Mountain Biking Guide Parks and Forests Contents Holiday with your bikes Holiday with your bikes...... 3 Riding can be a part of any Queensland holiday. Hit the trails in the morning, and then spend the rest of the day discovering more Unforgettable riding in nature...... 4 of the state’s authentic and inspiring destinations. Tourism regions of Queensland...... 5 On two wheels...... 6 Only the best Gold Coast ...... 6 Park Rangers, volunteers, clubs, local councils and contractors are at work to create and maintain world-class mountain biking ...... 7 opportunities in Queensland’s parks and forests. Long-term Southern Queensland country...... 7 protection of the environment goes hand in hand with creating great trails for you to enjoy. Sunshine Coast...... 8 Daisy Hill Conservation Park Southern Great Barrier Reef...... 10 Photo: Anna Osetroff Know your limits © Queensland Government Whitsundays and Mackay...... 11 Classification Track description ...... 12 Wide trail with gentle gradient and smooth surface. Tropical North Queensland...... 13 Some obstacles such as roots, logs and rocks. Suitable for Easy Ride responsibly ...... 15 beginner mountain bikers with basic mountain-bike skills and off‑road bikes.

Trail with moderate gradients, variable surface and obstacles. Intermediate May include steep sections. Suitable for skilled mountain bikers

with mountain bikes.

Suitable for experienced mountain bikers, used to physically demanding routes. Navigation and personal survival skills are highly desirable. Difficult Expect large, dangerous and unavoidable obstacles and features. Challenging and variable with long steep climbs or descents and loose surfaces. Some sections will be easier to walk.

Suitable for highly experienced mountain bikers, used to physically demanding routes. Navigation and personal survival skills are highly desirable. Extreme Disclaimer Severe constructed trails and/or natural features—all sections This information is a guide only. Every effort has been made to ensure this information is accurate at the time of writing. Conditions change are challenging. Includes extreme levels of exposure and/or risk. and access and activities may occasionally be prohibited in some places. Expect large and unavoidable obstacles and features. Some sections No liability is accepted by the Queensland Government for any decisions or actions taken on the basis of information in this guide. will be easier to walk. Photos: Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park © Damian Breach Photography (cover); Smithfield Mountain Bike Park © Tourism Tropical North Queensland (background)

2 3 Unforgettable riding in nature Tourism regions of Queensland Ride through world heritage-listed rainforests, tackle trails that challenge world champions, follow valleys and ridges cloaked in sun-dappled forests, or enjoy a leisurely pedal alongside clear creeks and sandy beaches. Legend Gold Coast Southern Great Queensland’s national parks, state forests Barrier Reef Brisbane Mackay and Whitsundays and conservation parks have a striking Southern Townsville collection of mountain biking opportunities. Queensland Country Sunshine Coast Outback Queensland Purpose-built mountain bike parks and Fraser Coast Tropical North shared trails showcase the state’s Queensland diverse landscapes.

From advanced competitors to beginners and families, you will discover trails to Cairns suit your skill level.

Townsville

Airlie Beach

Mackay

Rockhampton Longreach Gladstone

Bundaberg

Hervey Bay

Noosa

Brisbane Toowoomba Scale 0 200 400km Surfers Paradise South Molle Island, Whitsunday Trails. Trails. Whitsunday Island, Molle South Government © Queensland Coquard Maxime Photo: 4 5 On two wheels Brisbane Here’s a taste of what Queensland’s parks and forests Just beyond Queensland’s vibrant capital city, a natural world of riding have to offer. adventure beckons. For the latest trail information, maps, grades, distances, riding times and other details, visit qld.gov.au/nationalparks Bunyaville Conservation Park Samford Conservation Park

Enjoy a ride through this peaceful bushland retreat, only 15km from Just a hop, skip and a jump from the the city centre, on a multitude of city centre, this network of trails, flow interwoven roads and trails that cross track and kids’ track has something for undulating landscapes. No matter your everyone. Pack a picnic and spend cycling ability, there’s an experience to the day! suit every skill level.

