Find your next ride.

Dungog MTB Park, set within the 650-acre Dungog Common on the western edge of Dungog, has become one of the Hunter region’s standout mountain biking destinations. The Common offers over 30km of singletrack, with trails ranging from easy beginner riding through to difficult technical terrain, plus two purpose-built flow tracks and a fun track. The network rolls through open countryside and forested hills, combining cross-country singletrack, climbs, fast descents and plenty of opportunities to build skills. The trails are managed and maintained by the volunteer-run Ride Dungog, making this a genuine community-built riding destination within easy reach of Newcastle and the Central Coast. RTS Tip: Give yourself plenty of time here — between the XC network, flow tracks and pump/fun track, it’s easy to spend a full day riding. Check the current trail status with Ride Dungog before heading out, particularly after rain. Shuttle services also operate on many weekends and selected holiday periods if you’d rather save your legs and maximise your descending laps.

Knapsack MTB Trails – Glenbrook Knapsack Reserve is one of the Lower Blue Mountains’ key sanctioned mountain bike areas, sitting at Glenbrook/Lapstone on the eastern escarpment. The reserve combines purpose-built MTB singletrack and a dedicated downhill trail (Stringline Knapsack DH) with historic fire trails and old railway infrastructure, all within easy reach of Western Sydney. Ride Blue Mountains describes Knapsack as having the longest sanctioned MTB trail and the only sanctioned downhill trail in the Blue Mountains. The riding has a distinctly old-school Blue Mountains character. Expect sandstone, rocks, roots, tight natural singletrack, technical sections and plenty of elevation change as trails work their way down the escarpment. The downhill trail provides the more gravity-focused option, while the surrounding trails allow riders to put together shorter XC and trail-style sessions. One of the great things about Knapsack is the setting. The reserve contains remnants of the historic Lapstone Zig Zag railway, including cuttings and the spectacular sandstone Knapsack Viaduct, built in 1867 as part of the original railway crossing of the Blue Mountains. This gives the area a mix of MTB, bushland and railway history that’s pretty unique. Knapsack is also brilliantly positioned for a bigger day on the bike. Nearby Glenbrook provides access to the famous Woodford–Oaks Trail, including its purpose-built technical singletrack section, while Bennetts Ridge and other authorised riding in the Glenbrook area provide plenty of opportunities to extend the adventure. The main reserve access is from Barnet Street, Glenbrook, and the location is relatively easy to reach from Glenbrook and Lapstone stations. For riders searching for Knapsack MTB, Glenbrook mountain bike trails, Blue Mountains MTB, downhill mountain biking near Sydney or mountain biking in the Lower Blue Mountains, Knapsack is an important local network to have on the ride list. RTS Tip: Knapsack is one where current mapping is worth having with you. Ride Blue Mountains notes that signage can be poor and the return route from the downhill trail isn’t particularly obvious until you know the network. There are also many unsanctioned trails elsewhere in the Blue Mountains, so stick to the recognised Knapsack trails rather than assuming every piece of visible singletrack is legitimate.

Gravel Riding Around Adelaide Adelaide is a brilliant base for gravel riding, with everything from relaxed urban trails and rolling vineyard country to challenging climbs and big days exploring the Adelaide Hills. From the city, riders can quickly escape onto a mix of gravel roads, shared trails, fire tracks and quieter back roads. Easier adventures can be found through the Adelaide Park Lands and surrounding suburbs, while riders looking for more climbing and adventure can head into the Mount Lofty Ranges and Adelaide Hills, where an extensive network of gravel roads and trails opens up plenty of possibilities. For a bigger challenge, routes around Cleland Conservation Park and sections of the iconic Mawson Trail take riders deeper into the hills, combining sustained climbing, changing surfaces and some spectacular South Australian scenery. One of the great things about gravel riding around Adelaide is the variety. You can squeeze in a shorter ride close to the city, build a full-day loop through the hills or use Adelaide as the starting point for a much bigger multi-day adventure. With city access, hills, vineyards, conservation parks and an enormous network of unsealed roads within reach, Adelaide offers plenty to explore — whether you're new to gravel or looking for your next big day on the bike. RTS Tip: Adelaide has a huge variety of gravel riding to explore, and Ride The State will be working to add the routes from this area as individual Ride Cards over time. Until then, check out the mapping link to browse the Ride with GPS collection and find a route that suits your distance, climbing and adventure level.

Aduro Park in Allara, Eglinton, around 50km north of Perth, packs a surprising amount of riding into its 1.57-hectare purpose-built MTB park. Designed for progression, the network includes trails ranging from easy and beginner through to intermediate and advanced, with jumps, steep sections, tight turns and obstacles to keep more confident riders entertained. Younger riders have their own separate sealed junior bike and scooter track, while the main riding area gives kids, teens and adults a fun place to build skills without heading deep into the bush. A bike repair station, shaded picnic areas and nearby open space make it an easy family riding destination. RTS Tip: Start with an easier loop and work your way up — Aduro Park is designed for progression, so it’s a great spot to practise before tackling the more technical lines. The MTB tracks are one-way, so follow the trail signage, wear a helmet and enclosed shoes, and choose a line that matches your ability.

Albany offers a diverse collection of mountain bike trails close to the city, with much of the riding centred around Albany Heritage Park and the slopes of Mount Clarence and Mount Adelaide. Existing trails include the Pilot Trail, Clarence Downhill, Watertank Track, Pipeline Track and Adelaide Trail, providing everything from easier recreational riding through to technical downhill terrain. The 700m Clarence Downhill is a highlight for experienced riders, dropping around 76m through jumps, drops, rock features and wooden berms. The area is also undergoing a major trail redevelopment, with the broader Heritage Park project adding purpose-built green and blue MTB trails and improved connections between Mount Clarence and Mount Adelaide. RTS Tip: Albany's trail network is changing as the new Heritage Park trails are progressively completed, so check current trail status before riding and follow any temporary closure signage. Once fully delivered, the upgraded network will make it even easier to link the two mountains and build a bigger ride directly from Albany.

The Alice Springs Trail Network is a huge collection of hand-built desert singletrack spreading out from town into the spectacular landscapes of the Red Centre. With trails accessible directly from Alice Springs, riders can explore everything from smooth beginner-friendly loops to flowing cross-country singletrack and seriously technical rocky terrain. The network is split broadly between the Eastside and Westside trails, with key access points including the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Lovegrove, Gosse and Kurrajong trailheads. Expect classic Central Australian riding — rocky ridgelines, technical climbs and descents, fast hard-packed singletrack and incredible views across the surrounding ranges. Trails cover a wide range of difficulties, with highlights including Arrwe, Eastside Trail, Apwelantye, Aherre, Road Train, Skyline, Hell Line and Bob Gnarly. Rust-coloured trail markers and signed trailheads help with navigation, while the network’s proximity to town makes it easy to put together anything from a quick morning loop to a much bigger desert adventure. RTS Tip: Alice Springs might be close to town, but once you’re out on the trails it can feel surprisingly remote. Carry plenty of water, food, tools and spares, particularly if you’re heading onto the longer Westside trails. For newer riders, the Eastside Trail from the Telegraph Station is a great introduction; experienced riders have a huge range of blue, black and extremely difficult trails to explore. Grab the official NT Government trail map before heading out and consider downloading Trailforks for navigation.

Anglesea Bike Park is a purpose-built mountain bike facility on Victoria’s Surf Coast, just a short ride from the centre of Anglesea. Opened in 2006, it was Victoria’s first professionally designed Mountain Cross (4X) track and was designed by renowned trail builder Glen Jacobs of World Trail. The park’s approximately 400m 4X track features rollers, jumps, tabletops, berms and flowing straights, with features ranging from small and approachable through to larger options for more experienced riders. Alongside the main track, riders can explore dirt jumps, skills features and log rides, making the park a great place to practise technique or simply have some fun on the bike. Surrounded by tall pines and located only around 1km from Anglesea’s town centre and beaches, it’s an easy addition to a day of riding and exploring the Surf Coast. Facilities include parking, toilets, shelter and picnic areas. RTS Tip: The bike park closes during rain and when heavy rain is forecast to protect the track surface, reopening once conditions have dried out. Check conditions before heading over, particularly after wet weather.

Angry Bull Trails is a mountain bike destination built for riders looking for flowing trails, technical challenges and plenty of opportunities to get off the brakes and have some fun on the bike. The trail network offers a mix of purpose-built mountain bike singletrack, with terrain designed to keep things interesting for riders as they progress their skills. Expect features such as berms, rollers, jumps and technical sections, with different trail options allowing riders to explore the network and find lines that suit their ability. Whether you're chasing flowing laps, working on your bike handling or looking for something a little more challenging, Angry Bull Trails provides another great place to experience mountain biking and MTB trails in the region. Allow enough time to explore more than one trail and make a proper session of it — mountain bike parks and trail networks like this are always better when you've got time for another lap. RTS Tip: Trail conditions, access and individual trail difficulty can change, so check the latest local trail information before heading out. Ride within your ability, inspect unfamiliar features before committing and respect any trail closures or maintenance underway.

Anstey Hill Recreation Park brings a surprisingly varied MTB network to Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs, with around 25km of shared-use trails and eight designated mountain bike routes ranging from easy through to advanced. Beginners can start on the short Little Quarry Loop, while intermediate riders can explore loops including Yellow-tail, Silver Mine, Wednesday, Bursaria and Pink Gum. For experienced riders, Grand Canyon Downhill and Wildside Downhill are dedicated one-way advanced descents, throwing in jumps, drop-offs, rock gardens, berms and technical singletrack. Add in old quarries, historic mine workings, native bushland and views across the Adelaide Plains and there’s plenty to explore without travelling far from the city. RTS Tip: Anstey Hill mixes shared-use trails, MTB-only descents and walking-only tracks, so check the park map and signage as you ride. If you’re chasing the technical stuff, work your way towards Grand Canyon and Wildside, while newer riders will find the Little Quarry Loop a much friendlier starting point. Avoid riding when trails are wet or muddy, and check park and fire closures before heading out.

The Araluen MTB Trails sit on the western side of Alice Springs, offering more than 15km of dedicated mountain bike singletrack alongside an extensive network of fire trails stretching towards the West MacDonnell Ranges. Expect classic Red Centre riding with rocky desert terrain, technical features, rock gardens, punchy climbs and flowing sections, all surrounded by spectacular views across the ranges. The network offers options for newer riders while still providing plenty of technical challenges for experienced mountain bikers. Araluen forms part of the wider Alice Springs mountain bike network, making it easy to link into a much bigger day of riding. The westside trails are particularly known for their more technical character and panoramic desert scenery, with signed routes helping riders navigate the network. RTS Tip: Central Australian riding can be rocky, exposed and tougher than the distance suggests, so carry plenty of water, food, tools and spares even on shorter rides. The cooler months are the most comfortable time to explore, and downloading the official Alice Springs MTB map or Trailforks before setting out will make navigating the wider network much easier.

Ararat Hills offers a network of mountain bike riding in the bushland of Ararat Regional Park, just outside the centre of Ararat in western Victoria. The area has a mix of established and informal trails winding through dry forest and hilly terrain, with climbs, rocky sections and natural singletrack providing plenty of variety for riders looking to explore. Ararat has an active local MTB community, with the Ararat Dirt Riders helping to develop and maintain riding opportunities in the region. A larger purpose-built mountain bike trail network has been planned for Ararat Regional Park, but the project has faced delays and is not yet the completed trail network originally proposed. Some designated walking trails within the park also specifically prohibit bicycles, so riders should stick to recognised, bike-legal trails and check current Parks Victoria information when planning a ride. RTS Tip: Ararat Hills is more of an exploratory, natural-style riding area than a fully developed MTB park, so having a current trail map is worthwhile. Stick to recognised bike-legal trails, as some walking tracks within Ararat Regional Park do not allow bikes.

Attack of the Buns is a cracking multi-day bikepacking adventure through the Southern Tablelands and Southern Highlands of NSW, travelling approximately 323km from Bungendore to Bundanoon over three to four days. With around 63% of the route unpaved and approximately 4,692m of climbing, it combines quiet gravel backroads, remote fire trails and short sealed sections into a seriously rewarding long-weekend adventure. Despite the slightly intimidating name, this isn't an overly technical route. Much of the riding is along wide gravel roads and car-free fire trails, with some rougher 4WD sections and one particularly steep climb where a little hike-a-bike may be required. The real challenge comes from the distance, climbing and stretches of remote riding rather than technical trail difficulty. The scenery changes constantly along the way, taking riders through dry eucalypt forest, sandy woodland and lush rainforest while crossing several national parks and conservation areas. Highlights include the wild landscapes around Budawang National Park, Red Ground Track, Tianjara Falls, quiet gravel roads towards Kangaroo Valley, Griffins Firetrail and the spectacular waterfalls and escarpment views around Fitzroy Falls. Wildlife spotting is part of the experience too, with wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and lyrebirds all possible along the journey. There are plenty of opportunities for camping along the route, ranging from established campgrounds to remote clearings, making it possible to tackle the ride at different speeds. Riders should plan supplies carefully, however, as there is an extended stretch of around 160km between Braidwood and Nowra without resupply points. Natural water can be found along the route, but filtration or treatment is recommended. The route starts near Canberra at Bungendore and finishes at Bundanoon, roughly halfway between Canberra and Sydney. Public transport options at either end make this a particularly interesting point-to-point bikepacking option, or riders can keep the adventure going towards Sydney and the Blue Mountains. RTS Tip: This is a remote multi-day adventure, so good preparation and navigation are essential. River crossings and trail conditions can change considerably following rain, and riders should check current weather, park alerts, closures and fire conditions before setting off. Use the mapping and detailed route information linked below when planning your trip.

Avon Mt Hedrick is a true backcountry mountain biking destination, offering an extensive network of hand-built trails for riders who enjoy technical terrain, natural features and genuine adventure. Designed by local riders, the network ranges from Blue through to Double Black Diamond, with rugged singletrack, steep descents, rocky sections and natural obstacles that reward strong technical skills and confident bike handling. This is not a polished trail centre—it's an authentic, grassroots riding experience where exploration is all part of the adventure. The trail network has minimal signage, so carrying a navigation app such as Trailforks is highly recommended. First-time visitors are encouraged to connect with the local mountain bike community, who are often happy to guide newcomers through the best trails. Like nearby Blores Hill, Avon Mt Hedrick sits within a rain shadow, meaning it often stays dry when much of southern Victoria is wet. This makes it an excellent winter riding destination, while summer can bring hot and dry conditions, so riders should plan accordingly and carry plenty of water. For experienced, self-sufficient mountain bikers seeking challenging natural trails away from the crowds, Avon Mt Hedrick delivers an outstanding backcountry riding experience in one of Gippsland's hidden gems.

Awaba MTB Park, tucked into around 200 hectares of Olney State Forest near Cooranbong, is one of the Hunter region’s best-known mountain biking destinations. Built and maintained by the volunteers of Hunter Mountain Bike Association (HMBA), the park caters for an impressive mix of riders with cross-country, gravity, downhill, adaptive and development trails. The XC network includes the approximately 5km Olney Loop, 8km Watagans Loop and 12km Awaba Loop, while gravity riders can hit intermediate trails including Faulk Line, Little Falcon and Wild Polly. Experienced downhill riders have the legendary Monkey, an approximately 2.1km double-black descent, while newer and adaptive riders are well catered for with dedicated progression loops. RTS Tip: There’s enough variety at Awaba to bring the whole crew, but check the HMBA trail status before you leave, particularly after rain or around race weekends when sections of the park may close. If gravity is your thing, shuttle services operate at the park on selected days, while XC riders can easily link the main loops together for a much bigger day out.

Bare Creek Bike Park is a purpose-built freeride and gravity MTB park in Belrose on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, packing downhill trails, flow lines, dirt jumps, skills features and a pump track into a compact riding area. The park was funded and built by the NSW Government and is now managed by Northern Beaches Council. The park features around 1.6km of dedicated downhill and flow trails, but this is definitely a case where kilometres don’t tell the whole story. Bare Creek is designed for session-style riding and progression, where riders climb back up and repeat individual lines, jumps and features rather than heading out for one long MTB loop. There’s something for a surprisingly broad range of riders. Newer riders can start on the asphalt pump track and skills area, then progress towards the intermediate gravity trails. Trash Panda delivers berm-focused flow with optional drops, while Bin Chicken introduces intermediate freeride jumps. Things get considerably bigger on the advanced side. The Trio of Dips – Mild, Medium and Spicy – leads into higher-speed jump riding, while Livewire and the Pro Line feature serious freeride terrain. The hardest lines contain large mandatory gaps and drops and are intended only for riders with advanced or professional-level jumping skills. The dedicated dirt jump area adds another dimension, with multiple lines designed for MTB and BMX bikes, while the return trail makes it easy to keep lapping your chosen gravity lines. Facilities include toilets, drinking fountains, bike maintenance stations, parking and a dedicated access road. Bare Creek is also an interesting example of what can be achieved with an unusual site. The bike park was developed on a former landfill, allowing freeride-style jumps and features that would be difficult to construct within environmentally sensitive bushland elsewhere on the Northern Beaches. The trails were constructed by specialist trail builders Dirt Art and are supported by volunteer Trail Care crews. For riders searching for Bare Creek Bike Park, Belrose MTB, Northern Beaches mountain biking, Sydney jump trails, gravity MTB or freeride mountain biking in Sydney, this is one of the city’s standout places for riders who want to work on jumps, drops and bike-park-style skills. RTS Tip: Bare Creek is built around progression, but don’t assume that means every trail is beginner-friendly. Start with the pump track and skills area and work upwards — the advanced and Pro lines contain genuinely large features. The clay-based trails are also particularly sensitive to wet weather, and individual trails can close at short notice. The park normally operates 7am–7pm daily, but always check the current trail status before heading out.

Barrington Bike Park is a privately operated, gravity-focused mountain bike park at Bindera near Gloucester, set among rainforest in the foothills of Barrington Tops. With a huge 370m of vertical drop, shuttle uplifts and everything from green flow trails to seriously steep black technical descents, this is a destination built around maximising downhill time. The network offers green, blue and black-rated trails, with a combination of machine-built flow and rugged natural terrain. Beginners can get a taste of gravity riding on Ants in Ya Pants, while more experienced riders can step up to trails including Stinger, Crazy Train, Strangler, Lichen It, Shatterwood and Detonator. The harder trails make full use of the mountain’s gradient, with rocks, roots, steep chutes and technical rainforest riding. A big part of the experience is that Barrington is an uplift-focused park — park the car, jump aboard the shuttle and save your legs for the descents. Numbers are deliberately limited, so riders get plenty of quality trail time without the park feeling overcrowded. Bookings are essential. For riders who aren't quite ready for the gravity trails, nearby The Steps has a 3.5km XC singletrack loop, pump track and kids loop. The XC trail combines flowing descents, technical climbs and log bridges beside the Barrington River, making it a good option for families or mixed-ability groups. It’s also easy to turn this one into a proper riding weekend. Camping is available onsite beside the Barrington River, so you can ride all day, cool off in the river, camp overnight and get straight back onto the shuttles the next morning. Gloucester is around a 25-minute drive away for food, supplies and other services. For riders searching for Barrington Bike Park, Gloucester MTB, Barrington Tops mountain biking, shuttle MTB parks in NSW or gravity mountain biking near Newcastle, this is one of NSW’s standout privately operated gravity destinations. RTS Tip: This isn't a turn-up-and-ride public trail network. Bookings are essential and the main bike park operates by shuttle uplift. It currently opens Saturdays and Sundays, with additional school-holiday riding subject to minimum numbers. There’s also no mobile reception at the park, so sort your booking and directions before leaving town — the park specifically warns against blindly following GPS when approaching from the south because it can direct you onto a closed road.

Bayview Conservation Park, officially Bayview Conservation Area, is a huge bushland riding playground between Redland Bay and Mount Cotton, around 45 minutes south-east of Brisbane. Covering almost 1,000 hectares, the reserve has around 60km of mountain bike and shared-use trails, with everything from easy, flowing beginner singletrack to more technical blue-rated trails featuring roots, rocks, berms, creek crossings and punchy climbs. Popular trails include Birdcage, Chicken Run, The Maze, You’re Kidding, Sock Puppet, Doom Hippy, Shark Tail, Sorceress and Vegie-mite, with plenty of options to link trails together into anything from a family-friendly loop to a solid few hours in the saddle. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, start from the German Church Road main day-use area, where you’ll find parking, toilets, picnic facilities, a bike wash-down area and easy access into the network. Bayview’s sandy and loamy trails can be affected by heavy rain, so check conditions and closures before riding and stay off wet trails. With so many intersecting trails, having the official map or Trailforks handy is also well worth it.

Beacon Hill MTB Trails Beacon Hill on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is home to a well-established local mountain bike trail network, offering a mix of singletrack, technical features, rocky terrain and challenging descents tucked into the bushland around Beacon Hill and Oxford Falls. The network has developed into a popular riding spot for local mountain bikers, with trails ranging from easier lines through to more technical riding featuring rock rolls, drops, steep sections and natural trail features. It’s the kind of area where riders can link different trails together to create anything from a quick local lap to a longer session exploring the network. The rocky sandstone terrain gives Beacon Hill a distinctly Sydney mountain biking feel, with technical lines and natural features rewarding confident bike handling. Trailforks lists a substantial collection of individual trails in the Beacon Hill riding area, with options spanning different difficulty levels and riding styles. Its location on the Northern Beaches of Sydney also puts Beacon Hill within reach of other well-known MTB areas, making it easy to include as part of a bigger day exploring mountain bike trails around the Northern Beaches. Whether you’re searching for mountain biking in Beacon Hill, Northern Beaches MTB trails or mountain bike riding near Sydney, there’s plenty here for riders who enjoy natural, technical local trails. RTS Tip: Beacon Hill is a local trail network rather than a formal bike park, and individual trail access and conditions can change. Check current trail status and mapping before riding, respect closures and surrounding bushland, and ride within your ability — particularly on unfamiliar technical features.

Beasleys Nursery is a popular turnaround and rest stop for riders exploring Melbourne’s Main Yarra Trail and Mullum Mullum Creek Trail network. Located in Warrandyte beside the trail, it marks an important eastern connection point, with the Main Yarra Trail extension continuing towards Alexander Road and ultimately forming part of the developing cycling connection into Warrandyte. The ride out to Beasleys takes you through leafy creek corridors and bushland, with connections to the Main Yarra, Mullum Mullum and EastLink trails opening up plenty of options for longer loops. Beasleys itself has a café and nursery, making it a particularly handy destination for a relaxed recreational ride or coffee stop before heading back. RTS Tip: Make Beasleys your coffee or lunch turnaround, or use it as a waypoint on a longer ride through Warrandyte. There’s a bike repair station, drinking fountain, picnic table and map board near the nursery, making it a useful spot to regroup before continuing your ride.

Beechworth MTB Park is a compact but feature-packed mountain bike destination just a couple of kilometres from Beechworth in Victoria’s High Country. Around 19km of trails are packed into the park, ranging from green beginner riding through blue and black trails to a double-black option, with Beechworth’s distinctive granite terrain delivering rock gardens, slab rolls, pinch climbs, flowing descents and plenty of technical features. The network includes a skills area, jumps line, beginner Green Loop, cross-country loops and gravity trails, with most riding pedal-accessed and some lower trails able to be self-shuttled. Highlights include the 10km Intermediate XC Loop, Snakes and Ladders and Don’t Be A Hero, while the nearby Flame Trees Trail provides another great option if you want to extend your Beechworth riding. The trails are maintained by local riders from the Beechworth Chain Gang. RTS Tip: There’s no drinking water at the trailhead, so arrive self-sufficient, particularly if you’re planning a longer session. Newer riders can start with the 1.2km Green Loop and skills area before progressing onto the more technical trails — and with Beechworth so close, it’s easy to combine a ride with a food or coffee stop in town.

Belair National Park brings mountain biking into the beautiful bushland of the Mount Lofty Ranges, just 25 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD. Riders can explore designated cycling and shared-use trails through woodland, valleys and historic sections of South Australia’s oldest national park. For an easier ride, the 4km Microcarpa Loop combines relatively gentle riding with some intermediate sections, while experienced riders can tackle the 13km Adventure Loop, featuring sustained climbing, steep fire roads and tight, technical singletrack descents. With picnic areas, toilets, a café and plenty to explore beyond the bike, Belair is an easy place to turn a ride into a full day out. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, start with Microcarpa Loop before stepping up to the Adventure Loop — the latter packs in considerably more climbing and technical terrain. Many of Belair’s trails are shared with walkers and horse riders, so watch your speed, follow the give-way rules and stick to designated cycling trails. Avoid riding in wet or muddy conditions to help protect the trails.

