Blue Tier Forest Road — Weldborough to Blue Tier Plateau via Goblin Forest Track
Tin mines and goblin trees on Tasmania's forgotten plateau.
The Blue Tier plateau sits above the Weldborough Pass in Tasmania’s northeast highlands, a forgotten mining district smothered in one of the most otherworldly forests on the island. The forest roads off the Weldborough Road climb steeply through dense myrtle beech and celery-top pine into a fog-prone plateau where the remnants of nineteenth-century tin mining — poppet heads, tramways, ore chutes — rot quietly into the moss. The track to the old Giants Tree via the Goblin Forest section is the centrepiece: clay-over-rock surface that turns to greasy skids after rain, with narrow corridors between ancient tree trunks that will take mirrors off a wide-body rig without apology. The plateau itself opens to boulder-strewn moorland with long views east to the Tasman Sea.
Moderate to difficult depending on conditions — the clay surface is the enemy, not the gradient. A standard high-clearance 4WD handles this in dry summer weather; wet conditions push it firmly into the difficult bracket and have claimed vehicles before. Best season is November through April. Fuel in St Helens, 30 kilometres east. Cell service is thin to non-existent on the plateau. No permit required for forest road access. Dispersed camping is possible on the plateau fringe, though the Weldborough Hotel at the pass base is a legitimate alternative and worth a beer regardless.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 22 mi / 35.4 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2756 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | St Helens, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Forestry Tasmania |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | forestrytas.com.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Prado handle Blue Tier without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Hilux or Prado is the baseline here. Low-range is essential on the clay sections, especially after rain — the track gets slick fast and a lifted setup won't hurt, but it's not required.
What's the trail like in winter — is it accessible June through August?
Winter access is unreliable. The clay forest roads become seriously boggy and snow can hit the plateau above 800m. Stick to November through April; even then, check conditions after heavy rain before committing.
Do you need a permit or is there a fee to drive Blue Tier?
No permit required and no entry fee. The land is managed by Forestry Tasmania and is open to the public, but road closures can happen during high fire danger periods or after storm damage — check forestrytas.com.au before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The climb through the Goblin Forest track is the crux — narrow, off-camber, and coated in wet clay that offers almost no traction when damp. Fallen trees are a real possibility after wind events, so carry a handsaw or chainsaw if you're going in after bad weather.
How far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead at Weldborough, and is there water on the plateau?
St Helens is your best fuel stop, roughly 35km from Weldborough — fill up there before heading in. Water sources exist on the plateau but should be treated before drinking; carry enough for the full day regardless.
Trail track
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