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The Mt Owen MTB Trails in Queenstown, Tasmania, deliver one of Australia’s most dramatic big-mountain riding experiences, with approximately 35 km of purpose-built trails across the exposed rocky slopes of Mount Owen. Rising to 1,146 metres above sea level, the mountain towers over Queenstown on Tasmania’s West Coast, providing more than 800 metres of elevation range and incredible views towards Frenchmans Cap, Lake Burbury, the Southern Ocean and the surrounding West Coast ranges. The terrain is unlike most Australian trail centres, with exposed ridgelines, loose rock, steep gradients, alpine-style landscapes and genuine backcountry riding. The network is divided into Upper Mountain and Lower Mountain trails. The Lower Mountain is accessed from the Tramway Street trailhead in Queenstown and includes options for a broader range of riders. Ready Orr Not provides a 1.5 km introduction to Queenstown riding, while the 5.9 km Welcome to Queenstown climbs onto Little Owen before delivering giant berms, rollers and spectacular 360-degree views. Riders can progress onto Sticht Up and the historic Sledge Track for longer and more challenging adventures. The Upper Mountain is where Mt Owen becomes a serious big-mountain destination. Access is exclusively by authorised shuttle, with trails including the 9.9 km Waterfall, Chamouni Traverse, Summit Loop, The Long Spur, North Owen Descent and Natural Selection. Waterfall travels through boulder fields and past Horsetail Falls before plunging into a remote valley, while Chamouni Traverse follows exposed ridgelines high above Lake Burbury. Natural Selection takes things even further, beginning with a hike-a-bike above 1,000 metres before tackling highly technical summit terrain and a raw descent designed for highly experienced riders. Mt Owen forms part of the wider West Coast Tasmania MTB network, alongside the Silver City trails at Zeehan and other adventure rides across the region. Its combination of mining history, barren rocky mountainsides and huge elevation makes Queenstown a completely different riding experience from Tasmania’s forest-based MTB destinations. RTS Tip: Don’t underestimate Mt Owen — the Upper Mountain trails are remote, exposed and physically demanding, and conditions can change incredibly quickly. Private vehicles cannot access the gated upper mountain road, so pre-book your shuttle if you want to ride from Owen Spur. Carry food, water, repair gear and extra clothing even when Queenstown’s weather looks good. If it’s your first visit, start on the Lower Mountain trails before stepping up to Waterfall, Chamouni or the harder backcountry descents.

The Silver City MTB Trails, on the outskirts of Zeehan on Tasmania’s wild West Coast, deliver around 35 km of purpose-built mountain biking through the spectacular Heemskirk Range. Opened in December 2022, the network combines stacked-loop trail riding with genuine backcountry adventure, progressing from accessible flowing trails near Zeehan to remote and highly technical riding high in the mountains. The landscape is unmistakably West Coast Tasmania, with buttongrass plains, rainforest, exposed rocky ridgelines and huge views across the surrounding wilderness. The network starts from the Heemskirk Road trailhead, around 500 m north of Zeehan. Despatch provides the main 4.5 km climb through rainforest and buttongrass to the top of Oonah Hill, where riders can drop into Oonah Hill, a 2.8 km flow trail packed with linked berms and rollers. This combination provides one of the more accessible experiences in the network and is a great introduction to Silver City before venturing farther into the Heemskirk Range. For riders wanting a bigger adventure, Heemskirk Link provides access to trails including Western Odyssey, Featherstone and Silver Lining. Western Odyssey flows across open buttongrass towards Piney Prospect, while Featherstone adds a faster ridgeline descent featuring gravel, rocks, berms and built features. The farther you travel from Zeehan, the more remote and demanding the riding becomes. The headline ride is Stormsdown, a challenging 14 km advanced adventure trail into the Heemskirk Range. Riders face a substantial mountain climb before dropping into a highly technical ridgeline descent featuring rock slabs, natural rock features and multiple line choices. The official trail information recommends allowing 2–5 hours for Stormsdown alone, reflecting just how different this is from a typical trail-centre loop. Silver City also tells the story of Zeehan’s extraordinary mining past. Once nicknamed “The Silver City”, Zeehan boomed during Tasmania’s mining era, and many of the MTB trails are named after mines that once operated throughout these hills. Historic mining activity also creates a very real hazard: open mine shafts remain within the area, and sections around Oonah Hill are classified as an Extreme Hazard Area. Riders must remain on the designated trail at all times. RTS Tip: Silver City is a network where you should choose your ride carefully. For a shorter introduction, climb Despatch and descend Oonah Hill for a brilliant taste of Zeehan’s flow riding. If you're heading deeper towards Silver Lining or Stormsdown, treat it as a genuine backcountry ride. The Heemskirk Range is remote and highly exposed, with weather capable of changing suddenly and dramatically. Download your maps, check the forecast, carry plenty of food, water, tools and appropriate clothing, and allow considerably more time than the distance alone suggests. Most importantly, stay on the trail due to historic open mine shafts throughout the area.

