Horse riding
For well prepared and experienced horse riders, Wellington Park offers excellent scenic and remote riding opportunities.
Horses may be ridden on over 75km of fire trails, however a permit and gate key are required for all riding access (apart from Jefferys Track). Four wheel drive vehicles, mountain bikes and walkers may also be enjoying these shared use trails.
Riders can plan their adventures using Greater Hobart Trails, a convenient and powerful activity planner. The site includes tracks and trails both within and beyond the Park, for walkers, bikers and horse riders.
Track surfaces and trail lengths vary considerably. Some include steep and stony sections and should only be attempted with fit, sound horses. Generally trails are suitable for walking or trotting, with limited cantering. Many trails extend into the remote high country and riders must be equipped for severe alpine weather.
Reduce your impacts when riding in the Park:
- Ensure floats are parked where they will not obstruct access
- Clean floats, horse hooves, coats etc to reduce the spread of weed seed and soil borne diseases
- Ride on designated trails only
- Respect other Park users (slow to a walk or stop when approaching others)
- Ride in a controlled manner
- Ride in small groups (up to four horses only)
- Ride in single file when in a group
- Ensure your horse does not graze in the Park
- Limit crossing of waterways and limiting your horse’s access to water bodies
- Leave gates as you find them or as signposted
- Avoid disturbing stock on Park neighbour properties
- Obey track closures and other signage
- Take all rubbish out with you
- Remove horse droppings where possible.
Annual or one-off permits are available from the Wellington Park Management Trust. Gate keys will be issued with permits.
Access is subject to track conditions, fire risks and permission from property owners adjacent to the Park. All permits are suspended during periods of Extreme or Catastrophic bushfire danger in either the Southeast or Upper Derwent Valley forecast districts.
Horse riding in Wellington Park without authorisation may result in a penalty up to 20 penalty units and denial of future access permits.
