Challenge yourself on Queensland's best mountain bike trails and MTB events this year

Sunshine Coast MTB Festival: TBC April 2025

Where: Landsborough, Sunshine Coast

Whether you’re a hardcore mountain biker, a novice, or just looking for an excuse to try something different on the Sunshine Coast, this MTB festival is for you. Hosted in partnership with Trail Run Australia, the course flows through the enchanting Beerwah State Forest to the banks of Ewen Maddock Dam. There are challenging 47.5km or 28.5km races, or going hard in the 9.5km sprint. 

Crankworx Cairns: 21 - 25 May 2025

Where: Smithfield, Cairns

The world’s largest mountain bike festival is coming to Cairns as part of the Crankworx World Tour - the only place to ride a mountain bike between the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics. Running across five days, expect an array of events such as Speed & Style challenges where athletes set out to out-race their opponent in a head-to-head format, or Slopestyle where the world's best mountain bikers bring their A-game as they soar above the crowds.

Paluma Push: 12 July 2025

Where: Paluma, Townsville

Cure your winter blues and race into Townsville’s iconic MTB event: Paluma Push. Starting in Paluma Village, you’ll hurtle through the lush Wet Tropics rainforest, past Paluma Dam, and deep into cattle country before crossing the finish line in historic Hidden Valley, where a festival atmosphere awaits. Tackle technical single tracks, old 4WD tracks, plenty of climbs and lots of racing downhill terrain across the 70km competition route (there’s also a 53km intermediate and 42km recreational course, along with a dedicated option for e-bikes). Whether you’re after a PB or a good time, you’ll find it here.

Noosa Enduro: 5 - 6 July 2025

Where: Noosa, Sunshine Coast

In 2024 the iconic Noosa Enduro (the Sunshine Coast’s premier gravel and mountain biking festival) returns with five courses over one big day.

Taking in some of Noosa’s most spectacular off-road real estate, riders will be guided along the vast Noosa Trail Network following the stunning trails, tracks, mountains, and tablelands tackling some of the Coast’s most difficult terrain. The event has something for all abilities.

Ona Mission Multisport Adventure: 14 September 2025

Where: South Mission Beach, Cassowary Coast

Test your limits on the Ona Mission Multisport Adventure course, set amongst two World Heritage areas around Mission Beach. You’ll have to bring more than your MTB skills to this race, which includes a paddle to Dunk Island in the Great Barrier Reef, a rainforest run to the Dunk Island lookout, a mountain bike stage along spectacular Mission Beach and through the rainforest, with a beach run to the finish.

Mountain biking trails to ride in Queensland

From the rugged mountain ranges of Queensland’s south to the reef and rainforest of the tropical north, our mountain bike trails offer an unbeatable brush with nature in the state's most spectacular spots. Here’s a few of our favourites.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef MTB trails

Grab your downhill, cross-country, road bike, and pretty much anything else with wheels and get to Cairns. Not only is Smithfield Mountain Biking Park the highest profile trail system in the world, it’s also just the tip of the iceberg. There are countless incredible mountain bike trails across Cairns to discover from beginner to expert skill levels, including Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park, Mareeba’s Davies Creek Trail Network and the infamous Bump Track in Port Douglas, which winds through ancient forest, waterfalls and ends with a ride along Four Mile Beach.

Further south on the Cassowary Coast, deep in the rainforest inland from Mission Beach, there’s a hidden trail you need to discover: Mena Creek. To get here, take the Silkwood-Japoon Rd turnoff from the Bruce Highway, it will turn into the Innisfail-Japoon Rd and then turn left down Mena Creek Rd. Eventually, it will turn into the Gorrell Track, an old fire service road that leads to a spectacular 24km bike ride. If you're in this neck of the woods, be sure to take a spin along the sand at Mission Beach or follow the multi-use Musgravea Track through Djiru National Park - where if you're lucky you might spot a cassowary. 

South East Queensland MTB trails

Based in Brisbane? You’ll find fantastic trails at Gap Creek in Mount Coot-Tha, Iron Bark Gully, Bunyaville, Daisy Hill and Bayview Conservation Park – to name a few. But if you want a purely downhill ride, head to Hennessey Hill in the Glass House Mountains: it’s a full speed, rocky adventure with jumps and fast turns.

For a huge day of adventure on over 100km of trails, head to Hidden Vale Adventure Park. Here you’ll find different loop tracks ranging from 10-40km, so you can choose what suits your skill level.

To venture further afield, check out this comprehensive guide. Challenge yourself on 30km of rugged escarpment and cross-country trails at Toowoomba’s Jubilee Park; hit the granite trails of Mt Marlay near Stanthorpe; or get technical at Mt Joyce Recreation Escape Park in Beaudesert – trail features here were designed with the help of MTB legend Nathan Rennie.

Just when you thought the Gold Coast had it all, it sneaks up and gives you some excellent cross-country mountain biking trails courtesy of Mount Tamborine. The “Old Tambo” trail is best for intermediate riders and is the perfect way to familiarise yourself with how beautiful the Gold Coast Hinterland can be. To get here just head to the top of Mount Tamborine at the end of Wongawallan Road.

If you want more Gold Coast MTB action, try Nerang (just make sure you bring a map, this place is huge), Hinze Dam (cross-country riding for all skills levels) and Illinbah. Illinbah is on private property and you’ll need to get in touch with the Gold Coast Mountain Biking Club to find out when they’re heading out for a scheduled ride. If you can make it, you’ll get onto one of the most advanced tracks in Australia. 

On the Sunshine Coast there’s loads of two-wheel action to be had for all skill levels. Beginners should check out Ferny Forest with gap jumps and rock gardens, perfect for honing your skills. Sugar Bag Road in Caloundra will see you riding through dense bushland, on trails named Willy Wonka, Sweet Sugar and Syrup packed with over 60 wooden features to score some serious air on.

For tight turns and flow trails, head to Tewantin National Park on the edge of Noosa or soak up the serenity of nature in Mapleton National Park in the hinterland. Want the best of both worlds? Parklands Conservation Park is your nirvana – and is set to be the home of mountain biking for the 2032 Olympics.