Bells Gully, also known as Prospect Hill, is a designated mountain bike network tucked among the pine plantations of Kuitpo Forest in the southern Adelaide Hills. The area is particularly popular with intermediate riders, with a collection of fun, flowing singletrack, cross-country trails and faster descending lines woven through the forest. Trails range from easier options through to blue, black and more technical lines, making Prospect Hill a great place to build skills and explore different trail combinations. A popular introduction is the roughly 7km Prospect Hill Loop, which links together intermediate singletrack for a good taste of what the network has to offer. RTS Tip: Navigation is worth having sorted before you start — the network isn't extensively signposted and forestry operations can occasionally affect trail access. Download or save the Trailforks map before your ride and check current trail reports and ForestrySA information for closures. The main MTB access is from the small car park on Brookman Connor Road opposite Gate BG9.

Bellthorpe Circuit is a challenging 78.4km road cycling loop through the Sunshine Coast hinterland, starting and finishing at Landsborough. The route rolls through Beerwah before the climbing begins towards Peachester and Bellthorpe National Park, eventually gaining around 1,200m of elevation on the way to Maleny. The reward is some spectacular hinterland scenery, including views across the Glass House Mountains and as far south as Brisbane, before a fast and winding descent through Bald Knob returns riders to Landsborough. With sustained climbing, narrow rural roads and limited shoulders, this one is best suited to experienced road riders with strong fitness and confidence riding in traffic. RTS Tip: Maleny makes the perfect mid-ride coffee and refuel stop before tackling the descent back towards Landsborough. Take extra care on the downhill sections — speeds can be high and the roads are narrow and winding with little or no shoulder. Landsborough railway station also makes this a handy adventure to access by train from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.

The Ben Lomond Gravel Climb is one of Tasmania’s most iconic cycling challenges, climbing deep into Ben Lomond National Park before tackling the spectacular switchbacks of Jacobs Ladder. From the turn onto Ben Lomond Road, riders face roughly 18km of predominantly gravel climbing, gaining more than 1,000m on the journey towards the alpine plateau. The finale is the unforgettable Jacobs Ladder — a steep, narrow series of switchbacks cut dramatically into the mountainside, with gradients pushing into double figures and huge views opening across north-east Tasmania. It’s a serious climb, but for experienced gravel riders it delivers one of the most memorable ascents in Australia. RTS Tip: Save something for Jacobs Ladder — the final switchbacks are the steepest and roughest part of the climb, and the descent demands just as much respect. Conditions can change rapidly at this elevation, so pack layers, check the weather and current park alerts before setting out. During snowy or icy conditions the access road can close without notice, making this one best planned around suitable conditions.

Bennett’s MTB Tracks – Chain of Ponds Bennett’s MTB Tracks is a local mountain bike trail network at Chain of Ponds in South Australia, offering riders another place to explore off-road riding within easy reach of Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. The trail area has a recognised MTB car park at Chain of Ponds. The network is best suited to riders looking for a more natural, local mountain biking experience, with bush trails and changing terrain rather than the highly developed feel of a major purpose-built bike park. Expect a mix of MTB singletrack, natural surfaces, climbs and descents, with opportunities to link different tracks together and explore the surrounding area. It’s a good option for riders who enjoy discovering smaller local trail networks and adding something different to their Adelaide mountain biking list. Its location around Chain of Ponds also puts riders within reach of the wider Adelaide Hills, where there are plenty more mountain bike, gravel and cycling adventures to combine into a bigger day or weekend on the bike. Whether you're searching for mountain biking in the Adelaide Hills, MTB trails near Adelaide or riding around Chain of Ponds, Bennett’s MTB Tracks is another local network worth discovering. RTS Tip: Bennett’s is a local trail network and detailed official information is limited, so check current mapping, access and trail conditions before heading out. Respect any signage or closures and ride within your ability on unfamiliar trails.

Big Hill Mountain Bike Park is one of Australia’s original and most iconic mountain bike networks, located just 500m from the centre of Mount Beauty in Victoria’s High Country. Unlike many newer bike parks, Big Hill’s trails have largely been built by hand rather than machine, giving the network a raw, natural and distinctly old-school character that sets it apart from other destinations across North East Victoria. The park offers a huge network of cross-country, trail and downhill riding, with everything from beginner-friendly trails through to world-class XC and gravity terrain. Expect tight hand-cut singletrack, roots, rocks, steep climbs, fast natural descents and technical features, with trails that reward riders who enjoy natural terrain rather than manicured bike-park flow. A great way to explore Big Hill for the first time is through its colour-coded loops. The Green Loop is around 5km with 182m of climbing and provides a good introduction to the park. The Yellow Loop steps things up to around 10km and 315m of climbing, while the Orange Loop packs 11 trails and roughly 356m of climbing into its 10km route, including favourites The Claw and Rachel’s Way. For experienced riders, Big Hill has a serious pedigree. Its steep, fast hand-cut singletrack has been used for downhill, cross-country and enduro racing for decades, with Team Mount Beauty describing the trails as having produced numerous cycling champions. The club continues to host major events including rounds of the Victorian Downhill Series. The network is maintained by Team Mount Beauty, a volunteer cycling club founded in 1995. The club is closely connected with the park and continues to maintain trails, organise events and work with the different landowners across Big Hill. Big Hill is also perfectly positioned for a Victoria High Country MTB road trip. Bright, Yackandandah, Beechworth and Falls Creek are all within the wider region, making Mount Beauty an excellent base for several days of riding. For riders searching for Mount Beauty MTB, Big Hill MTB Park, Victoria High Country mountain biking, natural singletrack or downhill riding in North East Victoria, Big Hill is absolutely one to have on the ride list. RTS Tip: Big Hill is famous for being raw, natural and a little complicated to navigate — and that’s part of its charm. Team Mount Beauty openly acknowledges that navigation can be challenging and is working to improve signage, so download the current map before heading out. First-time riders can start with the Green Loop before progressing deeper into the network

Bindoon Mountain Bike Park brings purpose-built mountain biking to the beautiful Chittering Valley, around 84km north of Perth. Set across approximately 100 hectares of hillside just east of Bindoon, the park currently features 10 trails catering for beginners through to experienced riders. The 4.8km green Chinkabee Trail loops around the park and provides access to the wider network, while trails such as Cowslip deliver fast, approachable flow with rollers and berms. Intermediate riders can step things up on trails like Ten 80, while experienced riders can tackle Black Sheep, a black-rated descent combining jumps, berms, rock gardens and drops, with optional double-black features thrown in for good measure. The elevated setting also delivers some brilliant views across the surrounding valleys, orchards, farmland and Bindoon township. RTS Tip: Use Chinkabee as your introduction to the park — it circles the network and makes it easy to scope out the different trails before choosing your descents. There are toilets and parking at the trailhead, and Bindoon is only around five minutes away for food, fuel and supplies. Keep an eye on the trail grading as you progress; some of the advanced lines include significantly bigger technical features than the green and blue trails.

Black Hill Bike Park is a compact mountain bike network within Black Hill Reserve, just minutes from central Ballarat. Built into the steep slopes of the hill and its historic mining landscape, the park packs plenty into a relatively small area, with six cross-country trails, four downhill trails, two pump tracks, a skills area and an advanced jump park. Riding ranges from approachable green and blue trails through to steep Black Diamond and Double Black Diamond descents, with rocky terrain, jumps, technical features and fast gravity riding. The lookout at the top provides great views across Ballarat and is a handy starting point for exploring the network. Riders looking for a challenge can tackle trails such as Claim Jumper, Sluice, Alluvial and Open Cut, while the Green and Westside XC loops provide easier options for building skills or warming up. RTS Tip: Black Hill has some seriously technical gravity trails, so check the trail grading before dropping in and ride within your ability. Parking and a trail map can be found near the lookout at the end of Sim Street, with designated shuttle pick-up available from the Queen Street side of the hill.

Black Jack State Forest MTB Trails – Gunnedah Black Jack State Forest is home to Gunnedah's dedicated mountain bike trail network, offering a great mix of cross-country singletrack and forest riding just outside town in north-west NSW. The Black Jack MTB Trails have been developed for cross-country mountain biking, with a variety of trails giving riders opportunities to explore the forest, build skills and link together different loops for a longer session on the bike. Expect classic XC riding with flowing singletrack, climbs, descents and natural forest terrain, with options catering for different riding abilities. Easier trails provide a good introduction to the network, while more challenging lines add extra climbing and technical features for experienced riders. The trails are managed by Gunnedah Mountain Bikers, whose local volunteers help maintain and develop the network and support mountain biking within the Gunnedah region. Black Jack is a great option whether you're a local looking for somewhere to get some laps in or travelling through the New England and North West region with the bikes onboard. With a dedicated trail network sitting close to Gunnedah, it's an easy riding destination to add to a regional NSW mountain biking road trip. Whether you're searching for mountain biking in Gunnedah, Black Jack MTB Trails, Gunnedah mountain bike trails or MTB riding in north-west NSW, Black Jack State Forest is well worth putting on the list. RTS Tip: Black Jack is an active State Forest and trail conditions or access can change around forestry operations, maintenance and weather. Check current Forestry Corporation and local trail information before heading out, respect any closures and avoid riding trails when conditions could cause damage.

Black Swamp Road – Nutshell Return is a 47km gravel loop near Tenterfield in northern NSW, offering a great half-day to full-day adventure through the quiet backroads and bush landscapes surrounding the region. With approximately 640m of climbing, the route provides enough elevation to keep things interesting without turning into an all-day epic. Expect a mix of gravel and country roads, rolling terrain and some solid climbs along the way, making this a good option for riders looking to explore beyond Tenterfield's more established trails and tourist routes. The appeal here is classic country gravel riding — quiet roads, wide-open landscapes, native bush and plenty of time away from traffic and crowds. At 47km, there's also enough distance to make it feel like a proper adventure while still leaving time to explore more of the Tenterfield region before or after your ride. It's best suited to riders comfortable riding gravel and managing changing road surfaces, with a gravel bike or suitable adventure bike being the natural choice. RTS Tip: This route heads into quieter country outside Tenterfield, so carry enough food, water and basic repair gear for the ride. Download your route before setting out and check current weather, road conditions and any local access information. Follow the mapping link for the detailed route and navigation.

Blores Hill Mountain Bike Park is one of Gippsland's premier mountain biking destinations, offering a diverse network of flowing cross-country trails through beautiful native bushland with spectacular views across the Gippsland Plains. The park features 14 purpose-built trails ranging from beginner-friendly rides to challenging technical descents. Riders can expect a fun mix of flowing singletrack, bermed corners, rock gardens, bridges, jumps and natural granite outcrops that keep every lap exciting. The well-designed trail network is rideable year-round and offers plenty of variety for riders looking to build confidence or test their technical skills. As you wind through the forest, panoramic viewpoints provide stunning vistas across the surrounding countryside, making Blores Hill as rewarding for its scenery as it is for its riding. Shared-use trails also allow walkers and horse riders to enjoy parts of the reserve, so riders should remain aware of other trail users. With something to suit families, recreational riders and experienced mountain bikers alike, Blores Hill Mountain Bike Park has earned its reputation as one of Victoria's standout riding destinations, combining flowing trails, technical features and beautiful natural surroundings into an unforgettable day on the bike.

Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails has transformed the former tin-mining town of Derby in north-east Tasmania into one of Australia’s premier mountain biking destinations. The wider network features more than 125km of purpose-built trails, weaving through spectacular temperate rainforest, giant ferns, granite boulders, rivers and old mining landscapes. The main Derby network alone has 35 purpose-built trails, ranging from family-friendly green runs such as Rapids and Lake Derby through flowing intermediate singletrack and iconic technical trails including Trouty, Detonate, Black Dragon and Kumma-Gutza. Add shuttle-accessed descents, huge rock slabs, jumps, berms and longer wilderness adventures like the Blue Tier and you’ve got a destination worthy of several days on the bike. Blue Derby has also hosted rounds of the Enduro World Cup, cementing its reputation on the international MTB stage. RTS Tip: Don’t try to squeeze Derby into a single day — stay a few nights and explore the network properly. The main Derby trails are free to ride year-round, with climbing trails providing access throughout the network or paid uplift shuttles available if you’d rather save your legs for the descents. If you’re planning to ride Blue Tier or Big Chook, check their status before travelling as these trails have an annual winter closure, generally from July until late September depending on conditions.

Bom Bom State Forest MTB Trails – Grafton Bom Bom State Forest is home to a fantastic mountain bike trail network just 5km south of Grafton on the NSW North Coast, offering purpose-built singletrack for everyone from newer riders through to experienced mountain bikers. The Bom Bom MTB Trails feature a network of flowing cross-country singletrack winding through ironbark and spotted gum forest. The generally gentle terrain and lack of large rocky sections make Bom Bom particularly approachable, with plenty of trails where beginners can build confidence while faster riders can find a completely different challenge by pushing the pace. Expect tight and twisting singletrack, small gullies, hardpack and the area's distinctive pea-gravel surface, which can make the corners surprisingly entertaining. While much of the network is relatively low to moderate in technical difficulty, trails such as Uncle Teddy's Wonderland and Harlowe's Howler provide more challenging options as riders progress. The trails are closely connected with Grafton Cycle Club and Bom Bom Mountain Biking, with local riders and volunteers helping maintain and develop the network. The club also runs regular MTB racing, adding a great community element to the riding scene around Grafton. For riders searching for mountain biking in Grafton, MTB trails on the NSW North Coast or beginner-friendly mountain bike trails in NSW, Bom Bom is a great network to put on the list. And with Grafton as a base, there's plenty more cycling and outdoor adventure to discover throughout the wider Clarence Valley, making Bom Bom an easy addition to a North Coast riding road trip. RTS Tip: Bom Bom's soils don't cope particularly well with wet weather, so give the trails time to dry after significant rain and check current trail conditions before heading out. Forestry operations can also affect access from time to time, so respect any temporary closures and signage.

Boomerang Farm Bike Park in Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast is a privately operated, pay-to-ride gravity park built for riders who love going downhill. The park features around 14 gravity trails and growing, ranging from green through to double-black, with flow trails, downhill tracks, freeride lines, berms, drops, rock features and some seriously big jumps. There’s also a dedicated dirt-jump area and pump track, giving riders plenty of opportunity to work on progression between runs. With shuttle uplifts available, plus an on-site café and bike shop, Boomerang Farm makes it easy to settle in for a full day of gravity laps. RTS Tip: This is private property and a paid-entry bike park, so check current opening days, trail conditions and book your rider entry before making the trip. Shuttle uplift is well worth considering if you want to maximise your downhill laps, and protective gear is strongly recommended as you progress onto the harder lines and bigger features.

Booyeembara Park in White Gum Valley, Fremantle packs a lot of fun into a compact urban MTB facility and is home to Western Australia’s first micro-downhill trails. The riding area features two roughly 400m purpose-built descents: a fast and flowy blue intermediate jump line loaded with tabletops, hip jumps, shark fins, berms and rollers, and a much more serious black trail featuring drops, step-ups, step-downs, a wooden wall ride and advanced jumping features. A beginner-friendly pump track at the trail hub gives newer riders somewhere to build skills, while an easy return climbing trail gets you back to the top for another lap. RTS Tip: Don’t let the short trail lengths fool you — the black line contains non-optional advanced features and requires solid jumping skills. Newer riders should start on the pump track, progress to the blue line when ready and session plenty of laps before considering the black. There are shelters, seating, drinking water, bike parking and nearby toilets, making Boo Park an easy spot to settle in for a skills session.

Bowden Spur Mountain Bike Area in Kinglake National Park is home to Shepherds Track, a purpose-built 2km downhill trail designed for experienced gravity riders. Dropping around 233m down the spur, Shepherds is rated Double Black Diamond and packs in steep gradients, dirt jumps, rock gardens, flowing berms, off-camber sections and technical rocky terrain. Built in 2012, it remains one of the more challenging downhill MTB experiences within easy reach of Melbourne. This is a dedicated downhill/enduro ride rather than a broader trail network, with vehicle access to the car park at the top of Bowden Spur allowing riders to organise shuttle runs. Parks Victoria recommends downhill or enduro bikes, along with a full-face helmet and body armour. RTS Tip: Shepherds is genuinely advanced terrain — this isn’t the place to progress onto your first black trail. Experienced riders should arrive with appropriate protective gear, plenty of water and a plan for getting back to the top. There’s no drinking water at the trail, and conditions can change quickly with weather, fire danger or maintenance, so check Parks Victoria updates before heading out.

Bright and Victoria's High Country is one of Australia's standout gravel destinations, with an enormous network of forest roads, alpine tracks, quiet country lanes and gravel routes winding through mountains, farmland and valleys. From Bright, riders can head straight into the surrounding hills or use nearby towns including Porepunkah, Myrtleford, Harrietville and Mount Beauty as starting points for completely different gravel adventures. Routes range from shorter valley rides and approachable out-and-backs through to big mountain loops with serious climbing and long stretches through remote alpine country. For those chasing elevation, the surrounding ranges certainly deliver. The Mount Porepunkah Loop climbs towards the 1,178m summit, rewarding the effort with huge views across Mount Buffalo, Mount Feathertop, Mount Bogong and the surrounding High Country before dropping back towards the valley. Other routes explore the forests and farmland around Myrtleford, cross between Bright and Mount Beauty or venture higher into the alpine landscape around Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham. Part of what makes this region so good for gravel is the sheer variety. You can put together a relaxed few hours exploring the valley or tackle a demanding full-day adventure with plenty of climbing — then roll back into one of the surrounding towns for a well-earned feed and drink. Some routes pass through working plantation forests, where access conditions and temporary closures can apply, so always check current information before riding. RTS Tip: There are loads of individual gravel routes throughout Bright & Surrounds, and Ride The State will be working on getting these added as individual Ride Cards over time. Until then, check out the mapping and route link to explore the available rides, choose something that suits your distance and ability, and start planning your High Country gravel adventure.

Broken Hill MTB Trails Broken Hill offers a completely different kind of mountain biking experience, with local trails and tracks surrounded by the rugged, rocky landscapes of Outback NSW. The Broken Hill MTB trail network gives riders the chance to get off-road and explore terrain shaped by the Barrier Ranges, with hard-packed dirt, loose rock, natural features and classic red-earth riding creating a distinctly outback feel. Rather than the manicured flow trails of a major bike park, riding around Broken Hill is about natural terrain and local trails, with the dry landscape, rocky hills and huge open skies providing a spectacular backdrop. The surrounding country also makes Broken Hill an interesting stop for riders travelling through Far West NSW. The nearby Barrier Ranges, Silverton and desert landscapes provide plenty of opportunities to combine a ride with a bigger outback road trip. Broken Hill itself is one of Australia's most distinctive regional cities, so there's plenty to explore once the bikes are packed away — from its mining history and art scene to the incredible desert landscapes and sunsets surrounding town. Whether you're searching for mountain biking in Broken Hill, Broken Hill bike trails, MTB riding in Outback NSW or cycling in Far West NSW, the local trail network offers another way to experience the Silver City. RTS Tip: Broken Hill's MTB riding is a local trail network rather than a major formally managed mountain bike park, and detailed trail information can be limited. Check current local mapping and access before riding, respect private property and any signed restrictions, and come prepared for the conditions. Heat can be extreme and water and shade limited, so plan accordingly and avoid remote riding in unsuitable weather.

Brownhill Creek Recreation Park offers a scenic shared-use riding experience just 8km from Adelaide, following the narrow creek valley beneath huge river red gums and blue gum woodland. The main Shared Use Trail is around 3km one way and can be ridden by bikes, with a relatively gentle route through the heart of the park past historic sites including old manure pits, quarries and remnants of the area’s early market-gardening history. The park is culturally significant to the Kaurna people, who knew the area as Wirraparinga — meaning scrub and camping place. While the park itself offers a relatively short ride, it makes a useful gateway into Adelaide’s wider trail network. More adventurous riders can continue beyond Brownhill Creek towards Pony Ridge and Belair National Park, opening up longer rides with steeper climbs and more challenging terrain. RTS Tip: Stick to the designated Shared Use Trail, public roads and trails specifically open to bikes — the park’s dedicated walking trails aren’t open to mountain bikes. Brownhill Creek Recreation Park closes on Catastrophic Fire Danger days and may also close during Extreme Fire Danger, so check current park conditions before heading out during warmer weather.

Rising dramatically above Victoria's High Country, Mount Buffalo National Park is an incredible cycling destination, offering one of Australia's most recognised road climbs alongside a network of gravel roads and tracks across the spectacular alpine plateau. The classic Mount Buffalo road climb begins at Eurobin Creek Picnic Area and climbs for just under 21km, gaining approximately 1,013m of elevation at a remarkably consistent 4–5% gradient. Riders can settle into the climb and steadily work their way towards The Gap and Mount Buffalo Chalet, surrounded by granite cliffs, forests and increasingly impressive views across the High Country. For those wanting to keep going, the adventure can continue beyond the traditional finish towards The Horn, Mount Buffalo's highest point at 1,723m. The final section beyond Cresta Valley changes to gravel, adding another dimension to an already memorable mountain ride. Gravel riders can also explore a number of the park's management and service roads, including Reservoir Road, Mount McLeod Track, the Gorge Precinct, Lake Catani Track, 9 Mile Creek Track and The Horn Road. Terrain varies considerably, with everything from relatively gentle gravel through to steep and more remote sections. The Gorge–Lake Catani Track is another great option, providing a wide, gently graded gravel connection between the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet and Gorge precinct and beautiful Lake Catani. There is no singletrack mountain biking within Mount Buffalo National Park, and bikes aren't permitted on walking-only tracks, so riders need to stick to roads and designated shared cycling routes. Whether you're chasing the iconic road climb, adding some gravel to the adventure or spending a day exploring the plateau by bike, Mount Buffalo delivers a pretty spectacular backdrop for a ride. RTS Tip: Ride The State will work on adding the individual Mount Buffalo cycling and gravel routes as separate Ride Cards over time. Until then, use the More links to explore the cycling options and plan your ride. Conditions on the mountain can change quickly, so check current park and road conditions before heading out and remember that the main Mount Buffalo Road is narrow and shared with vehicles.

Bundadung & Fire Shed Trails – Tathra MTB The Bundadung & Fire Shed Trails in Tathra form one of the NSW South Coast's most established mountain bike networks, with more than 55km of hand-built singletrack and over 40 trails winding through beautiful coastal bushland above Tathra. Known for its classic cross-country mountain biking, Tathra offers riding for a wide range of abilities, from approachable green trails through to flowing intermediate singletrack and more technical challenges for experienced riders. The Bundadung Trails are the original heart of mountain biking in Tathra. Expect plenty of climbing, sweeping descents and twisting singletrack through eucalypt forest, with glimpses towards the coast adding to the experience. Popular trails include Kingy's Climb, Hatti Gaddi, Nizentite and the much-loved Bridges. Head across to the Fire Shed Trails and the character changes. The riding is generally more flowing and undulating, with long stretches of singletrack that reward carrying momentum through the forest. Riders looking for something more challenging can seek out technical sections including Bad Apples, while trails such as Creek Run add plenty of fast, swooping fun. What makes Tathra particularly special is its community-built character. Much of the network has been created by passionate local riders over many years, producing raw, natural singletrack that feels very different from a modern machine-built bike park. With the trails sitting right beside one of the Sapphire Coast's best-known seaside towns, it's easy to turn a ride into a full Tathra mountain biking weekend — ride the singletrack, hit the beach and then come back the next day to explore the trails you missed. Whether you're searching for Tathra mountain bike trails, mountain biking on the Sapphire Coast, MTB trails on the NSW South Coast or cross-country mountain biking in NSW, Bundadung & Fire Shed should definitely be on the ride list. RTS Tip: There's a lot of trail packed into Tathra, so use current trail mapping to plan a loop that suits your ability rather than trying to tackle everything at once. Respect the cultural significance of the Bundadung area, stay on formed trails, check current trail conditions and closures, and give the trails time to recover following significant wet weather.

