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Canberra to Melbourne via Alps
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Canberra to Melbourne via Alps

Showing rides matching “Canberra to Melbourne via Alps” across Australia.

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.

1000 kmGravel, Road, Trail

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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.

30 km420 mMTB

Tathra MTB Park’s Bundadung Trail Network is the heart of mountain biking in Tathra on the NSW Sapphire Coast, delivering classic hand-built cross-country singletrack through coastal eucalypt forest just minutes from the beach. Tathra has established itself as one of NSW’s premier MTB towns, with the wider network offering around 50–55km of singletrack and more than 40 trails. Bundadung is the main northern trail network and the birthplace of Tathra’s XC riding scene. Expect plenty of climbing followed by rewarding descents, with tight hand-built singletrack, rocks, log rollovers, gully crossings and natural technical features rather than heavily manicured bike-park terrain. The elevated sections also deliver glimpses out towards the coast and Tathra Beach. The broader Tathra network caters for children and beginners through to experienced riders, so there’s plenty of opportunity to build confidence before tackling the more demanding sections. Bundadung can also be linked with Tathra’s other riding areas, including the Fire Shed trails, creating much longer XC adventures. One of Tathra’s biggest strengths is just how easy it is to ride from town. The main trailhead is near Tathra Beach Country Club, roughly 1km north of the township, while the Mogareeka Cycle and Walkway provides another connection into the MTB network via Katung Road. The trails are very much a community-built network, and that hand-built character is part of the appeal. Rather than huge jumps and gravity lines, Tathra is about linking kilometres of natural singletrack together, exploring the forest and enjoying a proper old-school XC ride in a spectacular coastal setting. There’s also a Mountain Bike Skills Park at Tathra Country Club, giving kids and developing riders somewhere to practise skills in a controlled environment before heading deeper into Bundadung. For riders searching for Tathra MTB, Bundadung MTB Trails, Sapphire Coast mountain biking, South Coast NSW MTB or cross-country mountain biking near Bega, this is one of the region’s must-ride networks. RTS Tip: Tathra is a great contrast to the newer gravity-focused destinations farther down the Sapphire Coast. Think hand-built XC, natural features and lots of linking singletrack rather than a modern shuttle park. With Gravity Eden to the south and Narooma to the north, Tathra also fits brilliantly into a multi-day South Coast MTB road trip.

50 km780 mMTB

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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.

30 km420 mMTB

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.

Verified by 4 ridersRecommended by 2 riders
12 km260 mMTB, XC

Tathra MTB Park’s Bundadung Trail Network is the heart of mountain biking in Tathra on the NSW Sapphire Coast, delivering classic hand-built cross-country singletrack through coastal eucalypt forest just minutes from the beach. Tathra has established itself as one of NSW’s premier MTB towns, with the wider network offering around 50–55km of singletrack and more than 40 trails. Bundadung is the main northern trail network and the birthplace of Tathra’s XC riding scene. Expect plenty of climbing followed by rewarding descents, with tight hand-built singletrack, rocks, log rollovers, gully crossings and natural technical features rather than heavily manicured bike-park terrain. The elevated sections also deliver glimpses out towards the coast and Tathra Beach. The broader Tathra network caters for children and beginners through to experienced riders, so there’s plenty of opportunity to build confidence before tackling the more demanding sections. Bundadung can also be linked with Tathra’s other riding areas, including the Fire Shed trails, creating much longer XC adventures. One of Tathra’s biggest strengths is just how easy it is to ride from town. The main trailhead is near Tathra Beach Country Club, roughly 1km north of the township, while the Mogareeka Cycle and Walkway provides another connection into the MTB network via Katung Road. The trails are very much a community-built network, and that hand-built character is part of the appeal. Rather than huge jumps and gravity lines, Tathra is about linking kilometres of natural singletrack together, exploring the forest and enjoying a proper old-school XC ride in a spectacular coastal setting. There’s also a Mountain Bike Skills Park at Tathra Country Club, giving kids and developing riders somewhere to practise skills in a controlled environment before heading deeper into Bundadung. For riders searching for Tathra MTB, Bundadung MTB Trails, Sapphire Coast mountain biking, South Coast NSW MTB or cross-country mountain biking near Bega, this is one of the region’s must-ride networks. RTS Tip: Tathra is a great contrast to the newer gravity-focused destinations farther down the Sapphire Coast. Think hand-built XC, natural features and lots of linking singletrack rather than a modern shuttle park. With Gravity Eden to the south and Narooma to the north, Tathra also fits brilliantly into a multi-day South Coast MTB road trip.

50 km780 mMTB