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About Meander Wilderness Experiences

Meander Wilderness Experiences is the first River Sledding adventure in Tasmania and one of the top things to do in Tasmania. Understandably, a lot of people don’t know what to expect.  The biggest fear is that they’ll get cold – apparently, it’s a thing Tassie is known for. 

We’ve got your back.  Our wetsuits are 3mm thick and double layered over the chest.  We provide gloves, booties, life jackets and helmets.  With all that on, you are set and the spirit of adventure kicks in leaving any thought of the cold behind. 

River Sledding is simple in practice.  We give you heavy-duty sleds, show you how to operate them then let you lose on the Meander River.  Your sled is like a thick blow-up mattress, it has a handle for carrying and to help you hang on. 

From where we leave the bus it is a ten-minute walk.  Not only does this get you warmed up and ready to hit the river, but it also gets you well acquainted with your sled.  Especially as you have to carry it.  The track is well-worn.  It was originally built for fly fishing access and is an easy stroll downhill.  The moment your arms start hurting from carrying the sled – the river is there to meet you. 

After a quick demo on how to ‘drive’ your sled (forwards, backwards, sideways and the ultimate – how to get back on when you fall off!) we’ll tackle the first rapid. 

On the river, we keep together.  Some of us are faster, some fall off a lot and others get stuck on every rock.  But no one gets left behind.  We’ve always got one guide out the front leading the way.  Our second guide is in the kayak at the back, making sure that no one gets left behind. 

We can’t give away all the secrets of River Sledding here.  You’re going to have to join us on the river.  All our trips go down the river with a Go Pro: check out our gallery for some of the footage. 

A passion for Meander

After many egg and bacon muffins at the Meander Shop and thinking about what enterprise could work in Meander, founder Daniel Wickham came up with the idea for Meander Wilderness Experiences. The aim is simple: to showcase the Meander Valley region as a place where people can immerse themselves in the wilderness - all while having a bucket load of fun and adventure while in Tasmania!

Daniel’s father, Ellis Wickham purchased a 112-acre property in the Meander Valley in 1974. Growing up in Launceston, the family would travel to the ‘farm’ every weekend. As an only child, Daniel made his own fun and loved every minute - learning to fish, driving a tractor, backing a trailer, rolling rocks down the next door neighbours hill (but shhh, he still doesn’t know to this day!). So it’s only fitting that, fast forward a couple of years, he’s now making his own fun with this unique river sledding experience!

Meander Wilderness Experiences is a platform to share his own passion and the passion that the locals in this area have for their community and environment with like-minded adventure seekers. Daniel says:

The world has changed since I was a boy and while I can’t share with you the experiences of my youth, I can give you this river sledding experience, which I reckon is a ripper. So come on out and have a gander at Meander!
— Daniel Wickham, Founder
 
Meander Wilderness Experiences Group River Sledding Tasmania Adventure