Safety
Learn more how, you can play a part in your own and everyone else's safety on the trail.
When encountering horse riders, other users should slow down if at a distance, use your voice, stop and remain visible. Leave plenty of distance to stop. Wait for direction from the horse rider as to how to safely proceed.
Safety on the trails
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Use your voice to alert other trail users of your presence, especially when approaching a horse.
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Horse riders have priority, then walkers; bike riders give way to both. As a courtesy, but not required, walkers may wish to step aside on narrow sections of track to allow bikes to pass.
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When passing, slow to the speed of other users, prepare to stop, and always stop for horse riders and wait for their direction.
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When walking with your dog, keep it under effective control and restrain the dog on a lead or by the collar if you encounter a horse rider, bike rider or other walkers. Please also be mindful that we share the Tangara Trail with the homes of abundant wildlife, including snakes.
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Slow down for corners, blind spots and steep decents.
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Ride your horse or bike at a controlled speed.
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Find out more on our etiquette page - button below.
Safety on the roads
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Exercise extreme caution – dismount from horses if necessary
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Ride on the left, except where trails or wide verges are provided on the right.
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Wave your arm downwards to indicate “slow down” to drivers if approaching too fast.
Tangara Trail Signage
Signage around the trail includes:
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Blue roadside signs to indicate a trail entrance from the road. (Many trail entrances have a post and rail fence entry way to help maintain continuity.)
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White, blue and yellow signs with track name, directions, locations and distances.
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Larger white signs on trail-sharing etiquette.
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Yellow triangle signs showing that cyclists yield to horses and walkers, and walkers yield to horses.
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Some intersections may have a red arrow, as signs are still in the process of being made and placed around the trail.
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Check the gallery for some extra information.
How will your horse react if rushed by a dog, faced with a cyclist or if someone starts a lawnmower just as you’re riding past their property? What if a noisy bus, truck or motorcycle passes while you're beside the road? Invest time both in the paddock, and out, training your horse to know your cues and to accept a wide range of unusual sights and sounds.
Train your horse
Parents of children on the trail should be aware that there are road sections where extreme caution is required. Roadside tracks and intersections are marked on the map. Reinforce this warning to your children. Please teach children our sharing the trail etiquette tips provided.
Parents be aware!
Be aware of wildlife
Along with many species of wildlife, reptiles and birds, snakes also inhabit these areas. Keep a look out, especially in the warmer months, and leave them be. All snakes in Tasmania are venomous. Be informed on snake bite first aid.
Call 000 if bitten.
Snakes
Birds
During the shorebird breeding season, (September to March) birds nest above the high-tide mark on beaches. Avoid disturbing them and their nests.
The southern end of Gorringes Beach, Mortimer Bay (between the beach post and rail fence and the point) is a bird conservation area. This area is prohibited to all users. Use the track in the reserve behind that section of the beach to access the coastal track.
Check local signs or call Parks & Wildlife Service 1300 827 727 or Seven Mile Beach Field Centre 03 6107 9208 for more details.
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Seven Mile Beach west of Day Use Area 4
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The far end of both Seven Mile Beach and Five Mile Beach (Sandy Point)
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Five Mile Beach from the causeway to the beach access at Five Mile Beach Day Use Area
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Five Mile Beach – 600m east of 5 Mile Beach Day Use Area. - Further east horses are permitted on the beach except during bird nesting season (1 October to 31 March) when the inland track parallel to the beach must be used instead
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Single Hill, eastern side between Farrell's seat near the tower, and Acton Creek/Esplanade, Seven Mile Beach
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From Lauderdale Yacht Club to Seven Mile Beach (use Kirra Road to access Single Hill
Horse riding is prohibited on:
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Roches Beach
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Lauderdale foreshore
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Lauderdale Saltmarsh areas in the vicinity of East Marsh Lagoon/Race Course Flats
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Southern end of Gorringes Beach, Mortimer Bay, Sandford (between the beach post and rail fence and the point - signed and fenced) Use the trail in the reserve behind that section of the beach to access the coastal trail. (Sensitive bird breeding area)
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Most reserved land managed by Parks & Wildlife Service, unless designated Tangara Trail
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Avoid riding above the high-tide mark on beaches during the shorebird breeding season to protect nesting birds
For more information on horse riding restrictions and permitted areas/tracks in Seven/Five Mile Beach and Mortimer Bay, contact Parks and Wildlife Service 1300 827 727 or the Seven Mile Beach Field Centre 03 6107 9208
Bike riding is prohibited on:
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Palana Court entrance onto Mortimer Bay Coastal Track. This is to keep horse riders safe due to this being a narrow and very high track with a safety rail. The coastal track may be accessed from Baragoola Lane and when heading south and reaching the Y junction near Palana entrance, bikes are to use the track closer to the coast so as to be on the lower track (and not high above a horse) and to avoid meeting a horse while on the high section. (See more information in the gallery)
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Single Hill, eastern side between Farrell's seat near the tower and Acton Creek/Esplanade, Seven Mile Beach
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The far end of Seven Mile Beach and Five Mile Beach (Sandy Point)
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Five Mile Beach – 600m east of 5 Mile Beach Day Use Area. Dogs on lead are permitted on the beach except during bird nesting season (1 October to 31 March). During this time use the inland track parallel to the beach
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Lauderdale Saltmarsh areas in the vicinity of East Marsh Lagoon/Racecourse Flats
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Southern end of Gorringes Beach, Mortimer Bay, Sandford (between the beach post and rail fence and the point - signed and fenced) Use the trail in the reserve behind that section of the beach to access the coastal trail. This is a sensitive bird breeding area.
Due to maintenance, flooding or new surface settling etc.
No closures at present.
Temporary Track Closures
Roscommon Reserve, the home of the Tasmanian Equestrian Centre (TEC) and the Hobart Archers Club now has a complete track circuit. Please note that on TEC EVENTING days, due to the cross country component, there is a section of the Tangara Trail that needs to be closed and the full circuit is not available. Check TEC calendar for EVENTING dates.