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Tjoritja / West MacDonnell
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Tjoritja / West MacDonnell

Showing rides matching “Tjoritja / West MacDonnell” across Australia.

Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park stretches west from Alice Springs through some of Central Australia’s most spectacular landscapes, with ancient red ranges, rocky escarpments, river red gums and desert country creating an incredible backdrop for riding. For cyclists, the standout experience is the Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path, a sealed 17km one-way trail running from opposite Flynn’s Grave to Simpsons Gap beneath the West MacDonnell Ranges. The gently undulating route passes through mulga, witchetty bush and river red gum country, with rest areas and interpretive signs along the way. The path connects with Alice Springs’ cycling network, making it possible to ride from the centre of town for a roughly 50km return adventure. Tjoritja itself extends for around 161km and includes iconic destinations such as Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Redbank Gorge, making it well worth exploring beyond the bike ride. The landscape is culturally significant to the Arrernte people, and riders should stay on designated cycling routes and respect all cultural and environmental restrictions. RTS Tip: The Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path is the designated cycling experience within the national park and is a brilliant option if you want to experience the West Macs by bike without technical terrain. Carry plenty of water, food and basic repair gear, as mobile coverage is limited and conditions can be hot and exposed. The cooler months from April to September are the best time to ride, and visitors to the NT require an NT Parks Visitor Pass.

MTB

The Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path is a scenic 17km sealed cycling trail running from opposite Flynn’s Grave to Simpsons Gap in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park. The gently undulating path winds through classic Central Australian desert country, with views across the MacDonnell Ranges and surrounding rocky hills, mulga, witchetty bush and river red gum country. Four rest areas along the route provide places to stop and take in the landscape, with interpretive signs highlighting the area’s plants, wildlife and geology. The path connects with Alice Springs’ town cycling network, with Flynn’s Grave around 7km by bike from central Alice Springs, making it possible to ride all the way from town. Ride the path one-way for 17km, return for a 34km outing from Flynn’s Grave, or extend from Alice Springs for a bigger Red Centre adventure. RTS Tip: The cooler months from April to September are the best time to ride, and early mornings are a good option as temperatures rise. Carry plenty of water, snacks and puncture-repair gear, and stay on the sealed path — the surrounding desert vegetation can quickly cause punctures. Mobile coverage is also limited along the route, so download your map before setting off. Visitors to the NT require an NT Parks Visitor Pass.

17 kmMTB, Road

West MacDonnell Backroads – Red Centre Gravel Cycling The West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs offer an incredible backdrop for gravel and adventure cycling, with desert roads, remote backcountry tracks and huge Central Australian landscapes creating a riding experience unlike almost anywhere else in Australia. Known as Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, the ranges stretch west from Alice Springs through ancient rocky country dotted with spectacular gorges, waterholes and towering red escarpments. For cyclists, the adventure isn't about one defined gravel route. Instead, the wider West MacDonnell and Red Centre backroads provide opportunities to link quiet roads, dirt tracks and remote outback routes into anything from a day ride to a serious multi-day bikepacking journey. Close to Alice Springs, riders can start with the dedicated Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path, a sealed off-road cycling route running approximately 17km from near Flynn's Grave to Simpsons Gap. From there, experienced adventure riders can look further afield towards the network of roads and permitted tracks surrounding the ranges. For those chasing something much bigger, the wider Red Centre also forms part of established long-distance bikepacking routes combining gravel roads, 4WD tracks, sandy riverbeds and remote outback riding. The landscape is the real highlight. Expect red quartzite ranges rising sharply from the desert, river red gums lining normally dry creek beds, huge skies and some spectacular Central Australian sunsets. This is also Arrernte Country, and riders should respect the cultural significance of the landscape, follow access requirements and stay on roads and tracks where cycling is permitted. RTS Tip: Don't assume every track shown on a map through the West MacDonnell Ranges is open to bikes. Some routes are walking-only, culturally sensitive, restricted or require permits. Remote Central Australian riding also requires serious preparation. Water can be extremely limited, mobile reception is unreliable and temperatures can be extreme. Check current NT Parks, road, weather and access information, carry offline navigation and appropriate emergency communication, and plan water and resupply carefully. Ride The State will work on adding suitable West MacDonnell and Red Centre cycling routes as individual Ride Cards over time. Until then, use official access information and verified mapping when planning your adventure.

80 kmGravel

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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.

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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