Heart racing places to go mountain biking in and around Cairns

New to mountain biking? Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park is the perfect track for beginners to practice their skills while exploring the Herberton Range State Forest and taking in the many beautiful lakes and waterfalls.

Dipping into gullies and creeks and rising to the ridge lines of the surrounding hills, there are currently over 50 kilometres of off-road single track trails to explore ranging in length from 0.9 to 10.5 kilometres with a mix of easy and intermediate ratings. There’s a skills area where beginners can master mountain biking basics, while experts can also get in on the action thanks to some optional black grade expert tracks.

Getting there: The bike park is easily accessible from the centre of Atherton. Enter the park by the Atherton Trailhead and Skills Park at 1 Vernon Street Atherton or the Herberton Range State Forest Trailhead, Rifle Range Road, Atherton.

Gear or tours: Off Camber offers mountain bike tours, skills clinics and coaching in the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park and Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park.

Want more adventure? Cool off while discovering the best spots along the waterfall circuit.

Davies Creek Trail Network, Mareeba

A wilderness experience that’s hard to beat, the Davies Creek Trail Network offers a remarkable ride for beginner to intermediate mountain bikers - and is an unforgettable day trip while you're up north.

Located 40 minutes from Cairns and 13 kilometres from Mareeba, these trails are fast and flowing and allow you to enjoy the surrounding waterfalls and rainforest-cloaked ranges. Pedal seven tracks ranging from 1.7 to 10.6 kilometres spread throughout the park. With a few tough climbs to negotiate, cool off with a dip in Davies Creek or have a rest at the nearby camping grounds.

Getting there: Find the Davies Creek Trail Network on Davies Creek Road, which can be accessed from the Kennedy Highway, approximately 13 kilometres from Mareeba.

Gear or tours: Off Camber offers mountain bike tours, skills clinics and coaching in the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park and Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park.

Want more adventure? Head south to set up camp at Lake Tinaroo, then explore the walking trails and cool waters waiting at Crater Lakes National Park.

Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, Cairns

Beginner or pro, a thrill-seeker or Sunday rider, Smithfield Mountain Bike Trail Park has something for every ability. This is not only Australia's oldest MTB park and one of the best spots for mountain biking in Cairns, but is hailed by mountain bikers as the highest profile rainforest trail system in the world. It's hosted some of the biggest events in the world, like the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and recent Crankworx Cairns. 

The riding meets the reputation, and then some. Explore over 60km of green, blue and black trails that feel seamlessly sculpted into the rainforest - twisting through jungle, forging creeks, and climbing to ridgelines that overlook the spectacular Cairns coastline. 

Getting there: Smithfield Mountain Bike Trail Park is 20 minutes’ drive from Cairns Airport on McGregor Road, Smithfield.

Gear or tours: Biked Tours is your ticket to Smithfield, with half day tours that’ll show you the best trails to suit your skill level or bike hire/rack hire if you prefer to DIY. Just after bike hire? Discovery Cycles in Smithfield has high-quality mountain bike rentals.

Want more adventure? Continue your high-intensity exploration through Cairns with this itinerary. 

The Bump Track, Port Douglas

Starting in the Port Douglas hinterland, this infamous trail delivers an unforgettable adventure through ancient forests, past serene waterfalls and finishes with a ride along the iconic Four Mile Beach.

Originally carved out by gold miners, the historic track was once the only road out of Port Douglas, and is now a popular and challenging mountain biking favourite offering one of the biggest downhill rides in the region. In fact, the Bump Track is so well known for its thrills and stunning views it’s the last leg of Queensland endurance race, Reef to Reef.

Known for it’s truly epic scenery, the Reef to Reef mountain bike race starts from Weatherby Station (a 140-year-old property at Mount Molloy), before hurtling down the western edge of the Great Dividing Range, through rainforest, cane fields and finishing on Port Douglas’ famed Four Mile Beach. 

Getting there: The bottom of the Bump Track can be accessed from Captain Cook Highway (turn off the Captain Cook Highway onto the Mowbray River Road a few kilometres south of Port Douglas, cross the river and then take the right hand fork onto Connelly Road, and the Bump Track starts on your left 3.5 kilometres from the highway) and the top of the track from Julatten (turn off onto the Euluma Creek Road from Julatten, then take the turn off down Black Mountain Road where you will find the top of the Bump Track 5.5 kilometres along the road).

Gear or tours: Bike Shop and Hire Port Douglas is your go-to for rentals, including hard tail, dual suspension and e-bikes. They’ll set you up with everything you need including detailed maps, emergency gear, shuttles, and local knowledge to make sure you have an epic day out. You can also join a multi-day MTB tour for the adventure of a lifetime. Palm Cove based Biked Tours offers full day tours along the Bump Track with transfers included.  

Want more adventure? Discover the best things to do around Port Douglas and the ancient Daintree rainforest while you’re here. 

Misty Mountains Wilderness Tracks

Ready for a rugged adventure? Leave the bike parks behind and make your way into the pure wild of Atherton Tableland’s high altitude UNESCO World Heritage rainforest. Here, crystal clear creeks, rushing waterfalls and panoramic views are yours to discover along a 130 km network of wilderness tracks.

The Misty Mountain wilderness tracks are intended for 4WD-ers, hikers and mountain bikers with advanced technical and navigation skills, and winds through remote locations between Millstream, Ravenshoe and Tully. Mountain biking is restricted to specific shared tracks, with ten tracks open to MTB and 6 open to e-bike.

Those camping overnight must obtain a permit before visiting. Find more information here.

Musgravea Track, Djiru National Park

Are the golden sands of Mission Beach calling your name? This relaxed coastal destination might be one of the closest jump off points to explore the Great Barrier Reef, but don’t miss the opportunity to jump on a bike to explore further afield. The region is known for its bike-able beaches, but hikers and mountain bikers should traverse the Musgravea Track, too.

Nestled into Djiru National Park, it’s more of a family-friendly forest road than a technical challenge, surrounded by a luscious canopy of licuala palms and Wet Tropics rainforest – that’s exactly what you need. Breathe deeply, take it all in, and be sure to park the bike and take the short hike to Lacey Creek for a refreshing dip. 

Getting there: The track heads north from the car park at the Licuala day-use area and exits on to the El Arish–Mission Beach road about 2km east of the Lacey Creek day-use area. It can be completed as a one-way or return ride.

Gear or tours: Mission Beach Bike Hire will gear you up, provide maps and local knowledge, and will even drop your rental bikes at your Mission Beach accommodation if preferred. 

Want more adventure? From diving the reef to skydiving or whitewater rafting, spend a few days in Mission Beach to try it all. 

Paluma to Hidden Valley and the Cassowary Coast

Albeit not quite a local track, no guide to mountain biking Cairns would be compete without mentioning the beauty that lies in Paluma.

Experienced riders can hurtle through World Heritage rainforest on the Paluma to Hidden Valley trail, about four hours south of Cairns. Home to the annual Paluma Push mountain bike adventure, the trail winds through cattle country, past Paluma Dam and finishes in the historic Hidden Valley.

Getting there: The ride starts from the Paluma Village, four hours drive south of Cairns.

Gear or tours: Let the locals lead the way through Paluma's magic on a half-day e-bike tour with NQ Cycle Journeys, where you'll be immersed in rainforest beauty and take breaks to dip in natural swimming holes. 

Want more adventure? Once you're done riding, road trip your way through Townsville's most wild waterfalls. 

Still looking for more adventure? Here are more things to do near Cairns.