The Sterling Valley MTB Trail, between Tullah and Rosebery on Tasmania’s West Coast, is a rugged 12 km point-to-point mountain bike adventure through spectacular myrtle rainforest beneath Mount Murchison. This is very much an old-school West Coast ride rather than a manicured trail-centre experience, combining historic tracks with steep climbing, wet roots, rocks, mud and a long technical descent into Rosebery. The official West Coast MTB guide grades it intermediate with difficult sections, making it best suited to confident and experienced riders. The ride begins around 300 m west of the Anthony Road junction on the Murchison Highway, south of Tullah. From here, riders climb gradually through button grass and forest before the route becomes steeper and more rugged on its way towards Sterling Saddle. The full climb gains roughly 320 m, with slippery logs, rocks and sections where even capable riders may find themselves off the bike. Once over Sterling Saddle, the character changes dramatically. The trail drops towards Rosebery through dense, atmospheric rainforest on technical natural singletrack, with slippery roots, rocks, steep sections and potentially deep mud. As the descent continues it becomes faster and more flowing, delivering a brilliant finish through the forest towards Rosebery. Discover Tasmania specifically highlights Sterling Valley as a technical ride for experienced mountain bikers. Sterling Valley also has strong links to Tasmania’s MTB history, having featured in the legendary Wildside MTB event. Unlike the newer purpose-built networks at nearby Zeehan and Queenstown, this route retains its raw adventure character. Maintenance is a collaborative effort involving Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, West Coast MTB Club and West Coast Council. RTS Tip: Sterling Valley is a ride to prepare for, not simply turn up and explore. The official point-to-point route takes around 1.5–2 hours, but allow extra time for wet conditions, fallen trees or technical sections. A shuttle or vehicle at Rosebery makes logistics much easier; otherwise you'll need to factor in the road return. Download the route offline, carry tools, food, water and wet-weather gear, and let someone know your plans. Tasmania’s West Coast weather can turn quickly, and this trail is renowned for being wet, muddy, slippery and remote even when conditions elsewhere seem good.

The North-West Tasmanian Coastal Cycleway, also known as the North West Coastal Pathway, is an ambitious shared cycling route linking the towns and cities of Tasmania’s spectacular North West Coast. The developing route stretches between Latrobe, Devonport, Don, Turners Beach, Ulverstone, Penguin, Burnie, Somerset and Wynyard, combining dedicated sealed cycleways, former railway corridors, coastal paths and some on-road connections. The long-term vision is for a roughly 110 km continuous off-road pathway, although several gaps remain as of 2026. The scenery is a major reason to ride it. Sections hug the edge of Bass Strait, cross rivers and estuaries and pass beaches, coastal reserves, farmland and historic railway infrastructure. Riders can explore the waterfronts of Devonport, Ulverstone, Penguin, Burnie and Wynyard, with cafés, accommodation, swimming beaches and other facilities available in the towns along the way. The predominantly sealed surfaces on completed sections make the pathway suitable for road bikes, gravel bikes, hybrids, e-bikes, touring bikes, families and recreational cyclists. One of the biggest recent additions is the 13.2 km Wynyard to Burnie section, completed in October 2024. Much of this high-quality asphalt pathway follows the former railway corridor through Somerset and Cooee, providing a scenic separated connection between the two towns. Other enjoyable sections include Latrobe to Devonport, the coastal ride from Devonport through Don, and the paths around Turners Beach, Ulverstone and Penguin. The route also makes an excellent backbone for a bigger North West Tasmania cycling or MTB trip. From Latrobe, riders can detour towards the Wild Mersey MTB Trails, while Penguin provides access towards the Dial Range and other North West Coast riding. Devonport also provides a natural arrival point for riders travelling to Tasmania, with cycleway connections extending from the city towards the surrounding coastal towns. RTS Tip: Don’t assume the entire North-West Coastal Cycleway is continuous off-road yet. As of 2026, gaps remain around Wivenhoe–Heybridge and West Ulverstone–Penguin, with some sections requiring on-road riding. Check the latest route before setting out, particularly if you're planning a long point-to-point ride. For an easy standalone option, the Wynyard–Somerset–Burnie section is a brilliant choice, while experienced tourers can use the completed paths and road connections to build a much bigger journey along Tasmania’s North West Coast.