The Bundian Way is an extraordinary journey connecting the high country around Targangal (Kosciuszko) with Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach) on the NSW Far South Coast, following an ancient Aboriginal pathway that has connected people, Country and culture for thousands of years. The 265km Heritage Route travels from the highest part of the Australian continent towards the sea, crossing dramatically different landscapes along the way. From alpine country and the rugged Snowy River wilderness, it passes across the Monaro, through forests and tablelands before eventually descending towards Twofold Bay and the coast. Long before today's roads and trails, the Bundian Way formed part of a much larger network of Aboriginal pathways connecting Yuin, Ngarigo, Jaitmathang and Bidawal Country. These routes enabled travel between communities and important places, including journeys associated with springtime whaling ceremonies around Twofold Bay and summer Bogong moth gatherings in the high country. For modern adventurers, the scale and remoteness of the route are impressive. Sections pass through national parks, state forests, rural landscapes and extremely rugged wilderness, with the Snowy River and Byadbo country among the most challenging parts of the journey. The Bundian Way shouldn't be approached simply as another trail to tick off a list. It is a culturally and historically significant pathway through Country, and anyone exploring the region should take the time to understand and respect the story and significance of the landscapes they are travelling through. RTS Tip: The Bundian Way includes remote and difficult country and the full Heritage Route should not be assumed to be open or suitable for cycling throughout. Ride The State recommends using the official Bundian Way information below to understand the route, access and cultural significance before planning an adventure. RTS will work on identifying suitable cycling sections and touring options that can be added as individual Ride Cards over time.

Bungarra MTB Park – Jindabyne Bungarra Alpine Centre is a privately operated mountain bike network just outside Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains, set across around 80 hectares of bushland. With approximately 20km of professionally built MTB trails plus four skills areas, it’s a particularly good place for riders to build confidence and progress their technical skills. The network caters for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders, with trails graded green, blue and black. Expect everything from relatively easy, flatter singletrack suitable for families and newer riders through to technical switchbacks, rock gardens and more challenging natural features. One of Bungarra’s strengths is its progression-focused layout. The four dedicated skills areas allow riders to practise technique before heading onto the trails, making it a useful destination for newer mountain bikers, juniors and anyone wanting to sharpen their bike handling. The venue is also used for organised MTB instruction and school programs. Unlike many of the public trails around Jindabyne, Bungarra is on private property and access is controlled. Published visitor information indicates that the trails are available to Bungarra guests, Jindabyne MTB Club members and members of the public with a trail pass, so riders should confirm current access arrangements before heading out. Its location makes it easy to include in a bigger Snowy Mountains riding trip. Bungarra is only a few minutes from Jindabyne, putting riders close to the wider Jindabyne trail network, Thredbo Valley Track and the region’s growing collection of MTB destinations. For riders searching for Bungarra MTB, Jindabyne mountain bike trails, Snowy Mountains MTB, beginner MTB near Jindabyne or MTB skills parks in NSW, Bungarra is a great option — especially for riders looking to progress rather than simply chase kilometres. RTS Tip: Bungarra is not a free public MTB park, so don’t simply arrive assuming the trails are open for unrestricted riding. Check current trail-pass and access arrangements before visiting. If you’re still developing your skills, make use of the skills areas first — Bungarra is one of those places where you can start comfortably and gradually work your way onto the harder trails.

Bunyaville Conservation Park is a popular mountain biking playground on Brisbane’s northside, combining purpose-built singletrack with an extensive network of shared forest trails and management roads. The park has 10 officially designated MTB-only trails, predominantly blue intermediate with two black difficult options, plus plenty of connecting trails for building longer cross-country loops. Highlights include the flowing Gum Nuts, creek-crossing Creek Trail, twisty Zig-zag, climbing-focused Sugar Glider and Mini Van, while experienced riders can step things up on Jurassic and the steep Carnivore. Expect classic SE Queensland riding with roots, rocks, creek beds, punchy climbs and natural technical features, all within easy reach of Brisbane. RTS Tip: Bunyaville is best explored by linking the MTB trails with the shared network, so grab the official map before setting off and create your own loop. Jurassic and Carnivore are rated difficult, so newer riders should stick with the intermediate trails until they’re comfortable with the terrain. Avoid riding after heavy rain or when trails are soft and muddy, and remember that cyclists must give way to walkers and horses when using shared trails.

Burnie MTB Park - Pump Track and Mountain Bike Trails at View Road Reserve in Montello is a compact, purpose-built riding hub just minutes from central Burnie. Known as “Send it, Case it”, the facility combines a pump track with dirt jumps and three downhill mountain bike trails running down the hillside above the reserve. The trails offer different difficulty levels so riders can progress their skills, while a dedicated children’s zone within the pump track gives younger riders a safer place to get started. Add easy return access, plenty of parking, toilets, shelters, seating, drinking water and bike racks and it’s a great spot for anything from a quick session to a few hours of repeated laps. RTS Tip: Warm up on the pump track before heading uphill for the MTB descents, and inspect each trail before committing — the three downhill trails vary in difficulty and riders are encouraged to choose lines suited to their ability. With the pump track, jumps and downhill trails all together, it’s a particularly good spot for practising skills and progression rather than chasing a long-distance ride.

Buxton MTB Park is a purpose-built mountain bike network in the Black Range State Forest, around 100km north-east of Melbourne. The park offers around 23km of singletrack across nine trails, with gentle climbs, fast flowing descents, berms, rollers, jumps and sections winding through lush tree ferns. Most of the network is intermediate, with options ranging from the easy 600m Platypus Circuit through to more challenging black trails. The 13.3km Acheron Ridge is the park’s signature loop, combining jumps, berms, log drops and fast singletrack, including the flowing descent through Spider Gully. Other highlights include Off Camber for a shorter dose of flow and airtime, and Cathedral for riders looking for a more technical challenge. All trails are pedal-accessed, one-way and well signed from the main trailhead. RTS Tip: Buxton MTB Park has a seasonal winter closure, generally from the Tuesday after the King’s Birthday weekend in June until the beginning of the September/October school holidays to protect the trails. There’s no drinking water at the trailhead, so bring plenty with you. Toilets, parking, picnic tables and a shelter are available.

Swap the highway for fire trails and turn the classic Canberra-to-the-coast trip into a proper bikepacking adventure. This approximately 150km point-to-point route connects Canberra with Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, using mostly fire trails with shorter sections of sealed road at the beginning, middle and end. Rather than taking the busy highway over Clyde Mountain, the route heads through the backcountry, delivering a much quieter and far more adventurous way to reach the coast. There are a few ways to tackle it. Riders looking for a more comfortable introduction to bikepacking can split the journey over two days, staying overnight around Araluen and covering roughly 70–80km each day. Those wanting the full bikepacking experience can carry camping gear and spend the night in the bush around Deua National Park, while strong riders looking for a serious challenge can attempt the entire route in a single day. Expect remote fire trails, long stretches through the bush, plenty of climbing and some rougher terrain along the way. Once past Araluen, conditions become more adventurous, so this isn't simply a smooth gravel-road cruise to the beach. There are stretches of around 50km without reliable food or water resupply, along with areas of limited mobile reception, so riders need to be self-sufficient and prepared for changing conditions. And after around 150km of riding, there's a pretty good reward waiting at the other end — rolling into Batemans Bay and reaching the coast by bike. RTS Tip: This is a remote point-to-point adventure, so plan your food, water, overnight gear and return transport before setting off. Carry offline navigation and consider a PLB or satellite communication device. Trail conditions can change considerably after rain, so check current forest, park, road, weather and fire information before leaving. Follow the mapping and route information links for more detail when planning your adventure.

The Cascades Trail is an epic 30km point-to-point mountain bike adventure dropping from the summit of Lake Mountain to Marysville in Victoria’s High Country. With around 1,550m of descending and 500m of climbing, the trail takes riders through changing alpine environments, from snow gums and granite at the summit to fern-lined forest and valley terrain as you descend towards Marysville. Rated a deep blue/intermediate trail with advanced features, Cascades packs plenty into its 3–5 hour journey, including steep berms, rock gardens, slabs, jumps, rollers, fast sections and some solid climbs. It’s a true adventure ride rather than a cruisy gravity descent, with remote sections and no facilities once you leave the Lake Mountain summit. RTS Tip: This is a directional point-to-point ride, so organise your transport before setting off — either book a bike shuttle from Marysville or arrange your own drop-off at Lake Mountain. Carry plenty of water, food, tools and spares as there are no facilities along the trail, and check seasonal opening and trail conditions before heading up as riding is generally available from November to April, depending on snow.

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.

Tasmania is an incredible destination for gravel riding, with quiet backroads, forest tracks, remote fire trails and rugged cycling routes stretching across the island. From shorter gravel bike rides around Hobart and southern Tasmania to remote adventures through the Central Highlands, North East, West Coast and rural backcountry, Tasmania offers an enormous variety of terrain for gravel cyclists. Expect everything from fast-rolling country gravel and farmland to steep forest roads, rocky 4WD tracks and big climbs through some seriously wild landscapes. For riders looking to make a bigger adventure of it, Tasmania is also brilliant for bikepacking and multi-day gravel cycling. Routes can link small towns, national parks, forests and remote communities, while longer adventures such as the Tasmanian Trail show just how much of the state can be explored away from the main roads. The changing landscape is a huge part of the experience. One ride might take you through farmland and rolling hills, while another heads deep into temperate forest, alpine country or towards Tasmania's dramatic coastline. Add historic towns, local food and plenty of places worth stopping along the way and it's easy to turn a gravel ride into an entire Tasmanian road trip. Whether you're searching for an easy gravel day ride, a challenging loop or a multi-day Tasmanian bikepacking adventure, there's a huge amount of riding waiting to be discovered. RTS Tip: Tasmania has loads of individual gravel routes to explore, and Ride The State will be working on getting these added as individual Ride Cards over time. Until then, check out the mapping link to browse the Ride with GPS Tasmania gravel collection, find a route that suits your distance and ability, and start planning your next Tassie gravel adventure. Tasmania's weather and remote conditions can change quickly, so always check current access, weather, road and trail conditions before setting out and come prepared for the route you're tackling.

The Chapman River Regional Park in Geraldton offers a fun slice of cross-country mountain biking right on the edge of town. The main Chapman River Loop Trail is around 10–11km and follows both sides of the river, mixing flowing sections with limestone, rocky outcrops, short steep pinches and natural technical features. Rated moderate/blue, it’s a great option for intermediate riders while still being approachable for less experienced riders wanting to step up their skills. Back at Spalding Park, riders can also session the dedicated pump and jump track and skills area, making Chapman River equally good for a quick lap, some skills practice or a longer session linking a few loops together. RTS Tip: The loop is dual direction and shared with walkers and runners, so keep an eye out around blind corners and pass courteously. The northern side sits higher above the river and has some rockier terrain, while the lower southern side tends to be faster and more flowing. There are several crossings that let you shorten the ride if needed, and starting from Spalding Park puts you right beside the pump, jump and skills facilities for a warm-up before hitting the loop.

Charles Darwin National Park offers some of Darwin’s more technical mountain biking, with a network combining rugged 4WD tracks and purpose-built singletrack just minutes from the city. Rated moderate to hard, the trails feature switchbacks, rocky sections, logs, steps, short punchy climbs and technical features, with surfaces ranging from smooth hardpack through to very rocky terrain. The network includes a mix of hand-built trails and professionally constructed sections by Dirt Art and TrailScapes, plus a pump track near the main access road. Trails can be accessed near the park entrance or from the main picnic area, which also offers great views across Darwin. Some trails are one-way while others are bi-directional, so follow the directional signage as you explore the network. Wet-season conditions can create muddy sections and add another level of challenge to the riding. RTS Tip: Bring the insect repellent! Charles Darwin National Park is prone to mosquitoes and biting insects, with numbers influenced by Darwin Harbour’s tide cycles. The park’s main gate is open 8am–7pm, so factor closing time into your ride. For your first visit, use the official trail map or Trailforks to navigate the network and keep an eye on directional signage.

Clandulla State Forest MTB Trails – Central West NSW, near Kandos and Rylstone in the NSW Central West, offers riders the chance to explore a more natural style of mountain biking through rugged bushland and forest country. Rather than the highly developed feel of a major purpose-built bike park, riding around Clandulla is about forest tracks, natural trails and backcountry exploration, with changing surfaces and terrain making it best suited to riders comfortable navigating less formal riding areas. The surrounding landscape is classic Central West NSW, with forested hills, sandstone and rocky terrain creating a great backdrop for an off-road adventure. Its position near Kandos, Rylstone and Mudgee also makes Clandulla an interesting addition to a bigger cycling road trip through the region. For riders searching for mountain biking near Mudgee, MTB trails around Kandos and Rylstone, Clandulla State Forest cycling or mountain biking in Central West NSW, this is another riding area worth knowing about. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the wider region, with mountain biking, gravel roads and adventure cycling around Mudgee, Rylstone, Kandos and the surrounding ranges making it easy to build a weekend around the bikes. RTS Tip: Detailed authoritative information about a formal Clandulla MTB network is currently limited, and Forestry Corporation's current list of dedicated NSW State Forest mountain bike trail networks does not list Clandulla. Treat this as a forest riding area rather than a formally managed MTB park, check current access and mapping before setting out, stay on roads and trails where cycling is permitted and respect any forestry operations or temporary closures.

Clarence Mountain Bike Park & Meehan Range is one of Hobart’s go-to riding destinations, with around 40km of singletrack backed by a network of fire trails across the eastern side of the city. The network caters for green, blue and black riders, combining cross-country loops, technical climbing and fast descents with brilliant views across the Derwent and towards kunanyi / Mount Wellington. At the main trailhead you’ll find a skills park and pump track, complete with jumps, drops, a whale tail and wall ride, while further into the range trails such as K’s Choice, Corkscrew, Dinosaur Descent and Grassy Valley provide plenty of progression. Its generally drier conditions also make Meehan a particularly handy option when trails elsewhere around Hobart are wet. RTS Tip: Start from the Flagstaff Gully Link Road trailhead and use K’s Choice for a friendlier climb towards the Meehan Skyline, or tackle Corkscrew Climb if you’re after something more technical. Advanced riders can seek out Grassy Valley’s rockier lines, but inspect features before committing — some trails contain significant drops, jumps and obstacles.

Cleland National Park, just 22km south-east of Adelaide, offers a scenic network of mountain biking and shared-use trails through the Adelaide Hills, with native woodland, cool gullies and some brilliant views across the city and surrounding ranges. Rather than a purpose-built MTB park, Cleland is about linking established trails and fire tracks into longer adventures. Popular riding options include the 4km Measdays Loop, 7km return Steub Trail, 12km one-way Chambers Gully to Crafers Link and the more challenging 10km Wine Shanty Trail. With everything from gentler fire-road riding to steeper intermediate climbs and descents, it’s a great place to build a bigger exploratory ride around Mount Lofty and Crafers. RTS Tip: For a bigger ride, use the Chambers Gully to Crafers Link and add the Steub Trail spur up to Mount Lofty Summit for another 2.6km. Many trails are shared with walkers, so keep your speed under control and give way appropriately. Download the park bike map before setting off as mobile reception can be patchy, and check current park alerts — Cleland can close during high fire danger and has some scheduled closures during 2026–27.

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, around 20km north of Adelaide between Golden Grove and Salisbury, is a fantastic urban MTB playground with more than 20km of shared-use and purpose-built riding trails. The network is particularly good for beginner and intermediate riders, with progression options including the Beginners’ Circuit, Easy Does It and KAFNARFA Circuit, before stepping up to longer rides such as the 3km Ruins Loop, 3km Babbler Loop and 4km Valley Circuit. More experienced riders can seek out Short and Sweet, a 1.7km trail packed with technical features, while Pedler’s Paddock adds a pump track and jump lines for riders wanting to practise their skills. RTS Tip: Cobbler Creek is made for mixing and matching trails, so don’t feel tied to one designated loop — use the connector tracks to build a ride that suits your ability and time. Families and newer riders should start around Pedler’s Paddock and the Smith Road picnic area, while more confident riders can head deeper into the park. Many trails are shared with walkers, so give way appropriately, avoid riding when trails are wet or muddy and check fire conditions before visiting.

Colchester Road is a useful cycling connection in Melbourne’s outer east, linking the Dandenong Creek Trail area around Bayswater and Kilsyth with routes heading towards The Basin and the Dandenong Ranges. It’s particularly handy for riders using Melbourne’s shared-path network as the starting point for a longer road, gravel or mixed-surface adventure. For cyclists heading towards the Dandenongs, Colchester Road provides a connection from the Dandenong Creek Trail towards Mountain Highway, opening up options to continue towards The Basin and some of the region’s well-known climbing routes. Local riders also note that sections beyond the Colchester Road area transition onto gravel, giving riders opportunities to mix sealed paths and unsealed riding. This is not a dedicated MTB park or standalone recreational trail, but rather a useful piece of the wider eastern Melbourne cycling network. It works best when incorporated into a longer route using nearby shared paths, quiet roads and gravel connections. For riders searching for Colchester Road cycling, Bayswater cycling, Kilsyth bike routes, Dandenong Creek Trail connections or cycling to the Dandenong Ranges, it’s a handy route to know when piecing together a bigger ride. RTS Tip: 🚲 Think connection rather than destination with this one. Colchester Road is most useful for linking the Dandenong Creek Trail and surrounding paths with rides towards The Basin and Dandenong Ranges. Some sections involve riding on-road and negotiating intersections, so plan your route beforehand and take extra care around traffic.

The Conder Enduro combines the fast-flowing Gospers Ridge Fire Trail descent with one of the most challenging enduro trails in the Blue Mountains region. Delivering approximately 550 metres of elevation loss over 9 kilometres, this ride starts in Mountain Lagoon, climbing via Sams Way to reach Gospers Ridge Fire Trail before dropping into the legendary Conder descent. While some riders choose to self-shuttle from the finish at Upper Colo Fire Station back to Mountain Lagoon, this route is presented as a loop ride. Upon reaching the fire station, turn right and follow the road towards Comleroy Road. From here, it's a long and winding climb to Mountain Lagoon Road, followed by the final ascent back to Mountain Lagoon. The descent begins on Gospers Ridge Fire Trail, a fast and flowing trail featuring high-speed corners, numerous water bars and only a handful of short climbing sections. Eventually, the route narrows into the 4.4km singletrack, beginning as a heavily overgrown bush trail before opening onto a steep, rocky ridgeline descent. The singletrack is highly technical, with loose rock, exposed sandstone, tight turns and challenging line choices throughout. The trail is not maintained and can be overgrown in sections, with fallen trees occasionally blocking the route. Riders should be prepared for changing trail conditions and carry the equipment required for a self-supported ride in a remote area. There are no facilities and this is an extremely remote ride

Cornubia Forest Park in Logan is a brilliant slice of mountain biking between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with a compact network of purpose-built singletrack woven through almost 200 hectares of protected bushland. The riding is predominantly intermediate, with trails including the 3.1km Birdwing, 1.8km Spangled Drongo, 1.7km Wallum Froglet, 1.5km Stupidly Happy and 1.2km Ginger Gully, plus the easy Flowmy Loamy and black-rated Resurrection for riders looking to step things up. Expect classic South East Queensland riding with flowing forest singletrack, roots, rocks, short climbs and fast descents, with fire trails and access tracks making it easy to link together different combinations. RTS Tip: Cornubia is particularly good for intermediate riders, but check the grading before dropping into unfamiliar trails — Resurrection is rated difficult while most of the network sits at blue intermediate. Download Trailforks before you ride and avoid the trails during or immediately after wet weather; Logan City Council recommends staying off if your tyre tread is sinking around 2cm into the surface.

Cow with Guns & The Sawmill – Coffs Harbour MTB - form part of the mountain bike riding around Pine Creek State Forest near Coffs Harbour and Bonville on the NSW Mid North Coast, offering riders a taste of the region’s natural forest singletrack. The area is known for cross-country style mountain biking, with singletrack winding through subtropical forest and terrain that makes the most of the natural landscape. Expect a mixture of flowing sections, short climbs and descents, roots, corners and more technical features as you explore the trails. Cow with Guns is one of the recognised local trails within the Pine Creek riding area, with the network providing opportunities to link trails together and create a longer MTB session rather than simply riding one defined loop. Cows with Guns, Pine Creek MTB Park Located just south of Coffs Harbour near Bonville, the trails are a handy option for riders travelling the NSW Mid North Coast and add another riding destination to a region already packed with mountain biking, gravel and cycling opportunities. Whether you're searching for Coffs Harbour mountain bike trails, Pine Creek MTB, mountain biking near Bonville or MTB trails on the NSW Mid North Coast, Cow with Guns & The Sawmill are worth having on the ride list. RTS Tip: This is a local forest trail network rather than a manicured bike park, so conditions and access can change. Check current trail mapping and local conditions before heading out, respect forestry operations and closures, and avoid riding when conditions could cause trail damage.

Cox’s Road is a historical pass up and down the mountain, it is a very popular tourist route for hikers that’s sanctioned for mountain biking. The trail drops around 250 m over less than 3 km, making it a fast, rocky and technical ride that demands solid bike handling skills. Several lookouts along Mount York Road add extra interest and make it a great hit out on a trail or enduro bike. This is a shared trail frequently used by walkers, so stay alert, slow down when approaching others, and always give way. If you’re approaching from Mount Victoria, there are short sections of singletrack running along the left side of Mount York Road that offer an alternative line before reaching the main descent. At the bottom of Cox’s Road, you can no longer follow the sealed road through to Berghoffers Pass. Instead, turn right toward Lawsons Long Alley to continue the loop and hike‑a‑bike your way back up to Mount Victoria. The paddocks at the end of Cox's road can become very wet and muddy so best to avoid after heavy rain. For more detail on linking these historic routes, see the linked Lockyers / Lawsons Long Alley Loop ride card. Facilities: Toilets are available at Mount York.

The Creek Trails Mountain Bike Network, tucked into the bush off South Carters Road near Margaret River, is an old-school favourite that blends hand-built singletrack with newer machine-built features. The network currently includes 16 trails, with a great mix of flow, technical riding, fast descents, rocks and jumps. Trails such as Classic Creek deliver flowing blue-rated singletrack, while Western Suburbs steps things up with more difficult rocky and technical terrain. Add jump-focused lines, including Valley Girls and Trail of Discontent, and fast descents such as Goobers Pool, and there’s plenty here for intermediate and experienced riders looking for something with a little more character than a polished trail-centre lap. RTS Tip: Creek Trails is all about exploring and linking lines together rather than following one big signed loop. Classic Creek is a good introduction before progressing onto the harder trails, and having the Trails WA or Trailforks map handy will make navigating the network much easier. Expect a mix of hand-built and machine-built trail styles, and check current conditions before riding, particularly after wet weather.

Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park is a purpose-built MTB destination just south of Wollongong, packing almost 12km of dedicated trails into the hills above Cringila. With sweeping views across Wollongong’s industrial coastline, Lake Illawarra and the ocean, it’s a great example of an urban bike park that offers something for everyone from first-time riders through to experienced mountain bikers. The network is predominantly green and blue-rated, with a couple of black jump lines for more experienced riders. Expect a mix of flowing descents, berms, rollers, jumps, drops and technical features, with trails designed so riders can gradually progress as their confidence and skills improve. One of Cringila’s biggest strengths is its progression-focused setup. Alongside the main trails is a 225m asphalt pump track, a dedicated bike skills playground and a jumps park aimed at beginner to intermediate riders. The skills area lets newer riders practise balance, cornering, jumping and small drops before heading onto the main network. The park was created on a former landfill site, transforming previously underused land into a major recreation precinct. Beyond the MTB trails, Cringila Hills Recreation Park includes more than 3.4km of shared-use and walking trails, an inclusive playground and other recreation facilities. It’s also incredibly accessible for a mountain bike park. Cringila is around 10–15 minutes south of central Wollongong, with the main entrance and parking off Lackawanna Street, and entry to the park is free. For riders searching for Wollongong MTB, Cringila Bike Park, Illawarra mountain bike trails, family-friendly MTB near Sydney or beginner mountain bike trails in NSW, Cringila is an excellent network to add to the ride list. RTS Tip: Cringila is particularly good for families and progression — start in the skills playground or pump track, move onto the green trails and work your way through the blues before considering the black jump lines. The dirt trails are sensitive to rain and can close at short notice, so always check the current trail status before heading out. The park is officially open sunrise to sunset, with the Lackawanna Street gates locked outside those hours.

