Castle Hill

Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve near Ipswich is a compact but seriously fun mountain bike network built across the rugged remains of a historic coal-mining landscape. The reserve has around 16km of dedicated MTB trails, with more than 15 IMBA-rated trails ranging from beginner-friendly loops through to steep and technical singletrack. Start out on the flowing Blackleg Gully Circuit, then explore a maze of short trails that make clever use of the reserve’s sharp climbs, gullies and rocky terrain. More experienced riders can seek out technical options including Inca, while remnants of old mine tunnels, shafts and mining infrastructure give Castle Hill a character completely different to your typical bushland MTB park. RTS Tip: The individual trails may be short, but don’t underestimate Castle Hill — the steep terrain means you can quickly rack up plenty of climbing by linking repeated loops together. Download the trail map before you ride and keep an eye out for the historical mining features as you explore. It’s a great network for sessioning different trails rather than chasing one long continuous loop.