Launceston: Hollybank Forest Treetop Zip Lining with Guide

The forest becomes your launchpad. Hollybank’s guided zipline tour gives you six rides through blue gum treetops, with the best views arriving high above the valley and Piper’s River. I like the mix of scenery and structured adventure, plus the small groups and patient guides. The main consideration is height: at up to 50 metres above the ground, this is not a gentle introduction if you are uneasy with exposure.

I also like that you get nearly one kilometre of ziplining rather than one short ride followed by a long wait. The 400-metre final line should satisfy anyone who wants a proper airborne finish, though children under 40 kilograms or age eight and younger must ride tandem with another person.

Key points at a glance

• Six lines, nearly one kilometre: You get a full canopy session, not just a single thrill ride.
• Up to 50 metres high: The elevated platforms open views over the blue gum forest, valley, and Piper’s River.
• A 400-metre finale: The longest ride gives the tour its biggest burst of speed and distance.
• Small groups of up to 10: Guides have more room to help nervous participants and explain each step.
• Forest information included: Your guide talks about Hollybank’s ecosystem and the timber structures among the trees.
• Plan for practical clothing: Closed-toe shoes are required, while skirts, open-toe shoes, and high heels are not permitted.

Six zip lines above Hollybank Forest

This is a canopy tour with a clear rhythm. You meet your guide, learn how the harness and zipline system work, walk for about 10 minutes to the launch area, then travel from platform to platform through six separate lines.

The total distance is almost one kilometre. That matters because the tour feels like a real half-day activity rather than a quick amusement ride. Each platform gives you a chance to reset, listen to instructions, and take in the forest before the next departure.

The lines reach 50 metres above the ground. From that height, you are not simply looking at trees from a path. You see the blue gum canopy from the side and above, with open views across the valley and toward Piper’s River.

I like the way the tour combines two different kinds of interest. You get the physical rush of moving between trees, but you also learn about the forest below. It is a better fit for curious visitors than a zipline operation focused only on speed.

The longest ride stretches 400 metres. That line should provide the clearest sense of flight and the biggest visual sweep. The shorter lines help you become comfortable with the equipment first, so the final ride arrives after you have had time to understand how the system feels.

Meeting the guide and learning the ropes

The first part is practical. Your guide shows you how to put on and use the zipline equipment, then explains what happens during the ride. You will learn how to get attached, how to move through the course, and what to do when you reach a timber platform.

That first briefing is especially useful if you are nervous. You do not need to arrive with ziplining experience, and the guides handle the technical side of the activity. The small group limit of 10 also helps. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the guide has time to check that everyone understands the instructions.

Several guide teams have been praised by name, including Monty, Lachy, Taylor, Danielle, Carlos, Jesse, Charlie, Chris, Faith, Naomi, and GC. The most consistent strength is not one particular trick or performance style. It is the calm, encouraging way the staff help people get comfortable before sending them out over the trees.

That matters for a high course. A confident participant may want to move quickly, while another person may need an extra moment at the platform. Good guiding keeps both people safe and included.

You should still be honest with yourself about heights. The staff can support you, but they cannot remove the height, open platforms, or sensation of hanging above the forest. This is an adventure activity, not a scenic gondola.

The 10-minute walk to the launch zone

After the equipment briefing, you walk for around 10 minutes to reach the first launch point. This transfer is short, but it separates the preparation from the main activity.

The walk also gives you a little time to settle your nerves. Once you are fitted into the gear, there is no need to rush straight into the first line. You can use this transition to check your shoes, listen to the guide, and get your head ready for the first platform.

The forest setting is part of the appeal. You are not riding over a city or an artificial course. The lines pass through a blue gum forest, with the canopy, sky, and green ground appearing together as you move between trees.

The course uses timber platforms attached among the trees. Reaching each one gives you a natural pause. Your guide leads you forward, helps with the next connection, and keeps the group moving through the sequence.

The walk may be less appealing to anyone with mobility limitations. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the course requires you to move between launch points and platforms. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are essential.

What each section feels like

The early lines help you learn the basic pattern: attach, listen, travel, slow down, and arrive at the next platform. You might find the first departure more intimidating than the later ones because the height becomes real only when your feet leave the platform.

The middle part should feel more natural. Once you understand the equipment, you can pay more attention to the views and the forest. Your guide also shares information about Hollybank’s ecosystem and the construction of the course, which gives the stops more purpose than simply waiting for the next ride.

The views change with the direction of each line. Some sections focus on the trees close around you, while the higher or more open crossings reveal the valley and Piper’s River. It is worth looking ahead and to the side, not just down at the platform where you will land.

The final 400-metre line is the clear highlight for anyone who wants distance. It gives you time to enjoy the ride instead of arriving almost as soon as you have started. If you are concerned about the course becoming repetitive, this longer crossing breaks up the shorter runs and gives the tour a strong finish.