D'Aguilar Side Country – Whoa Boy! is one of South East Queensland's classic backcountry adventures, combining big climbs, rugged forest roads and thrilling descents through the stunning D'Aguilar National Park. Covering around 40.5km with approximately 1,500m of climbing, this is a ride best suited to experienced riders looking for a challenging day in the saddle. Starting from Highvale (or alternatively Mt Nebo or Dundas Road), the route climbs the iconic Goat Track before traversing the ridgelines of the D'Aguilar Range. From there, riders tackle the famous Whoa Boy descent—a steep, loose and technical trail featuring water bars, rocky sections and fast corners that demand confidence and control. Conditions can change significantly after rain, so ride within your limits and don't hesitate to walk the trickier sections if needed. The adventure continues through remote forest roads, creek crossings and lush rainforest gullies, including the equally enjoyable Burnt Yard Break descent. Wildlife is abundant throughout the ride, with wallabies, native birdlife and even the occasional deer or wild pig spotted in the quieter sections of the park. Mobile reception is limited, making it a ride that's best tackled with a riding buddy and the appropriate safety gear. While the route is often ridden on a gravel bike, the steep gradients, loose surfaces and technical descents mean a cross-country mountain bike is the preferred choice for most riders. Expect a rewarding mix of flowing forest roads, rugged backcountry terrain and spectacular bushland that showcases some of the best riding just outside Brisbane. If you're chasing an epic day of climbing, descending and exploring the vast trail network of D'Aguilar National Park, the Whoa Boy loop delivers a true backcountry experience that will leave you grinning—and probably a little tired.

Daisy Hill Conservation Park, around 25km south-east of Brisbane, is one of South East Queensland’s most popular mountain biking destinations, with an extensive network of dedicated MTB and shared-use trails running through beautiful eucalypt forest and important koala habitat. From the Daisy Hill Trail Hub, riders can tackle loops including the 5.2km Spotted Gum Circuit, 5.7km Stringybark Circuit and 9km Buhot Creek Circuit, then branch onto purpose-built MTB trails such as Possum Box, Lace Monitor, Jumping Ant, Flying Cloud, Jims, Bronzewing and Bees Knees. With easy and intermediate options, one-way descents and plenty of connecting trails into the wider Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area, it’s a brilliant network for beginners, families and experienced riders alike. RTS Tip: Start from the Daisy Hill Trail Hub, where you’ll find parking, toilets, water, a warm-up track and bike service area. If it’s your first visit, use one of the signed circuits as your backbone and add MTB-only trails as you go — it makes navigating the huge network much easier. Download the official MTB map before riding and remember that many of the connecting trails are shared with walkers and horse riders.

The Dargo High Plains is one of Australia's premier bikepacking adventures, taking riders deep into the spectacular Victorian High Country across 304km of alpine roads, rugged gravel tracks and remote wilderness. This is a ride for experienced cyclists looking to immerse themselves in breathtaking mountain scenery, challenging terrain and unforgettable backcountry riding. Beginning in Wangaratta, the route follows the popular Murray to Mountains Rail Trail through the gourmet towns of Milawa, Beechworth, Bright and Porepunkah, where cafés, breweries, wineries and local produce provide plenty of reasons to slow down before the real adventure begins. Beyond Porepunkah, the route heads into the remote Buckland Valley before climbing onto the spectacular alpine tracks of the High Country. Expect steep climbs, rough gravel roads, rocky sections and incredible mountain vistas as you traverse one of Victoria's most iconic alpine landscapes. Riders are rewarded with an unforgettable journey across the Dargo High Plains, followed by a thrilling descent into the historic township of Dargo. From Dargo, the ride continues through forests and rolling farmland to Bairnsdale, completing an epic point-to-point adventure that showcases everything from alpine wilderness and quiet gravel roads to charming country towns and world-class scenery. Depending on your bike choice and riding style, a gravel bike with wide tyres is suitable, although many riders will appreciate the comfort and capability of a cross-country mountain bike on the rougher sections. This is a true backcountry ride, with long stretches between services, limited water sources and rapidly changing alpine weather. Careful planning, sufficient supplies and experience in remote riding are essential. For riders seeking one of Australia's great multi-day cycling adventures, the Dargo High Plains is an unforgettable journey through the heart of Victoria's High Country.

Dinner Plain MTB Park delivers beautiful high-country riding through the snow gums and alpine meadows of Victoria’s Dinner Plain village. The park features around 26km of pedal-access singletrack, with 7 green, 8 blue and 1 black trail, making it particularly good for families, newer riders and intermediates while still offering something for those wanting to step things up. Highlights include the berms and rollers of Sir Jax Pump A Lot, the scenic Moby’s Old Dog, New Tricks, fast and flowy Shut Up Ollie, and black-rated Jabba-Wookie, where rocks, berms and a quicker descent add more technical challenge. With accommodation, cafés, pubs, toilets, water and repair stations all within the village, it’s an easy place to park, stay and ride. RTS Tip: Make a weekend of it and add the Brabralung Trail, which links Dinner Plain with Mount Hotham through snow gum woodland and open alpine plains for a 26km return ride. Dinner Plain’s MTB trails are generally a green-season experience, operating around October to May depending on snowfall, so check conditions before travelling. There’s currently no bike hire in the village, so BYO bike.

Dirty Warrny is one of Australia's premier gravel cycling events, inspired by the legendary Melbourne to Warrnambool road race and widely regarded as one of the Southern Hemisphere's great gravel challenges. Riders can choose from multiple distances, including the epic 230 km Monument, a challenging 140 km Expedition, or the shorter 80 km Classic, each showcasing the stunning landscapes of Victoria's southwest. Expect a mix of flowing gravel roads, rugged climbs, Otway forest trails and rolling farmland, all supported by outstanding event organisation and a welcoming gravel community. Whether you're chasing a personal challenge or simply want to experience one of Australia's iconic gravel events, Dirty Warrny delivers an unforgettable day on the bike

Dirty Warrny is one of Australia's premier gravel cycling events, inspired by the legendary Melbourne to Warrnambool road race and widely regarded as one of the Southern Hemisphere's great gravel challenges. Riders can choose from multiple distances, including the epic 230 km Monument, a challenging 140 km Expedition, or the shorter 80 km Classic, each showcasing the stunning landscapes of Victoria's southwest. Expect a mix of flowing gravel roads, rugged climbs, Otway forest trails and rolling farmland, all supported by outstanding event organisation and a welcoming gravel community. Whether you're chasing a personal challenge or simply want to experience one of Australia's iconic gravel events, Dirty Warrny delivers an unforgettable day on the bike

Djuwang Baring – Creswick Trails is an impressive 60km purpose-built mountain bike network winding through Dja Dja Wurrung Country around the historic gold-mining town of Creswick in Victoria’s Central Goldfields. Meaning “long track” in the Dja Dja Wurrung language, the network includes around 70 skill-rated trail segments arranged as stacked loops around a central spine, making it easy to build anything from a short family ride to a full day on the bike. The focus is on beginner and intermediate riding, but there are also difficult and extremely difficult trails, gravity lines, cross-country riding and around 30% of the network is adaptive-MTB suitable. Forest, old mining landscapes and scenic sections around St Georges Lake give the network plenty of character beyond the riding itself. RTS Tip: Start at Hammon Park Trailhead, just a short walk from Creswick’s town centre, where you’ll find parking, toilets, water, a pump track, learn-to-ride area, bike wash and repair station. Download the trail map or Trailforks before heading deeper into the network as mobile coverage varies. Check the current trail status too — seasonal maintenance and fire-danger closures can affect access.

Douglas Mountain Bike Reserve is Townsville’s premier mountain biking playground, with around 45km of volunteer-built trails spread across 116 hectares at the base of Mount Stuart. Built and maintained by Townsville Rockwheelers Mountain Bike Club, the network uses a stacked-loop design, with easier trails closer to the trailhead and increasingly technical terrain as you venture higher into the reserve. There’s something for almost every level, from green and blue cross-country trails through to black and double-black lines packed with rocky technical sections, jumps, drops and natural features. Add a skills park, pump track, timber features and wall ride, plus sweeping views across Townsville, and Douglas is a seriously impressive riding destination just minutes from the city. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, start low and work your way up through the stacked network — the black and double-black trails are a significant step up from the easier loops. The main trailhead is off Angus Smith Drive, and Townsville’s heat can be brutal, so ride early or late, carry plenty of water and save the middle of the day for something cooler.

Duck Creek MTB Park, just east of Alstonville in the NSW Northern Rivers, packs a heap of variety into a compact 9–10km purpose-built trail network. Built and managed by Northern Rivers Dirty Wheels Mountain Bike Club, the park combines cross-country, flow, technical and freeride-style trails, ranging from approachable green runs through to challenging black descents. Expect flowing berms, jumps, bridges, rock features and technical singletrack, with around a dozen descending trails making it easy to climb back up and session your favourites. Pinzen Needles is a great introduction for less experienced riders, while trails such as Pacific Rim turn up the difficulty with steeper, more technical terrain. RTS Tip: Duck Creek is maintained by club volunteers, so check the latest trail status before riding, particularly after the Northern Rivers has had heavy rain. There are no toilets or drinking water at the park, and parking is limited, so arrive prepared. If you enjoy the trails, consider supporting Northern Rivers Dirty Wheels — rider and club support is what keeps this little network running.

Dularcha National Park, between Landsborough and Mooloolah on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, combines an easy historic rail-trail ride with a surprisingly good network of intermediate mountain bike trails. The 3km one-way Tunnel Track follows part of the former North Coast railway alignment and passes through the heritage-listed Dularcha Railway Tunnel, built in 1891. Riders wanting more can branch onto the 8.8km Roses Circuit or explore the MTB-friendly Myla, Gully, Ridge and Connection tracks, adding steeper climbs, uneven surfaces and more technical forest riding. It’s a great little network for linking into a longer loop while exploring dry eucalypt forest, rainforest gullies and a fascinating piece of Queensland railway history. RTS Tip: For a relaxed ride, simply follow the Tunnel Track between Landsborough and Mooloolah and return for around 6km of riding. If you want more of an MTB workout, add Roses Circuit and the intermediate side trails. Slow right down when entering the curved tunnel so your eyes can adjust to the darkness, and keep noise to a minimum as large-footed myotis bats seasonally roost inside. Remember these are shared trails — mountain bikers give way to walkers and horse riders.

Dunsborough MTB Park, incorporating the Dunsborough Country Club and adjoining Meelup trails, delivers around 20km of singletrack through native South West bushland just minutes from the centre of Dunsborough. The Country Club network provides around 10km of predominantly twisting cross-country singletrack, while the adjoining Meelup trails turn things up with technical riding, enduro-style descents, jumps, rock and log features and famously loose WA pea gravel. With green, blue and black options, B-line bypasses and trails used as part of the Cape to Cape MTB race, there’s enough variety for progressing riders through to experienced mountain bikers. RTS Tip: Start from the Dunsborough Country Club, where visitors currently pay a $5 trail-maintenance fee covering up to five days of riding, then link into the wider Meelup network if you’re looking for more technical terrain. The loose pea gravel can make corners surprisingly slippery in dry conditions, so take your first lap easy before picking up the pace. If the clubhouse is open, you’ve also got toilets, food and drinks waiting at the end of the ride.

Dwellingup Trails is one of Western Australia’s premier mountain biking destinations, with a huge and growing network of purpose-built trails running directly from town into the surrounding jarrah forest. The town-side Dwellingup MTB network now connects through Marrinup to Turner Hill, creating around 68km of dedicated singletrack, with green and blue cross-country trails, flowing descents and technical features for progressing riders. Just south of town, Murray Valley adds more than 50km of purpose-built riding inside Lane Poole Reserve, ranging from beginner-friendly flow through to serious black descents packed with jumps, rock gardens and drops. Add Tom’s Crossing, the historic Marrinup Circuit and the long-distance Munda Biddi Trail and Dwellingup easily earns its reputation as a place worth spending several days on the bike. RTS Tip: Start at the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre for current trail conditions, maps and local advice before choosing your ride. If you’re new to the area, explore the town and Marrinup trails first, then head into Lane Poole Reserve for the Murray Valley network when you’re ready for bigger descents. Entry fees apply to Lane Poole Reserve, and there’s no drinking water at the Murray Valley trailhead, so fill up before leaving town.

Dyoondalup Bike Park, at Point Walter Reserve in Bicton, Perth, is a purpose-built urban MTB playground designed around progression and having fun on the bike. Opened in 2024, the park features three flow trails, a jump park and pump track, with green, blue and black-rated options catering for beginners through to advanced riders. The flow trails make use of the natural slope and include berms, rollers, jumps and technical features, while the dedicated jump lines allow riders to gradually work their way towards bigger features. Set amongst mature trees close to the Swan River, it’s a brilliant option for a quick skills session without having to leave the city. RTS Tip: Dyoondalup is built for progression, so start on the green lines and work your way through the blue and black features rather than jumping straight onto the biggest lines. The park sits right beside the foreshore shared-path network, so consider riding in and combining your session with a cruise along the Swan River.

Eagle Mountain Bike Park, just 12km south-east of Adelaide’s CBD at Leawood Gardens, is one of South Australia’s best-known purpose-built MTB destinations. The park offers approximately 21km of cross-country trails catering for a range of abilities, alongside a dedicated downhill trail, skills development area, jumps park and trials zone. The network ranges from intermediate trails such as Fledgling, Hawkeye, North Face, Southside, Top Deck, Valley Trail and Blue Gums, through to more demanding technical options including Get Pitted, Hills Hoist, Jammin and Sunset Boulevard. Advanced riders can also tackle extreme-rated lines including The Mixer, Eagle 4X and On the Verge, making Eagle a compact but seriously varied place to ride within easy reach of the city. RTS Tip: Eagle’s rocky terrain can be tougher than the distances suggest, so use the easier trails and Pump and Skills Zone to warm up before progressing onto the harder lines. The park is open sunrise to sunset and closes during Total Fire Bans and catastrophic fire danger, so check conditions before heading out. Parking and toilets are available, but take your own drinking water and plenty of spares — Eagle’s rocks can be pretty unforgiving on tyres.

Eildon MTB Park is an 18km mountain bike network right on the edge of Eildon, with a mix of cross-country and downhill riding ranging from beginner-friendly trails through to technical old-school singletrack. Originally developed from courses used for national XC and downhill racing, the park combines tight turns, steep pinch climbs, flowing descents, rockier technical sections and dedicated gravity riding. Key trails include the easy Darlingford Loop, intermediate Tea Tree Twisty, technical Sticks & Stones and the black-rated Karalika Express downhill trail. Most of the network is pedal accessed, while Karalika Express can be self-shuttled, making Eildon a great option whether you’re after a relaxed loop or something faster and more challenging. RTS Tip: Start with Darlingford or Tea Tree Twisty to get a feel for the terrain before progressing onto the harder trails. Facilities are limited at the trailhead, with toilets and drinking water available in Eildon township, so arrive prepared if you’re planning a longer session.

The Eumeralla Track Network is a popular cross-country mountain bike network on the edge of Anglesea, with around 30km of trails winding through the coastal bushland between the Great Ocean Road, Hurst Road and Eumeralla Scout Camp. The network offers a great mix of mostly green and blue-rated riding, with flowing singletrack, short climbs and descents, rollers, jumps and natural features catering for a broad range of riders. The formal trails are signposted with difficulty ratings and can easily be linked together to create anything from a quick loop to a longer cross-country ride. The network also connects well with Anglesea’s wider riding scene, including Anglesea Bike Park, making it easy to put together a bigger day on the bike. RTS Tip: For your first visit, start from the Hurst Road Carpark, Mountain bike Trail Head and use the official Eumeralla map or Trailforks to navigate the network. Stick to the formal signposted trails, as there are also a number of informal tracks around Anglesea that aren’t part of the sanctioned network.

Fat Tyre Farm MTB Trails – Armidale, is a mountain bike trail network north of Armidale in the New England High Country of NSW, offering a brilliant mix of flowing singletrack, technical features and gravity-focused riding in beautiful eucalypt forest. Built and maintained with involvement from New England Mountain Bikers (NEMTB), the network caters for a broad range of riders and abilities. Expect fast singletrack, technical challenges, berms, ramps, jumps and steep descents, with A and B lines providing options to either take on the features or build confidence on easier alternatives. There’s plenty here for riders who like gravity as well as cross-country riding. Trails including Off The Hook, Over the Top, Full Bottle, Wind U Up and Eastern Rail feature in local gravity riding, while easier options allow newer riders to progressively explore the network. Fat Tyre Farm can also be connected with the nearby Robbers Run riding area. NEMTB advises riders can use the old highway and Thunderbolts Cave Road connection, with an under-highway tunnel providing an alternative to crossing the New England Highway. Sitting around 18km north of Armidale, Fat Tyre Farm is one of several MTB destinations that have helped establish the region as a mountain biking destination, alongside Armidale State Forest, UNE and other local trails. Whether you're searching for mountain biking in Armidale, Fat Tyre Farm MTB trails, New England mountain bike trails or MTB riding in northern NSW, this is a network well worth putting on the ride list. RTS Tip: Some of the trails include technical structures, jumps and more advanced features, so inspect unfamiliar features before committing and use the easier lines where appropriate. There are limited facilities at the trailhead, so bring water, tools and spares, and check current NEMTB trail information before heading out.

Finch Hatton MTB Trails, in Queensland’s lush Pioneer Valley west of Mackay, is a purpose-built mountain bike destination set against spectacular tropical rainforest and mountain scenery. The current network features 17 trails ranging from easy green adventures through intermediate flow and jump trails to difficult black-rated lines, with something for beginners, families and experienced gravity riders. Pedal up the 3.24km G’Day G’Day climbing trail before dropping into trails such as Green Whistle, Tasty Fig, Your Shout and Bung Eye, or step things up on difficult lines including Chuck A Sickie, Off the Rails and Big Bickies. Back at the town-centre trailhead there’s also a huge 400m+ pump track, bike wash, water, toilets, picnic facilities and shuttle pick-up, making Finch Hatton an easy place to settle in for a full day of riding. RTS Tip: Use the pump track for a warm-up, then pedal G’Day G’Day to access the network or check whether shuttle services are operating if you want to save your legs for the descents. The trails are free to ride and open year-round during daylight hours, weather permitting, but tropical weather can affect conditions quickly, so check the current trail status before heading out.

Following the Finke River is an extraordinary 524km cycling expedition through the heart of Central Australia, following one of the world's great ancient river systems through remote desert, sandy riverbeds and spectacular outback landscapes. In 2018, Australian explorer Dr Kate Leeming OAM set out to follow the Finke River — known as Larapinta to the local Arrernte people — by bicycle. Beginning in the West MacDonnell Ranges, the journey followed the river south through places including Glen Helen Gorge, Hermannsburg, Palm Valley, Finke Gorge and Boggy Hole before continuing deeper into the desert towards Finke. This was far from a conventional mountain bike or gravel route. Much of the riding involved negotiating deep sand, loose riverbeds, station tracks and extremely remote terrain. Kate used a specially developed all-wheel-drive fatbike, designed to improve traction across soft and unstable surfaces. Completed over 12 days and approximately 524km, the expedition combined bikepacking with vehicle support for safety, supplies and documentation. Riding through deep sand required enormous concentration and physical effort, with techniques very different from those used on conventional gravel roads or mountain bike trails. The landscapes make this adventure particularly special. The Finke River cuts through spectacular gorges before winding across the desert, while sections of its course are thought to pre-date the surrounding West MacDonnell Ranges themselves. Beyond the physical challenge, the journey also explores the significance of the river and surrounding landscape. The Finke/Larapinta riverbed has long formed an important pathway through Country for Arrernte people, adding a much deeper history to this extraordinary journey through Central Australia. RTS Tip: Following the Finke River is an expedition rather than an established recreational cycling route. Much of the original journey crossed extremely remote and difficult terrain and was undertaken with specialist equipment and support. Ride The State does not recommend treating the expedition track as a conventional downloadable bikepacking route. Instead, follow the link below to explore Kate Leeming's original journey and use RTS to discover established mountain biking, gravel and adventure cycling opportunities throughout Central Australia.

First Turkey MTB Reserve, tucked into the foothills of Mount Archer just 15 minutes from Rockhampton’s CBD, is one of Central Queensland’s premier mountain biking destinations. Managed by the volunteer-run Rockhampton Mountain Bike Club, the reserve has around 40km of trails and more than 30 individual lines, ranging from green beginner trails through to black gravity terrain. The hub-style network makes it easy to climb once and choose your descent, with local favourites including Finley’s, Scrub Turkey, Wild Pig, Megatron, Cactus, Whitey, Think Tank and K-9. Expect a brilliant mix of flowing singletrack, rocky technical sections, roots, jumps, berms and natural features, with both cross-country and gravity riders very well catered for. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, climb Finley’s to Turkey’s Nest and choose your descent from there — Scrub Turkey is a good starting point, while intermediate riders can progress to Wild Pig or the hugely popular Megatron flow trail. First Turkey is generally open around the clock, but closes after heavy rain, so always check Rocky MTB’s current trail conditions before heading out.

The Forrest MTB Trails – Southern Network wraps around the township of Forrest in Victoria’s Otways, delivering a brilliant mix of flowing singletrack through tall eucalypt forest, fern-filled gullies and classic Victorian bush. Part of Forrest’s almost 100km, 36-trail MTB network, the Southern trails use a stacked-loop design, with easier trails close to the trailhead and increasingly challenging options as you venture further out. Start with green trails such as Roller Coaster, Forrest Loop and Stomp Wallaby, progress onto blue trails including Barlidjaru, Third Time Lucky and the Red Carpet sections, or tackle the difficult Follow the Dog and Miller’s Mongrel. A pump track, jump lines and dedicated skills park at the trailhead make this an especially good network for families, progression and mixed-ability groups. RTS Tip: Start at the Forrest Southern MTB Trailhead and use the skills park and Roller Coaster to warm up before heading deeper into the network. Don’t miss Red Carpet if you’re comfortable on blue trails, and adaptive riders have a particularly good selection here, with nine Southern trails built to adaptive-friendly guidelines. Drinking water, parking and accessible toilets are available at the trailhead, making this a great base for a full day of Forrest riding.

The Yaugher Network is the northern half of the famous Forrest MTB Trails and delivers a more traditional cross-country experience through dry eucalypt forest and spectacular grass-tree country. Sitting just north of Forrest township, the network ranges from beginner through to expert, with a greater concentration of technical black trails than the Southern Network. The 12km blue-rated Yaugher Super Loop forms the backbone of the network, linking into trails including Grass Trees, Marriners Run, Foxtail, J2, Yo Yo, Casper Black, Barre Warre and Vista. With relatively little elevation but plenty of fast singletrack, obstacles and technical features, Yaugher proves you don’t need huge climbs to get a serious workout. RTS Tip: Use the Yaugher Super Loop as your base and add side trails depending on your ability — it provides access to the wider network and makes navigation much easier on a first visit. You can also leave the car in Forrest and ride around 5 minutes up the Tiger Rail Trail to the Yaugher Trailhead. Download the trail map or Trailforks before heading out, and check current trail conditions before riding.

Forsyths Mill, near Sawyers Valley in the Perth Hills, is a compact 6km cross-country MTB loop that squeezes plenty of fun into a relatively short ride. Rated moderate, the singletrack is packed with fast corners, tight turns, log rollovers, bomb holes and jumps, with very little major climbing — making it a great place for mixed-ability groups or repeated laps. There’s also a short beginner loop near the car park, while more experienced riders will find harder optional obstacles towards the end of the main circuit. It’s an old-school Perth Hills ride where the challenge comes from the constant features rather than big elevation. RTS Tip: Forsyths Mill rides best in the cooler months, when a little moisture helps hold the trail together. During summer the famous WA pea gravel can become loose and slippery, so take care through faster corners. Bring your own drinking water and snacks; there are toilets, picnic facilities and parking at the trailhead, with the closest shops at Chidlow. If 6km isn’t enough, Lake Leschenaultia MTB Trails are nearby and make an easy addition for a bigger day of riding.

Foster MTB Park, tucked into Whipstick Gully Reserve on the edge of Foster in South Gippsland, offers around 7km of hand-built cross-country riding through lush native bushland and an area rich in old gold-mining history. The main loop is predominantly blue intermediate, mixing flowing singletrack with tight corners, short climbs, rocky sections, jumps and natural technical features. More experienced riders can branch onto the short black-rated Bruised Elbow and Gravel Pits trails for a tougher challenge. Maintained by the volunteer-run Prom Coast MTB Club, the network is compact enough for repeated laps while still packing plenty of variety into the ride. RTS Tip: Foster MTB Park connects directly with the Great Southern Rail Trail, so it’s easy to turn a short MTB session into a much bigger day on the bike. Ride the singletrack first, then jump onto the rail trail towards Fish Creek or Toora for some easier kilometres and brilliant South Gippsland scenery. Keep an eye out for historic mine workings around Whipstick Gully and check the Prom Coast MTB Club for local trail updates before riding.