Alexandra Park is home to the Portland BMX Club and a dedicated BMX racing track in Portland, Victoria, providing a great place for local riders and visitors to experience BMX riding and racing. The track features the jumps, rollers, straights and banked corners you'd expect from a purpose-built BMX race facility, giving riders the opportunity to develop skills, build confidence and experience the fast-paced fun of BMX. As the home of Portland BMX Club, the track plays an important role in the local cycling community, supporting BMX racing, training and opportunities for riders to get involved in the sport. Whether you're a local rider, visiting Portland with the bikes or looking for BMX tracks and cycling facilities in south-west Victoria, Alexandra Park is another great riding location to add to the list. Portland also has plenty more to discover on two wheels, so check out the other Ride The State Ride Cards to find mountain biking, gravel, trails and cycling adventures around Portland and Victoria's spectacular south-west coast. RTS Tip: As an active BMX club and racing facility, access may vary around organised training, racing and events. Check current Portland BMX Club information before making a special trip and respect any club activities taking place at the track.

Bruny Island North is a beautiful gravel loop exploring the quieter northern end of one of Tasmania's most iconic islands, combining smooth gravel roads, coastal views, rolling farmland and a little local history into a brilliant day on the bike. Covering approximately 45km with around 914m of climbing, the route is roughly 55% gravel and 45% sealed road. There aren't any major sustained climbs, but don't expect a completely easy spin — the terrain continually rolls up and down throughout the ride, adding up to a surprisingly solid day. Starting from the Kettering ferry terminal, the adventure begins with a ferry trip across to Bruny Island. Once on the island, riders make their way towards beautiful gravel roads hugging Barnes Bay, before heading inland towards the historic Bruny Island Quarantine Station. From there, the route continues through Killora and along the island's north-western coastline, delivering some fantastic water views before reaching Dennes Point at the northern end of the island. The return journey winds back through quiet farmland, forests and classic Bruny Island countryside before eventually reconnecting with the road to the ferry. The gravel is generally smooth and enjoyable rather than highly technical, making this a great option for confident gravel riders looking for an adventure without taking on the much rougher terrain found on some of Tasmania's more demanding gravel routes. Allow some extra time to stop at the Quarantine Station, enjoy the coastal views and explore along the way — this is definitely a ride where the experience is more important than racing the clock. RTS Tip: Your ferry crossing is part of the adventure, so check the current timetable before setting out and allow enough time to make the return ferry. Dirty Freehub recommends 40mm+ tyres, and riders should carry their own supplies and check current weather and road conditions before heading out. Follow the mapping link for the detailed route, GPX and additional ride information.

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 Devonport Oval Velodrome brings track cycling right into the heart of Devonport, with a dedicated outdoor cycling track circling the perimeter of the historic Devonport Oval. Home to Mersey Valley Devonport Cycling Club, the track has a long association with Tasmania’s cycling scene and regularly features in the famous Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals, where cycling, athletics and woodchopping come together in a uniquely Tasmanian sporting tradition. The venue is shared with football, cricket and athletics, and the cycling track has recently been resurfaced as part of the major Devonport Sports Precinct redevelopment, giving this classic North-West Coast cycling venue a new lease on life. RTS Tip: This is an active sporting venue rather than a dedicated public ride-anytime velodrome, so check for club training, racing and other oval activities before planning a session. If you want to see the track at its best, keep an eye out for Mersey Valley Devonport Cycling Club events and the annual Christmas Carnival program — track racing under the lights is a Devonport tradition.

