Mountain Bike rides
We've listed a few places where you can go mountain biking. For more ride ideas pick up a copy of "Off-road Cycling Adventures" available through Bicycle Victoria. Also see links at the right of this page for mountain bike organisations.
Forrest Mountain Bike Trails – Otway Ranges, Victoria
A network of over 50km of sustainable, cross-country mountain bike trails in the picturesque Otway Ranges near the small township of Forrest.
The trails showcase the natural beauty of the Otway Ranges, passing through tall Eucalypt forests, dry heathy scrub and dense fern gullies. Designed and built with real mountain bikers in mind, the trails offer experiences that will put a smile on the face of the most hardcore dirt fanatics.
The majority of the trails are purpose-built for mountain bikers, but there a small number of shared-use trails for walkers and mountain bikers. All trails are rated according to the International Mountain Biking Association trail classification system, with trails available for all ability levels. Most trails are designed to be ridden in one direction only.
The trails are clustered in three distinct areas: Yaugher Forest to the north, in and around Forrest, and Lake Elizabeth to the south-east.
Internationally recognised trail builder Glen Jacobs prepared the initial concept plan and has been involved in designing and building several of the trails. With input from Glen and the broader mountain bike community, the project team has succeeded in creating trails that challenge and excite and offer that most intangible quality of mountain bike singletrack – flow!
Maps are available from Bicycle Victoria, Melbourne metropolitan bike shops and the Department of Primary Industries in Colac (cnr Queen & Murray Streets, Colac)
Kinglake National Park
Offers some spectacular landscapes and some great mountain biking north east of Melbourne.
See the links to the info sheets, maps and photos at right of page for some great rides in Kinglake. The Kinglake/ Steels Ck loop notes was published in August 2002 edition of BVnews and the Andrew Hills Loop and Island Creek loop were published in April 2002 edition.
Remember to respect the Park: keep to formed tracks, leave no trace and give way to other trail users. Responsible trail use mean continued trail access.
Granton, Narbethong and King Lake
These are popular choices for doing mountain bike runs. There is usually a crew at one of those places each weekend.
You Yangs
Parks Victoria has set aside specific MTB areas with an extensive single wheel track network, developed by riders for riders with the environment in mind. For a copy of the park notes see link (right).
Dandenong Ranges National Park
See link (right) for a guide for Mountain Bike use in the park
Lysterfield Lake and Churchill Park
Lysterfield Lake and Churchill Park offer a range of rides for varying skill levels and was the site for the mountain biking event for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. See link at right for the trails.
Great Dividing Trail
Although the trail is designed for walkers only, it has been noted that a considerable and increasing number of mountain bike riders are using the GDT. Some sections of the trail, particularly on the specially constructed steeper and narrower paths including water races, are not suitable for cyclists.
This walking trail is made up of 4 sections -
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The Lerderberg Track (Bacchus Marsh to Daylesford: 71km)
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Federation Track (Ballarat to Daylesford: 72km)
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Dry Diggings Track (Daylesford to Castlemaine: 57km)
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Leanganook Track (Castlemaine to Bendigo: 58km).
Trail management are commited to making the Trail mountain bike friendly but sections are closed for mountain biking. Please refer to the
Great Dividing Trail websitefor the latest developments.
Tasmanian Trail
The Tasmanian Trail runs from Devonport in the north to Dover in the south, a 480km journey. It's possible to do it in sections. For full details get a copy of Tasmanian Trail Guide Book available from outdoor shops or phone (03) 6289 1126 to order a copy through the post.
Bicentennial National Trail
A 5,330km route through Australian bush, wilderness and mountain areas starting in Healesville, Victoria and finishing in Cooktown, Queensland. Guidebooks are available and recommended for navigating the trail.
For more visit the Bicentennial National Trail website (link at right) or send an email
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