Fox Creek Bike Park, at Cudlee Creek in the Adelaide Hills, is one of South Australia’s premier mountain biking destinations, with more than 50km of singletrack spread across over 800 hectares. The huge network caters for everyone from beginners through to experienced gravity riders, combining cross-country, flow, downhill and technical trails with 180m of vertical elevation, plus a dedicated jumps park and skills area. Trails range from the beginner-friendly Green Goblin Guts and flowing Blue Groove through to black and double-black gravity runs including Fox Long, Patterson’s Curse, F.A.M.E. and Fox Fast. There’s even adaptive riding, with Allen’s Orange Whip recognised as South Australia’s first adaptive MTB flow trail. Entry to the park is free. RTS Tip: Start from the main Trail Hub and use the easier flow trails and skills area to get a feel for Fox Creek before progressing onto the harder gravity lines. Download Trailforks and check the live trail status before heading out, as individual trails can close for maintenance or forestry operations. The park also closes on Total Fire Ban days, and riders should avoid the trails when they're wet or muddy.

Gap Creek, tucked into Mt Coot-tha Forest just west of Brisbane’s CBD, is one of the city’s most popular mountain biking spots, with a dense network of dedicated MTB and multi-use trails catering for beginners through to experienced technical riders. The 2.3km Gap Creek Circuit is a great warm-up, while trails including Rocket Frog, Bellbird, Cockatoo, Cubberla Creek and Whipbird Way add flowing singletrack, rocks, roots and technical features. Newer riders can build confidence on the 450m Skink Link, while experienced riders can tackle Pipeline, the most difficult official trail in the park, featuring large drops, log rollovers and a 180-degree timber wall-ride. RTS Tip: Start from Gap Creek Reserve picnic area, where you’ll find parking, toilets, water and shaded areas right beside the trails. If it’s your first visit, warm up on Gap Creek Circuit or Skink Link before exploring the harder lines — and definitely inspect Pipeline’s technical features before committing. Stick to authorised MTB and multi-use trails and remember to give way appropriately when using shared tracks.

The Mount George Trails are one half of the George Town Mountain Bike Trails in northern Tasmania, offering a compact but seriously fun network of purpose-built gravity and adventure riding just minutes from town. Mount George features 10 named trails, with the 2.8km Keystone providing the main climb before riders can choose from a collection of descents including Buzzcut, Desperado, Hebe Jeebies, Helter Smelter, 6061, Gadanga Dang and Megawatt. Expect rocky terrain, flowing sections, technical features and around 120m of elevation to play with, with trails spanning green through to advanced grades. Combine Mount George with the much larger Tippogoree Hills network nearby and George Town offers more than 100km of purpose-built riding across its two trail networks. RTS Tip: Mount George is shuttle-friendly, but you can easily earn your descents by pedalling up Keystone and linking several runs together. There’s no drinking water or toilets within the trail network, so stock up in George Town before heading out and check the live trail status before riding — trails can close for maintenance, extreme weather or fire conditions.

Gladstone MTB Park, at the end of Koowin Drive in Kirkwood, is Gladstone’s dedicated mountain biking playground, with around 27km of riding across 36 trails and a great mix of hand-built and machine-built singletrack. The network caters for beginners through to advanced riders, with green trails such as Creek 1, Creek 2, LoFlo, Gambler and Archie’s, intermediate XC and gravity options including Rocky Road, Wild West, HyFlo, Joker, Roulette, Fine China and High Voltage, and black-rated challenges including Drop Bear and Devil’s Staircase. Expect everything from relaxed cross-country riding and twisting singletrack to rocks, berms, jumps, drops and fast gravity descents, all built and maintained with the support of Gladstone MTB Inc. RTS Tip: Gambler is a great way to work your way into the park, while the aptly named Stairway to Hell fire road gets you to the top of some of the best gravity trails if you’re happy to earn your descents. More experienced riders should check out Joker, Roulette and High Voltage, while Drop Bear steps things up with steep chutes and bigger drops. Bring plenty of water and check Gladstone MTB Inc. for current trail information before heading out.

Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park, at the top of Tolosa Street in Hobart’s northern suburbs, is a free public MTB park packed with cross-country, downhill, mountain-cross and dirt-jump riding. Designed originally by renowned trail designer Glen Jacobs and significantly upgraded in 2023, the park caters from beginners right through to expert riders, with trails ranging from green to double-black. Three signed loops make exploring easy: the 3km Silk Road for newer riders, 3.2km Merton Loop and 3.8km Challenger Loop, while the wider park adds berms, jumps, drops and technical gravity features. It also connects directly into the North-South Track, opening the door to a much bigger adventure through Wellington Park and towards kunanyi / Mount Wellington. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, use one of the three signed loops to get your bearings before exploring the harder gravity trails. Experienced riders should still inspect features before committing — some tracks contain extreme jumps, drops and obstacles. For a bigger ride, link the park with the 11km North-South Track to The Springs, giving you one of Hobart’s classic MTB connections.

Glenrock MTB Trails – Newcastle Glenrock Mountain Bike Trails are one of the Hunter region’s best-known mountain biking destinations, tucked into Glenrock State Conservation Area between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Despite being only around 8km from Newcastle CBD, the network delivers genuine bush riding through coastal forest, gullies and ridgelines, with opportunities to ride all the way towards Burwood Beach, waterfalls and scenic lookouts. The official network offers around 34km of riding, made up of approximately 14km of purpose-built MTB trails and 20km of linked management trails. Trails range from green beginner routes through blue intermediate and black advanced riding, making Glenrock suitable for newer riders while still offering plenty of technical terrain for experienced mountain bikers. Expect classic Newcastle sandstone-country riding with flowing singletrack, rocky technical sections, roots, short punchy climbs and fast descents. The management trails can also be used to link different parts of the park together, so riders can create anything from a quick session to a much bigger day exploring Glenrock. One of the things that makes Glenrock special is the setting. The trails wind through open forest and woodland before providing connections towards Burwood Beach, Leichhardt’s Lookout and waterfalls, giving the network a distinctly coastal feel that sets it apart from many inland MTB parks. There’s also significant work underway to shape Glenrock’s future. A new Glenrock State Conservation Area Mountain Biking Plan was released in April 2026, setting out the long-term development and management of sustainable MTB riding in the park, including dedicated Northern, Middle, Southern and Brunker loop areas and skills zones. Navigation is relatively straightforward, with large trail maps at the major entrances and individual MTB trails signed and graded. Importantly, NSW National Parks operates a clear rule here: if there’s no cycling sign, don’t ride it. Some other tracks within the conservation area are walking-only or otherwise closed to bikes. For riders searching for Glenrock MTB, Newcastle mountain bike trails, Hunter MTB, mountain biking near Lake Macquarie or coastal MTB trails in NSW, Glenrock is an essential network to have on the ride list. RTS Tip: With 34km of trails, Glenrock is worth giving more than a quick lap. Use the purpose-built singletrack together with the management trails to explore different parts of the park and make a proper day of it. There are currently park alerts affecting parts of Glenrock, so check the latest NPWS alerts and trail information before heading out.

Glenview – Ferny Forest, on the eastern side of Ewen Maddock Dam near Landsborough on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is one of the region’s best introductions to mountain biking. The purpose-built Ferny Forest MTB Loop is approximately 12–13 km, winding through blackbutt forest, lush fern gullies and melaleuca wetlands with scenic viewpoints across Ewen Maddock Dam. The trail is designed primarily for beginner riders and families, with mostly flat terrain, gentle undulations and very few intimidating technical features. Rather than big climbs or steep descents, Ferny Forest is all about twisty, flowing singletrack, giving newer riders the chance to practise cornering, pumping and carrying momentum through the forest. That doesn't mean experienced riders won't have fun. The relatively smooth terrain makes Ferny Forest a great place for a fast XC lap, and the later sections include some particularly enjoyable flow where riders can work on pumping the trail for speed. The original trail was developed in 2015 by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Trailworx and volunteers from the Bushrangers MTB Club, which continues to assist with maintenance. The scenery is a big part of the ride. The trail passes through dense ferns and forest before opening to views across Ewen Maddock Dam towards the Glass House Mountains, making it feel more like a forest adventure than a suburban beginner loop. Access is available from the Steve Irwin Way rest area, with parking close to the trail. The dedicated MTB loop is primarily for mountain biking, while walkers and runners are directed towards the main multi-use tracks around the dam. Riders should also follow the marked riding direction around the circuit. RTS Tip: Ferny Forest is an excellent choice for a first proper MTB ride with kids or someone new to singletrack. There are no lung-busting climbs or major technical features, but there's enough twisting and flowing trail to make it genuinely fun as skills improve. Stronger riders can use it for a quick fast lap or combine it with other trails around Ewen Maddock Dam for more distance.

Glenwood Forest Trails, around 15 minutes west of Orange on the slopes of Mount Canobolas, are one of the Central West’s standout mountain biking destinations. Built and maintained by Orange Mountain Bike Club in partnership with Forestry Corporation of NSW, the network makes great use of more than 400m of elevation and caters for beginner through to advanced riders. Galinbundinya, Onwards & Upwards and Trail of Awesomeness combine to create an approximately 20km loop, climbing alongside Boree Creek towards Federal Falls before rewarding riders with flowing singletrack and a long descent. More experienced riders can branch onto harder gravity options, while parts of the network also cater for adaptive mountain bikes. RTS Tip: Glenwood is a working pine forest, so checking the latest trail status before every visit is essential. Forestry operations can temporarily close trailheads and sections of trail — Orange Mountain Bike Club currently advises that some lower sections remain affected by harvesting operations. Follow all exclusion-zone signage and designated shuttle routes, and check the club’s trail page for the latest access information before setting out.

Gordonbrook Dam Mountain Bike Trails, around 20 minutes north of Kingaroy in Queensland’s South Burnett, offer 13.8km of purpose-built singletrack across 11 trails right beside the scenic Gordonbrook Dam. Developed by the South Burnett Mountain Bike Club, the network caters from novice riders through to experienced XC racers, with green trails including First Crack, Chunnel, Bandicoot, Joeys and Antechinus, blue-rated Peanuts, Paper Scissors Rock and Big Dog, and the challenging 4.7km black-rated XCO OMG race loop. Expect flowing cross-country riding mixed with berms, jumps, rock features and technical A and B lines, with Tackers, a short beginner trail beside the main car park, giving younger riders somewhere to get started. RTS Tip: Turn Gordonbrook into a bigger adventure by riding there from the South Burnett Rail Trail at Memerambi. The signposted Gordonbrook Dam Route follows a mix of bitumen and gravel country roads out to the dam, where you can hit the singletrack before riding back. The lower trailhead has parking, basic toilets, picnic tables and shade, but no drinking water, so fill your bottles before setting off.

Granton DH, near Marysville in Victoria, is an old-school downhill riding area on the slopes around Mount Gordon, built for experienced riders who enjoy steep, natural and technical terrain. The network includes the Granton Downhill Long Track and Granton Downhill Short Track, with the short track dropping around 250m over approximately 1.7km and carrying a double-black rating on Trailforks. Expect steep gradients, rough natural singletrack and a much less manicured experience than a modern bike park. Granton/Narbethong is also recognised as an established downhill riding location in AusCycling’s Victorian Mountain Bike Strategy. RTS Tip: Granton is one for confident gravity riders, not beginners looking for an introduction to downhill. The trails are steep and natural, so inspect unfamiliar sections before committing and come prepared with appropriate protective gear, spares and offline navigation. Trail information and recent condition reports are limited, so check Trailforks and local updates before making a dedicated trip.

Gravity Eden is a major mountain bike destination in Nullica State Forest just outside Eden on the NSW Sapphire Coast, delivering more than 58km of purpose-built, gravity-fed singletrack from a peak elevation of around 300m. The network has been designed to take advantage of Eden’s dramatic terrain, dropping from rocky forested ridgelines through lush valleys towards the coast and Twofold Bay. Built by specialist trail builders Contour Works, the network features more than 20 trails spanning green, blue and black grades. There’s a strong gravity focus, but this isn’t simply a downhill park — riders will find XC adventures, climbing trails, long traverses, flow descents and technical gravity trails, allowing you to build anything from a short session to a substantial day on the bike. The network is divided into three main riding zones. The Adventure Zone is the gateway to the park and provides easier riding and progression opportunities. The Flow Zone introduces longer descents, berms and faster riding, while the Gravity Zone heads deeper into the forest with the park’s longest and most challenging descents. Some of the standout trails include Garden of Eden, a 2.3km shared-use adventure trail through a fern-filled valley; Gutter Ball, with sweeping berms and rollers; Round the Outside, an 8.4km adventure through varied terrain; and the huge Breath of Fire, a nearly 7km flow descent. More experienced riders can tackle trails such as Prana and Old Tom, where rock gardens, drops, chutes, jumps and steeper terrain turn things up considerably. There’s also a dedicated Skills Park with an asphalt pump track and dirt jump park, giving riders somewhere to warm up, practise features or simply session without heading deep into the network. Gravity Eden is managed by the Eden Mountain Bike Club, which partnered with Forestry Corporation NSW to establish the network on State Forest land. Riding is free, with ongoing trail maintenance funded through the club, sponsors, rider contributions and volunteer trail work. The location makes this one particularly good for a multi-day riding trip. Eden sits roughly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne and around 3.5 hours from Canberra, with beaches, accommodation, cafés and the wider Sapphire Coast right on the doorstep. For riders searching for Gravity Eden MTB, Eden mountain bike trails, Sapphire Coast MTB, South Coast NSW mountain biking or gravity trails in NSW, this is absolutely a destination worth putting on the ride list. RTS Tip: Don’t let the name fool you — you don’t need to be an advanced gravity rider to enjoy Eden. Start in the Adventure Zone and progressively work through Flow before heading deeper into the Gravity Zone. With 58km+ to explore, this is also one worth allowing a full day or, even better, building into a riding weekend. Check live trail status before setting out, particularly after significant rain, high winds or bushfire conditions

GreenValleys Mountain Bike Park is a privately owned gravity MTB park at Tongarra, at the foot of Macquarie Pass on the NSW South Coast. Around 20 minutes inland from Shellharbour and roughly 90 minutes from Sydney, it specialises in downhill, freeride, slopestyle and technical gravity riding. GreenValleys is very much a progression-focused gravity playground. The park features purpose-built downhill and freeride trails alongside a skills park, jumps, drops and an impressive collection of more than 50 timber ramps and drop features. There’s also a large airbag for riders developing their jumping and aerial skills. The terrain is aimed predominantly at intermediate and advanced riders rather than complete beginners. Trails make use of the steep foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment, with technical descents, jumps, drops and freeride features providing plenty for experienced riders to session. The park itself specifically notes that it is not currently designed for beginners. One of the big attractions is shuttle-assisted riding. On scheduled Social Gravity Days, riders are transported back to the trailhead via the park’s sealed uplift road, meaning more time descending and considerably less time pushing or pedalling back uphill. GreenValleys also has a strong racing pedigree and regularly hosts gravity competition. In June 2026 it hosted Round 1 of the AusCycling NSW/ACT Gravity Series Downhill, continuing its role as an important venue for competitive gravity riding in NSW. There are facilities including parking, toilets, picnic areas and camping options, making it possible to build a visit into a bigger Illawarra riding weekend. For riders searching for GreenValleys MTB, Illawarra mountain biking, downhill MTB near Sydney, shuttle mountain biking in NSW or freeride MTB parks, this is one of the state’s standout privately operated gravity destinations. RTS Tip: GreenValleys currently operates differently from a normal public bike park. During 2026, while it works through a planning proposal with Shellharbour Council, the park is focusing on scheduled shuttle days and selected events, with coaching offered only on limited pre-scheduled dates. Don’t simply turn up expecting to ride — check the calendar and book your ride day in advance.

Griffith Mountain Bike Park – Griffith NSW is a purpose-built MTB facility on Abattoir Road in Griffith, bringing around 4.5km of mountain bike trails to the heart of the NSW Riverina. Officially opened in May 2024, the park was developed following community consultation to create an accessible place for locals and visitors to get into mountain biking. The network has been designed for different ages and riding abilities, making it particularly appealing to families, beginners and riders wanting somewhere to build their confidence and skills. Alongside the trails is a dedicated skills area featuring rollover and kicker ramps, giving riders somewhere to practise bike handling and progression before taking those skills onto the trails. The facility also includes a shelter, car parking, fencing and public toilets. While Griffith might be better known for its wineries, food and agricultural landscape, the MTB park adds another reason to bring the bikes when exploring the Riverina by bike. There’s also more established off-road riding around nearby Scenic Hill, where local riders use the fire trails and singletrack. Whether you're searching for Griffith mountain bike trails, mountain biking in the Riverina, Griffith MTB Park or family-friendly MTB trails in NSW, this is a great little purpose-built network to add to the ride list. RTS Tip: With around 4.5km of trails, Griffith MTB Park is ideal for doing multiple laps, working on skills or introducing newer riders to mountain biking rather than chasing a huge day of trail kilometres. Check current trail conditions before heading out and combine it with other riding around Griffith if you're looking to make a bigger day of it.

Harrigans Lane is an epic 120km gravel cycling adventure from Tenterfield, taking riders deep into the rugged landscapes and quiet backroads of the New England High Country. This is a proper full-day ride. The route combines smooth country roads, gravel, farm roads and rougher sections, with the distance and climbing making it a challenging adventure even for experienced riders. Around 52% of the route is unpaved, with changing surfaces and some steep gradients adding to the challenge. One of the defining features of the ride is the Harrigans Lane climb, but the route delivers plenty more along the way as it travels through remote high-country landscapes towards Timbarra National Park. Expect long stretches away from towns, very little traffic in places and the kind of scenery that has helped make Tenterfield one of northern NSW's emerging gravel riding destinations. There's a pretty good reward waiting later in the ride too — a spectacular swimming spot on the Boonoo Boonoo River at around the 71km mark, perfect for cooling off before tackling the remainder of the journey. While many of the roads are wide and relatively smooth, don't underestimate this one. The combination of 120km distance, climbing, steep descents and potentially rutted gravel roads means riders should have good fitness and be confident handling changing surfaces. For anyone planning a gravel cycling trip to Tenterfield, Harrigans Lane is one of the region's signature big-day adventures and a great excuse to spend a few days exploring the many other gravel routes throughout the New England High Country. RTS Tip: This ride travels through remote country, so come prepared with plenty of food and water, repair equipment and offline navigation. Mobile reception can be limited and road conditions can change after wet weather. Check current conditions before setting out and follow the mapping link for the detailed Harrigans Lane route and navigation.

Hassans Walls Reserve rises above Lithgow on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, offering mountain bikers a mix of natural trails, fire roads and technical riding surrounded by spectacular sandstone country. The reserve covers more than 780 hectares and climbs to over 1,100 metres elevation, with huge views across the Hartley Valley and surrounding ranges. The riding around Hassans Walls has a distinctly raw and natural feel. Expect rocky terrain, steep climbs and descents, loose surfaces and sections of technical singletrack rather than the manicured experience of a modern bike park. Hassans Walls Road itself also makes a good mountain bike or gravel ride up towards the lookout. Local MTB mapping shows trails including Channel 6, Ewok Forest, Gun Club DH, Pony Xpress, Pottery Left and Hassans Fire Trail, giving riders opportunities to link different trails and forest roads into a bigger session. Some of these descend steeply from the escarpment, so there’s riding here that will appeal to confident and experienced mountain bikers. The landscape is a big part of the experience. Hassans Walls is known for its sandstone cliffs, pagoda rock formations, fern-filled gullies and native bushland, with several lookouts providing incredible views across the Lithgow and Blue Mountains region. There is also a long history of MTB development at Hassans Walls. Lithgow City Council approved construction of a mountain bike/walking trail in the reserve in 2009, and later developed a broader strategy looking at purpose-built MTB opportunities for the area. For riders searching for Hassans Walls mountain bike trails, mountain biking in Lithgow, Lithgow MTB trails or mountain biking near the Blue Mountains, this is a riding area well worth exploring. RTS Tip: Hassans Walls is best approached as a natural MTB riding area rather than a fully developed bike park. Trail conditions, access and individual lines can change, so check current mapping before heading out and don't rely on old trail information. Some trails are steep and technical, so choose lines that suit your ability and take the opportunity to stop at the lookouts while you're up there.

Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park is one of Australia's most unique riding destinations, combining fun, purpose-built trails with a spooky theme inspired by the area's colourful local legends. From ghost stories and mysterious happenings to eerie encounters and historic folklore, the park embraces its haunted reputation at every turn. Themed features are scattered throughout the network, including tombstone-style trail signs, the aptly named Mad Cows trail, and a distinctive skull-and-crossbones pump track that has become a favourite photo stop. Adding to the atmosphere, parts of the trail network run alongside a historic cemetery, making for a truly memorable riding experience. Beyond the theme, Haunted Hills offers a well-designed trail network catering to riders of all abilities. Whether you're looking for flowing beginner-friendly trails, technical challenges or a session on the pump track, there's something for everyone to enjoy. With its combination of creative trail design, family-friendly facilities and unforgettable atmosphere, Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Gippsland—and don't forget to grab a photo at the iconic park entrance before you ride.

Helensburgh MTB Park is a long-established mountain bike riding area in Helensburgh, NSW, sitting between Sydney and Wollongong and offering a huge variety of natural singletrack, technical trails and cross-country riding. The wider Helensburgh trail network is extensive, with current mapping showing more than 80 individual trails and around 75km of mapped riding. The mix ranges from easier green singletrack through to intermediate and advanced trails, giving riders plenty of options for anything from a quick session to a much bigger day exploring the surrounding bushland. At the heart of the local riding scene is Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club -HORCC Track, with the Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club (HORCC) supporting riding and trail activity in the area. Expect a distinctly old-school Sydney MTB feel, with natural surfaces, roots, rocks, tight singletrack, short punchy climbs and technical descents rather than a manicured modern trail-centre experience. Mapped trails include everything from approachable lines such as Grass Track through to more challenging riding spread across the wider network. Helensburgh also connects riders with Cawleys Road trail and the surrounding Garawarra State Conservation Area. NSW National Parks specifically permits mountain biking on Cawleys Road Trail, a generally flat mix of bitumen and gravel through scribbly gum forest, with other trails connecting from the route. Its location makes Helensburgh a great option for riders searching for mountain biking near Sydney, Helensburgh MTB trails, mountain biking near Wollongong, Illawarra MTB trails or technical mountain bike trails in NSW. RTS Tip: There is a lot more riding around Helensburgh than can sensibly fit into one Ride Card. RTS will work on getting the individual routes added as separate rides over time, but until then check the mapping link to explore the individual trails, grades and connections across the network. Trail access and conditions can change, so follow current signage and closures and make sure the trails you choose are open to bikes.

Hidden Vale Adventure Park at Grandchester, around 30 minutes from Ipswich, is one of Queensland’s biggest privately owned mountain biking destinations, with an 80km+ trail network spread across a spectacular 12,000-acre nature refuge. The network caters from beginners through to experienced gravity riders, mixing relaxed touring trails, technical singletrack, big climbs and some seriously long descents. Highlights include the 7.5km 500 Above, one of Queensland’s longest descents, along with Devine, Skyfall, Dialled Inn, Fire Break, Jalapeno, Treedom and Remnant. Add a skills park, bike hire and shuttle uplifts and there’s easily enough here for a full day — or a whole weekend — of riding. RTS Tip: Hidden Vale is a private, paid-entry bike park, so grab your trail pass and check current trail conditions before heading out. If you want to maximise the descending, the HVAP High 5 shuttle service accesses several of the park’s major gravity trails, including 500 Above, Devine, Dialled Inn and Skyfall. Otherwise, earn your turns and explore the huge network under pedal power — just make sure you sign in and out at the trailhead.

Just outside Launceston, Hollybank Reserve offers mountain biking through beautiful Tasmanian forest, with purpose-built trails winding beneath towering trees and through lush bushland. The network includes flowing singletrack, climbs, descents and technical features, with options that allow riders to put together anything from a quick spin to a longer trail session. Hollybank’s forest setting gives it a distinctly Tasmanian feel and makes it an easy MTB escape for riders staying in Launceston or exploring the wider north-east trail scene. RTS Tip: Hollybank can be a great addition to a north-east Tasmania MTB road trip, particularly if you’re travelling between Launceston and the bigger trail destinations further east. Check current trail conditions and closures before heading out, especially after wet weather, and choose trails that match your ability.

