Launceston: Hollybank Forest Guided Segway Tour with Photos

Hollybank Forest is an easy place to trade a long hike for a 90-minute off-road Segway ride. You learn the controls, then glide under the tall trees while your guide explains the forest’s past and its changing ecosystem.

I like the small groups of five or fewer, which gives the guide room to help each rider. I also like the photos included in the price, since you can concentrate on riding instead of trying to capture every moment yourself. The main catch is that some routes may feel repetitive, and the strict 45 to 117 kilogram weight range rules out some people.

Key points to know before you book

• Training is part of the 90 minutes: You receive instruction and safety guidance before heading onto the forest paths.
• The group is limited to five: This allows for more direct help than a large outdoor tour.
• The ride goes beyond paved paths: You use heavy-duty Segways on routes ranging from easy to more challenging.
• Photos are included: The tour team supplies digital images on a USB drive after the ride.
• Age and weight rules matter: Riders must be at least 13 years old and weigh between 45 and 117 kilograms.
• The route may repeat sections: You can expect a pleasant forest outing, but not necessarily a long point-to-point journey.

Riding into Hollybank Forest near Launceston

Hollybank Forest sits in Underwood, a short drive north of Launceston. The setting gives you a quick change from city streets to quiet woodland, without requiring a full day in the bush.

The point of the tour is not speed. It is the feeling of moving through the trees with less effort than walking. A Segway carries you along the forest tracks, so you can pay more attention to the tall trunks, open spaces, and changing plant life around you.

Your guide also gives the ride some context. You hear about the forest’s history and changing ecosystem, which makes the outing more than a simple equipment demonstration. The commentary is in English, and the small group size should make it easier to hear instructions and ask questions.

This is a good choice if you want outdoor scenery but do not want a strenuous walk. You still need to stay alert and control the machine, but the tour avoids the heavy packs, long climbs, and sweaty clothes that can come with a longer hike.

The first part: learning to control the Segway

The tour begins with a safety briefing and training session. This is important even if you have used a Segway before, since off-road tracks require more attention than a smooth urban path.

You learn how the machine responds to your movements and how to handle the controls. The guide then checks that you are comfortable before the group moves farther into the forest. With only up to five riders, the instruction should feel more personal than a large group activity.

The total time is about 1.5 hours, including training. Keep that in mind when comparing this tour with longer outdoor activities. You are not getting 90 full minutes of riding after the lesson, but the training is part of what makes the experience approachable for first-time riders.

The age range is broad, from 13 to 70-plus according to the activity details. That does not mean every person in that range will find it equally easy. You should be comfortable standing and reacting to the machine, and you need to meet the weight requirement of 45 to 117 kilograms.

Comfortable clothing and shoes are the only clothing advice provided. I would treat that as a practical hint to wear clothes that allow easy movement and footwear suitable for forest paths.

What the forest routes are like

Once training is complete, you follow the guide along different paths through Hollybank Forest. The tracks range from easy to more challenging, so the ride is not limited to one perfectly flat strip.

That variety can make the trip more interesting. You get a gentle introduction before facing sections that ask for a little more control. The Segway is described as heavy-duty and built for off-road use, which suits this kind of surface better than a small city model.

Still, do not book this expecting a major expedition across the whole forest. One useful warning is that sections of the route may be repeated. If you want to travel farther into the forest and see a wide range of areas, you may find the route less varied than hoped.

I see this as a short, guided introduction rather than a full forest exploration. For a first Segway experience, that can be a benefit. You get time to practice, settle into the machine, and listen to the guide without the pressure of covering a large distance.

The guide makes the difference

The guide has two jobs: keep the group safe and make the forest interesting. Clear instruction matters most at the beginning, but the guide also shapes the mood of the whole ride.

The available feedback points to friendly, effective teaching as a major strength. One particularly useful description says the guide made everyone feel welcome and explained the riding clearly. That is exactly what you want when some people in the group are experienced and others are touching a Segway for the first time.

The guide also talks about the forest’s history and ecosystem. That information gives you something to notice as you move along the paths. Instead of simply passing trees, you have a reason to pay attention to how the woodland changes.