The Dial Range Mountain Bike Network, rising behind Penguin on Tasmania’s North-West Coast, delivers a more backcountry feel compared to the Penguin MTB Park just next door. There are three trails to choose from, the Montgomery Loop, Iron Tor and Ironcliffe Ridge. The Montgomery Loop is the first official MTB trail in the Dial Range. At about 6km in length with easy grading, this trail is an awesome introduction to the Dial Range and can be ridden in combination with the trails of the Penguin MTB park. This trail consists of a well graded climb with three very different styled descents with flavours of flow, natural and park, enough to put a smile on your dial (pun intended). Iron Tor is a 6km bolder strewn, berm filled, adrenaline pumping loop that starts with a solid climb but you are rewarded with a descent that leads you back onto the Montgomery Loop, with and option to do the Ironcliffe Ridge trail or take the lookout detour halfway down the descent. The Trail is a blue/black rated trail with black features. Caution is need for less experienced riders or sending it for the first time. The Ironcliffe Ridge trail is a 1.4km out and back trail, that will lead you from the Iron Tor Climb and continue the climb to the Mount Dial Summit. Some of the best MTB trail views out to the west can be had from three lookouts along the trail as well at the view out to the east from the summit of Mount Dial. There is an 8km extension planned for this trail in the very near future.

The Don to Devonport Cycleway is a relaxed and scenic 11km sealed shared-path network exploring Devonport’s coastline, rivers and railway heritage. The main ride between Don Reserve and central Devonport is around 8km, following the Don River, passing alongside sections of the heritage Don River Railway, then continuing past Coles Beach and around the Bass Strait coastline before reaching the Mersey River foreshore. Riders can extend the journey another 3km south to Horsehead Creek, following the Mersey beside the working railway and port. Wide concrete and bitumen paths, gentle gradients and plenty of places to stop make this a great option for families, casual riders and anyone wanting to explore Devonport by bike. RTS Tip: Make it a bigger adventure by connecting into the North-West Coastal Pathway. From Don, the developing coastal route continues west towards Turners Beach, Ulverstone, Burnie and beyond, while from Devonport you can head east along the Mersey towards Latrobe. If you’re keeping it local, add the Old Tramway loop through Don Reserve for a little more variety before cruising back along the coast.

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.

Latrobe Recreation Ground in Latrobe, North West Tasmania, is a historic sporting venue featuring an outdoor cycling track that circles the main oval. The ground has a long connection with Tasmanian track cycling and was traditionally home to the Latrobe Bicycle Race Club and the famous Latrobe Boxing Day Carnival, part of Tasmania’s Christmas Carnival series. For more than a century, the carnival brought cycling, athletics and woodchopping together at the venue, making Latrobe an important part of Tasmania’s cycling history. The cycling track surrounds the entire recreation oval, giving the venue a distinctive old-school Australian track-racing character rather than the steep banking of a modern purpose-built velodrome. While it remains an interesting stop for riders exploring Latrobe, Devonport and Tasmania’s North West Coast, its greatest significance is its heritage and connection with generations of Tasmanian competitive cyclists. Latrobe is also close to the Wild Mersey Mountain Bike Trails, making it easy to combine a visit with some of the region’s extensive MTB riding. RTS Tip: This is one for the cycling-history fans. The track was the setting for generations of racing and the legendary Latrobe Carnival, but it should not be treated like an unrestricted public cycle path. Check current access and scheduled sporting use before planning to ride on the track, particularly when football, cricket or other activities are taking place at the recreation ground.

