Launceston: Hollybank Forest Treetop Zip Lining with Guide

Hollybank Forest gives you a proper canopy adventure, not just a quick zip across a short platform. Over six lines, you travel nearly one kilometre above a blue gum forest, with the final 400-metre run carrying you across the valley at up to 50 metres above the ground.

I like the mix of big forest views and clear instruction. I also like the small groups, limited to 10 people, which gives guides time to help nervous riders and explain the forest. The main catch is that this is not suitable for everyone: you need to manage platforms and equipment, and the weight, age, footwear, and mobility rules matter.

Key points at a glance

• Six zip lines in one tour: The course builds from treetop rides to a memorable 400-metre final run.
• High above Piper’s River: You get views across the valley, the river, the sky, and the gum forest below.
• Nearly one kilometre of cable: This feels like a full canopy session rather than a single short thrill ride.
• Small groups of up to 10: Guides can offer practical help and encouragement without rushing you.
• A 2.5-hour outing: Allow time for the safety briefing, a 10-minute walk to the launch area, six lines, and the walk between platforms.
• Important rules apply: Closed-toe shoes are required, riders under 40 kilograms go tandem, and children aged 8 or younger must ride tandem.

Six lines through Hollybank Forest

The appeal here is simple: you do not just zip once, take a photo, and leave. The tour links six separate lines, covering almost a kilometre through Hollybank Forest.

You begin by meeting your guide and learning how the harness system works. This first lesson matters. At treetop height, the gear can feel complicated if you have never used it, so having a guide show you how to clip in, move between platforms, and get unhooked takes away much of the guesswork.

After the introduction, you walk about 10 minutes to the launch zone. That short walk is part of the setup, not dead time. It gives you a chance to settle your nerves and look at the forest before you are asked to leave the ground.

From there, the course runs from timber platform to timber platform. Each line gives you another chance to get comfortable with the position, speed, and arrival process. You may find the early rides useful as practice for the longer sections later in the tour.

The final line reaches about 400 metres. That is the ride to remember. It gives you more time in the air and lets the setting do the work, with the blue gum canopy, valley, and Piper’s River spread below.

What the view is like from 50 metres up

At ground level, a forest can feel enclosed. From the canopy, Hollybank changes completely. You see the tops of the gum trees, open sky above, and the valley falling away beneath the platforms.

The height is a major part of the experience. You are not simply moving quickly from one tree to another. You are looking down through the forest from as high as 50 metres, which gives the course a real sense of scale.

Piper’s River adds a useful point of reference. It helps you understand the shape of the valley as you move across it, rather than seeing only a wall of trees. The combination of river, forest, and timber platforms makes this feel tied to the place instead of being an interchangeable adventure course.

The setting also gives you a reason to slow down between rides. At each platform, your guide can explain parts of Hollybank Forest’s ecosystem and the construction of the tree platforms. You will still spend most of the time moving, but the short pauses add context and give you a chance to catch your breath.

Guides who make the height manageable

The guide can make or break a high ropes activity. Here, instruction begins before the first line, and the tour remains fully guided from the launch zone through the final platform.

The strongest part of the guide service is the attention to comfort and safety. Past guide teams have included Monty, Lachy, Taylor, Danielle, Carlos, Jesse, Charlie, Chris, Faith, Naomi, and GC. Names and staff may change, but the pattern is clear: the guide role includes fitting equipment, explaining the system, giving forest information, and helping riders who are unsure.

That patience matters if you are trying to handle a fear of heights. You can expect practical encouragement rather than being left to work out the system alone. A small group also helps. With no more than 10 participants, there is less chance of becoming an anonymous person in a large queue.

The safety side deserves proper credit. One account describes a guide helping a small child who did not reach a platform. That is a useful reminder that the staff are trained to respond when a rider needs assistance, not just to send people down the cable.

Still, you should not mistake friendly instruction for a low-adrenaline outing. The guides can explain the gear and help you feel prepared, but they cannot remove the height. If standing on a high timber platform is likely to make you freeze, consider that before booking.

The two-and-a-half-hour sequence

The advertised duration is 150 minutes. That includes the briefing, equipment setup, the walk to the launch area, the six zip lines, and movement between platforms.

Meeting the guide and fitting the equipment

The tour starts with an introduction to the guide and the safety system. You learn how to put on the harness and how the attachments work.

Pay attention here. The more confident you are with the basic steps, the more attention you can give to the forest once the tour begins. This is also the point to tell the guide if you are nervous or need an explanation repeated.

Walking to the launch area

The walk to the first line takes about 10 minutes. You should wear shoes that are comfortable for walking as well as secure in the harness area.

This transition helps the tour feel like a forest activity rather than a ride at a fixed amusement park. You move through the setting before reaching the first platform, then spend the rest of the session above the ground.

Moving across the six lines

The six courses form the main part of the outing. You go from tree to tree, with guides leading you to each timber platform and helping with the connections.

