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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.

The Ballarat–Skipton Rail Trail is a 57km gravel trail through Victoria’s historic Goldfields region, following the former railway from Ballarat to Skipton. The predominantly crushed-granite surface and gentle railway gradients make for approachable riding through open farmland, native grasslands, bushland and historic gold-mining country. Along the way the trail passes through Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Linton, giving riders plenty of options to break the journey into shorter sections. One of the highlights is the impressive Nimons Bridge, a restored timber trestle bridge near Newtown and one of the tallest surviving timber bridges in Victoria. Historic station sites, railway cuttings and interpretive signs add plenty of interest along the route, while facilities and food stops can be found in several of the towns along the way. RTS Tip: You don’t need to tackle the full trail to enjoy this one. Ballarat to Smythesdale is around 20km, while Smythesdale to Linton and Linton to Skipton make great standalone sections. For a highlight-focused ride, include the stretch through Scarsdale to Nimons Bridge. Carry plenty of water if riding the longer sections, as refill points can be limited.

The Dartmoor Rail Trail is a short and accessible 1.3km sealed rail trail running through the heart of Dartmoor in far south-west Victoria. Following part of the former Mount Gambier–Heywood railway corridor, the trail provides an easy ride through town from Radiata Road to Fort O’Hare on the Glenelg River. The smooth asphalt surface and gentle railway gradient make this a great option for families, beginner riders and anyone looking for a relaxed spin. It’s suitable for mountain bikes, touring and hybrid bikes, as well as walkers, wheelchairs, prams and scooters. Along the way the trail passes the town centre, Village Green and playground, before reaching the historic railway bridge over the Glenelg River and the riverside Fort O’Hare camping area. There’s parking near both ends, making it easy to ride as a short out-and-back of around 2.6km. The trail opened in December 2021 following years of work by the local community to transform the disused railway reserve into a recreational trail. The railway itself has a much longer history, with the line reaching Dartmoor in 1916 before continuing through to Mount Gambier the following year. RTS Tip: At only 1.3km, Dartmoor Rail Trail is more about the experience than clocking up kilometres. It’s perfect for stretching the legs during a road trip or exploring Dartmoor by bike. Take your time at the Glenelg River end, and if you're travelling with the bikes, the free riverside camping at Fort O’Hare makes this an easy little ride to add to a south-west Victorian adventure.

Bacchus Marsh BMX Track is home to the Bacchus Marsh BMX Club, providing a dedicated BMX racing facility for riders in Bacchus Marsh and Melbourne's west. The purpose-built BMX track offers the fast, exciting riding the sport is known for, with straights, rollers, jumps and banked corners giving riders opportunities to build speed, develop bike-handling skills and experience BMX racing. As the home of Bacchus Marsh BMX Club, the facility is an important part of the local cycling community, supporting BMX training, racing and opportunities for riders of different ages and experience levels to get involved in the sport. Located between Melbourne and Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh is also well positioned for riders exploring cycling opportunities throughout western Victoria. Whether you're searching for BMX riding in Bacchus Marsh, BMX tracks near Melbourne or BMX racing in Victoria, this is another great riding location to have on the list. There's plenty more riding to discover around the wider region too, so check out the other Ride The State Ride Cards for mountain biking, gravel, trails and cycling adventures nearby. RTS Tip: As an active BMX club and racing facility, access may vary around organised training, racing and events. Check current Bacchus Marsh BMX Club information before making a special trip and respect any club activities taking place at the track.

David Blackie Velodrome is an outdoor track cycling facility in Ararat in western Victoria, providing riders with a dedicated 250-metre concrete cycling track. The velodrome is also equipped with lighting, allowing the facility to support organised training and racing beyond daylight hours. At 250 metres per lap, the track matches the length used by modern international-standard velodromes, although David Blackie is an outdoor concrete facility rather than an indoor timber track. Its banked oval layout provides riders with a dedicated environment for track cycling, training, fitness and developing bunch-riding skills. The velodrome forms part of Ararat’s wider cycling offering, with the region also providing road cycling routes and access to gravel and recreational riding throughout the surrounding Grampians region. Cycling Victoria’s facilities strategy identifies David Blackie as Ararat Rural City’s dedicated outdoor velodrome. For riders searching for Ararat cycling, David Blackie Velodrome, Victorian velodromes or track cycling in western Victoria, it’s a great facility to add to the Ride The State collection. RTS Tip: At exactly 250m per lap, four laps will tick over one kilometre. This is a dedicated cycling track rather than a normal shared path, so check for any club training, racing or organised activities before jumping on for a ride.

The Hamilton–Coleraine Rail Trail is a 37km walking and cycling trail through the beautiful red-gum country and rolling farmland of western Victoria. Following the former railway line that operated between 1888 and 1977, the trail passes through Wannon, Parkwood and open farming country before finishing at the beautifully restored Coleraine Railway Station. Expect coarse gravel, compacted earth, historic cuttings, 15 railway bridges, wetlands, mature red gums and plenty of opportunities to spot kangaroos, wallabies and birdlife. The entire 37km corridor is now accessible, although a temporary roughly 2km route bypasses the unusable Wannon River railway bridge. RTS Tip: Allow extra time around Wannon and take the short detour to spectacular Wannon Falls, where you’ll find toilets, picnic facilities and even free camping. A mountain bike or capable gravel bike is the best choice, particularly for the rougher central sections. There are also several crossings of the Glenelg Highway, so take extra care with traffic and follow the trail signage through the temporary Wannon River connection.

Jetty Flat Reserve is home to the Warrnambool BMX Club and one of western Victoria’s established BMX racing facilities. Located within the Lake Pertobe precinct in Warrnambool, the reserve features an approximately 400m purpose-built BMX track with a 4m starting hill, numerous jumps and three bitumen berms, creating a proper race-style experience for riders of varying ages and abilities. Warrnambool BMX Club has been part of the local cycling community since 1981, with the track relocating to Jetty Flat Reserve in 2012. Today the facility supports everything from junior development and coaching through to club racing and major competition, including rounds of the Victorian BMX Racing State Series. The club welcomes riders from young children through to experienced adult racers, with opportunities for newcomers to try BMX before committing to the sport. The wider Jetty Flat Reserve also includes public toilets and other sporting facilities, making it a well-equipped community recreation precinct. RTS Tip: This is a genuine BMX race track, not a casual pump track. With around 400m of jumps, rollers and fast bitumen berms, it’s a great place to experience proper BMX riding. Check the club calendar before visiting as organised training, club racing and major events can affect track access.