MEDIA RELEASE
Blue Derby confirmed as Tasmania’s adventure tourism powerhouse, injecting more than $77 million a year into the state’s economy.
Tasmania’s North-East has proven itself a global force in adventure tourism, with a new independent economic study confirming Blue Derby generates over $50.9 million in direct mountain-biking spend annually, alongside a further $26.6 million indirect contribution to Tasmania’s Gross State Product.
The newly released 2025 Value of Blue Derby to the Tasmanian Economy report shows the trail network is not only the beating heart of the Dorset visitor economy, but a defining contributor to Tasmania’s statewide tourism success.
In the past 12 months, more than 45,000 mountain-bike-specific visitors travelled to Blue Derby—representing over 50% of all MTB trips taken in Tasmania.
Out-of-state riders—who account for just 26.6% of visitors—deliver a powerful 69% of total MTB-attributed spend, demonstrating Blue Derby’s exceptional ability to attract long-staying, high-yield travellers who explore widely and support regional businesses.
Key visitor metrics include:
- International riders spend an average of $3,823 per trip, the highest of all markets.
- Interstate guests stay nearly nine days and spend $505 per MTB day.
- Intrastate riders continue to form the backbone of visitation, contributing over $15.7 million in MTB-specific spend.
This first-of-its-kind study confirms Blue Derby’s profound economic footprint, with 274 full-time equivalent jobs supported, primarily within the Dorset municipality across hospitality, accommodation, shuttle services, guiding, retail and bike maintenance.
One contributor captured the sentiment perfectly:
“What Blue Derby offers is something entirely unique… something visitors talk about long before they arrive and long after they return.”
Chair of the Blue Derby Foundation, Steve Howell, said the report highlights 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.”
The Blue Derby Foundation is calling on the State and Federal Governments to deliver a guaranteed and sustained investment to secure Blue Derby’s future.
“This 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,” Mr Howell said.
The Blue Derby Foundation supports the State Government’s election promise of investing $250,000 towards the Destination Derby Community Master Plan.
Working with the Dorset Council and the Northern Tasmanian Development Corporation to underpin the blueprint and provide foundations to ensure ongoing services and infrastructure can continue to meet the needs of this community and its visitors.
“This masterplan project is pivotal and needs to get cracking, investment of this calibre demands a clear vision for growth and boots on the ground."
Economic Impact Study Report