Located near Wodonga in Victoria’s north-east, Hunchback Hill MTB Park is a popular local mountain bike network with purpose-built singletrack spread across the slopes of Hunchback Hill. Expect a mix of flowing trail, rocky sections, punchy climbs and more technical features, with the terrain and elevation providing plenty of variety for riders looking to build skills or put together a solid trail session. Its location close to Wodonga makes Hunchback Hill an easy ride destination for locals and a worthwhile stop for riders travelling through Victoria’s High Country. RTS Tip: Don’t underestimate Hunchback Hill—the climbs and rocky terrain can make a relatively short ride feel like a proper workout. Explore a few different trail combinations rather than sticking to one loop, and check current trail conditions before riding, particularly following wet weather.

The Hunt 1000 is one of Australia's great bikepacking adventures — an epic journey of approximately 1,000km from Canberra to Melbourne through the Australian Alps and Victorian High Country. With more than 23,000 metres of climbing, this is far more than a long gravel ride. The route links remote backcountry roads, gravel tracks, alpine trails and rugged mountain terrain as riders make their way south through some of Australia's most spectacular high-country landscapes. Expect huge climbs, fast gravel, river crossings, rough tracks and sections of hike-a-bike, balanced by incredible riding through snow gum woodlands, open alpine plains and towering native forests. Historic mountain huts and remote high-country communities add another dimension to the journey as the route works its way towards Melbourne. The Hunt 1000 is designed as a self-supported bikepacking route, meaning riders need to carry what they require, manage their own navigation and carefully plan food, water, accommodation or camping and resupply opportunities along the way. While approximately 1,000km is a challenge in itself, it's the 23,000m+ of climbing, remote terrain and unpredictable alpine conditions that make this a serious undertaking. Riders should have strong fitness, solid bikepacking experience and the ability to manage mechanical, navigation and weather challenges far from immediate assistance. The route is traditionally associated with the annual Hunt 1000 gathering, but you don't need to think of it purely as an event. At its heart, this is an incredible Canberra-to-Melbourne bikepacking adventure through the Australian Alps and one of the standout long-distance cycling challenges in Australia. RTS Tip: The exact Hunt 1000 route can change between editions, so don't assume an older GPX represents the current route or access conditions. Use the mapping and official information links when planning your adventure, check current land and trail access, and be prepared for rapidly changing mountain weather and long stretches through remote country.

Sydney to Summit – Sydney to Mount Kosciuszko Bikepacking Sydney to Summit is an epic 679km bikepacking journey from Sydney to Mount Kosciuszko, taking riders from Australia's largest city all the way to the highest point in the country. Starting at the iconic Sydney Opera House, the route gradually leaves the city behind and heads through national parks, forests, quiet backroads and remote country on its way towards the Australian Alps. With approximately 13,000 metres of climbing, this is a serious multi-day adventure. The route weaves together bike paths, sealed backroads, gravel roads and doubletrack, creating a constantly changing journey as riders travel from sea level towards the mountains. One of the best parts of Sydney to Summit is watching the landscape transform along the way. The urban start quickly gives way to lush coastal and hinterland forests before the route ventures deeper into regional NSW, eventually reaching open high plains and alpine country. There's some brilliant gravel riding along the journey, but riders should expect much more than smooth gravel roads. Remote sections, changing surfaces, substantial climbing and unpredictable alpine weather all add to the challenge. The ultimate goal is hard to beat — riding from Sydney to Mount Kosciuszko, climbing from sea level to Australia's highest mountain and finishing an enormous journey across NSW under your own power. Sydney to Summit was created as a self-sufficient bikepacking challenge, so riders taking inspiration from the route should be experienced in multi-day riding, navigation, equipment management and travelling through remote areas. RTS Tip: This is a serious long-distance bikepacking adventure through remote and alpine environments. Routes and access conditions can change, so don't rely on an older GPX without checking current information. Plan resupply, water, accommodation or camping and emergency communications carefully, and check current national park, road, fire and alpine weather conditions before setting out.

Illawarra Escarpment MTB Network – Wollongong The Illawarra Escarpment MTB Network is an emerging mountain bike destination above Wollongong on the NSW South Coast, bringing purpose-built and officially sanctioned mountain biking to the dramatic forested slopes of the Illawarra Escarpment. The first major part of the network, the Kembla Mountain Bike Trails, opened in 2025 with around 20km of purpose-built trails. This is the beginning of a much bigger planned 70km Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network, with a further approximately 50km proposed for delivery in 2027. The Kembla network makes the most of the escarpment’s elevation and natural terrain, with dedicated mountain bike trails winding through the bushland around Mount Kembla and Kembla Heights. The official trails provide a much more sustainable way to experience mountain biking in the area while protecting the escarpment’s significant environmental and cultural values. The wider Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area rises dramatically behind Wollongong, creating a spectacular backdrop for riding with dense forest, steep terrain and glimpses back towards the coast. With Wollongong less than 10km away, it also has the ingredients to become a major MTB destination within easy reach of Sydney. Importantly, the area is currently going through a significant transition. From June 2026, NSW National Parks began progressively closing and rehabilitating unauthorised MTB trails around Mount Keira as the sanctioned network is developed. Riders should only use trails that are officially approved and open; closed trails may be signposted or physically blocked and penalties can apply for entering restricted areas. For riders searching for Illawarra mountain bike trails, Wollongong MTB, Mount Kembla mountain biking, mountain biking near Sydney or MTB trails on the NSW South Coast, the Illawarra Escarpment is one to watch as the official network continues to grow. RTS Tip: This is one where current mapping really matters. Don’t rely on older Strava routes, videos or historic trail maps, as some previously ridden trails are now being closed and rehabilitated. Stick to the approved network and check NSW National Parks trail status before heading out. The existing Kembla trails are just Stage 1, with the official network planned to eventually reach around 70km

A classic Blue Mountains gravel adventure, Ingar Road and Bedford Creek deliver a mix of wide fire trail, forest riding, long descents and solid climbing through rugged bushland near Wentworth Falls. The route takes riders away from the busy mountain towns and into a quieter side of the Blue Mountains, with changing surfaces, creek crossings and plenty of elevation to keep things interesting. It’s a great option for gravel bikes or hardtails and can be linked with surrounding fire trails for a longer exploration. RTS Tip: Don’t underestimate the climbing on the way back out. Ingar Road can feel wonderfully fast heading down, but what goes down eventually has to come back up. Carry plenty of water, check current track and park conditions before setting out, and expect sections to be rougher after rain.

Inverell MTB Park is a cross-country mountain bike network around 5km south of Inverell on Bundarra Road, in the New England region of northern NSW. The park has been developed as a community riding facility with a collection of loops and singletrack suitable for everyone from beginners through to more experienced XC riders. Inverell Shire Council’s 2026 community directory identifies 1km, 3km and 5km loops at the park. The 1km Wombat Ramble provides an easy introduction, while Wallaby Wander offers around 2.5km of green-rated riding with a little more challenge. Riders wanting a longer lap can tackle the 3km Short Boundary Loop or the main 5km Boundary Ride, an intermediate blue XC loop. Current Trailforks mapping shows a much broader collection of trail segments and combinations around the park, allowing riders to extend well beyond the basic loops. Expect traditional cross-country riding rather than gravity-focused bike-park terrain, with winding singletrack, short climbs and descents, natural features and plenty of opportunities to link different trails together. Mapped sections include Creepy Creek, Heart Rate Hill, Claret Corner, Home Run, Rockee Road and Slabba the Hutt. The compact layout makes Inverell particularly approachable for families and progression. Newer riders can start with the short green loops, while stronger riders can combine the blue trails and additional singletrack into a longer XC session. There is, however, an important current access issue. Inverell Shire Council temporarily closed the MTB track in March 2026 after the former Inverell Mountain Bike Club became dormant and there was no active organisation maintaining or managing the facility. In April, Council paused its search for another operator after around 20 community members expressed interest in re-forming the Inverell Mountain Bike Club. For riders searching for Inverell MTB, New England mountain bike trails, mountain biking in northern NSW or family-friendly MTB around Inverell, the park has plenty of potential as a handy regional XC network. RTS Tip: “Check Current Access Before Riding”. Although mapping platforms currently show the trails, Council formally announced the facility’s temporary closure in March 2026, and its April update focused on efforts to reform the club rather than confirming that the park had reopened. Until Council publishes a clear reopening update, I wouldn’t list it as definitely open.

Jerrabomberra MTB Trails – Queanbeyan (Jerra Trails) The MTB trails around Jerrabomberra Mountain Reserve offer a surprisingly extensive pocket of natural mountain biking just outside Canberra and Queanbeyan, with singletrack spread across the slopes of Mount Jerrabomberra in southern NSW. Often simply called “Jerra” by local riders, the area is characterised by hand-built and natural-style singletrack rather than the manicured feel of a major trail centre. Expect rocky sections, tight turns, short punchy climbs, flowing descents and plenty of technical features, with the terrain making good use of the hill’s elevation. Popular mapped trails and loops include Pipeline, Swoop, Lazy Dog, Playschool and Neanderthal, with various connections allowing riders to piece together anything from a quick lap to a longer exploration of the reserve. Some routes are also shared with walkers, so riders need to keep an eye out for other trail users. Climbing towards the top of Mount Jerrabomberra is rewarded with impressive views across Queanbeyan, Canberra and the surrounding ranges. The official lookout and management-road network provides another way to explore the reserve and makes a handy reference point when navigating the area. Its location makes Jerra a great addition to a Canberra MTB trip, particularly for riders already exploring the region’s bigger riding destinations. For riders searching for Jerrabomberra mountain bike trails, Jerra MTB, mountain biking in Queanbeyan, MTB trails near Canberra or mountain biking in southern NSW, this local network is definitely worth having on the ride list. RTS Tip: Jerrabomberra is best treated as a local natural trail network rather than a formal purpose-built bike park. Use current trail mapping to work out individual trails, grades and connections before heading out, be considerate of walkers on shared trails and respect any current signage, closures or access restrictions.

Jolly Nose MTB Park – Bonny Hills / Port Macquarie Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park is one of the standout MTB destinations on the NSW Mid North Coast, located in Queens Lake and Burrawan State Forests near Bonny Hills, around 20 minutes south of Port Macquarie. The network combines cross-country, trail and gravity riding in a huge community-maintained forest playground. The park’s current official trail site lists 60+ individual trails and more than 40km of mapped riding, while NSW tourism information describes the broader network as approximately 70km. Either way, there’s enough here for anything from a quick lap to a full day of exploring. There’s a genuine spread of difficulty, from green beginner trails through blue, black and double-black expert terrain. Riders can start with trails such as the flowing Rollercoaster or tackle the popular 10km green XC loop, before progressing to more technical trails featuring rock gardens, berms, jumps and steeper natural terrain. For stronger riders, Jolly Nose has plenty of technical and gravity-focused options. Rock & Roll mixes berms, rock gardens and jumps, while Morning Glory steps things up into black-rated terrain. The network’s variety means XC riders, trail riders and gravity-focused riders can all find something worthwhile without needing separate destinations. The trails are managed by Hastings Valley Mountain Bike Riders, working in partnership with Forestry Corporation NSW. They’re designated MTB trails within the club’s permit area and are built and maintained largely through volunteer effort, memberships and community support. Riding is free and open to everyone from dawn to dusk, with club membership encouraged as a way to help support the network. The main access is via Spring Creek Road, with free parking at Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Parking Area. There’s no booking required for normal riding. For riders searching for Jolly Nose MTB, Port Macquarie mountain bike trails, Bonny Hills MTB, Mid North Coast mountain biking or gravity and XC trails in NSW, this is absolutely a network worth putting on the ride list. RTS Tip: With so many trails, don’t try to judge Jolly Nose by one loop. Newer riders can start with the green network and 10km loop, while experienced riders should allow enough time to explore the more technical gravity areas. Check current trail status before heading out — the club posts maintenance closures and conditions can change after weather events.

Jubilee Park in Toowoomba, Queensland, is one of the region’s premier mountain bike destinations, with more than 28 km of purpose-built singletrack spread across 313 hectares of bushland on the Toowoomba escarpment. Developed and maintained with significant support from the Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club, the network caters for riders from beginner through to expert, with everything from hand-built XC singletrack and machine-shaped flow to rock gardens, drops, jumps, technical descents and dedicated downhill riding. Jubilee Park is also home to Queensland’s first legal downhill mountain bike track. Popular trails include Dirty Granny, Centrelink, Turkey, Rollercat, Viper, Highlife, Reaper, Cheeseburger and the double-black Mackenzie Frenzy, while numerous linking trails allow riders to create longer loops and gravity-focused sessions. With access from Bridge Street, Harvey Street and Amos Road, Jubilee Park is a must-ride destination for mountain bikers visiting Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. RTS Tip: Jubilee Park has a huge amount of variety, so check the trail grading before dropping into something unfamiliar — the difficulty can quickly progress from flowing green and blue trails to serious black and double-black terrain. Stick to the signed official MTB trails, as unsanctioned “pirate” trails also exist throughout the escarpment and are not part of the authorised network. For a first visit, download the trail map and use the short linking trails to build a loop that matches your ability and riding style.

Just east of Perth, Kalamunda and the Perth Hills offer a huge playground for gravel riding, with quiet backroads, forest tracks, fire trails and old railway corridors providing plenty of options for riders looking to escape the city. Starting around Kalamunda, riders can quickly leave the suburbs behind and head into the forests and rolling terrain of the Darling Scarp. The surrounding network combines gravel roads and unsealed tracks with plenty of climbing, making it possible to create everything from a shorter gravel spin through to a challenging full-day adventure. The landscape is classic Perth Hills — jarrah and marri forest, granite outcrops, valleys and elevated sections with views back towards the coastal plain. Head further into the hills and the riding opens up towards Mundaring and an even larger network of cycling routes and backcountry tracks. There are also some well-known cycling trails to discover throughout the region. The Kalamunda Railway Heritage Trail provides a more accessible introduction to riding in the hills, while longer adventures can connect with routes including the Munda Biddi Trail and Kep Track around Mundaring. With Perth sitting within easy reach, Kalamunda makes a brilliant base for riders wanting to explore gravel cycling in Western Australia without having to travel far from the city. RTS Tip: There isn't just one Kalamunda gravel ride — the Perth Hills are packed with backroads, forest tracks and cycling routes waiting to be explored. Ride The State will continue working on adding individual routes as separate Ride Cards over time. Until then, use the mapping link to explore route options and always check current access, fire, weather and trail conditions before heading out.

Kalamunda is one of Western Australia’s best-known mountain biking destinations, with an extensive network of purpose-built trails winding through the jarrah forest of the Perth Hills. The network offers everything from approachable cross-country and flowing singletrack through to rocky technical sections, jumps and more challenging descents, giving riders plenty of options to build a ride around their ability and appetite for adventure. With a huge variety of trails and loops to explore, Kalamunda works just as well for a quick local lap as it does for a full day of riding. RTS Tip: Don’t try to tackle the whole network in one hit. Pick a few trails that suit your ability and build a loop around them — then save the rest for another visit. Kalamunda can become hot and exposed during warmer months, so carry plenty of water and check current trail conditions and closures before setting out.

The Kalateenee MTB Trails are a fantastic mountain bike network in Kalateenee State Forest near Kempsey on the NSW Mid North Coast, with around 25–30km of cross-country and gravity trails winding through beautiful eucalypt, ironbark and brushbox forest. Managed and maintained by Macleay Valley Mountain Bikers, the network caters for a broad range of abilities, from beginners finding their feet on easier trails through to experienced riders looking for faster, more technical terrain. Most trails are also suitable for adaptive mountain bikes. There’s a good mix of XC and gravity riding, with the gravity side of the network receiving a significant upgrade in recent years. Five enduro trails were professionally rebuilt with improved features, jumps and more weather-resilient construction, adding another dimension to what was already a well-established local trail network. Navigation is well catered for, with trail signs throughout the park showing distances and difficulty ratings, making it relatively easy to link together trails for anything from a short session to a bigger day exploring the forest. Access is straightforward too. The original trailhead is behind Kempsey Golf Club off Macleay Valley Way, while a newer dedicated MTB car park on Grass Tree Road provides another entry point and includes accessible toilets. For riders searching for Kempsey mountain bike trails, Kalateenee MTB Park, mountain biking on the NSW Mid North Coast or MTB trails near Port Macquarie, Kalateenee is definitely one to add to the ride list. RTS Tip: With 25–30km of trails and a mixture of XC and gravity riding, it’s worth allowing a few hours rather than treating Kalateenee as a quick stop. Check the current trail status before travelling, particularly after wet weather, and use the trail signage and current mapping to choose trails that match your ability.

The Karratha MTB Trails offer a distinctly Pilbara mountain biking experience, with an extensive network of rugged trails running through the hills immediately behind Karratha in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The main riding area sits between Madigan Road, Dampier Highway, De Witt Road and North West Coastal Highway, with easy access from town and the Karratha MTB Club trailhead. Rather than a formal bike park with designated loops, the network is made up of organic, volunteer-maintained trails that can generally be ridden in either direction. Expect rocky and loose Pilbara terrain, exposed ridgelines, short technical climbs and descents, and wide-open views across Karratha’s distinctive red landscape. Popular trails include Watch The Rocks, Xylophone Ridge and Mars Scape, with enough interconnected tracks to create anything from a short MTB session to a much longer cross-country ride. The trails are closely associated with the Karratha MTB Club, which maintains trails and runs races, skills sessions and social rides. Night riding is a particularly strong part of Karratha’s MTB culture, allowing riders to escape some of the intense daytime heat for which the Pilbara is known. The trails remain informal rather than sanctioned loops, so riders should expect changing conditions, unmarked intersections and occasional crossings of non-gazetted roads used by local vehicles. RTS Tip: Karratha is proper Pilbara riding, so heat management is just as important as bike choice. Ride early or after sunset during warmer periods, carry considerably more water than you think you’ll need and take repair gear for the rocky terrain. If you’re unfamiliar with the network, download a current trail map before leaving — there are no designated signed loops and trails can change over time.

Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area, on the southern outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania, is a popular local mountain biking destination offering around 15 km of tracks and trails through approximately 120 hectares of native bushland. The network is known for its narrow, tight and twisty singletrack, small hills, short punchy climbs and fun descents, with around 6 km designated as mountain-bike-preferred trail. The relatively approachable terrain makes Kate Reed particularly good for beginners, families and XC riders, while more experienced mountain bikers can still find plenty of features and fast, flowing sections to keep things interesting. Just around 10 minutes from Launceston’s CBD, it’s an easy option for a quick MTB session or a few hours exploring Tasmania’s northern trail network. The reserve is also used for walking, running and orienteering, while the Launceston Mountain Bike Club regularly uses and helps maintain the MTB trails. Access is available via the Silverdome complex on Oakden Road or from the Kings Meadows connector near the Midland Highway, although parking and access conditions vary between entrances. RTS Tip: Kate Reed is a great choice if you’re newer to mountain biking or want a fun XC ride without committing to a huge trail network. After periods of heavy rain, give the singletrack time to dry — the local trail crew specifically asks riders to stay off wet trails to prevent damage. If parking at the Silverdome, also be aware that its access gate is locked outside business hours.

Kelcey Tier MTB Trails Kelcey Tier, on the southern edge of Devonport in North West Tasmania, is a local mountain biking and bushland riding area set within the 185-hectare Kelcey Tier Greenbelt. The network combines purpose-built MTB singletrack with older rocky trails and fire roads, creating plenty of options for cross-country and trail riders looking for a ride close to Devonport. Expect native bushland, short climbs, flowing sections, rocky and natural terrain and descents, with trails ranging from approachable green riding through to more challenging technical sections. Riders can also reach viewpoints overlooking Devonport and the Mersey River Estuary, adding some great scenery to a lap of the reserve. Kelcey Tier is a particularly handy option for mountain bikers travelling through Tasmania's North West, with the trails close to Devonport and within easy reach of other major riding destinations including Wild Mersey and Penguin MTB Park. The main access area is around Durkins Road, and the interconnected singletrack and fire trails make it possible to build anything from a short local spin to a longer XC-style ride. RTS Tip: Kelcey Tier has a more natural, local-trail feel than some of Tasmania's newer destination bike parks, so expect rocks, roots and changing trail conditions. Download a current trail map before riding and use the easier trails to get your bearings before exploring the more technical lines. Keep an eye out for wildlife too — the reserve has important conservation values and is a particularly good place to spot the endangered swift parrot during spring.

Kenilworth, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, offers a very different style of mountain biking from purpose-built networks such as Wooroi or Sugar Bag. Riding here is centred around the forests surrounding Charlie Moreland Camping Area and Mount Allan Firetower, with long forestry roads, sustained climbing and backcountry-style exploration rather than manicured singletrack. The classic Kenilworth ride begins at Charlie Moreland and follows Sunday Creek Road towards Mount Allan. Bushrangers MTB Club describes the traditional route as being famous for its steady climb to the fire tower, giving riders a substantial workout before reaching the high point of the ride. The club regularly uses the area for its Kenilworth rides and currently grades its longer outing as Grade 4 due to the steep initial climb. From Mount Allan, riders can return the way they came or explore further along the surrounding forestry tracks. Routes can extend towards Booloumba Creek and deeper into the hinterland, although access restrictions need to be respected and conditions can change within the working forest and protected areas. Expect wide gravel and dirt roads, long climbs, fast fire-road descents and a much more remote feel than the Sunshine Coast’s trail centres. This makes Kenilworth particularly well suited to XC mountain bikes, gravel bikes and e-MTBs, as well as riders who enjoy putting together longer adventure loops rather than repeatedly lapping short trails. Sunshine Coast Council specifically highlights the region’s hinterland forests for this style of mountain-bike exploration. The main starting area at Charlie Moreland also makes Kenilworth a good option for a ride-and-camp weekend, with the campground sitting right at the gateway to the forest. RTS Tip: Come to Kenilworth expecting an adventure ride rather than a bike park. The climb towards Mount Allan is the signature challenge, so save some legs for the return and carry plenty of water, food, spares and navigation. If you explore beyond the main out-and-back, download your route beforehand and check current access restrictions — the surrounding forest has numerous intersecting roads and tracks. For some local knowledge, Bushrangers MTB Club’s Kenilworth guide is a great starting point.

Kentlyn MTB Trails – Campbelltown The Kentlyn MTB Trails are a long-established mountain bike network hidden in the bushland around Kentlyn and Peter Meadows Creek near Campbelltown in South West Sydney. Known for their raw, technical character, these trails offer a very different experience from the purpose-built riding at nearby Mount Annan. Current mapping shows around 28 MTB trails and approximately 19km of mapped riding, with a mixture of cross-country, descending and technical singletrack. Kentlyn is classic Sydney sandstone mountain biking. Expect plenty of rocks, rock gardens, ledges, short punchy climbs, technical descents and natural features, with trails weaving through rugged bushland above the Georges River. It’s a network where good line choice and confident bike handling can make a big difference. Popular mapped trails include Rock Trail, Magic Carpet, Spank It, Drop Bears and Boronia Single Track, with numerous connecting trails allowing riders to piece together different loops. Rock Trail alone runs for around 5km and includes berms, drops, rock faces and rock gardens, while some of the descending trails step the difficulty up considerably. Kentlyn has been used by local mountain bikers for many years. Campbelltown City Council has previously recognised the area as containing a wide range of riding, including cross-country, short downhill and flow trails, although the network has historically had a complicated status rather than operating as a formally developed MTB park. For riders searching for Kentlyn mountain bike trails, Campbelltown MTB, mountain biking in South West Sydney or technical MTB trails near Sydney, Kentlyn is one of the region’s better-known old-school riding areas. RTS Tip: Kentlyn is best treated as a local natural trail network rather than a formally managed bike park. Use current mapping to choose your trails and understand their difficulty, and pay attention to land-access signage or closures on the ground. Some trails are genuinely technical, so don’t assume the whole network is suitable for newer riders.

