North East Rail Trail

Follows the former Launceston-Scottsdale railway line (opened to Scottsdale 1889, extended to Herrick 1919, closed in stages 1994-2005) through Tasmania's north-east, past spectacular tree-fern-lined cuttings, huge embankments and a scenic S-curve climbing to Billycock Hill. Developed in two stages by the Rotary Club of Scottsdale and volunteers (Tonganah-Billycock Hill first, around 2012, then Scottsdale-Tonganah in November 2015). This GPX recording runs Tulendeena/Billycock Hill to Scottsdale and back (the reverse of how most guides describe it - starting at Scottsdale and finishing at Billycock Hill - but the trail is equally good either way, and RTA's own notes describe accessing it from the Billycock Hill end too). Numerous interpretive signs and distance markers along the way; on clear days from the highest point you can see out to Bass Strait and the peaks of Flinders Island. A long-planned 40km extension to Lilydale (including a spectacular 700m heritage tunnel at 'Tunnel') has funding but is not yet built.

Scottsdale to Tonganah (approx. 10km): starts at the old Scottsdale Railway Station (Ellenor St), descends through farmland past the old Lings Siding timber mill site to the Great Forester River at Tonganah - the trail's lowest point. Tonganah to Tulendeena/Billycock Hill (approx. 16km): a gentle but steady climb almost the whole way, diverting briefly off the original corridor around old clay mining pits (follow the signposted detour), through tall forest with tree-fern-lined cuttings and large embankments, winding back on itself in a large S-curve to gain height, finishing at the former Tulendeena station site at the top of Billycock Hill. No toilet facilities between Tonganah and Legerwood.