Guide quality can vary from one departure to another, so it is sensible to keep expectations practical. The experience depends partly on how well the guide balances riding instruction, safety, conversation, and photography. The strongest feedback praises the guide directly, while one less satisfied account describes the guide as moody. That is a reminder that personal style can affect a small-group activity.

Photos on a USB drive

Digital photos are included, and the tour team takes them during the forest ride. You receive the images on a USB drive, giving you a record of the outing without needing to handle your phone while steering.

That is a useful extra, especially for a short activity where you may want to remember the first time you rode an off-road Segway. It also lets you keep your hands free and stay focused on the path.

I would treat the photos as a bonus, not the main reason to book. The quality may be uneven. One account described many blurry images, pictures of the backs of riders’ heads, and random forest shots. The number of files may sound generous, but quantity does not guarantee strong composition or sharp results.

If photography matters greatly to you, ask the guide when the pictures are being taken and where to look. If it does not, simply enjoy having a selection of images at the end. The ride itself remains the central experience.

Is $77 good value for 90 minutes?

At $77 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a forest. You are paying for the Segway, equipment, instruction, a guide, a small group, and digital photos.

The value improves if you want an activity that combines light adventure with interpretation. A standard forest walk costs less in effort and often less in money, but it does not give you the novelty of riding an off-road Segway. You also avoid carrying a heavy day pack or committing to a long hike.

The small group is another part of the value. With no more than five people, the guide can watch each rider more closely and respond to questions. That matters during training and on the more challenging sections.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want to cover a lot of ground. Since the route can repeat some sections, you may prefer a longer walking or cycling activity if distance and variety are your main goals.

The complimentary photos help, but I would not assign them a large cash value. Their quality can vary, and the main reason to pay is the guided ride through Hollybank Forest.

Who will enjoy this activity most?

I would recommend this for first-time Segway riders, couples, friends, and families with teenagers who meet the age and weight rules. It also suits people who want time outdoors but do not want a demanding hike.

The activity has a broad stated age range, from 13 to 70-plus. That makes it a flexible option for mixed-age groups, provided everyone can manage the machine and meets the 45 to 117 kilogram limit.

You may like it if you enjoy a guide adding local context to an outdoor activity. The forest history and ecosystem information give the ride more purpose than simply circling a recreational track.

I would choose something else if you want a quiet, self-guided walk, a long-distance forest journey, or a photography tour built around carefully composed images. Pregnant women and children under 13 cannot take part, and the weight rules are strict.

Useful planning details for your Launceston day

Allow about 90 minutes for the full activity, including training. The tour is near Launceston but takes place in Underwood at Hollybank Forest, so plan for the short drive north rather than treating it as a city-centre activity.

Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. The supplied information does not call for specialist clothing, but forest paths and an off-road machine make practical footwear a sensible choice.

The activity is available in English and is guided live rather than delivered by an audio recording. That gives you the chance to ask questions as you ride and receive direct help if the controls feel unfamiliar.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Launceston plans are still shifting.

My verdict on the Hollybank Segway tour

You should book this if you want a short, friendly forest activity with a little novelty and very little walking strain. The best reasons to choose it are the small group, clear training, off-road setting, and guide-led information about Hollybank Forest.

Keep your expectations in check about the route length and photo quality. You may repeat some sections, and the complimentary images are a pleasant extra rather than professional photographs.

At $77, I think the tour offers fair value for people who want an easy-to-moderate outdoor experience close to Launceston. It is less compelling for anyone seeking a long or highly varied journey. Check the weight requirement before booking, then choose it for the fun of gliding through the forest, not for covering every corner of it.

FAQ

How long does the Hollybank Forest Segway tour last?

The tour lasts about 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.

Is the tour guided?

Yes. A live guide leads the activity in English, provides the safety briefing, teaches you how to ride, and discusses the forest.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to five participants.

Are photos included?

Yes. The tour team takes digital photographs, and the activity includes the images on a USB drive.

What equipment is provided?

The Segway and all necessary equipment are provided. Training and a safety briefing are also included.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes.

Is there a weight requirement?

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

Can children join the tour?

Children under 13 cannot take part. The activity is described as suitable for people aged 13 to 70-plus, subject to the other requirements.

Can pregnant women take part?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.