Before hitting the trails, settle in with a few laps of the Lomandra warm-up area. You can’t beat the gently undulating landscape for a cross-country ride. Many other parks and forests on Brisbane’s Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park. Park. Bike Mountain Forest Atherton Government © Queensland Coquard Maxime Photo: doorstep welcome mountain bike touring. Check out the roads and shared trails in Daisy Hill Conservation Park Gold Coast and D’Aguilar and Bellthorpe national parks, Moggill Conservation Park, and Glen Rock Famous for fun, the Gold Coast Nerang State Forest Take the family on a ride through this and Jimna state forests. provides a remarkable selection park that is home to one of ’s Glossy black-cockatoos and sleepy of trails in this outstanding part most significant regional koala koalas are trail-side spectators along Southern of Queensland. populations. Stop and look for koalas these shared and single trails that along the way. Queensland Country feature fast corners, technical features and creek crossings. Some of Queensland’s most accessible parks are within a short drive of Brisbane and the major regional city of Toowoomba. Experienced riders will love the black Extend your ride by joining the diamond trails built especially for the network of family-friendly trails Roads and trails within Yarraman and GC2018 Commonwealth Games. in the surrounding reserves. Benarkin state forests offer a range of riding experiences.

6 7 Parklands Conservation Park Eumundi Conservation Park

The unofficial centre of mountain biking More than 15km of wide shared trails on the Sunshine Coast, these trails snake through a medley of forest types dip into palm-lined gullies and wind in an area with a rich timber-harvesting their way through eucalypt forests and history. subtropical rainforest, in the shadow of Radar Hill.

Stop for a break at the dam and old Marvel at the change in forest types— cattle yards on the Blackbutt Trail. from woodlands to sub-tropical rainforest and lush palm forests.

Ewen Maddock Mountain Bike Trail Mapleton National Park Beerwah State Forest

Explore the northern end of the Blackall Capture some quality family time Range on the shared trails that wind exploring the towering blackbutt Eumundi Regional Park. Park. Regional Eumundi volunteer Naumann, QPWS © Ross Photo: through this park. Climb mountains, forests, lush gullies of ferns and cross creeks, rest at waterfalls and elegant melaleuca wetlands along marvel at rocky outcrops and endless this 12km trail. Sunshine Coast National Park views. Choose from a network of signed Balmy weather, incredible natural and graded trails, or pack your gear for a wonders and riding adventures A kaleidoscope of dramatic scenery day of exploring the rougher roads and Stop along the way to take family abound in this refreshing slice and tricky trail features greets riders on fire trails. shots with glistening Ewen Maddock of the Queensland coast. these trails, where Mount Tinbeerwah Dam in the background. dominates the skyline, a reminder of the area’s ancient volcanic history. Stop to catch your breath in the Riding in the isn’t towering stands of blackbutt trees. limited to just these parks. Conondale, SHHHHHH Dularcha, Tuchekoi and Woondum national Keep an eye out for the amazing mossy parks, and Amamoor, Beerburrum and groundcover on the Secrets Trail. Imbil state forests also offer opportunities for exploring the area on two wheels.

8 9 Southern Great Barrier Reef Whitsundays and Mackay (Gladstone, Bundaberg and Capricorn regions) National parks and state forests full of hidden riding treasures, and the chance to explore one of the Whitsundays’ island wonders, draw riders here from all Ride through colourful parks, alive with wildlife and cultural experiences, over the world. which will capture your heart and stimulate your imagination. South Molle Island, Conway Circuit, Whitsunday Trails Whitsunday Trails Promisedland Mountain Bike Trails First Turkey Mountain Bike Reserve Molle Islands National Park Cordalba State Forest Mount Archer National Park

For a coastal escape, mix it up on the Escape the mainland for white sandy Riders of all abilities can escape the city Rockhampton’s home of mountain Conway Circuit by sampling sections or beaches, azure water and scenic coastal bustle and hit these roads and trails. biking is nestled in the German Street tackling the whole 27.1km. Forest-framed and reef views. The four trails of South Climb rugged hills, cross rocky gullies Bushland, beside Mount Archer glimpses of the Whitsunday coast and Molle Island pass through grasslands and and creeks, and rest in the shade of National Park. Explore the network of islands reward experienced riders. forests, to an ancient Aboriginal stone towering forests. trails winding through the national park. quarry and spectacular island summits.

Develop skills and gain confidence See rockhampton.qld.gov.au for info on After your ride cool down in the on the Joey Trail. all the other trails in the council park. lagoon at Airlie Beach. See humpback whales from the lookouts during their migration (June–November). Also try the sun-dappled roads in Coominglah Mount Rooper Shared Trail Toogoom Mountain Bike Trails and Byfield state forests, beneath towering Conway National Park Vernon State Forest plantations and forests. For more adventures in this part of Climb through fragrant woodlands Queensland, ride the fire trails and roads to lookouts over impressive views of throughout Cathu and Crediton state forests There’s something for everyone on , Conway Range and the and Eungella and Homevale national parks. this 13km network of undulating trails Whitsunday passage and islands. through fragrant woodlands and forests.

