BLUE DERBY TRAILS
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
SPECIAL SECTION: NUTRITION & WELLBEING
TOURISM AUSTRALIA
BLUE DERBY TRAILS
Where: Derby, TAS Length: Approx. 100km
While most enthusiasts consider the Pacific Northwest to be the glacé cherry on the cream bun of international mountain biking( especially among downhillers and freestylers), Tasmania is rapidly developing its own queues at the bakery. With highlights including the scenery-plus Bay of Fires Trail and Derwent Valley’ s all-action Maydena Bike Park, the island state has biking options aplenty. The Blue Derby Trails, however, take the cake. Just 90 minutes east of Launceston, this world-renowned mountain bike mecca offers more than 125km of purpose-built trails and can be tackled at any pace, from first-bike beginners to Red Bull-soaked happy huckers. ridebluederby. com. au.
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Where: Torquay to Warrnambool, VIC | Length: 243km
Australia is known for its straightforward naming protocols(‘ Northern Territory’,‘ brown snake’,‘ Yabbie Creek’), so it makes sense that all of our‘ great’ things are actually great. From the Sandy Desert to the Bight and the Barrier Reef, each is world class, and the Great Ocean Road is no different. Better even on a bike than in a car, Australia’ s famous coastal drive can be tackled in full or in any one of many parts, with Visit Victoria having demarcated several smaller, more manageable sections. The road is popular year-round with international tourists, hence the helpful( if slightly alarming)‘ DRIVE ON LEFT IN AUSTRALIA’ signs, but try to avoid school holidays, when it’ s much busier. You don’ t want traffic stress to distract from the limestone clifftops, long sweeps of temperate rainforest and your constant companion, the sublime Southern Ocean. greatoceanroadaustralia. org. >
VLADYSLAV TYKHONOV / STOCK. ADOBE. COM
24 | JUL / AUG 2025 COSTCO CONNECTION