Report reveals Blue Derby’s $50.9m value as leaders demand new funding

A $3.25m investment has transformed a tiny Tasmanian town into Australia’s mountain-biking mecca, and an economic hub for the region. Inside the numbers of the Blue Derby.

Located in temperate rainforest in North-East Tasmania, the Blue Derby Mountain Bike trails encompass some of the most stunning landscapes in Tasmania.

Tasmania’s mountain-bike network is a massive contributor to the state’s economy, but stakeholders are urging proactive investment in the sector.

This comes as a new report shows Blue Derby generates $50.9 million in direct visitor expenditure each year.

The Value of Blue Derby to the Tasmanian Economy report was commissioned to determine the value-for-money, or return on investment, for the $3.25 million in federal and state funding for the original build of the Blue Derby trails.

Blue Derby Pods Ride is a mountain biking experience based from unique, exclusive accommodation within the Blue Derby network at Derby, Tasmania.

Dorset Mayor Rhys Beattie said it had always been clear the trails were delivering for the region, but now there was quantifiable data to confirm their impact.

“Considering the annual direct spend by mountain-bike visitors to Derby generates $50.9 million, this has been an extremely attractive return on investment for federal and state government, along with Dorset Council,” he said.

He said this kind of return on investment demands a new long-term partnership with the state government, and he is calling on the government to co-invest in a Derby Masterplan, to assist in sustainable funding for maintenance of the state’s trails, and to recognise them as essential state infrastructure.

“It has always been clear that Blue Derby delivers powerful social, health and environmental benefits, but now we have hard economic data that shows just how significant this destination is to Tasmania’s visitor economy,” Mr Beattie said.

Study confirms Blue Derby as Tasmania adventure tourism powerhouse, injecting more than $77 million a year into the state economy. Picture: Colin Levitch

A government spokesman said they were “a strong supporter of Derby and want to help it reach its full potential”.

“We have committed to investing $250,000 towards the Destination Derby Community Masterplan, backing this mountain-biking mecca. We look forward to working alongside Dorset Council and the Northern Tasmanian Development Corporation to deliver on this vision,” he said.

The report found Blue Derby supports 274 full-time equivalent jobs across Tasmania and attracts more than 45,000 mountain-bike visitors each year — representing 52% of all mountain-bike visitors to the state.

Blue Derby Foundation chair Steve Howell said the report highlighted both a critical moment and a major opportunity for Tasmania.

“The results in this report are testament to the hard work and collaboration between private businesses, regional leaders and local, state and federal governments that have made Derby Australia’s leading mountain-biking destination,” he said.

“While Blue Derby remains Australia’s most influential mountain-biking tourism destination, the report highlights rising competition from mainland trail towns.

“It urges proactive investment in marketing, trail innovation and visitor services to maintain Tasmania’s edge.”

Mr Howell said the study confirms Blue Derby is not just a tourism success: “It is a regional transformation story, a global brand asset and one of Tasmania’s most effective economic drivers.”

“It will continue to stimulate jobs, local business growth and statewide economic benefits.”

Originally published as Report reveals Blue Derby’s $50.9m value as leaders demand new funding