How to get to Derby from the mainland – a guide to arriving in Derby (Part 1 of 3)

Derby is located in the NE corner of Tasmania on a good sealed road which runs between Branxholm and Pioneer (if you look on the map). Getting to Derby is easy and there are a number of different options for making the trip from the nearest airport in Launceston.

Over the next three blog posts we will provide information on the three main options for getting to Derby (if you don’t live in Tasmania).

Hopefully these posts will be able to provide you with what you need to make the best decision for your circumstances.

We are always happy to provide assistance to all guests about getting to Derby, so if you have more questions you can either contact us via our social media or simply email us directly stay@rivercabinsderby.com

This first post talks about flying to Launceston and renting a car, the second post is about the pros and cons of taking the ferry and the third post talks about flying to Launceston and booking a shuttle transfer to Derby.

Each option has advantages and disadvantages, and we will leave it up to you to decide which is the right option for your trip.

Option 1
Fly to Launceston then rent a car and drive to Derby

THree bags easy - four bags a little harder but still do-able

As Launceston is a hub for many travellers coming into Tasmania it is well serviced by direct flights and the rental car businesses at the airport have a wide selection of vehicles.  My favourite car to rent is the Kia Carnival, which can take four bike bags, luggage and four adults (with a bit of Tetris skills).

The 101 km drive to Derby from the airport takes about 90 minutes and takes you over the scenic ‘Sideling’ road to Scottsdale, and then through Branxholm to Derby.

It’s worth noting that the drive via the Sideling does have some winding sections and some tight corners. Drive carefully and consider not doing this drive at night as Tasmania has a lot of wildlife which can make this dangerous.
An alternative route is via Lilydale which is less winding and only takes a few minutes longer.

Car rental prices can vary greatly depending on the time of year and if you visit during a holiday or special event period. Expect to pay around $100 a day for a vehicle that can fit bike bags in the back e.g. wagon, SUV or people mover. 
We recommend checking rental car sites like Skyscanner to compare the various rental companies’ prices in one place.  These often give a cheaper rate, although you may need to pay a deposit in advance which you don’t need to do when you book directly with Budget or Hertz.

PROS:

Having a vehicle in Derby gives you the flexibility to travel to other parts of the area.  Take a day trip to St Helens or do some wine tasting in the Pipers River or Tamar River area. You can also easily stop in Scottsdale or Launceston to grab supplies for your stay from the Woolworths or other supermarket when passing through. You can also duck down the road to Branxholm to have dinner at the pub or at the great Italian restaurant - Casa Pinocchio

If you rent a ute, we have a tailgate pad available at the cabins for guest use.  This makes it easier to travel to Weldbough or even up to the top of the trails in town aka The Black Stump.

CONS:

Once you get to Derby you don’t really need a car if you are just riding the Derby area. With the shuttle and tour companies in town you can get out to St Helens or shuttle the trails of Derby without the added cost of paying for a car each day.

Unless you enjoy packing and unpacking your bike into its bag (or box) you probably won’t be able to use your vehicle to access other trails in the area.  You can rent a ute or a vehicle with an open tray (there are limited utes available at Launceston airport). The risk with a ute is your bags can get wet if it rains on the way from the airport.

If you are travelling with kids, you will need to rent child or booster seats depending on your requirements. You can however fly with your own depending on the rules of your airline (and if your seats will survive the journey).

Excess baggage fees mean you might have to pay extra to travel with your long-travel Enduro rig.  It’s worth booking extra baggage when you book your flight if you think you need this option… Paying at the airport is generally the most expensive option when it comes to flying with a bike.

In our next post I will run through sailing on the Spirit of Tasmania to Devonport from Port Melbourne. It’s a great way to bring your own car down to Tassie and explore some of the rest of our great state.