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The final 5 years have seen mountain bike based mostly tourism growth in Australia. With regional cities on the lookout for options to defunct industries, the variety of new – and revitalised – MTB path networks has grown exponentially. That is, after all, incredible information for mountain bikers; right this moment’s new trails are constructed to cater for riders of all ages and talent ranges, so regardless of which vacation spot of the various a whole lot in Australia you go to for a journey, your complete household can have an absolute ball. Take a look at a few of our favorite Aussie MTB locations right here, plan that highway journey, and hit the paths!
Alice Springs, NT
Distance: 54.4km Grade: Straightforward to Superior
Hugged tightly towards Alice Springs is an in depth mountain bike path community, radiating from the city’s very edges. The ever-expanding community is split into two sections, Westside and Eastside, with greater than 100km of trails between them.
The central trailhead is on the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, north of city, from the place trails spiral out throughout the desert sands. Three-quarters of the paths are graded Blue (Intermediate), with a few Black (Knowledgeable) runs and a smattering of Greens (Straightforward). There’s a superbly pure really feel to the design of the community, with trails rolling over slabs of rock, dipping by dry creek beds and ascending the low hills that dot the desert.
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The Eastside trails keep pretty near Alice, wriggling out previous the city’s north-eastern facet, and comprise a few of the community’s extra technical options. The Westside trails start throughout the Stuart Freeway, crossing open nation in the direction of John Flynn’s Grave and the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges.
For a full day trip, making the community’s longest loop, set out from the Telegraph Station on Arrwe, linking as much as Apwelantye and Street Practice on the Eastside trails. Beside the Ghan railway, Street Practice meets Hell Line, a part of the Westside trails. The longest path within the community, Hell Line loops out west alongside low hills with large views of the West MacDonnnells and Heavitree Hole, earlier than crossing the Larapinta Path because it turns again east to fulfill Bus or Locomotive trails on its return to Alice’s western edge. A 3km part of the Larapinta Path, between Apwelantye and the Stuart Freeway, can be cycled.
Majura Pines, ACT
Distance: 20km + Grade: Straightforward to Intermediate
The Majura Pines path community is likely one of the ACT’s (and Australia’s) oldest mountain bike networks and one that could be a tick-off merchandise for all riders, from novices to knowledgeable. The community accommodates greater than 20km of signposted trails and it’s a super household using vacation spot because of its well-known Inexperienced Loop (6km) and novices’ space, proper close to the automotive park off Majura Parkway (The Flash and Loopy Crab Stroll are perfect for novices/children and there’s additionally a pump monitor, named Majurassic Park, right here). The Inexperienced Loop consists of trails equivalent to Wombat and Cannery Row with some climbs combined in – and all simply adopted because of the inexperienced arrows.
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The Blue Loop is our decide for one of the best ‘Majura expertise’ for intermediate and knowledgeable riders because it consists of a few of the location’s most well-known trails, equivalent to Planet Claire (a incredible descent within the forest’s southern part), Sleepy Hole and, within the northern half (nearer to the vineyard) , the climb up Mr Squiggle (yep, we love the names, too) and alongside Batcave, earlier than one other enjoyable descent, following Pinot Grinio and Bombora again down earlier than returning south alongside Mata Hari after which on to the junction with the underpass path again to the carpark. There are quite a few different path mixtures for a full day, so you should definitely take a look at the opposite choices when you’re there.
West Coast, TAS
Distance: 60km + Grade: Straightforward to Superior
They name it Tasmania’s wild west coast for a lot of causes. The climate is wild, the surroundings is wild, and the historical past of the world is fairly darn wild too, from penal settlements to environmental protests. Now, you possibly can add wild mountain bike tracks to all that.
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On the very prime of the heap – and Mount Owen, a peak overlooking Queenstown – is a gravity path known as Pure Choice. This path opened in 2021, however some individuals are already claiming it’s Australia’s wildest journey. Steep, rocky, steep, free, uncovered to the weather on the naked mountainside and – did we point out? – steep. It’s the type of path solely consultants want apply to journey and solely then with full-bore enduro or downhill rigs and the entire package deal of protecting gear.
If that doesn’t fairly sound like your scene, don’t fear, you’re not alone. The path community, developed by native MTBers, with the backing of the West Coast Council, and state and federal authorities funding, has one thing for everybody. Most trails are carved out on the flanks of Mount Owen. Usually, the upper you go the tougher it will get. The simpler trails begin proper out of Queenstown, however shuttles are obligatory for the likes of Pure Choice; the journey to the trailhead is a hair-raising expertise.