If you’ve got what it takes, try out If the grasstrees are flowering, stop to see the difficult skills park area. what insects are feeding on their nectar.

Promisedland South Molle Island, Mountain Bike Trails. Whitsunday Trails. Photo: © John Gatley Photo: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government

10 11 Tropical North Queensland Adventurous by nature, this unspoilt portion of the state hosts a range of purpose-built mountain bike trails, making it a world-class mountain biking destination.

Smithfield Mountain Bike Park Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park Smithfield Conservation Park Herberton State Forest and Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve Clad in coastal rainforest and offering

Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park. Park. Conservation Pallarenda Cape © Qld Govt Fiona O’Grady Photo: views of the Great Barrier Reef and Criss-crossing the lower slopes of the the Coral Sea from its highest point, Herberton Range, more than 50km of this park has a variety of trails to single trail dip into rocky gullies and Townsville North Queensland suit beginners, families, advanced clear creeks, climb forest-clad valleys Wheel your way through a region studded with outback and coastal competitors and everyone in between. and ridgelines and offer awe-inspiring natural wonders and a range of riding opportunities. views of the surrounding landscape.

Cape Pallarenda Trails Cape Pallarenda and Townsville Get your thrills riding the same trails as Town Common conservation parks the competitors in the World Cup and Championships! For expansive views and a flowing Winding around headlands scattered gravity ride back to the valley floor, head straight for Trail 6. with World War II relics, more than 10km Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park of shared trails cross the northern and Dinden State Forest and Dinden western slopes of Many Peaks Range, Cape Pallarenda West Forest Reserve pausing at sandy beaches with views of Conservation Park. Photo: Fiona O’Grady © Queensland Government coastal islands and the Coral Sea. Navigate six, gently flowing, single trails Outback Queensland that wind along the rain-shadowed slopes of the Lamb Range. Quintessentially Australian, Look for brolgas and other Queensland’s outback teems with waterbirds at Freshwater Lagoon. ancient history, interwoven cultures and unique natural landscapes. The highest point of the network is on Heading inland, the roads and fire trails in Slow down, take your time and explore the Trail 3 where there are sweeping views outback by bike in Moorrinya, Lochern and to the north and west. White Mountains, Dalrymple and Blackwood Smithfield national parks also offer exciting mountain Blackbraes national parks. Conservation Park Photo: © Tourism Tropical North Queensland biking experiences.

12 13 Misty Mountains Wilderness Tracks Musgravea Track Djiru National Park Ride responsibly • Riding is only allowed in certain places, Explore a network of trails through lush Ride safely in some parks and forests. Check rainforest, along crystal-clear creeks Follow an old forestry trail deep into • Wear the right safety gear, know the before you ride. and overlooking thundering waterfalls world heritage-listed rainforest. The trail trail grades and be realistic about and panoramic views. was originally used in the ‘60s and ‘70s • Don’t skid and slide around turns and your abilities. to haul timber from South Mission Beach down slopes—it tears up the trail and • Trails are for everyone. Be aware to the mill in El Arish. you can collide with others. of other riders, walkers, horses, • Help to keep trails open and in good cattle, wildlife, vehicles and logging condition by not riding during or right trucks, and give way Stop for a swim and a bite to eat beside beautiful Downey Creek after rain. where you should. on the Gorrell trail. You’re more than likely to • Heed all closure, access and safety share the trail with endangered information and signs. southern cassowaries! Grab your bike and head to other trails in this adventure-filled region on Black Mountain Road, Twin Bridges Trail and the Bump Track in Kuranda and Mowbray national parks; and the Goldfield Trail inWooroonooran Djiru National Park (below); D’Aguilar National Park (right). National Park. Photos: © Tourism and Events Queensland (below); Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government (right)

14 15 Further information For the latest access and trail details in Queensland’s parks and forests

qld.gov.au/nationalparks

qld.gov.au/park-alerts

Connect with Queensland National Parks

qldnationalparks

@QldParks; #QldParks

©State of Queensland 2018. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Science. BP2080 February 2018. Printed on eco-friendly paper to save energy and resources.