The Melba Flats to Zeehan Rail Trail is a remote 9 km adventure trail on Tasmania’s rugged West Coast, following historic railway formations between Melba Flats and the mining town of Zeehan. Unlike a manicured recreational rail trail, this is a genuine exploratory mountain bike ride across open button-grass plains, with compacted earth, grass, gravel, old railway sleepers, creek crossings, washouts and sections that can become wet or overgrown. The trail is relatively isolated and poorly signposted, making it best suited to mountain bikes and self-sufficient riders comfortable with navigation and rougher terrain. The route has an interesting railway history, with two separate railway lines once running roughly parallel between Zeehan and Melba Flats. One was the two-foot-gauge North East Dundas Tramway, built to transport ore from the mines around Williamsford to Zeehan, while the other was the wider-gauge Emu Bay Railway, which connected Zeehan with Tasmania’s north-west coast. Remnants of both corridors can still be encountered, including old sleepers, railway formations, bridge sites and other infrastructure slowly being reclaimed by the West Coast landscape. One of the biggest attractions for adventurous riders is the opportunity to extend the ride beyond Melba Flats. The trail connects with the 19 km Montezuma Falls Rail Trail, following more of the old North East Dundas Tramway towards Montezuma Falls and Williamsford. Linking the trails can create an adventurous ride of around 55–56 km return from Zeehan, taking riders from exposed button-grass plains into lush rainforest and past historic mining and railway remains on the way to one of Tasmania’s highest waterfalls. RTS Tip: Don’t approach Melba Flats to Zeehan expecting a smooth family rail trail — this is West Coast adventure riding. Navigation can be tricky, creek crossings and washouts may require some hike-a-bike, and sections can be boggy or overgrown. Download your route before leaving, carry food, water, repair gear and suitable wet-weather clothing, and allow considerably more time than you normally would for a 9 km ride. For experienced riders wanting a bigger mission, link it with Montezuma Falls and Williamsford for a memorable full-day MTB adventure.

The Montezuma Falls Rail Trail is a spectacular and adventurous mountain bike ride on Tasmania’s West Coast, following the historic North East Dundas Tramway between Williamsford, Montezuma Falls and Melba Flats near Zeehan and Rosebery. The main rail-trail route is approximately 19 km one way, travelling through dense temperate rainforest filled with myrtle, sassafras and leatherwood before reaching Montezuma Falls, one of Tasmania’s highest waterfalls. The old tramway’s gentle gradients disguise a surprisingly adventurous ride, with compacted earth, fine gravel, mud, creek crossings, washouts and sections shared with 4WD vehicles. The most accessible section runs approximately 5.5 km from Williamsford to Montezuma Falls, creating an 11 km return ride. Following the old railway formation through lush rainforest, this section is generally easier than the rest of the route and provides a brilliant introduction to West Coast Tasmania cycling. At the falls, riders reach the impressive suspension bridge spanning the gorge, with remnants of the original curved timber railway trestle still visible nearby. Beyond Montezuma Falls, the approximately 14 km section to Melba Flats becomes considerably more adventurous. The former railway formation is also used by 4WD vehicles and can contain deep puddles, muddy sections, rocky washouts and creek crossings where the original timber bridges have disappeared. At Melba Flats, adventurous riders can connect with the Melba Flats to Zeehan Rail Trail, creating the possibility of a much bigger West Coast MTB journey through historic mining country. The trail follows a railway constructed in the late 1890s to carry ore from mines around Dundas and Mount Read towards Zeehan. Today, old railway formations, mining remnants and the abandoned settlement of Williamsford provide reminders of the region’s mining boom, while the surrounding rainforest has reclaimed much of the landscape. RTS Tip: Choose your ride carefully. Williamsford to Montezuma Falls and return is the shorter option, while continuing towards Melba Flats turns this into a much more remote MTB adventure requiring proper preparation, wider tyres, food, water, repair gear and offline navigation. Important: as of August 2026, the Williamsford-side Montezuma Falls walking track is temporarily closed due to windfall and a landslip. Access to the southern end of the suspension bridge via the 4WD track remains available. Check the latest Tasmania Parks alerts before travelling, as conditions and access can change.

