Mount Cameron

Hot
Little Blue Lake

Key Statistics

Distance
34kms
Duration
Single Day
Time (hrs)
2-5 Hours
Land Tenure
  • State Forest
  • Conservation Area
  • Regional Reserve

I'm breaking the rules on this one and listing a track provided by Forestry Tasmania that I haven't ridden.  What I can tell you is this circuit is legal, that it appears to be mainly on gravel roads and fire trails and that it circumnavigates Mount Cameron in the North East of the State.  The recommended starting point on the map provided by Forestry Tasmania is the Scottsdale High School Mount Cameron Field Study Centre (or more specifically the Field Centre Gate) but I could also recommend starting at Little Blue Lake just north of Pioneer on Gladstone Road (B52) for those who don't want to do the extra driving to the Field Centre.

GETTING THERE

To get to the Mount Gladstone Field Centre, if coming from Launceston or Scottsdale, turn right at Bridport and head towards Gladstone. After about half an hour, the sealed road changes to gravel, coinciding with the Banca Road junction. Continue towards Gladstone for 8.5 kms where you turn right onto another unsigned gravel road (the Old Port Road). Travel a further 6.9kms along this road, without turning off, to a Y-junction. Turn left at this junction and travel a further 2.9kms to a boom gate.  There is a small parking area at the gate.  The Field Study Centre is a further 1.7kms past the gate. If you are coming from Gladstone, turn left at the petrol station and head towards Bridport. Turn left onto the Old Port Road after about 10kms.

Little Blue Lake, is on the Gladstone Highway (B52). It is 8km south of Gladstone and 10km north of Pioneer. Little Blue Lake is signed and there is a parking area next to the lake.

FACILITIES

No facilities on this route.  Nearest towns are Gladstone (limited facilities), Derby and Bridport.

ROUTE OPTIONS

If you are interested in climbing (walking) to the top of Mt Cameron, then the best information I've found on the walking track is here on Bushwalk Australia.  It appears to be a 3-5 hour walk starting at the Mount Cameron Field Study Centre which could be a good reason to take FT's advice and start your ride there.

WARNINGS

I've not ridden this trail but it is reasonable to expect it to be lightly used and remote so plan your visit accordingly.

There are some creek washouts on the northern firebreak track.

The route below and gpx are desktop quality only (ie. I've tried to discern the path as best I could using the 1:25:000 series tasmaps and Google Earth, but have not ground truthed the maps. The section above Blue Lake in particular was just guess work on my part.

ROUTE DETAILS

See Forestry Tasmania route map link at the bottom of this page.  Advice I have received is to ride it in an anti-clockwise direction.

Photos

Mount Cameron from a distance
Mount Cameron from a distance
Little Blue Lake

Attachments

  • File Description
    File Size
    File Type
    Downloads
  • Mount Cameron Google Earth KML
    12 KB
    kml
    86
  • Forestry Tasmania Route Map
    324 KB
    250
  • Mount Cameron GPX file
    36 KB
    gpx
    79

Map

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Editor review

1 review
Dylans Review
(Updated: February 15, 2014)
Overall rating
 
2.5
Fun factor
 
1.5
Technical challenge
 
2.5
Scenic/cultural/historical value
 
2.5
Overall rating
 
2.5
i was hoping the trails was going to be something like the roads that took me all the way out there but there not. the fire trail is really sandy and really difficult to ride. i rode up and down the hills for nearly 2 hours but had to turn back. im reasonably fit but not super fit. if you are im sure you could make a full lap.
if you want to see the lake probably start on that side of the trail lol. (because i didnt make it lol)

Review

Updates
first of all great direction. note though the old port road sign is down so if you see the post thats it (someone kindly wrote on the poll so it says it kinda)
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User reviews

1 review
Overall rating
 
5.0
Fun factor
 
5.0(1)
Technical challenge
 
3.5(1)
Scenic/cultural/historical value
 
4.5(1)
Overall rating
 
5.0(1)
mt cameron trip
Overall rating
 
5.0
Fun factor
 
5.0
Technical challenge
 
3.5
Scenic/cultural/historical value
 
4.5
Overall rating
 
5.0
About 4 years ago on grade 7 camp we stayed at the field center, many acitivites such as tight rope walking over a fairly high drop with a harness of course! Lovely facility people were really nice. Climbed Mt. Cameron, tough but worth it. Little blue lake is also an amazing camping spot.
Highly suggested.
-from Scamander
Highly suggest looking around Scamander too :)

Review

Updates
Track was travelled well on bus from st Marys to gladstone.
Would you recommend?
Yes
S
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