Mountain bike riders in the state’s north east will be able to enjoy floating accommodation among the trees at the end of a hard day’s ride, after the Blue Derby Pods expression of interest (EOI) was accepted under the State Government’s New Tourism Opportunities in National Parks and Reserves policy.

The unusual pod accommodation will be suspended from poles and includes features designed to reduce the impact on the environment, such as solar panels, composting toilets and manually pumped showers.

The project will create 16 new jobs in Tasmania’s north east.

Concept sketch of the Blue Derby Pods

Concept sketch of the Blue Derby Pods

Blue Derby Pods Ride proponents Tara Anstie and Steve Howell will offer visitors access to the Derby Regional Reserve and tap into nearby mountain bike tracks.

Liberal Member for Bass Sarah Courtney said that it is great to see exciting and innovative private investment in regional Tasmania.

“The vision and drive of this project’s proponents, Tara and Steve, is to be applauded,” Ms Courtney said.
“I am so pleased to see job creation in the north east of Tasmania as well as tourism initiatives that showcase the spectacular natural environment of the region.”

Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage Matthew Groom said that Blue Derby Pods project is a great example of what the government set out to achieve with its EOI process.

“The Blue Derby Pods Ride proposal was assessed by an expert panel chaired by the Coordinator-General and they recommended to me that it be approved. The government will now negotiate appropriate lease arrangements for the site,” Mr Groom said.

“The Coordinator-General and his team are now working through the remaining EOI proposals and I look forward to more successful applicants being announced in the near future.”