At the end, your guide helps you get unhooked. The activity concludes once you have reached the final platform and left the equipment system.

Safety, comfort, and the height question

The tour is fully guided, and all required equipment is included. You are taught how to use the system before starting, then assisted throughout the course.

The height is the key comfort issue. Fifty metres is high enough to produce a real sense of exposure, especially when you look through the trees toward the ground. One participant used the activity to challenge a fear of heights and credited the crew’s patient, respectful encouragement. That gives you a useful picture of the tone: supportive, but still genuinely adventurous.

A guide may also need to help if a child or smaller participant does not reach a platform. One account describes a guide assisting a young rider who fell short, handling the situation with skill and professionalism. That is reassuring, but it also shows why you should listen closely and follow every instruction.

Participants under 40 kilograms must ride tandem with another person. Children aged eight or younger also need to ride tandem. For anyone under 18, one adult supervisor is required for every four young people.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 136 kilograms. These limits are important rather than minor booking notes. The harnesses, platforms, and course movement all depend on safe weight and mobility ranges.

Wear closed-toe shoes with a secure fit. High heels, open-toe shoes, and skirts are not allowed. Practical clothing is the sensible choice, since you will be wearing a harness and moving around timber platforms.

Is $102 a fair price?

At $102 per person, this is not a budget attraction. I think the price makes more sense when you count the full package: 150 minutes, six separate zip lines, almost one kilometre of riding, a 400-metre longest line, instruction, equipment, guiding, and forest interpretation.

A short zipline ride can feel poor value if you spend more time waiting than moving. Hollybank avoids that problem with a full course and several platforms. You get repeated chances to ride, improve your confidence, and enjoy different views rather than paying for one brief launch.

The small-group format also adds value. With no more than 10 participants, the guide can give individual help and keep the pace manageable. That is especially useful for families, first-time riders, and anyone who needs encouragement at the first platform.

I would not book this solely for the scenery. If you want a quiet forest walk, this is too active and too high. If you want an energetic way to see Hollybank from the canopy, the length and guiding make the price easier to justify.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option helps if your Tasmania plans are still changing. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to couples looking for something more memorable than a standard lookout, families with children who meet the riding requirements, and anyone who likes a controlled challenge. It also suits visitors who want forest scenery but do not want to spend several hours on a walking trail.

The activity has worked well for people celebrating special occasions. One couple used it for an anniversary, while others treated it as a way to push past a fear of heights. The shared platforms and guided format make it social without requiring you to perform for a large crowd.

It may not suit you if you dislike heights, have mobility limitations, are pregnant, or prefer a quiet nature visit. It is also a poor choice if your footwear or clothing does not meet the rules.

For young participants, check the tandem requirement and adult supervision ratio before booking. The minimum weight and age rules affect how a child rides, so this is not an activity to judge by age alone.

A practical plan for your Launceston day

Set aside the full 150 minutes, not just the time spent on the lines. The equipment briefing, 10-minute walk to the launch zone, platform transfers, explanations, and final unhooking are all part of the schedule.

Arrive ready to listen. The most useful part of the briefing is not a dramatic safety speech. It is learning the small actions that make every platform easier, from getting attached correctly to following the guide’s instructions when you arrive.

Keep your focus broad once you start. Look toward Piper’s River, across the valley, and into the blue gum canopy. The course is designed to show you the forest at eye level and from above, so watching only the cable means missing much of the setting.

You can expect the guides to make the activity friendly and encouraging, but you should not expect them to soften the course into something tame. The height, harness, open platforms, and long crossings are the point.

Should you book Hollybank’s canopy zipline?

Book it if you want a substantial, guided adventure near Launceston, especially one that pairs forest views with a proper amount of riding. Six lines and a 400-metre finale give you enough time to settle in and enjoy the activity rather than rush through it.

I would skip it if you are uncomfortable with heights, cannot meet the mobility or weight requirements, or want a relaxed nature outing. For everyone else, the small groups, careful instruction, strong forest setting, and consistently praised guiding make this a well-rounded choice at $102.

FAQ

How long does the Hollybank zipline tour last?

The tour lasts 150 minutes, or two and a half hours.

How many zip lines are included?

You ride six different zip lines, covering almost one kilometre in total.

How high above the ground are the zip lines?

The course reaches up to 50 metres above the ground.

How long is the longest zipline?

The longest ride is 400 metres.

What should I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes. High heels, open-toe shoes, and skirts are not allowed.

Can children take part?

Children aged eight or younger must ride tandem with another person. Anyone under 40 kilograms must also ride tandem. For participants under 18, one adult supervisor is required for every four youths.

Who should not take this activity?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people over 136 kilograms.