The Kersbrook MTB Trails, around 40 km north-east of Adelaide in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, offer a rugged network of mountain bike trails within Mount Gawler Forest Reserve near Kersbrook. Managed on ForestrySA land and supported by the local Kersbrook Trail Krew, the area is known for its more natural, gravity-focused style of riding, with singletrack, steep descents, technical rock sections, berms, drops and jump features alongside forest roads used for climbing and linking trails. Popular trails include Kersy Koasta, Senduro, Jumps Revamp, North of the Wall and Dead Man’s Climb, with options ranging from intermediate trail riding through to considerably more technical downhill terrain. Surrounded by pine plantation and native bushland, Kersbrook provides a distinctly different experience from the larger Fox Creek Bike Park nearby and is a great option for experienced riders wanting to explore more of the Adelaide Hills MTB scene. The wider Kersbrook area also contains shared-use forest trails and the Old Kersbrook Loop, a 7.5 km route through Mount Crawford Forest Reserve that is open to mountain bikers, providing additional options for riders looking for a less gravity-focused adventure. RTS Tip: Kersbrook has a rawer, more technical feel than a manicured bike park, so check the grading and features of each trail before committing — some lines include sizeable jumps, drops, gaps and rock gardens. Download a current trail map, check ForestrySA access conditions before travelling and remember that forest operations or fire restrictions can affect access.

King Valley Big Ride – Gravel Cycling Victoria The King Valley Big Ride is a spectacular 71km gravel cycling loop from Whitfield, exploring the quiet backroads, forests and mountain landscapes of Victoria's beautiful King Valley. Starting in Whitfield, the route quickly leaves town behind and rolls through farmland before heading into the bush and beginning the climb along Rose River Road. It's a wonderfully rideable gravel climb, generally sitting below 6%, before opening up to views towards the surrounding Alpine ranges and Mount Buffalo. From here, the ride follows remote gravel roads through forest and along the Rose and Buffalo River valleys, with a brilliant mix of flowing gravel, rolling terrain and big High Country scenery. While much of the gravel is relatively smooth, this is still a proper adventure ride. There are three main climbs, changing surfaces and a more technical descent where wider tyres and confident bike handling come in handy. At around 71km, the distance makes it achievable as a big day ride without turning it into an ultra-endurance mission — but the climbing, gravel and remote setting mean it will feel like considerably more than 71km on the road. The King Valley itself is becoming one of Victoria's standout gravel riding destinations, with hundreds of kilometres of gravel roads and cycling routes extending throughout the region. That makes Whitfield a brilliant base for a gravel weekend, with plenty more riding to explore once you've completed this loop. RTS Tip: Ride the loop clockwise for the best experience and consider tyres around 40mm or wider for additional confidence on the rougher sections. Mobile reception is limited across much of the route and there are very few opportunities to refill water, so carry what you need and download your navigation before leaving. Check current weather, fire and road conditions before setting out, particularly when riding in warmer months.

Kooralbyn Valley MTB Park, in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, is a historic mountain biking destination with a network spanning everything from approachable green trails to serious black and double-black gravity riding. The park currently features more than 20 trails plus a skills area, with rocky natural singletrack, short punchy climbs, flowing descents, berms, jumps, drops and technical features providing plenty of variety for XC, trail, enduro and downhill riders. Kooralbyn also has an impressive place in Australian mountain bike history. The original trails hosted national-level racing and were once used as a training facility by the Australian MTB team, with Cadel Evans racing here at the 2001 National XCO Championships. After the original resort closed in 2008 and the trails became overgrown, local riders formed the Kooralbyn Valley Mountain Bike Club and began restoring the old network and developing new trails. Today the park once again hosts downhill, cross-country and gravity enduro racing, including the famous Black Snake downhill course. Located on Routley Drive at Kooralbyn, the park is within reach of Brisbane and the Gold Coast and makes a great Scenic Rim MTB day trip or riding weekend. The combination of progressive trails, technical gravity riding and genuine Australian MTB history makes Kooralbyn particularly worthwhile for riders wanting something beyond a manicured modern trail centre. RTS Tip: Don’t assume Kooralbyn is only for advanced gravity riders. There are green and blue options for developing skills, but the network progresses all the way to black and double-black trails with substantial jumps, drops and technical features. Check the trail grading before dropping in, and check the park’s latest updates before travelling as events can affect normal trail access.

Rising directly behind Hobart, Tasmania, kunanyi / Mount Wellington is one of Australia’s most distinctive urban mountain biking destinations, offering everything from gentle family-friendly riding to flowing singletrack, technical descents and big mountain adventures. The extensive network across Wellington Park and the lower foothills of kunanyi / Mt Wellington connects with almost 60 km of City of Hobart-maintained MTB and shared-use tracks, as well as fire trails that allow riders to create a huge variety of loops. One of the signature rides is the 11 km North-South Track, which links The Springs on kunanyi / Mt Wellington with Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park. Rated intermediate, it winds through changing forest environments with flowing singletrack, sweeping berms and optional technical features. Riders looking for a bigger loop can tackle the 14.5 km Riding the Mountain circuit, linking trails including North-South, Free Wheel'n, Pitfall, Stumpside, Upper Luge, Crosscut and Rocky Wheel'n for a mix of fast descending, technical terrain and climbing. There are plenty of other options around the mountain too. The 12.7 km Pipeline Track provides an easier, family-friendly ride from Fern Tree through tall forest and fern-filled gullies, while the lower foothills around McRobies Gully offer more technical MTB trails including Slides, Jurassic Shark and Tip Top. With connections towards Glenorchy MTB Park and Hobart’s surrounding trail network, kunanyi / Mt Wellington can deliver anything from an easy scenic pedal to a full day of technical mountain biking. RTS Tip: Don’t assume every track on kunanyi / Mt Wellington is open to bikes. Cycling is permitted on formed roads and fire trails plus specifically designated shared-use and bike trails, while riding walking-only tracks can result in fines. Mountain weather can also change extremely quickly, so check conditions and trail alerts before setting out and carry an extra layer even when Hobart is warm and sunny.

Kyogle MTB Park is a volunteer-built mountain bike network in Boorabee State Forest on Yongurra Road, just minutes from the centre of Kyogle in the NSW Northern Rivers. The forest is known for its rich, dark loam and fast, flowing singletrack, creating a very different riding experience from the rocky terrain found across many other NSW MTB destinations. The network caters for a broad range of abilities, with green and blue gravity trails, dedicated climbing trails and black-rated features for experienced riders. It’s designed so newer riders can start comfortably before progressively stepping up to longer and faster descents. For beginners, Chain Gang is a roughly 600m green trail with an undulating downhill profile, while Too Easy extends the easier riding and also provides an accessible climbing route. Little Twisties is specifically aimed at kids, making Kyogle a good option for families and developing riders. The blue network is where Kyogle really comes alive. Trails including Marble Run, Bogroll, Downright, Flowvid and Fireflyer deliver longer flowing descents, with Fireflyer and Flowvid each stretching to around 1.5km. For advanced riders, Long Drop adds a cascading series of black-rated drops before feeding back into Fireflyer. The club currently lists its separate black jump trail as closed for repairs, so check current conditions before riding. The trails are built and maintained by the Kyogle Track and Trail Mountain Bike Club, working within Boorabee State Forest. Kyogle Council has also identified mountain biking as an important opportunity for the region, with a broader strategy aimed at developing Kyogle as a Northern NSW MTB destination. Best of all, normal trail access is free, and the network is conveniently located right on the eastern edge of town, making it easy to combine a ride with Kyogle’s cafés, accommodation and other local attractions. For riders searching for Kyogle MTB, Northern Rivers mountain bike trails, Boorabee State Forest MTB, family-friendly MTB in Northern NSW or flow trails near the Gold Coast, Kyogle is a great little network to add to the ride list. RTS Tip: Kyogle is particularly good if you love flow without enormous climbing. Start on Chain Gang and Too Easy, then work through the blues as your confidence builds. The park has previously run special shuttle days, but don’t assume shuttles operate for everyday riding. Check the club’s latest trail conditions before travelling, especially for the black features.

La Larr Ba Gauwa Park at Harcourt, Victoria, is one of Central Victoria’s standout mountain bike destinations, with around 34 km of purpose-built cross-country MTB trails set amongst the granite outcrops and bushland of Mount Alexander. Located near Castlemaine and Bendigo and around 1.5 hours from Melbourne, the Harcourt MTB network features 11 trails ranging from beginner green through intermediate blue to advanced black, with natural granite incorporated throughout the riding. Expect technical rock gardens, slabs, hand-built stone sections, switchback climbs, berms, jumps, drops and fast, flowing descents, along with impressive views across the Harcourt Valley and surrounding ranges. The beginner-friendly Wanyarra provides an approachable introduction to the park, while intermediate riders have plenty to explore on trails including Girra, Wilkerr, Murnong, Barramul, Gart Gart, Milipa and Gurri. Experienced riders can step things up on the black-rated Werpil, Mir and Milakuk, where steeper terrain, technical climbing, rock features and challenging descents showcase the distinctive granite landscape that Harcourt is known for. The name La Larr Ba Gauwa means “stones and mountain” in the Dja Dja Wurrung language, reflecting both the cultural significance and defining terrain of the area. RTS Tip: All Harcourt MTB trails are ridden anti-clockwise, so follow the mapped direction and inspect unfamiliar jumps, drops and technical features before committing. Riders park in Harcourt township and use the purpose-built off-road path to reach the trailhead, and there is no potable water at the park, so fill up before you ride. Also check the latest official park update before travelling, particularly following fire or severe weather events, as closures can affect access.

Lake Canobolas MTB Park is a compact, purpose-built mountain bike network at Nashdale, around 10 minutes west of Orange in Central West NSW. Sitting directly opposite Lake Canobolas at the foot of Gaanha bula (Mount Canobolas), it combines accessible cross-country riding with a skills and jump area in a picturesque bush setting. The park has around 8km of cross-country singletrack, arranged as three connected loops that become progressively more challenging as riders move through the network. It’s particularly well suited to beginners, juniors and intermediate riders, while still providing enough technical features to keep more experienced riders entertained. Expect hard-packed clay, rocks, roots, wooden bridges, rock gardens, drops and optional A and B lines, with good signage throughout. There’s also a dedicated skills and jump track, making Lake Canobolas a handy place to practise features or build confidence before tackling harder trails elsewhere around Orange. The trails were originally opened in 2014 and are built and maintained by the Orange Mountain Bike Club in partnership with Orange City Council. The setting adds plenty to the experience, with the network winding through revegetated bushland and offering views back towards Lake Canobolas and Orange. One important current change is that the former black trails at Lake Canobolas are now closed and must not be ridden. Orange Mountain Bike Club advises riders to use its updated trail map rather than older maps that may still show those trails as accessible. Across the road, Lake Canobolas has toilets, picnic facilities, a playground and a kiosk, making this an easy MTB destination for families or groups where not everyone necessarily wants to ride. For riders searching for Orange MTB, Lake Canobolas mountain bike trails, family-friendly MTB in Central West NSW or beginner mountain biking near Orange, this is a great little network to add to the ride list. RTS Tip: Lake Canobolas is ideal for progression rather than huge kilometres. Start with the easier loop and work your way through the connected network before spending some time in the skills area. The MTB park is strictly open 8am–8pm, and dogs aren't permitted within the trail area. Most importantly, use the current Orange MTB Club map — all black trails are now closed.

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, near Marysville in Victoria’s Yarra Ranges, transforms into an alpine mountain biking destination once the snow melts, with trails ranging from beginner-friendly loops to one of Victoria’s standout long-distance MTB descents. Around two hours from Melbourne, riders can explore high-country terrain, snow gum and alpine forest, rocky singletrack and flowing descents, with spectacular views across the surrounding ranges. The headline ride is the Cascades MTB Trail, an approximately 30 km point-to-point descent from Lake Mountain to Marysville. Despite the huge amount of descending, Cascades is a genuine all-mountain adventure rather than a pure downhill run, with pedalling and climbing mixed amongst long flowing descents, rocky sections and more advanced features. There are also shorter trails around the resort village. Trigger Track provides around 1.7 km of beginner flow and minor rock features and can be used as an easier introduction to the start of Cascades, while Lenny’s Loop is a 2 km beginner trail aimed at families and developing riders. Lower Granite Grind adds a longer 5 km option through mountain ash forest and old logging areas, while the short Ski Run 21 provides a more technical intermediate challenge. Trail availability varies throughout the season, so riders should always check which trails are open before travelling. For riders tackling Cascades, a seasonal MTB shuttle operates from Marysville to the Lake Mountain trailhead, making it possible to concentrate on the ride down rather than organising your own vehicle shuttle. Lake Mountain’s MTB season generally operates during the warmer months, with summer access typically running from November through April. RTS Tip: Don’t be fooled by the word “descent” — Cascades is a 30 km alpine MTB adventure, so arrive prepared for more than just gravity riding. There is no potable water on the trail, so carry enough water, high-energy food, puncture and repair gear, plus a warm or waterproof layer as conditions can change quickly in the mountains. If riding point-to-point, organise your Marysville shuttle or vehicle logistics before heading up to Lake Mountain.

The Landsborough & Mooloolah area offers a great introduction to mountain biking on the Sunshine Coast, linking the trails around Ewen Maddock Dam with Dularcha National Park. Expect mostly wide, relatively flat trails through forest and alongside the dam, with optional hills and side trails for riders wanting to add a little more climbing and challenge. The area works particularly well for beginners, families and recreational riders, while the various connections make it easy to build a longer ride. One of the highlights is the old rail trail through Dularcha National Park, connecting Landsborough and Mooloolah. The roughly 3km route follows part of the former railway alignment and passes through a 100m heritage-listed railway tunnel built in 1890. From Mooloolah you can retrace your route or use the Mooloolah Connection Road bikeway to create a larger loop back towards Ewen Maddock Dam. RTS Tip: Bring a light for the Dularcha railway tunnel — it curves enough that the middle gets properly dark! For a bigger adventure, start at Maddock Park, ride the dam trails into Landsborough, continue through Dularcha to Mooloolah for a coffee, then loop back via the bikeway. There are also optional hillier trails along the way if you want to add some extra climbing.

Linga Longa Bike Park, near Balingup and Greenbushes in Western Australia’s South West, is a privately owned gravity mountain bike park and one of WA’s standout destinations for downhill and enduro riding. Set in the hills at Southampton, the park combines substantial elevation with natural terrain and purpose-built trails ranging from green through to double-black, including flowing descents, technical rock sections, steep terrain and seriously big jump lines. A dedicated progression skills area gives riders somewhere to develop their technique before stepping up to the more demanding gravity trails. A major part of the Linga Longa experience is the shuttle uplift, allowing riders to maximise descending time without repeatedly pedalling roughly 200 metres of elevation back to the top. The park is a regular venue for WA Gravity Enduro racing, coaching and rider-development events, and its mix of flow, technical descending and large features has made it a well-known destination within the Western Australian MTB scene. Unlike many trail networks, Linga Longa is also set up as a complete MTB weekend destination. Facilities include camping, toilets, hot showers, a café, bike wash facilities and drinking water available from the café, allowing riders to stay on-site and make a weekend of it. As it is a private bike park, access is through designated ride days, events and bookings rather than unrestricted everyday trail access. RTS Tip: Linga Longa is all about gravity, so take advantage of the shuttle and build into the harder trails rather than going straight for the biggest features. A full-face helmet is mandatory during WA Gravity Enduro activities at the venue, and protective equipment is strongly recommended for this style of riding. Check Linga Longa’s current ride dates, tickets and access requirements before making the trip — then consider camping overnight so you can turn it into a proper South West MTB weekend.

Litchfield Backroads – Gravel & Adventure Cycling Just south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park offers a completely different kind of Northern Territory cycling adventure, with remote backroads, old 4WD tracks and unsealed routes winding through classic Top End landscapes. Rather than one defined gravel loop, Litchfield Backroads is about exploring the network of roads and tracks surrounding the national park. Riders can expect rugged surfaces, tropical woodland, creek crossings and long stretches through remote country, with waterfalls, swimming holes and dramatic escarpment scenery adding plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Litchfield has a long history of mountain biking and off-road cycling, with riders using old four-wheel-drive and service tracks throughout the park. For gravel and adventure riders, the combination of sealed park roads and rougher unsealed sections creates opportunities to build anything from a shorter day ride to a much bigger Top End cycling adventure. Some of the more remote tracks can be genuinely rugged. Routes such as the Reynolds River Track access deeper parts of Litchfield and can include rough surfaces and significant water crossings, while other roads and tracks provide more approachable ways to experience the park by bike. The reward is riding through one of the Northern Territory's most spectacular landscapes, with destinations including Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, Buley Rockhole and the wider Litchfield wilderness all adding to the experience. With Darwin within reach, Litchfield is also a brilliant addition to a Northern Territory cycling road trip, particularly for riders looking to combine gravel, mountain biking and adventure riding across the Top End. RTS Tip: Litchfield's remote tracks and access conditions can change dramatically between the wet and dry seasons. Some roads may be closed, restricted to 4WD access or affected by deep water crossings, so never assume a route is rideable based on an old map or GPX. Check current NT Parks and road conditions before setting out, carry plenty of water and supplies, and be croc-aware around waterways. Ride The State will work on adding suitable Litchfield cycling routes as individual Ride Cards over time. Until then, use the available mapping and official park information to plan your adventure carefully.

Lockyer Valley Gravel – Backroads & Gravel Cycling Sitting between Brisbane and Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley is a brilliant destination for gravel riding, with quiet country roads, steep gravel climbs, farmland and rugged ranges creating plenty of opportunities to explore by bike. Around Gatton, Helidon, Laidley and the surrounding Lockyer Valley, riders can leave the busier roads behind and discover a network of rural backroads and gravel routes winding through one of Queensland's most productive farming regions. Don't assume it's all flat farmland though. Head towards the ranges and the terrain changes quickly, with some serious climbing available for riders chasing a bigger challenge. Routes around Helidon climb from the valley floor into the surrounding hills, combining long gravel ascents with fast descents and expansive views back across the countryside. The variety makes the Lockyer Valley a great base for everything from a shorter gravel spin to a challenging full-day adventure. It's also well positioned for riders travelling from Brisbane, Ipswich or Toowoomba, making it an easy addition to a South East Queensland gravel riding weekend or road trip. For those wanting to explore further, the wider region opens up even more riding towards the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, state forests and the extensive network of gravel roads throughout Queensland's inland ranges. RTS Tip: There isn't one single Lockyer Valley gravel route — this is a region with plenty of backroads and cycling adventures to discover. Ride The State will work on getting the best routes added as individual Ride Cards over time. Until then, use the mapping and route links provided to explore your options and always check current road, weather and access conditions before heading out.

Experience one of the Blue Mountains most iconic mountain bike rides, combining the historic Lockyers Road Walking Track with the challenging climb of Lawsons Long Alley. These trails are sanctioned for Mountain Bike riding but please always give way to walkers. Lockyers Road Walking Track is one of the oldest and most significant tracks in the Blue Mountains. Originally constructed by convict labour in the early 1800s. Evidence of the effort involved in building this route can still be seen throughout the trail, with sections of original stonework and road formation surviving to this day. The ride begins with a 4 km descent down Lockyers Track from Mount York to Hartley Vale. While most of the trail is rideable, some sections are technical and may require less experienced riders to dismount and walk. As a shared-use walking track, riders should always give way to pedestrians and ride with care. At the base of the descent, the route follows Mid Hartley Road before joining the historic Lawsons Long Alley. From here, riders tackle a sustained climb back to the escarpment, gaining over 400 metres of elevation before returning to the starting point. Combining fascinating colonial history, spectacular scenery, flowing singletrack and a demanding climb, the Lockyers & Lawsons Historic Loop is a classic Blue Mountains mountain bike adventure. Route Description Start at the Lawsons Long Alley car park on Mount York. Follow the signs to Lockyers Road Walking Track and descend to Hartley Vale. Turn right onto Mid Hartley Road and continue past the Hartley Vale Hotel. Follow the road to the signed entrance for Lawsons Long Alley. Continue along the road until the private entry only gate and enter the signed singletrack, climb Lawsons Long Alley back towards Mount York. The ride returns you back to the Lawsons Long Alley car park, completing the 14 km loop.

Located in Sydney’s south on the edge of the Royal National Park, the Loftus MTB Network offers over 100km of interconnected singletrack and fire trails, making it one of Sydney’s premier mountain biking destinations. With everything from flowing beginner-friendly cross-country loops to steep, technical black diamond descents, there’s something for every rider. The popular 10km Loftus Loop is ideal for beginners and XC riders, while more experienced riders can tackle iconic trails such as Holy Trail, Bobcats, and Signalhouse, featuring rock gardens, drops, berms, jumps and technical features. The main trailheads are located at Loftus Oval and Farnell Avenue. The trails are not very well sign posted so make sure you check the maps.

Lomandra MTB, in Samford Conservation Park on Brisbane’s north-western fringe, is the main trailhead for a well-established network of purpose-built mountain bike trails and shared forest tracks. The riding is predominantly intermediate, combining flowing singletrack, natural features, sustained climbs and fast descents through open eucalypt and ironbark forest. The official network includes eight MTB-only trails, with the Lomandra trailhead providing access to Pipeline, Water Tank, Mopoke, Green Tree Snake, Sunrise and Whipsnake, as well as connections towards Lorikeet, Sunset, Bandicoot and Kombi. Most trails are intermediate-rated, while Whipsnake is difficult, delivering a 2.3 km one-way descent for more experienced riders. A good way to explore the network is to leave the Lomandra warm-up area via the 600 m Green Tree Snake, then climb Lomandra Road towards Three Ways Road. From here, several official loops can be created, including a return via Kombi, a Bandicoot–Sunset combination, or Lorikeet. This makes it easy to keep adding distance and difficulty as your confidence and fitness build. Kombi is one of the network’s signature descents, running for approximately 2.7 km one way, while Bandicoot provides another substantial 2.46 km of trail. Shorter trails around the Lomandra hub are useful for warming up or linking into the larger network. The dedicated Lomandra warm-up area gives riders somewhere to practise before heading onto the main trails. Beyond the MTB-only singletrack, Samford Conservation Park also contains an extensive network of shared trails, where cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders. Nearby Bunyaville Conservation Park can also be reached by bike or a short drive for even more riding. RTS Tip: For your first Lomandra ride, head out on Green Tree Snake, climb towards Three Ways and return via Kombi for a great introduction to the network. Most of the purpose-built trails are blue/intermediate, so newer riders should take their time rather than assuming the warm-up area means the whole network is beginner-friendly. Avoid riding after heavy rain or when the trails are soft and muddy, and download the official map before setting out — there are plenty of intersecting forest roads and trail options.

Long Plain Hut to Hainsworth Hut – Kosciuszko Bikepacking Long Plain Hut to Hainsworth Hut is a brilliant overnight bikepacking adventure through the high plains of Kosciuszko National Park, combining remote gravel and fire trails, historic alpine huts and beautiful Snowy Mountains landscapes. Covering around 50km over two days, the route starts and finishes at historic Long Plain Hut and explores the quieter northern end of Kosciuszko National Park. Unlike some of the more mountainous rides around the Main Range, Long Plain delivers that classic Australian alpine experience without enormous amounts of climbing. The journey follows dirt roads and backcountry trails across open high plains and through snow gum woodland, with Hainsworth Hut providing one of the main destinations. Built around 1951 during the region's grazing era, the hut is one of several historic structures scattered throughout Long Plain. Riders can make the adventure bigger by adding detours to other historic huts and homesteads, turning a relatively short hut-to-hut journey into a roughly 50km weekend bikepacking loop. It's a fantastic way to slow down, carry your camping gear and spend a night surrounded by the quiet landscapes of the Australian High Country. While the riding itself isn't exceptionally technical, don't mistake that for an easy beginner trip. This is remote alpine country, and riders need to be comfortable with self-supported riding, navigation, camping and changing weather. A mountain bike or capable gravel bike with good tyres is recommended. Historic huts should also be treated as emergency shelter rather than planned accommodation, so riders need to carry their own tent or suitable shelter and everything required for an overnight trip. RTS Tip: Long Plain is a fantastic introduction to Kosciuszko bikepacking for riders who already have some backcountry experience. Alpine weather can change incredibly quickly, so pack for cold and wet conditions regardless of the forecast. Long Plain Road is seasonally closed to vehicles during winter, so check current NSW National Parks access, weather, fire and trail conditions before setting out.

