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular person. The practical expectation is an English-speaking live guide leading the whole outing.

Photos included, with one important caveat

The tour team takes photographs during the forest ride, then provides digital images on a USB drive. This is a useful touch. You can concentrate on riding instead of trying to hold a phone while balancing, and you leave with a record of the activity.

The photos may show you moving along the tracks, riding beneath the trees, or taking part in the group. For many people, that is worth something on its own. Segway tours are difficult to photograph from the rider’s point of view, and the included service removes that problem.

Keep your expectations sensible, though. The photographs are a complimentary extra, not a professional photography session. Some images may be less sharp or less personal than you hope, and you may receive a generous mix of forest pictures along with rider shots. If the photo package is a major reason you are booking, treat it as a bonus rather than the main product.

The USB format is also worth noting. You receive digital photographs to take home, rather than a printed souvenir. Make sure your preferred device can access files from a USB drive when you return home.

Is $77 a fair price?

At $77 per person, this sits above the cost of simply walking through a forest, but the comparison is not quite fair. The price covers a guided activity, Segway use, training, safety equipment, interpretation, and digital photographs.

You are also paying for access to a form of movement that lets you cover forest paths with less effort than hiking. For visitors with limited time near Launceston, the 90-minute format can make sense. You get a planned outing without spending half a day on transport or a long trail.

The value is strongest if you want three things at once: a guided nature visit, a small dose of adventure, and photos to take home. It is weaker if you already have your own outdoor plans and mainly want a long, quiet walk. The tour also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, which can make the price easier to fit into a changing Tasmania schedule.

I would judge the price by the quality of the instruction and the amount of forest time, not by the photographs alone. If the guide helps you ride confidently and adds useful local context, the package feels reasonably balanced. If you expect a large route or polished photography, the value may feel less convincing.

Who should book this ride?

This tour suits people who want an active outdoor experience without a hard hike. You can enjoy the forest while standing and steering, rather than carrying a heavy day pack over uneven paths.

It is also a good choice for mixed-age groups. The stated age range runs from 13 to 70 and older, provided each rider meets the weight requirement and can follow the safety instruction. The small group helps keep the experience manageable for people with different levels of confidence.

You should consider it if:

• You have about 90 minutes available near Launceston.
• You like guided nature outings with a practical activity built in.
• You are curious about Segways but have never used one.
• You want photographs without having to take them yourself.
• You prefer a small group to a large tour.
• You are comfortable with some easy and more challenging forest paths.

It is less suitable if you are pregnant, under 13, below 45 kilograms, or above 117 kilograms. Those limits are strict, so check them before paying. You may also want another activity if your main aim is a long trek far into the forest or a route with constant new scenery.

Timing, clothing, and practical details

The total activity lasts about 1.5 hours, including training. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. Comfortable shoes are essential, and comfortable clothes are recommended. The operator provides all necessary equipment, including the Segway and safety gear.

The weight range is 45 to 117 kilograms. Children under 13 cannot take part, and pregnant women should not book. These are not minor preferences, so confirm that every member of your party qualifies before making plans around the outing.

The group is limited to five participants. That keeps the experience personal, though it also means spaces may be limited on popular dates. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later.

My take: a smart short outing near Launceston

I would book the Hollybank Forest Segway Tour if I wanted a guided woodland activity that was easy to fit into a Launceston itinerary. The training, small group, and guide-led forest interpretation give it more substance than simply hiring equipment and following a path.

The best parts are the chance to see Hollybank Forest with little physical strain and the friendly, clear instruction that helps beginners feel at home on the Segway. The photographs are a pleasant extra, but I would not make them the deciding factor because image quality and subject choice can be uneven.

Book it if you value a compact outdoor experience, enjoy trying unusual forms of transport, and are happy with a route that may revisit some sections. Skip it if you want a long, varied forest trek or need an activity outside the stated age and weight limits. At $77, it is a fair choice for a well-guided 90-minute adventure, provided your expectations match the size and scope of the tour.

FAQ

How long does the Hollybank Forest Segway Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, or 1.5 hours. This includes the Segway training and safety briefing.

Where does the tour take place?

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

Is Segway training included?

Yes. Training, a safety briefing, the Segway, and all necessary equipment are included.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to five participants, making it a small-group tour.

What are the age and weight requirements?

Riders must be at least 13 years old and weigh between 45 and 117 kilograms. Children under 13 cannot take part.

Are photographs included?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.