The North Mount Lyell Rail Trail, south of Queenstown on Tasmania’s West Coast, follows part of the historic North Mount Lyell Railway through remote rainforest towards Kelly Basin and the abandoned port settlement of East Pillinger on Macquarie Harbour. The historic route is around 12 km, travelling through the extraordinary wilderness of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area on an old railway formation surrounded by dense temperate rainforest. For cyclists, it’s important to understand that only the first section is currently rideable. From the Bird River turnoff, approximately 5 km of the old railway formation to Bird River is accessible to bicycles and 4WD vehicles. From Bird River onwards to Kelly Basin and East Pillinger, the route is walking-only, so riders cannot cycle the full historic 12 km trail. The rideable section uses compacted earth and follows relatively gentle railway gradients, but its remote West Coast location gives it much more of an adventure feel than a typical recreational rail trail. The original North Mount Lyell Railway was built to connect the North Mount Lyell mine with the company’s industrial operations and port at Pillinger in Kelly Basin. Passenger services began in 1900, with stops including Gormanston Junction, King River and Ten Mile, but the railway had a relatively short life and finally closed in 1929. Parts of the original alignment between Linda and Darwin were later submerged beneath Lake Burbury. East Pillinger itself is one of the fascinating remnants of Tasmania’s mining era. Established by the North Mount Lyell Copper Company in the late 1800s, the settlement once contained wharves, a sawmill, brickworks, ore-processing facilities, railway infrastructure and workers' accommodation. Today, walkers reaching the site can explore surviving brick kilns, boilers, railway relics, a jetty and building ruins slowly being reclaimed by the rainforest. RTS Tip: Don’t plan this as a 12 km bike ride to Pillinger — bikes are only permitted for approximately 5 km from the Bird River turnoff to Bird River, with the remainder designated for walking. This is remote West Coast Tasmania, so carry food, water, repair gear, warm and waterproof clothing and offline navigation. If you want to continue to Kelly Basin and East Pillinger, secure your bike appropriately at Bird River and allow around 3–4 hours for the return walk, plus extra time to explore the historic ruins.

Penguin MTB Park, just 2 km inland from the coastal town of Penguin on Tasmania’s North West Coast, is a compact but feature-packed mountain bike park offering more than 6 km of purpose-built cross-country singletrack. Built around the site of the old Penguin speedway and managed by the Cradle Coast Mountain Bike Club, the network caters for beginners through to experienced riders, combining flowing forest singletrack with jumps, wall rides, berms and dedicated skills areas. The main trail network includes Start ’Em Up, Easy Peasy, Stalking Rooster, Return of the Penguin, Copperhead, Ringtail, Prehistoric Park and Flying in a Blue Dream. Most of the park is green-rated beginner terrain, while Copperhead and the longer 2 km Flying in a Blue Dream provide intermediate options. The compact layout makes Penguin particularly good for riders wanting to practise skills, session individual sections or introduce kids and newer riders to mountain biking. At the centre of the old speedway is the park’s Freeride Jump Park, an advanced area with multiple jump lines and features including a whale tail, wall ride and container jump. The Little Devils Skills Park provides the opposite end of the progression scale, with beginner-friendly berms, pump-track features, a wall ride and other obstacles designed to help riders develop bike handling before heading onto the larger trails. One of Penguin MTB Park’s biggest advantages is its direct connection into the much larger and more adventurous Dial Range MTB network. From the southern end of the park, riders can continue towards Mount Montgomery and Iron Tor, stepping from short bike-park laps into rugged backcountry riding. The approximately 6 km Montgomery Loop provides a good introduction to the Dial Range, while the 15 km Iron Tor loop delivers a much tougher ride with sustained climbing, rocky ridgeline terrain, technical descending and impressive views across Tasmania’s North West Coast. RTS Tip: Penguin is perfect for a progression day — warm up on Easy Peasy and the green XC trails, practise in Little Devils Skills Park, then move onto Copperhead, Flying in a Blue Dream or the freeride features as your confidence grows. Experienced riders should allow extra time to continue into the Dial Range, but remember that this is a much more demanding and remote riding environment than the bike park itself. Download the current trail map, follow directional signage and be aware that some Dial Range trails are shared with walkers.

The Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail is a scenic 37.5 km shared cycling and walking trail on Victoria’s spectacular South West Coast, linking the historic seaside town of Port Fairy with Koroit and Warrnambool. The route combines former railway corridor with coastal and riverside paths, passing through open farmland, native vegetation, wetlands, volcanic landscapes and coastal dunes before reaching the Southern Ocean at Warrnambool. With mostly gentle gradients and a mixture of compacted gravel and sealed surfaces, it’s well suited to gravel bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, e-bikes, families and recreational cyclists. The Port Fairy to Koroit section is around 18 km, gradually climbing through farmland and native vegetation towards the beautifully restored Koroit Railway Station and goods shed. Along the way riders pass remnants of the original railway, including old station sites and sidings, while the trail skirts the northern side of Tower Hill, the enormous extinct volcano that now forms Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. This section is a great standalone ride, with plenty of food and facilities available in both Port Fairy and Koroit. From Koroit to Warrnambool, the trail covers around 20 km, descending towards Illowa before crossing the wetlands of Kellys Swamp on boardwalks and continuing towards the coast. The final kilometres follow the Merri River towards Warrnambool’s foreshore and Breakwater, creating a completely different riding experience from the rural section around Koroit. Warrnambool’s Lake Pertobe, foreshore and Breakwater precinct make an excellent finish to the journey. The trail also has a strong railway history. The railway linking Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy — then known as Belfast — was completed in 1890, helping farmers transport produce including wheat, barley, potatoes and other agricultural goods. Remnants of several former stations remain along the corridor, with Koroit Station one of the most impressive surviving pieces of railway infrastructure. RTS Tip: You don’t need to ride the full trail to enjoy it. Port Fairy to Koroit makes an excellent roughly 36 km return ride, while shorter rides around Warrnambool combine wetlands, the Merri River and the coast. If tackling the entire trail, allow time to stop at Koroit and Tower Hill rather than treating it as a race between towns. The trail is generally straightforward, but signage between Warrnambool and Illowa can be limited, and current access from Warrnambool Railway Station requires a detour via Pertobe Road or Harris Street, so download the latest route before setting out

The Spray Tunnel and Comstock Tramways, just outside Zeehan on Tasmania’s West Coast, offer a fascinating 6 km mountain bike and walking route through one of the region’s historic mining landscapes. The ride follows sections of four interconnected former mining tramways, travelling over compacted-earth tracks through forest and old mine workings before reaching the remarkable Spray Tunnel. The highlight is undoubtedly the Spray Tunnel, a narrow, keyhole-shaped former railway tunnel cut through the hillside to transport ore from the Spray Silver Mine. Official tourism information describes it as approximately 100 m long, 3 m high and 2.2 m wide. Inside, it becomes extremely dark and glow-worms can sometimes be seen on the tunnel ceiling, making riding or walking through it one of the more unusual rail-trail experiences in Tasmania. Beyond the tunnel, riders can continue along the old tramway towards Comstock, passing through a landscape filled with remnants of Zeehan’s mining boom. Old mine sites, abandoned boilers, tramway cuttings and other industrial relics remain scattered throughout the area. The tramway surfaces are generally compacted but conditions can become muddy, puddled and rough, particularly given the West Coast’s high rainfall. The trail can also be incorporated into a much bigger MTB ride. A popular Spray Tunnel–Oonah Hill loop of around 15 km combines the historic tramways with purpose-built mountain bike trail, climbing into the open buttongrass country before descending back towards Zeehan. The surrounding Silver City MTB Trails now provide even more options for extending a visit into a full day of riding. RTS Tip: Take a bike light or good torch — the Spray Tunnel gets deceptively dark in the middle, and having a light also gives you a chance to spot the glow-worms overhead. Stay on the established route around the old mining areas, as historic mine shafts and workings remain in the landscape. For a bigger adventure, combine the tramways with Oonah Hill and the Silver City MTB network, but download your maps first and be prepared for rapidly changing West Coast weather.

The Strahan to Regatta Point Rail Trail is a short but beautifully scenic 3 km sealed cycling and walking trail on Tasmania’s wild West Coast. Following the shoreline of Macquarie Harbour, the route links central Strahan with historic Regatta Point, combining harbour views, railway heritage and an easy, virtually flat ride. The smooth concrete surface makes it suitable for families, beginner riders, hybrids, mountain bikes, touring bikes, e-bikes, scooters and wheelchairs. Starting near Strahan’s waterfront, the trail follows the curve of the harbour past historic buildings and interpretive displays before continuing towards Regatta Point. It’s an easy ride with virtually no climbing, making the approximately 6 km return journey a relaxed way to explore Strahan by bike. The route follows part of an important former railway corridor. The Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company built its railway from Queenstown to transport copper from the mines to the coast, with the line reaching Regatta Point and Strahan in 1899. At Regatta Point it connected with the government railway towards Zeehan, creating a vital transport link across Tasmania’s otherwise extremely difficult West Coast terrain. Today, Regatta Point remains an active railway destination as the Strahan terminus of the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Heritage rail journeys still depart from the station and travel alongside Macquarie Harbour and into the rainforest towards the King River, adding a great piece of living railway history to the ride. RTS Tip: This is more of a relaxed waterfront cruise than a challenging rail-trail ride, so take your time and enjoy the harbour. Ride the roughly 6 km return trip between Strahan and Regatta Point, stop to explore the historic railway station, and combine it with Strahan’s other waterfront paths for some extra kilometres. Current trail information can be inconsistent about access status, so check conditions locally before setting out, particularly after West Coast storms or maintenance works.

