20251019 Kate Reed Reserve

Home of the well-known Silverdome, Kate Reed Reserve is also a quite large bush reserve, with some interesting and surprisingly long tracks and unexpected views.
Walking Route:
As the boom gates are usually locked on weekends unless there is an event, we will need to park outside the gates, so the walk will begin at the Oakden Rd gate just before the motorway bridge. From there we will walk around the Silverdome to the South-east carpark and take the Silverdome trail, making our way south around the big bends to the Kate Reed Fire trail. We will return to the car park via the Silverdome. Expected distance is around 4km. Your leader has checked the track conditions since recent weather events, and found only one tree fallen across the intended track, which is easy to walk around. However, track is very rocky and hilly and at the time of writing, a lot of water on the track. With a relatively dry and warm week predicted, this should improve. Not suitable for prams or children’s bikes!
While we don’t have a map or gpx track for the specific route, this Trailforks (mountain biking) map [link] will give an idea of the web of tracks your leader has to choose from.

Meeting Times and Places:
If you are interested in going on this walk, please phone Dan Hutchison on 0457 765 907 to book in. We will be meeting at the Tailrace Park car park at 2pm.
Unlike the regular Boots N’ All walks which often visit more challenging wilderness areas, there is no particular need to register in advance for these Sunday afternoon Family Fun Walks. Your walk leaders would nevertheless appreciate if you could let them know you are coming, so that the walk doesn’t set off without you.

To access this area from northern Tasmania:
From the city centre of Launceston, head south along Wellington St and continue just under 2km to the Westbury Rd junction just past Hungry Jacks and Glen Dhu Primary School. Turn right, and follow Westbury Rd for 2.4km to reach the Oakden Rd roundabout (with Silverdome advertising display). Turn left into Oakden Rd and continue 500m to reach the boom gate. There is some parking on right, where the walk will start.

Other Information:
These Sunday afternoon walks do not require the level of preparation and equipment needed for wilderness walks. Dress comfortably and sensibly, and remember that even over the timeframe of the walk, weather can be changeable in northern Tasmania, so it’s always a great idea to have a warm top and a raincoat in your backpack, along with a drink and perhaps a snack.
Yes, we know… Parents of very young children often have to carry a lot more, including children in backpacks! Hopefully your fellow walkers will offer to share the burden! While there are some quite long well-formed sections of track, there are also some steeper and rough sections in bushland.  Mountain bikers do use tracks on the reserve, so keep an eye out!