However the wild west coast additionally encompasses rides nearer to cities like Strahan and Zeehan and embrace rather more family-friendly experiences just like the 1.8km Ocean Seashore Path. As you cruise alongside this easy multi-use journey take into account the following landfall westward is 9600km away in South Africa. It’s wonderful, mind-boggling and totally, sure, wild.
Melrose, SA
Distance: 230m-6.6km Grade: Straightforward to Superior
Scratched into the slopes of Mt Outstanding, the Melrose mountain bike network covers round 100km, break up into three sections: Melrose City Trails, Bartagunyah and Willowie Forest.
The Melrose City Trails type the guts of the community. Leaving from the very centre of city, they set off in all instructions throughout and up the slopes of the mountain. The signature trails are arguably Weaving Camels and Dodging Bullets. The previous is a 1km blue (intermediate) path that rolls alongside the banks of Willochra Creek, set superbly amongst massive river pink gums and functioning as an entry path to the community’s southern finish. Right here, the blue Massive Rhua and a number of black trails coil up the slopes to Wilburs Watch, a ridge-top constructing with intensive views over Melrose and the flat earth effectively past.
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Dodging Bullets is a playful Black run that dips by a concrete pipe and, close to its finish, cuts by the center of a tumbledown farmhouse – what number of possibilities will you ever get to journey by a home?
The City Trails are, by nature, uncovered, with trails hanging over steep drops, with loads of publicity, which means they’re graded larger than they may be on much less precipitous terrain. Willowie Forest, 8km north of city, has good choices for novice riders, particularly on the flowing Twisted Sisters.
Narooma, NSW
Distance: 30km (growing to 90km+ this 12 months) Grade: Straightforward to Intermediate/Superior
The beautiful NSW far south coast city of Narooma is legendary for fishing and its seashores, however is now incomes a deserved fame as a spectacular mountain biking vacation spot, because of its path community situated in Bodalla State Forest. With its mixture of Straightforward and Intermediate trails, this community has one thing for each rider; you possibly can hyperlink any variety of trails, equivalent to Kents, Seven to Two and Re-Group for shorter loops by lush, dense rainforest, with just a few creek crossings thrown in.
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Constructed by the hard-working members of Narooma MTB Club, this already superb community has simply obtained an enormous enlargement of one other 70km or so this 12 months. With names like Shakey Goanna, Aspect Tracked, Snoodle and Python’s Path, there are a great deal of completely different routes and sections you possibly can join to permit hours of using, with each undulating and comparatively flat path sections to select from.
In addition to having fun with the panorama, hold a watch out for the prolific birdlife discovered right here, in addition to reptiles, wallabies and extra. Wanting from above, it’s laborious to consider bike trails might be present in a few of the actually thick rainforest sections – however they’re, and that’s what makes using right here such a pleasure – you’re completely immersed in a wild setting, however nonetheless solely 5 minutes away from the cafes, pubs and seashores of Narooma township for that essential after-ride chill-out.
Flowtown, Falls Creek, VIC
Distance: 5.1km Grade: Straightforward-Superior
Falls Creek is one in all a number of Victorian Alpine resorts which have embraced bicycling as a summer time leisure different to the standard concentrate on winter snowboarding.
The paths (a mixture of straightforward by to superior; the novices’ loop is superior for youths) unfold out from the village like a spider’s net, making out-and-back rides straightforward to navigate. There’s additionally a shuttle service operating within the acceptable months for these disinclined to labour again up the hill. There are actually about 45km of trails dedicated to gravity mountain biking, with one other 40km to return within the subsequent few years. The resort’s star attraction (for the skilled rider) is unquestionably Flowtown, an absolute hoot of a 5.1km descent.
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From the sting of the village to Howmans Hole ticket field, Flowtown incorporates rollercoaster berms, extensive bridges and big rollers, taking riders by snow gum-dotted, rocky landscapes, because it drops 324 metres down by sub-alpine forest earlier than coming into lush inexperienced forests of hardwood and ferns, and crossing quite a few small creeks earlier than the tip.
For a really wonderful longer downhill run, you possibly can hyperlink to Flowtown from a few of Falls Creeks different trails, equivalent to Wishing Effectively or Blackout, each accessed by way of the Aqueduct Path. As soon as on the backside of Flowtown – and when you’ve caught your breath – climb again up by way of Packhorse and, if you wish to (and you’ll), repeat one of many best MTB descents in Australia.
