Mowbray: Nature Experiences and Horse Racing

In Mowbray, you can pursue two distinct interests: nature experiences in Heritage Forest and the area’s long association with horse racing. The park offers botanical discoveries, trails and recreational facilities; horse racing adds a different dimension. This gives you a clear starting point for planning your trip: are you mainly looking for time outdoors and a chance to get active, or would you also like to discover Mowbray through its horse racing?

Botanical diversity in Heritage Forest

Heritage Forest includes an arboretum with all 27 of Tasmania’s eucalyptus species. It also has the Australian Plant Society Native Plant Garden, which showcases flowering plants and shrubs from the Tasmanian bushland. These two areas draw attention to different aspects of the plant life: one focuses on the diversity of eucalyptus species, while the other features flowering plants and shrubs from the bushland. If you enjoy looking more closely at plants, these areas offer two specific nature themes in the park, in addition to its trails and recreational facilities.

Circular trails and exercise

For planning your route, there is one clearly named circuit: the Heritage Forest Trail is 2.9 km long, easy, runs on gravel and is suitable for family walks and bike rides. Heritage Forest also has more than 5 km of recreational trails for cycling, running and walking. The length of the named circuit and the figure for the recreational trails give you two ways to plan: a specific route and the wider extent of the trails in the park. The 5 km Launceston parkrun course also passes through Heritage Forest. If you plan to take part, check the current event arrangements before your visit.

More park facilities

For a day out that goes beyond the trails, Heritage Forest has picnic and barbecue facilities, as well as equipment for exercising outdoors. A reflection trail, an off-leash dog area and a beginner cycling course offer different activities. The play area includes a 40 m-long flying fox and a large thylacine sculpture. When planning your visit to the park, you can consider other interests alongside a trail route—from exercise and a break to the play area’s striking features.

Horse racing and local history

After brief, temporary attempts in Newnham and Invermay, horse racing found a permanent home in Mowbray. The Ladbrokes Racing Centre in Mowbray hosts thoroughbred racing events in Launceston; the venue is one of Tasmania’s two multi-code racing venues. Race dates vary, so check the calendar before visiting. The Listed Launceston Cup is a major racing event and traditionally takes place in late February. Check the exact date with the event organiser. Mowbray’s historic connection to racing and the timing of the Cup are two different points to consider when matching your interests to your travel dates.

Consider which focus you would like to shape your stay most before choosing accommodation in Mowbray.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Legana, Newnham, Hadspen, Rosevears.

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