The changing lengths keep the session from feeling repetitive. Shorter lines help you practise, while longer sections give you more time to take in the view. The last ride, at 400 metres, is the biggest payoff.

Expect pauses at the platforms. They are needed for safety and for moving the group through the course, so this is not continuous flying for 150 minutes. That is a good thing for most people. You have time to reset your grip, listen to instructions, and look around.

Finishing at the final platform

Once you reach the last platform, the guide helps you get unhooked. The activity ends there.

Because the tour takes 2.5 hours, plan it as a substantial part of your day. It is longer and more involved than a quick zip line add-on, but it also means you should not schedule another time-sensitive activity immediately afterward.

Is the $102 price fair?

At $102 per person, this is not a cheap casual activity. The value comes from the length and structure of the session: six lines, almost one kilometre of cable, a 400-metre final ride, equipment, a fully guided format, and 2.5 hours in the forest.

I think the price makes more sense for someone who wants a complete canopy experience. You are paying for more than the thrill of one ride. The guides handle the safety process, explain the environment, manage the group, and help you through the platforms.

A shorter zip line may cost less, but it may also give you less time in the trees and fewer chances to settle into the experience. Here, the first section can feel like instruction and practice, while the later rides reward you with greater height and longer views.

The value is less obvious if you are already an experienced zip-line rider looking only for the fastest possible thrill. In that case, the guided forest setting and six-part route still have appeal, but the briefing and group pace may feel slower than you want.

The small-group limit improves the calculation. A maximum of 10 people gives the staff room to provide individual assistance, which is particularly useful when children, first-time riders, or nervous adults are in the group.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This suits adults and children who want an active forest experience and are comfortable following instructions at height. It is also a good fit for families with older children, couples marking a special occasion, and visitors who want something more physical than a viewpoint or short walk.

The activity can work well for someone who is nervous about heights but wants to challenge that fear. The guides have been praised for being patient, calm, professional, and encouraging. That support may help you get through the first line and enjoy the later ones.

You need to check the rules carefully. Anyone under 40 kilograms must ride tandem with another person. Children aged 8 or younger must also ride tandem. For anyone under 18, there must be one adult supervisor for every four young people.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or anyone over 300 pounds, or 136 kilograms. High heels, skirts, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. Closed-toe shoes are required, and this is not a detail to leave until the morning of the tour.

You should also be ready for a physical activity involving harnesses, platforms, walking, and height. The supplied information does not give a detailed fitness rating, so if you have concerns about mobility or balance, ask the provider before booking.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear closed-toe shoes with a secure fit. Comfortable clothing is the sensible choice, and skirts are not allowed.

Arrive ready to listen during the equipment briefing. The guide will explain how to get strapped in and how the activity works, so rushing through this part would only make the first line harder.

If you are booking for children, confirm the tandem arrangements and adult supervision rules in advance. Riders under 40 kilograms and children aged 8 or younger cannot ride independently under the stated conditions.

The tour is conducted in English. If you need instructions repeated, ask early. Clear communication is more important than looking confident.

The activity provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the available start times before you build the rest of your day around it.

What makes Hollybank different from a standard zip line

The forest setting is the key difference. You are surrounded by tall blue gums, moving from platform to platform and learning about the trees below rather than simply racing over an open clearing.

The six-line format also gives the experience a clear progression. You learn the system, practise the movement, and then reach the longest ride after you have had time to adjust.

The views are another strong point. From the treetops, you can see the valley and Piper’s River while looking across the canopy. That makes the activity feel connected to northern Tasmania, not just attached to it.

It is also worth noting that Hollybank offers other activities, including a treetops course and Segway tour. This zip-line tour is the pick for visitors who want speed and height, but you may prefer another option if you want more time on foot or a less exposed activity.

Should you book the Hollybank zip line?

Book it if you want a substantial forest adventure with six zip lines, strong valley views, and guides who take safety and nerves seriously. The 400-metre final ride, small groups, and canopy views give the $102 price a reasonable case.

Skip it if you dislike heights, cannot meet the footwear and weight rules, or want a quick activity with no walking or waiting on platforms. For everyone else, this is a well-structured way to see Hollybank Forest from above, with enough time in the trees to make the outing feel worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Hollybank zip-lining tour last?

The tour lasts 150 minutes, or 2.5 hours.

How many zip lines are included?

The tour includes six zip lines covering almost one kilometre in total.

How high above the ground are the zip lines?

The course reaches about 50 metres above the ground.

How long is the longest zip line?

The longest ride stretches about 400 metres.

Is the tour guided?

Yes. The tour is fully guided, and the guide explains the equipment, leads you between platforms, provides forest information, and helps you get unhooked at the end.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English.

What should I wear?

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

Can children take part?

Children aged 8 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 young people.

Who should not take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people over 300 pounds, or 136 kilograms.