Dwellingup, WA
Distance: 20km + Grade: Straightforward to Intermediate
Typically the vacation spot of college camps, Dwellingup is much sufficient away from Perth to really feel like a vacation however shut sufficient for a day journey. It buzzes with riders on most weekends.
The close by Marrinup Path is at all times a traditional, with new trails being constructed to attach it to the principle avenue. Close by Turner Hill can be a traditional technical singletrack and a favorite on the race circuit. A latest refresh has given it a contemporary lease on life, however the majority of the main target each weekend is the Murray Valley just under the city.
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Previously, this space was a downhill vacation spot, however as soon as the pine plantations have been logged and the outdated trails destroyed, steps have been taken to construct one thing higher for the broader using group. The ensuing trails have a shuttle highway and a community of choices. Crowd favourites embrace Inzamia and Karrakatoa, which have you ever in hyperdrive whooping down the hill. The Munda Biddi Path additionally passes by this community, giving riders of all talents the chance to pattern nice rides.
Yearly in September, the city explodes with path runners and mountain bikers collaborating within the Dwellingup 100, a race which sews collectively a fancy community of singletrack and trails difficult riders to journey as much as 100km within the day. You may camp subsequent to the stream on the base of the paths and the town feels a lot additional away than it truly is.
Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park, QLD
Distance: 54.4km Grade: Straightforward to Superior
Atherton is about an hour inland from the Tropical North Queensland ‘capital’ of Cairns, on the tablelands at a lofty 800 metres above sea degree. Atherton is much less busy (and quite a bit smaller) than Cairns, however with one large cycling-based asset: this city of 7000 is dwelling to one in all Australia’s most sensational path networks – the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park.
Atherton meets all of the ‘profitable mountain bike city’ standards: a fantastic local weather, superior terrain, and the prospect to journey to the path community instantly from city. Certainly, the trailhead (with change rooms and bike-wash services) is correct on the principle avenue, with the hyperlink path out to the community, for straightforward path entry/return.
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The 54.4km path community sprawls over Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve and Herberton Vary State Forest. A lot of the using is ‘move’ path, finest suited to cross-country or path bikes. There’s nothing too technical, though the convenience with which you garner pace needs to be sufficient to maintain you targeted.
You will see that the better trails within the lowlands, whereas intermediate trails cloverleaf off, taking you out into the hills. It’s a wise format that’s excellent for teams of combined talents; in brief, everybody has an superior time using, no matter talent ranges. The official path maps are numbered; highlights embrace the bobsled descent of Path 9 and the epic Path 12, which loops off onto a life-changing descent and a scenic, gradual climb that takes you to the park’s highest level. For shorter loops, climb as much as The Roundabout, and hyperlink up Trails 6 and seven.
Sizzling suggestions! 5 helpful mountain bike upkeep expertise
Listed below are just a few tricks to hold you and your bike rolling over the paths for years to return.
Free providers are one of the best providers: Whenever you purchase your new bike from a biking retailer, they may often give you the primary service totally free. This service is an important one in your bike’s lifecycle, so ensure you take them up on the provide!
Like all piece of mechanical gear, a brand new bike wants a bit of time for bolts to settle in and for cables to stretch a bit. As soon as these things are checked and re-tensioned, your bike will run sweetly for much longer.
Tyres are the ticket: The tyres in your bike are the one factor between you and terra firma, so preserving them on the optimum stress is likely one of the finest – and best – issues you possibly can to do to make your journey extra gratifying. Softer pressures are finest within the dust, and firmer pressures are perfect for hard-packed gravel and tarmac.
Take instruments with you: Ask your native bike store which multi-tool fits your bike finest – and take it with you. Add a spare tube (even when you have tubeless tyres) and a pump to your backpack, and also you’ve received a get-out-of-trouble equipment. Chuck in a $10 word, glueless patches and a spare chain connector and also you’re much more ready. Why the money? It may be used to cowl a big gash in a tyre.
Prepared, set, suspension: Like your tyres, suspension settings are an important a part of each journey. Most bikes are geared up with air-sprung suspension, which can be tweaked to go well with capacity and terrain. Extra pace? Stiffen issues up. Need to eat up bumps? Softer is the answer.
Much less lube, extra typically: Specialist biking lubricant is one of the best product to make use of in your bike’s drivetrain (chain, entrance rings and rear cassette). It’s barely dearer than different choices, however you solely want tiny quantities, and it doesn’t act like a magnet for dust and grit. Purchase as soon as, purchase proper!
And, there’s extra!
You need much more bike using locations? Click here for Aus Geo Adventure’s favourite family bike ride destinations.
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