The Strahan to Zeehan Road is an unusual piece of Tasmania’s rail-trail history. Rather than being a dedicated off-road trail, much of the modern B27 between Strahan and Zeehan follows or closely parallels the formation of the former Strahan–Zeehan railway. Rail Trails Australia lists the historic route at approximately 41.8 km, with a sealed surface and gentle railway-style gradients through the wild landscapes of Tasmania’s West Coast. It is suitable for touring, gravel and mountain bikes, although riders need to be comfortable sharing a rural road with vehicles. The route travels north from Strahan, leaving Macquarie Harbour behind and crossing a landscape of button grass plains, rainforest, rivers and rugged West Coast ranges before reaching Zeehan. Although the road undulates, its railway heritage means much of the route has relatively manageable gradients compared with many other West Coast roads. The B27 remains a sealed single-carriageway road through largely undeveloped country. Around 15 km south of Zeehan, adventurous riders can find one of the few places where the original railway formation separates significantly from the modern road. An unsignposted 4WD track follows the old railway easement for approximately 5 km near the Badger River. However, this is not a continuous alternative route: the track eventually ends abruptly at a steep ravine where a railway bridge once stood, so riders must turn around rather than attempting to continue through. The railway between Zeehan and Strahan was once a vital West Coast transport connection, at a time when roads through this rugged landscape were extremely limited. Following the decline of the railway system and gradual construction of better roads, portions of the former formation were incorporated into the modern road corridor. Zeehan makes a rewarding destination, particularly for riders interested in mining and railway history. It can also be used as a base for several excellent off-road rides, including the Spray Tunnel and Comstock Tramways, Silver City MTB Trails, Melba Flats to Zeehan Rail Trail and Montezuma Falls Rail Trail. RTS Tip: Don’t mistake this listing for a conventional traffic-free rail trail — most of the Strahan–Zeehan journey is on the sealed B27 road. It’s best suited to confident road, touring or gravel riders comfortable with remote-road riding. Carry plenty of food, water, tools and wet-weather gear, as services between the towns are extremely limited and West Coast conditions can change quickly. If exploring the old railway formation near Badger River, remember that it dead-ends at the missing bridge site and is not a through-route.

West Park Oval and cycling track in Burnie on Tasmania’s North West Coast is a historic outdoor cycling venue wrapped around the West Park sporting oval on the edge of Bass Strait. The precinct is home to the City of Burnie Cycling Club and continues to be used for track racing, training and Burnie’s famous cycling carnivals, alongside football, cricket and athletics. Cycling has been part of West Park for more than a century. The Burnie Athletic Club added cycling to its carnival program in 1917, with the first Burnie Wheel raced on grass. By 1919 an asphalt cycling track had been constructed, establishing a track-racing tradition that continues today. The best-known event is the Burnie Wheel, traditionally held as part of Burnie’s summer carnival. One of the venue’s legendary moments came in 1977, when Tasmanian cycling great Danny Clark came from around 100 metres behind on the final lap to win the Burnie Wheel in front of a huge West Park crowd. The track remains an active cycling facility rather than simply a historic landmark. The City of Burnie Cycling Club is based at West Park and promotes track, road and mountain biking, with track racing traditionally held during the summer months. The oval also has toilets, showers, parking, disabled amenities and a canteen. The cycling surface received a significant upgrade in late 2024, when the old asphalt was removed and replaced with new hot-mix surfacing followed by a Flexipave acrylic surface, improving durability and preparing the track for continued racing and carnival use. RTS Tip: West Park is worth visiting for its cycling history as much as the track itself. If you want to ride rather than simply have a look, check with the City of Burnie Cycling Club or Burnie City Council first, as the oval is a multi-sport competition venue and access can vary around training, cricket, football and events. If you can time your visit with the Burnie Wheel, you’ll get to see one of Tasmania’s longest-running track-cycling traditions at the venue where it has been raced for generations.