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Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area, entrance
Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area, entrance (photograph: Dan Broun)

Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area

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  • Cycling tracks
  • Dogs on leads are permitted
  • Short walk

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About

​Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area is the place to go for mountain biking fun. The reserve boasts a network of popular mountain bike trails in Tasmania’s northern hub of Launceston. Whether you are taking the family for their first bush ride or are a more experienced rider looking for a couple of hours of easy enjoyment, Kate Reed can provide.

If mountain biking is not your thing, you can also utilise a selection of the Reserve’s tracks for running, hiking or taking your furry friends for a walk through the bush. The Reserve, which features various eucalypts and many small threatened plant species, is named after Kate Reed, the wife of the late Henry Reed who owned Mount Pleasant Estate. The estate once included the land that today makes up Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area.

​​​​Kate Reed’s small hills, short climbs and descents, and narrow, tight and twisty tracks make it an ideal multi-purpose area for walkers, runners and mountain bikers. The 6km of ‘mountain bike preferred’ track is well suited to inexperienced riders or those with lower levels of fitness. If you are planning a walk in the reserve it might pay to check if any events are scheduled. The Launceston Mountain Bike Club runs time trials in the reserve which are highlighted on its Facebook page.  The ‘cunning running’ fraternity stages occasional orienteering challenges so be alert for serious athletes on wheels and on foot. 

Dogs need to be kept on-lead at all times for the safety of track users.

​The reserve contains approximately 120ha of remnant native vegetation. It has been recognised for its plant communities of black peppermint (Eucalyptus amygdalina) on dolerite with small areas of swamp or black gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and swamp paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia.)  It also is home to many small threatened plant species including trailing speedwell (Veronica plebeian.)

For more information on our wildlife please see Tasmania's wildlife.

Visit our caring for wildlife page for more information on interacting with and protecting our native animals.
Buy a map from TasMap

​There are three main entrances to the reserve.  To access through the Silverdome complex, follow Westbury Road towards Prospect, and make a left hand turn at the Silverdome roundabout onto Oakden Road.  Follow this to the Silverdome, heading around the complex towards the top overflow car park.  There is also an entrance on the Bass Highway side of the reserve, which can be accessed from the Silverdome car parks or from the highway.  There is a boom gate at the Silverdome entrance which is closed outside business hours and on weekends.    

The reserve can also be accessed from the Kings Meadows connector on the Midland Highway.  This is on the western side of the highway. Parking is limited near the entrance.

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

​If parking at Silverdome, be aware that the gate will be locked outside business hours. 

​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our know before you go section.

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