Moorina to Gladstone — Northeast Tasmania Mining Spine via Pykes Creek Road
Tin country ghosts and ridgeline gravel.
Northeast Tasmania once ran on tin. The shafts, mullock heaps, and collapsed battery sites scattered across the ranges between Moorina and Gladstone are what’s left when the price crashed and the miners walked away. Pykes Creek Road follows an old access and supply route through this country — a rough gravel and dirt track that climbs out of the Ringarooma River valley over a series of logged ridgelines before dropping into the coastal hinterland near Gladstone. Watch for the old Anchor tin mine site en route — the rusted infrastructure is still standing, barely. Creek crossings on unnamed tributaries of Pykes Creek can be knee-deep after rain and the banks are loose. The surrounding state forest gets logged actively; expect to meet loaded timber trucks on sections of the road with no warning and no room.
Moderate to high clearance 4WD handles this comfortably in dry conditions. In wet weather it moves up a difficulty bracket — clay sections become slick and the creek bottoms get unpredictable. Best tackled spring through autumn; winter brings persistent rain and reduced traction. No permit required for the state forest section. Derby is the closest town with fuel and limited supplies; Scottsdale has full services. No mobile coverage in the valleys. This is understated Tasmania — no crowds, no facilities, and a genuine sense of industrial history left entirely to the weather and the scrub.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Derby, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Forestry Tasmania |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | forestrytas.com.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Patrol handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range is the minimum — think Hilux, Patrol, or Land Cruiser in standard trim. A lift helps on the rougher corrugated sections and any creek crossings running high, but it's not mandatory. Do not attempt this in a standard SUV or AWD crossover.
Is Pykes Creek Road accessible year-round or does it close in winter?
Best season is October through April. Winter months (May–September) bring heavy rain and snow at elevation that can make the dirt sections deeply rutted and the creek crossings dangerously swollen. Forestry Tasmania can close sections without notice after significant rainfall — check with them before heading out in shoulder seasons.
Do I need a permit to drive through Forestry Tasmania managed land on this route?
No permit is required for recreational 4WD access on Forestry Tasmania roads, but conditions of use apply — no damage to infrastructure, gates left as found, and fire restrictions must be observed. Check the Forestry Tasmania website for any active closures or harvest operation conflicts before you go.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what makes it technical?
The roughest going is typically along the ridge approaches where corrugations are relentless and loose gravel can pull you toward soft shoulders. Creek crossings — particularly anything feeding into the Ringarooma drainage — can catch people off guard after rain, with slippery rock bases and no formal markers. Take crossings slow and walk them first if the water's moving.
How far is the nearest fuel stop and is there water available on the trail?
Derby is your last reliable fuel stop before this route — fill up there, as there's nothing between Moorina and Gladstone. Creek water is available along the route but treat everything before drinking. There are no towns, no servos, and no guaranteed phone signal for most of the 56km, so carry more fuel and water than you think you need.
Trail track
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