Tassie's Mountain Biking Trails

Along with on-water kayaking adventure, Tasmania can now offer world-class mountain biking adventure.

Blue Derby Trails in the North East has been dubbed the number one success story in Australian mountain biking whilst the Maydena Bike Park in the South lauded as the most ambitious. Reg, Jenny and Damo have been testing out the trails (with only a few injuries to show for it) over the past few months.

Read our blog to read more about the trails and our tips.

One of the highlights for guests on our Hobart waterfront paddle is enjoying freshly cooked fish and chips in their kayak whilst bobbing around the Hobart docks. Our favourite fish punt is Fishy Business, operated by Phil and Helen Cooper.

Phil loves being around the water, the wharves and the waterfront so when the punt came up for sale 12 years ago, it was the ideal business for them. Now Phil and Helen are about to retire and hand over the business to their sons, Ben and Jack.

As we thanked Phil for his service over the years, we also asked him a few questions.

1. Let's start with the obvious one … what's your favourite fish?
My favourite is Couta. I like bony strong-tasting fish and coincidently this is one of the cheapest fish we sell too.

2. Any plans to go fishing in retirement?
I love fishing and adventuring. My favourite fishing spot is off Lauderdale, in the middle of Fredrick Henry Bay. We do pretty well there! I am also a keen sailor and rafter. My favourite rafting trip was down the Franklin River but I also love just exploring the Picton River.

3. What interesting sea life do you see in the docks?
Seven gilled tiger shark and seals are always exciting. I've seen up to 4 seven gilled tiger sharks around the fish punt at one time. I have also dived around the punt at various times to do repairs and have found gum boots (maybe the old boss threw at the staff!) as well as bikes, fishing rods and money.

4. Where is your fish sourced from?
Flathead is from the East Coast, oysters from Bruny Island, scallops in the Huon Channel, prawns from Queensland and Blue Eye from Southern Tassie. Our Blue Grenadier, [Ed: this is the fish you usually enjoy on our kayaking tours] is from the Tasman Sea anywhere between Tasmania and New Zealand.

5. Do you have any big plans for retirement?
Besides spending more time on our sail boat around Tassie, we're hoping to sail around the Pacific Rim and the Mediterranean, somewhere that's always been a dream of mine. We'll still be helping the boys out around the punt from time to time as well.