Lynton Reserve, in Adelaide’s southern foothills near Belair and Windy Point, South Australia, offers a surprisingly varied mountain bike network only a short distance from the Adelaide CBD. Developed across former quarry land and Grey Box grassy woodland, the reserve features a mixture of MTB-only trails, shared-use trails, vehicle tracks and connecting singletrack, with steep terrain and excellent views across the Adelaide Plains. The riding ranges from easier links through to technical descending, rocky and loose sections and the Mitcham 4X Track, giving more experienced riders plenty to explore. One of Lynton’s strengths is its connection with the wider Mitcham foothills trail network. Riders can link Lynton Reserve with Sleeps Hill, Randell Park, Saddle Hill, O’Deas Reserve and Shepherds Hill, creating much longer MTB rides through Adelaide’s southern suburbs. The area is also accessible by train, making it an unusually convenient option for riders looking for mountain biking close to Adelaide without needing to travel deep into the Adelaide Hills. RTS Tip: Lynton packs a lot of elevation and technical riding into a relatively small area, so check the trail grading rather than judging a trail by its length. Some tracks are designated for walkers only while others are MTB-only or shared, so follow the trail signage and current City of Mitcham map. The terrain can also become loose and rocky when dry and muddy after rain, so check conditions before riding.

Lysterfield Park, around 30 km south-east of Melbourne, Victoria, is one of Australia’s best-known urban mountain biking destinations, with approximately 24 km of purpose-built MTB trails catering for beginners through to highly experienced riders. The network winds through native eucalypt forest, plantations and rocky hills surrounding Lysterfield Lake, combining flowing singletrack, berms, jumps, rock gardens, steep climbs and technical descents. Lysterfield also has an important place in Australian cycling history as home to the State Mountain Bike Course used for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. There’s plenty for newer riders and families, including the 6.3 km Lake Circuit Trail, Trail Mix and Lower Blair Witch, plus a dedicated Skills Park and pump track where riders can practise berms, jumps, drops and bike handling before heading onto the main network. Intermediate riders can explore trails including Lower Buckle, Upper Buckle, Middle, Red Gum, Hug, Upper Blair Witch, Snipe and Dog Pound, while experienced riders can step up to black trails such as Follow Me, Aneurysm and the 6.4 km State MTB Course. The short Granite Link takes things another step further with double-black technical terrain. With picnic areas, toilets, lake access and multiple riding options, Lysterfield Park works equally well for a family outing, skills session, quick after-work ride or a longer day linking together the MTB network. The trails are also supported by the volunteer-run Lysterfield District Trail Riders (LDTR), who help maintain and advocate for this hugely popular Melbourne mountain bike network. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, warm up on the Lake Circuit, Trail Mix or Skills Park before progressing into the blue and black singletrack. Experienced riders shouldn’t miss the 2006 Commonwealth Games State MTB Course, which is ridden anti-clockwise and packs technical rock sections, steep climbing and fast descending into 6.4 km. Check current Parks Victoria trail conditions before travelling, particularly after wet weather, and arrive early on busy weekends as parking can fill quickly.

Majura Pines is one of Canberra’s classic mountain bike destinations, packing a great variety of riding into a compact trail network just minutes from the city. Purpose-built singletrack winds through the pine forest with everything from smooth, flowing trails and berms to jumps, technical features and more challenging descending. With trails catering for a range of abilities and plenty of options for linking together laps, Majura is equally suited to newer riders building confidence and experienced riders looking for a fast, fun session. RTS Tip: Majura is perfect for repeat laps, so use your first run to learn the trail and features before adding speed. The network is within a working pine plantation, meaning forestry operations can occasionally affect access — always check current trail closures and conditions before heading out.

Maldon MTB Park, on Mount Tarrengower at Maldon in Central Victoria, is a classic gravity mountain biking destination known for steep, rocky and challenging downhill trails. Only a few minutes from historic Maldon and around 40 km from Bendigo, the mountain rises to approximately 570 metres above sea level, providing the elevation and naturally rugged terrain that have made it a long-standing favourite with Victorian downhill riders. The main gravity network features four established descents — The Valley and City Link at intermediate level, the advanced Rough ’n’ Wild, and the expert-level Rocky Road. Expect fast natural singletrack, rock gardens, rough technical sections, drops and challenging lines rather than smooth modern bike-park flow. Maldon is particularly well known for its shuttle riding, with organised ride days using the sealed Mount Tarrengower Road to quickly return riders to the summit. The Valley offers one of the more approachable introductions to the mountain, with alternative lines around harder features, while City Link becomes progressively rougher and rockier. Rocky Road is a significant step up, essentially delivering an extended technical rock garden with few easier alternatives. The surrounding Maldon Historic Reserve also provides impressive views across Victoria’s historic Goldfields from Mount Tarrengower. Beyond the downhill park, Maldon is worth considering as a broader cycling destination. Riders can explore gravel routes around Mount Tarrengower and the surrounding Goldfields, while the rugged Castlemaine to Maldon Trail provides another MTB adventure between the two historic towns. RTS Tip: Maldon is proper old-school gravity riding, so don't underestimate the trail grades. Rocks, loose surfaces and technical features are a big part of the experience, and Rocky Road in particular is intended for highly experienced riders. Check Maldon MTB’s current shuttle or ride-day information before travelling, inspect unfamiliar features before committing and check Parks Victoria conditions and fire restrictions during warmer weather.

The Mawson Trail is one of Australia's most iconic bikepacking adventures, stretching almost 900 kilometres from the Adelaide Hills to the historic outback town of Blinman in the Flinders Ranges. Designed primarily for mountain bikes and sturdy adventure bikes, it weaves through forests, vineyards, farming country and rugged outback landscapes, delivering an unforgettable journey across the very best of South Australia. The route passes through many of South Australia's most recognised cycling destinations, including the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Bundaleer Forest, Melrose, Quorn and the spectacular Flinders Ranges. Along the way you'll encounter quiet back roads, forest fire trails, rocky four-wheel-drive tracks and remote station tracks, with scenery changing dramatically as you head north into the ancient red ranges. While many riders tackle the trail over 10–14 days, the Mawson Trail is also commonly ridden in sections, making it accessible for long weekends or shorter bikepacking adventures. Towns along the route provide plenty of accommodation, food and resupply options, while a number of local operators offer shuttle services and rider logistics. Melrose is a particularly popular base, with options including cycling-specific accommodation at Under the Mount and shuttle services from Beyond the Mount. The trail is well signposted with green and white Mawson Trail markers, but riders should still carry official maps or offline navigation. A good level of fitness, mechanical knowledge and self-sufficiency is recommended, particularly through the Flinders Ranges where water, phone reception and services become limited. Whether you're chasing the challenge of completing Australia's premier long-distance off-road trail or simply exploring one of its many incredible sections, the Mawson Trail is a true bucket-list ride that showcases the diversity and beauty of South Australia. Ride Highlights: Nearly 900 km of epic bikepacking from the Adelaide Hills to Blinman. Ride through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Bundaleer Forest, Melrose and the Flinders Ranges. Mix of forest trails, gravel roads, station tracks and remote outback riding. Plenty of accommodation, food and resupply options along the route, with local shuttle operators available to assist with transport and section riding. Suitable for full end-to-end adventures or shorter sectional rides. One of Australia's premier long-distance mountain bike and adventure cycling experiences.

Maydena Bike Park in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley, around 90 minutes from Hobart, is one of Australia’s premier gravity mountain biking destinations. Built into the slopes above the small town of Maydena, the park offers 80+ km of trails, 85+ individual trails and an enormous 820 metres of vertical elevation through spectacular Tasmanian rainforest. Designed and developed by specialist trail builders Dirt Art, the network ranges from beginner and family-friendly flow trails through to blue and black technical riding, freeride jump lines, double-black descents and professional-level terrain. Gravity riding is the main attraction, with the Summit Uplift providing access to the full 820 metres of vertical and more than 85 gravity trails. Riders can choose from long top-to-bottom flow trails, steep natural technical descents and freeride lines packed with jumps and drops. Popular trails include Scandinavia, Marriott’s, Colour Blind, Supercross, Dirt Church, The Local, Showtime and Maydena Hits. For riders wanting something more adventurous, the Wilderness Trail combination travels from the summit deep into the forest via Vista, Middle Earth and Outer Limits. Maydena isn’t exclusively for advanced riders. The Lower Mountain provides around 230 metres of vertical and access to 20+ gravity trails, including the green-rated Dirt Surfer, designed as an introduction to mountain biking and the park. There’s also a climbing trail from the base to Midline, providing around 400 metres of climbing and access to 50+ descending options, plus pump, jump, drop and skills areas for riders looking to progress their riding. As a privately operated bike park, riders need a valid Mountain Pass, with uplift passes available separately. Summit access is by the park’s uplift service — private vehicle shuttles and climbing on the shuttle road aren’t permitted. Bike hire and coaching are also available, making Maydena a destination that can easily justify several days rather than a single ride. RTS Tip: Maydena is huge, so don’t try to conquer the mountain on your first lap. Start lower or choose a trail comfortably within your ability, then progressively work your way into the harder terrain. An all-mountain or enduro bike is the park’s recommended choice, and while an approved helmet is mandatory, Maydena strongly recommends a full-face helmet, gloves, eye protection and knee and elbow protection. Check current operating days, trail status and uplift availability before travelling.

McRobies Gully in South Hobart, Tasmania, offers a compact but adventurous mountain bike network in the lower foothills of kunanyi / Mt Wellington, only minutes from the Hobart CBD. The riding centres around Slides, Jurassic Shark and Tip Top, which can be linked with the surrounding fire trails to create a rewarding MTB loop featuring flowing singletrack, fern-filled gullies, climbing and increasingly technical descending. The City of Hobart recommends starting from the Old Farm Road car park, climbing Main Fire Trail and Golden Gully Fire Trail before connecting into the singletrack network. Jurassic Shark is a moderate, flowing dual-direction trail connecting Slides with Tip Top, while Slides Track delivers fun, flowing singletrack as it descends through the forest into McRobies Gully. Experienced riders can add Tip Top, a difficult black-diamond trail featuring narrow technical riding and two steep paved rock chutes. Tip Top is downhill-preferred and should be ridden west to east, with riders returning via the fire trail rather than continuing onto adjoining private land. McRobies Gully also forms part of Hobart’s much larger mountain bike network around kunanyi / Mt Wellington, where almost 60 km of MTB and shared-use tracks are maintained by the City of Hobart. A newer connection via Knocksofty Track links McRobies Gully with Knocklofty Reserve, creating even more options for riders wanting to build a longer South Hobart MTB adventure. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, link Jurassic Shark and Slides for a fun introduction before deciding whether you’re ready for Tip Top. The step up is significant — Tip Top’s steep rock chutes and technical terrain are intended for experienced riders. These are also shared-use trails, so stay alert for walkers, follow directional signage and download the current Hobart trail map if you’re linking McRobies Gully into the wider kunanyi / Mt Wellington network.

Meadowbank MTB, in Tasmania’s beautiful Derwent Valley around one hour from Hobart, offers a boutique mountain biking experience unlike the state’s larger public trail centres. Set across a working farm and the renowned Meadowbank vineyard, the private bike park features around 13 km of purpose-built MTB trails combining flowing descents, ridgeline riding, jumps, playful features and spectacular panoramic views across the Derwent Valley. The trails have been designed around progression and group riding, with options for different skill levels and a strong focus on fun, lower-consequence riding rather than intimidating race-style terrain. A shuttle uplift means riders can spend more time descending and less time climbing, with trails including Merino Way, Pinot Drop, Wine Down, Grasshopper, The Big G and Uncorked. Merino Way provides a long green-rated descent of around 4.7 km, while the wider network gives progressing and experienced riders opportunities to tackle faster trails, jumps and more challenging features. What really sets Meadowbank apart is the complete “ride and wine” experience. MTB sessions can be combined with food and wine at Meadowbank Winery, creating a distinctly Tasmanian riding destination rather than simply another trail network. Access is managed through private group bookings and selected public open days, with public sessions limited to small numbers, so this isn’t a trail network you can simply turn up and ride whenever you like. RTS Tip: Meadowbank MTB is all about quality laps without the crowds, so book ahead and make a day of it. Public open days can be limited to around 30 riders, and the uplift shuttle keeps the laps coming. If you’re travelling through the Derwent Valley, allow time after your ride to enjoy the vineyard setting and local food — this is one MTB destination where hanging around after the final lap is very much part of the experience.

Nestled at the base of Mount Remarkable, Melrose is one of Australia's premier mountain biking destinations, boasting around 80 kilometres of purpose-built singletrack through spectacular South Australian landscapes. With flowing cross-country trails, technical descents, rocky challenges and breathtaking scenery, it's the kind of destination that keeps riders coming back. The trail network caters to a wide range of abilities, from beginners discovering mountain biking through to experienced riders looking for technical challenges. Popular trails including Greener Pastures, Hellrose, Throwing Copper, The Big Rhua and Dodging Bullets showcase the variety on offer, combining flowing singletrack, rocky terrain, rewarding climbs and exhilarating descents. Many of Melrose's trails traverse private property, generously made accessible by local landowners. Riders are asked to respect this access by staying on marked trails, following signage, helping prevent the spread of weeds and leaving dogs at home where required. One of Melrose's greatest strengths is the community built around its trails. Visitors can connect with the friendly locals from Bike Melrose through regular social rides, while Over The Edge Melrose offers bike hire, guided rides, skills coaching and maintenance support, making it easy for first-time visitors to get out and experience the network. Melrose is also incredibly easy to turn into a full riding getaway. Much of the town's accommodation is within riding distance of the trails, including Ride The State Foundation Partner Under the Mount, offering bike-friendly accommodation right at the foot of Mount Remarkable and an ideal base for exploring the area. Want to explore beyond what you can reach straight from town? Fellow RTS Partner Beyond the Mount can help with bike transport and shuttle options, including connections between Adelaide, Melrose and further north towards Blinman—particularly handy for riders incorporating Melrose into a bigger Flinders Ranges or Mawson Trail adventure. With trails on the doorstep, a passionate local riding community and plenty of bike-friendly places to stay, eat and explore, Melrose is much more than somewhere to squeeze in a ride. Whether you're planning a weekend escape, tackling the 18/6/3 Hours of Melrose or making it part of a longer South Australian riding road trip, it's a destination well worth putting on the list.

Mill Creek MTB Trails are a well-established mountain bike network within the Lucas Heights Conservation Area in Sydney’s south, offering a brilliant mix of technical sandstone riding, flowing singletrack, jumps and trails for progressing riders. The network is managed by Sutherland Shire Council with ongoing support from the volunteer-run Mill Creek Trail Association. There’s around 10km of predominantly singletrack trails, with most individual trails under 1km, allowing riders to link and repeat different sections to create a much longer session. The network has evolved from old unsanctioned dirt-bike and 4WD tracks into an officially managed MTB area, while retaining plenty of its raw Sydney sandstone character. Mill Creek is particularly known for its rocky and technical terrain, with sandstone slabs, rock features, tight singletrack and natural obstacles providing plenty of challenge for intermediate and experienced riders. At the same time, newer trail development has broadened the network to include more approachable riding and opportunities for riders to progress their skills. Popular trails include Black Hawk Down and Pump Action for more traditional technical sandstone riding, while Hit the Turps and Acacia Missed It bring more contemporary flow and jump-focused riding into the mix. Whipper Snapper provides another option aimed at skill development. The network is the product of a huge amount of volunteer work. Rehabilitation and trail development have been underway since 2011, with volunteers working alongside Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare and the Mill Creek Trail Association to maintain and improve the trails and surrounding conservation area. Located at Lucas Heights near Menai, Mill Creek is an easy MTB destination to reach from much of Sydney and offers a very different experience from the smoother purpose-built riding found at some of the city’s newer bike parks. For riders searching for Mill Creek MTB Trails, Menai mountain bike trails, Lucas Heights MTB, mountain biking in Sydney or technical MTB trails in southern Sydney, this is one of the city’s established riding networks and definitely one to have on the list. RTS Tip: Mill Creek rewards riders who enjoy technical, natural-style mountain biking, but there are now trails catering to a broader range of abilities. Use the current trail map to choose trails that suit your skill level and check the trail status before heading out, particularly following rain. The local association also cautions that user-generated mapping can contain unofficial trails, so stick to sanctioned trails and current signage.

The Burnaaga–Goanna Trail is one of the signature adventure rides within the Mogo Trails network, delivering an epic 28 km backcountry-style journey from the summit of Wandera Mountain towards Mogo township. Rated Blue, the trail combines long, flowing singletrack with sweeping coastal and valley views, lush forest, creek crossings and plenty of variety along the way. Confident intermediate riders will find a hugely rewarding adventure, while optional A-lines provide opportunities for more experienced riders to tackle additional technical features. Set within Mogo’s extensive 125+ km trail network, Burnaaga–Goanna is a standout ride for anyone wanting to experience the bigger, more adventurous side of mountain biking on the NSW South Coast. RTS Tip: This isn’t just another quick Mogo lap — plan Burnaaga–Goanna as a proper point-to-point adventure. Sort your transport or shuttle arrangements before setting out, carry water, food and basic trailside repair gear, and allow plenty of time to enjoy the ride rather than rushing through it.

The Botanic Gardens side of the Mogo Trails network is a brilliant place to experience the flow and variety that has made Mogo one of Australia’s standout mountain bike destinations. Starting from the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden trailhead, riders can access a mix of green, blue and black trails connected by manageable climbing trails, making this a great zone for families, progressing riders and experienced mountain bikers alike. Expect smooth, purpose-built singletrack packed with flowing berms, rollers, playful descents and optional technical features, with plenty of opportunities to progress as confidence grows. Riders looking for more of a challenge can also connect towards the more technical Mogo Trig area, while the extensive network makes it easy to build anything from a quick lap to a full day on the bike. RTS Tip: The Botanic Gardens side is a great starting point if it’s your first visit to Mogo. Begin with the easier flow trails, then gradually work your way up as you get a feel for the terrain. With so many trail connections, download the current trail map before you ride and plan a few favourites rather than trying to cover the entire network in one day.

The Zoo side of the Mogo Trails network delivers an exciting mix of flowing cross-country singletrack, gravity riding and technical descents, easily accessed from the Mogo Wildlife Park side of the forest. Riders can choose from smooth blue flow trails through to challenging black and double-black descents, making it a great zone for progressing trail riders and experienced gravity riders alike. The standout Zooniverse provides a fast and playful 7 km traverse linking the eastern trail zones with berms, rollers and flowing features, while trails including Seamstress, Vertiginous and Final Destination step things up for riders chasing more technical terrain. With multiple trailheads, self-shuttle opportunities and plenty of options for linking together laps, the Zoo side packs a huge amount of variety into one riding area. RTS Tip: Zooniverse is a great way to explore the Zoo side and connect into different parts of the network, but check your planned return route before dropping into the gravity trails. Trail difficulty ramps up quickly here, so pay attention to grading, inspect unfamiliar features and don’t assume the next trail will be the same difficulty as the last.

Molonglo Pines and Zoo Pines form part of Canberra’s extensive collection of informal and established mountain bike riding areas, offering a mix of singletrack, fire trails and technical bush riding close to the city. The terrain delivers plenty of variety, with short climbs, flowing sections, rocky features and tighter trails that make the area fun to explore on an XC or trail bike. With multiple tracks and connections through the surrounding landscape, riders can piece together anything from a quick session to a longer exploratory ride. RTS Tip: Trail layouts and access around Molonglo and Zoo Pines can change, so don’t rely on an old route alone. Check the latest local trail information before riding, keep an eye out for closures or changed access, and download a current map if you’re planning to explore beyond the main trails.

The Mooloolah Valley Cycle Circuit offers a relaxed way to explore the Sunshine Coast hinterland by bike, taking riders through the rural landscapes and quiet surrounds of Mooloolah Valley. Expect a mix of local roads and country riding, with rolling terrain, farmland and pockets of bushland creating a scenic alternative to the busier coastal cycling routes. It’s a good choice for recreational and touring riders wanting to explore the hinterland at a slower pace while still enjoying enough undulation to keep the ride interesting. RTS Tip: This is more about exploring than racing. Allow time to enjoy the hinterland scenery and be prepared for changing road and path conditions along the circuit. Carry water and basic spares, and take extra care on any sections shared with vehicles.

Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort is one of Australia's most unique mountain biking destinations, transforming from a winter ski resort into a spectacular alpine riding playground throughout the warmer months. Open almost year-round, the resort offers breathtaking scenery, cool mountain air and riding for everyone from first-time trail riders to elite downhill racers. The cross-country trail network winds through snow gum woodlands and alpine forests, with flowing singletrack, challenging climbs and rewarding descents. Riders can explore iconic locations including the summit, enjoy panoramic views from Anthill Lookout, and pass through fields of wildflowers and towering Mountain Ash forests. Elevated boardwalks protect sensitive alpine environments while providing enjoyable riding across wetter sections, and picnic areas along the way make it easy to stop and take in the scenery. Cross-country trails are free to access, with bike hire available from the Adventure Hub. For gravity riders, Mt Baw Baw's downhill track is one of Australia's most iconic alpine descents. Dropping around 300 vertical metres from the village, the trail features a demanding mix of berms, rock gardens, log drops, rollovers, jumps and technical features that have challenged some of the country's fastest riders. While the main line is designed for experienced downhill riders, many of the larger obstacles include alternate B-lines, making the trail accessible to confident intermediate riders looking to progress their skills. Whether you're chasing flowing alpine cross-country trails or one of Australia's most technical downhill runs, Mt Baw Baw delivers an unforgettable mountain biking experience surrounded by some of Victoria's most spectacular alpine scenery.

Mount Borah MTB Trails, near Manilla in northern NSW, are all about gravity. Built into the slopes of Mount Borah, the network offers a mix of downhill, enduro and flow trails with one of the biggest elevation drops of any mountain bike riding area in northern NSW. The mountain originally became known among riders for its long, raw downhill trails, but the network has expanded considerably over the years. Today there are high-speed berms, natural and constructed jumps, technical descending and newer flow trails, providing options for different abilities while retaining Mount Borah’s gravity-focused character. The standout is Snake Bite, the mountain’s longest trail at around 3.5km with approximately 450m of vertical descent. It’s a serious run and a great example of just how much elevation Mount Borah has to play with. The network has since grown to include enduro-style trails inspired by modern gravity racing as well as more accessible flow trails. One of the big advantages is the vehicle access up Mount Borah. The access road has several drop-off points, with many of the trails running relatively close and parallel to the road. The local club also operates organised shuttle ride days, which are easily the best way to maximise descending without repeatedly tackling the climb back up. The trails are developed and maintained by the North West Mountain Bike Club, with the riding area growing from a handful of gravity enthusiasts into an established destination capable of hosting major downhill and enduro competition. Mount Borah itself is also famous internationally as a paragliding destination, so the huge views across the Manilla countryside are part of the experience when you reach the top. For riders searching for Mount Borah mountain bike trails, Manilla MTB, downhill mountain biking near Tamworth, gravity MTB in NSW or enduro trails in northern NSW, Mount Borah is definitely one for the ride list. RTS Tip: This is primarily a gravity riding destination, and the easiest way to experience it is during an organised shuttle day. Riders are required to complete a waiver before using the trails, and wet weather can affect both trail and shuttle-road access. Check current club information and trail mapping before travelling, and throw some Trail Karma towards the local crew if you ride — these trails are largely supported by the club and the riders who use them.

Mount Cotton, on Queensland’s Redlands Coast south-east of Brisbane, is home to the Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area, a 186-hectare reserve offering an impressive network of purpose-built mountain bike and shared-use trails. The riding climbs through open eucalypt forest and pockets of dry rainforest on the slopes of Mount Cotton, with everything from easier flowing contour trails through to technical blue and dedicated black-diamond MTB trails featuring more challenging obstacles and features. The broader network includes around 25 km of shared and multi-use trails plus dedicated downhill riding, making Mount Cotton a great destination for trail, enduro and cross-country riders looking for mountain biking close to Brisbane and the Redlands. A major highlight is the variety of terrain. Riders can tackle flowing singletrack, sustained climbing, rocky and technical sections and gravity-focused descents, while the summit area provides expansive views across South East Queensland. The main trailhead on West Mount Cotton Road has parking, toilets, drinking water, shelter and a bike repair station, making it easy to base a few hours of riding from one location. Some trails also provide adaptive mountain bike access. Mount Cotton also sits close to Bayview Conservation Park, which has around 60 km of additional bushwalking and mountain bike trails, making the Redlands Coast an excellent area for riders wanting to explore several MTB networks over a weekend. RTS Tip: Check the latest Eastern Escarpment trail map before riding. The Summit Track and Metamorphic Trail were realigned in 2026 after public access through an adjoining section of private property ended, so older maps and GPS routes may no longer be accurate. Stick to the signed entrances and trails, start within your ability and work up to the black-diamond gravity lines once you know the terrain.