Australia's 13 gnarliest mountain biking spots
You don't have to be an extreme sports enthusiast to love mountain biking. All you need is your favourite ride, a decent helmet and a park to get funky in!
Luckily, from mossy Tasmanian forests to the single-track at Mount Kosciuszko, Australia has a huge variety of MTB parks and trails. Check out this state-by-state list of some of our favourites!
VIC | NSW | SA | TAS | WA | QLD
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN VICTORIA
1. Forrest Mountain Bike Park
WHERE: Forrest, VIC 3236
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Geelong
Pre-ride caffeine in the Otway Ranges. Credit: Visit Victoria
Make your way to the Great Otway National Park, where amongst the rainforest and cascading waterfalls, a network of trails make up Forrest Mountain Bike Park.
At the southern end of the Forrest Trails there's the much loved Red Carpet Trail, which is a 6km gentle flow that takes you from Lake Elizabeth to the mouth of the Barwon River.
Inside the northern loop in the Yaugher Trails, the J2 is a must for downhillers who love the B lines. Overall, while there are a few easy trails here, this country is mostly for riders with some experience.
2. Mystic Mountain Bike Park
WHERE: Mystic Trail Head, Coronation Ave, Bright VIC 3741
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Bright
One of the most diverse Mountain Bike Parks in Australia, Mystic Mountain is a community-based trail network built by riders for riders in Victoria's High Country. Featuring over 50km worth of trail, there's plenty for every level from kids and beginners to Olympic champions!
Warm up on the flatter, twisty riverside trails before gaining elevation on the up tracks and sending it as fast as you dare on the way back down. The riverside XC trails double up as an excellent riding option for kids or beginners, and if you don't like riding uphill you can hire an e-MTB or book a day's worth of shuttles!
All this in happens close to the town of Bright, an all-year-round adventure-lovers paradise that's mad about cycling with great support services. The Ovens River flows through the centre of town, and the nearby Morse's Creek might be the perfect spot for a cool down after your ride!
3. You Yangs Regional Park
WHERE: Branch Rd, Little River, VIC 3211
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Geelong
You Yangs Regional Park is awesome. Credit: Visit Victoria
Free, well-marked, and with boulders for drop-offs, need we say more?
We will, because there's plenty to love about You Yangs. Cross-country and downhill riders should go straight to the Stockyards, which features flowy runs and rock gardens aplenty. For beginners, the Kurrajong Plantation has flatter tracks, and the Great Circle Drive offers 12km of steep descents to go with your morning coffee!
Well known amongst experienced riders, everyone should have You-Yangs on their bucket-list.
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NEW SOUTH WALES
4. Thredbo Mountain Bike Park
WHERE: Friday Dr, Thredbo, NSW 2625
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Jindabyne
Featuring the highest peak in Australia, you better believe there's world-class trails at Thredbo Mountain Bike Park.
To kick things off, start off with the Flow Trail, a rad option for anyone new to the sport. It's a fairly calm ride (nothing like the aptly named Cannonball Trail), so don't sweat the small stuff here!
Take note that the views at Thredbo are incredible, and you'll get panoramas of it all once you're feeling confident enough to take on Thredbo Valley Track. Another iconic destination.
5. Ourimbah State Forest
WHERE: Bruces Point Rd, Ourimbah, NSW 2258
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Parks - Lane Cove
Welcome to the Jurassic Park of MTB!
While you won't find any velociraptors here, Jurassic is one of several enjoyable trails in the Ourimbah State Forest.
If you're looking to go faster, the Roller Coaster is a downhill joyride that will have you flying. A Tree Top Adventure Park is also here, offering high rope courses and zip-lining at its best.
Although less famous than its neighbours, Ourimbah is the perfect place for an action-packed family holiday, with something to suit all levels.
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
6. Eagle Mountain Bike Park
WHERE: Mt Barker Road, Leawood Gardens, SA 5150
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Adelaide Beachfront or Discovery Parks - Hahndorf
You may of heard South Aussies harping on about the trails at Eagle Mountain Bike Park, and we can confirm - this ain't no fairytale!
At barely 15 minutes by car from the center of Adelaide, this magical wooded enclave is at the gateway to the Adelaide Hills. With 22km worth of trails from beginners to expert air, there are also cross country trails, a jumps park, a skills park, and a trials area to play in.
