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Atherton Forest MTB Park is one of Tropical North Queensland’s premier riding destinations, with a huge network of purpose-built singletrack winding through the Herberton Range State Forest and Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve just outside Atherton. The official network includes 17 trails, with more than 50km of riding through rocky gullies, creek lines, open eucalypt forest and ridgelines with sweeping Tablelands views. Trails range from flowing green beginner options through predominantly blue intermediate terrain, with difficult black sections and alternative lines for riders chasing something more technical. Best of all, you can access the network directly from the Atherton Trailhead and Skills Park on Vernon Street, making this a genuine ride-from-town MTB destination. RTS Tip: Give yourself more than one day here. Atherton’s trails are designed to link together, so you can build anything from a short beginner-friendly spin to a big multi-hour adventure. Tropical downpours can make creek crossings rise quickly and trails slippery, so check conditions before heading out and avoid riding during or immediately after heavy rain.

Explore the beautiful Atherton Tablelands by bike on the Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail, a scenic shared trail following sections of the historic railway corridor through the tropical highlands of Far North Queensland. Running through the Atherton and Tolga area, the trail provides an easy-going cycling experience away from busy roads, passing through farmland, open countryside and pockets of tropical vegetation with views across the surrounding Tablelands. Following the former railway alignment means much of the riding is relatively gentle, making the Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail a great option for recreational cyclists, families and riders looking for a relaxed way to explore the region. The predominantly off-road setting also makes it a handy local connection between communities and other cycling opportunities around Atherton. And there's plenty more riding nearby. Atherton is one of Far North Queensland's best-known cycling and mountain biking destinations, with the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park offering an extensive network of purpose-built MTB trails just outside town. That makes it easy to combine a relaxed rail trail ride with something a little more adventurous. Whether you're looking for cycling in Atherton, bike trails in the Atherton Tablelands, family-friendly riding in Far North Queensland or simply another way to explore the region, this historic rail corridor is well worth adding to the list. RTS Tip: The rail trail can be explored as a standalone ride or incorporated into a bigger day of cycling around Atherton and Tolga. Conditions and access can change along shared-use trails, so check current local information before setting out, respect other trail users and carry water — particularly in warmer weather.

The Emerald Creek Ride is a scenic mixed-surface adventure from Mareeba to Emerald Creek Falls on the northern Atherton Tablelands. Covering approximately 32 km one way, the route leaves Mareeba on sealed roads before winding through rural residential areas and farmland, eventually transitioning onto forested dirt roads as you make your way towards the falls. Rated around beginner to moderate for fitness, this is less about technical mountain biking and more about enjoying a longer gravel and backroad adventure through the changing landscapes surrounding Mareeba. The reward at the end is Emerald Creek Falls in Dinden West Forest Reserve, where Emerald Creek tumbles from the rainforest-clad Lamb Range through open eucalypt woodland and across huge granite boulders. Once at the day-use area, it's worth swapping the bike for walking shoes and exploring the falls. A 1.9 km return Grade 3 walking track leads to a lookout with views across the falls, valley and northern Atherton Tableland, while a more challenging 1.6 km return track heads towards the bottom of the falls. RTS Tip: Remember, the published route is 32 km one way, so if you're riding out and back you're looking at roughly 64 km for the day. Carry plenty of water and supplies and be prepared for the unsealed forest-road sections. Give yourself some extra time at Emerald Creek too — the falls and surrounding granite country are well worth exploring before you point the bike back towards Mareeba.

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.

The Mt Garnet to Lappa Junction Trail is a remote 55 km rail-trail adventure in Far North Queensland, running from Mount Garnet to Lappa Junction, around 190 km south-west of Cairns. Following the route of a former mining railway through tropical savannah country, this is far removed from a manicured recreational rail trail. Expect coarse gravel, rough station roads, sandy sections, washouts and creek crossings, with sweeping views towards the Featherbed Ranges and very little traffic or development along the way. It’s best suited to mountain bikes and experienced, self-sufficient adventure riders. The railway was originally constructed in 1902 by the Chillagoe mining interests, taken over by Queensland Railways in 1914 and closed in 1960. Riders can still see plenty of evidence of its railway and mining past, including narrow rock cuttings, old sleepers, stone bridges, culverts and cut-and-fill earthworks. Frangipani and mango trees along the route also mark the sites of former mines and homesteads, adding to the feeling of travelling through an almost forgotten part of Queensland’s mining history. The route can be ridden in either direction, although Mount Garnet to Lappa Junction generally provides the more favourable south-to-north ride. Lappa Junction sits on the historic Cairns-to-Forsayth railway used by the Savannahlander, and the old Lappa pub and small museum make an interesting finish to the journey. There is no accommodation at Lappa Junction itself, with the nearest accommodation around 23 km further away at Almaden, so transport and overnight logistics need to be planned before setting out. For riders chasing a much bigger Far North Queensland cycling adventure, Mt Garnet to Lappa can form part of a multi-day Savannah and Atherton Tablelands journey, with other remote rides including the nearby Irvinebank to Boonmoo Rail Trail. RTS Tip: Treat this as a remote outback MTB adventure, not a typical rail trail. There are no services between Mount Garnet and Lappa Junction and mobile reception is limited or non-existent, so carry plenty of water, food, first aid, repair gear, offline navigation and a reliable emergency communication device. California Creek can become impassable during the wet season, while parts of Nymbool Road can be very sandy. A vehicle shuttle or support vehicle is worth organising, as a 110 km out-and-back makes this a seriously big day.