Easily a full day's worth of MTB goodness - what more could you want this close to the city?
7. Fox Creek Bike Park
WHERE: Cudlee Creek Forest Reserve, SA 5232
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Adelaide Beachfront or Discovery Parks - Hahndorf
Although severely impacted by the bushfires of December 2019, Fox Creek Bike Park has now re-opened. Well deserving of its moniker as the 'jewel in SA's mountain biking crown,' as of June 2021, Downhill race meets had resumed.
Kudos to Forestry SA for their work in getting this awesome park operational again and to the volunteers who continue to play a huge part. A great community and an incredible park.
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN TASMANIA
8. Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park
WHERE: Glenorchy, TAS 7010
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Hobart
North South Track; Credit: Flow Mountain Bike
The Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park in Tasmania is one half of a greater network of trails in the Greater Hobart region.
Mountain cross, cross country, and downhill trails all travel this stunning slice of wilderness. The North South Track that connects Glenorchy to Wellington Park is a must. Featuring storybook moss-green rainforests, dramatic boulder rockscapes and views of Hobart you won't believe, this park earns its spot on locals list of favourites.
9. Maydena Bike Park
WHERE: Derwent Valley, TAS 7140
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Hobart
The hype is real.
Gravity-fed and gravity-led, this park has upped the ante again on Tasmania's exploding MTB scene. Developed by local legends Dirt Art, 73+ individual trails make Maydena a must-ride for anyone who loves getting dirty.
From family-friendly scenic rides, wilderness cruises and epic pro-trails, every one of them makes the most of Maydena's unique rainforest location and includes spoonfuls of vertical elevation. Serviced by a fleet of minibuses to get you and your bike back to the summit fast, there's no reason you can't go all day here!
10. Hollybank Reserve
WHERE: 24 Hollybank Rd, Underwood, TAS 7268
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Hadspen
Hollybank MTB Park. Credit: Flow Mountain Bike
While riding up the Juggernaut trail feels like a slow form of torture, its 10km descent is absolutely worth it. Rollers, rock obstacles and breathless drops are here to remind you that you're alive.
Just a short drive north of Launceston, Hollybank Reserve is home to Australia's biggest pump and jump track. Beginners can try out No Sweat, a scenic loop through a slice of the park, while hardcore riders will froth over Ginger Ridge.
Fuel up at Launceston's Harvest Market, where a plate of paella will get you through the day. So. Much. Fun!
11. Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails
WHERE: Derby, TAS 7264
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Hadspen
This is the creme da la creme of mountain biking in Australia.
Offering unparalleled natural beauty and genius trails designed by Glen Jacob and Word Trail, this park surprises and delights everyone who visits. Whatever the secret sauce is, Blue Derby is a gift from the MTB gods.
Situated in the north-eastern corner of Tasmania, there are 24 trails to ride from green to double black. The Atlas and Blue Tier trails are crowd favourites, charming riders with views to the coast, trickling streams and boulder rollercoasters. This park might change your life.
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
12. Kalamunda Mountain Bike Park
WHERE: Paulls Valley, WA 6076
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Swan Valley and Discovery Parks - Perth Airport
This is the place to ride if you're in Western Australia.
A 40-minute drive east of the CBD, the Kalamunda Trail Network offers everything from black diamond downhills and long distance offroading to technical climbs and flowy descents. If you're here in the morning, you might come across a kangaroo or two, and we're sure you'll love the trail names just as much as we do; Loco en el Coco, Muffin Tops, and Rocky Balboa are just a few. Get amongst the fun!
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN QUEENSLAND
13. Toogoom Trails
WHERE: O'Regan Creek Road, Takura, QLD 4655
NEAREST DISCOVERY PARK: Discovery Parks - Fraser St, Hervey Bay
The Toogoom Trails were born from a local love of mountain biking on Queensland's Sunny Coast.
Positioned at the edge of the Vernon State Forest, northwest of Hervey Bay, Toogoom caters to a growing interest in downhill locally. While there are only a few more difficult trails, getting your flow on in nature is an awesome way to workout! So much to love here.
Ready to shred? Book your stay at Discovery Parks for your next MTB adventure!
