Jump on your bike for these epic cycling and mountain biking experiences across Queensland

From riverfront cycle ways to trails through World Heritage-listed rainforest, jumping on a bike in Queensland is one of the best ways to explore our awe-inspiring nature and vibrant towns.  

Whether you’re renting bikes to ride through our neighbourhoods, gearing up for a scenic tour, testing your limits in a cycling event, or coasting down our golden beaches, there's always something to discover on two wheels.

But if you’re after something a little more epic than a casual ride, these cycling and mountain biking experiences in Queensland are sure to get your heart – and wheels – racing.

Ride Commonwealth Games tracks on the Gold Coast

Channel your inner elite athlete on one of the three black diamond trails at Nerang Mountain Bike Trails, which were built to test the strongest riders in the world for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The park boasts 20 km of designated mountain bike track through dry rainforest and open eucalypt forests. With a wide network of fire trails that off-shoot into single track terrain, there’s something for beginner and intermediate riders as well as those looking for a more technical challenge.

Spend the morning tearing it up, then head to the nearby sands of Surfers Paradise to cool off at the beach or one of these waterside hotspots.

Pop into Just Ride Nerang for bike hire or to join a social ride.

Go off road in The Whitsundays

Looking for a unique adventure among the nearly unbelievable blue beauty of The Whitsundays? Steer your own path through the rolling green hills of South Molle Island – the only mountain bike trail in the Whitsunday Islands National Park - and you’ll be treated to iconic coastal views at every turn.

Bike and Hike Whitsunday offers a seamless experience with small group MTB tours, including boat transfer from Airlie Beach. The trail is fairly easy and beginner friendly, so you can truly take in the surrounds with time to stop and wander through interesting cultural sites and lookouts too. 

Chopper into Hidden Vale Adventure Park

This Queensland mountain biking experience takes ‘dropping in’ on a trail to the next level.

Before hopping on your bike, hop into a heli with Brisbane-based Elite Helicopters. Soaring over the Scenic Rim, you’ll soon arrive at Brisbane's mountain biking mecca: Hidden Vale Adventure Park. Located on Spicers Hidden Vale, you can spend the day exploring some of the 110km of tracks that wind through the mountainside, with rides for all skill levels.

Elite Helicopter’s Adventure Tour package includes helicopter transfer, e-bike hire, three-hours of mountain biking at Hidden Vale Adventure Park.

Once you’ve got a taste, there’s plenty of MTB action to discover around here.

Explore the ancient Wet Tropics by e-bike

Discover hidden corners of Townsville’s lush Paluma Range National Park on an adventure that’ll raise your heart rate among UNESCO World Heritage landscapes.

NQ Cycle Journeys offers bike hire, self-guided and guided tours across the Townsville region, but it’s the e-bike tour of Paluma’s Wet Tropics that’s a hit with nature lovers. For four hours, you and a small group will ride around 20 km, immersed in the rainforest, stopping at lookouts and waterfalls, learning the area’s history, bird and wildlife spotting, and even hopping off the bikes for a short hike to a swimming hole where you can cool off in the refreshing mountain water.

Cross the Cape

Up for a mighty adventure? Embrace the warmth, endless blue skies and unique wildlife of our tropical north on a cycling journey to remember for a lifetime.

Over 11 action-packed days, you’ll cycle from the coast into the rainforest, savannah, and winding rivers as you cross Australia’s iconic Cape York. Starting in Cairns and ending in Karumba, Mulga Bicycle Tours carefully plans each leg so you don’t need to be an IRONMAN to cross the finish line. Along the way, you’ll have comfortable accommodation, delicious food and wine, fascinating tours to Queensland’s hidden gems, and guides to support you and your small group of comrades along the way. 

Or, explore the remote north's endless off-road real estate with Cape York Mountain Bike Adventures. Pedal through ancient rainforests, cattle country and rugged terrain on specially-designed small group adventures - which includes five days of once-in-a-lifetime riding along the infamous Frenchman & Telegraph Tracks. On your final day, swap bikes for boat and cruise to the Torres Strait to experience Queensland's unique Indigenous island culture. The epic journey is led by locals who have lived, worked, ridden and explored Cape York over the past 30 years - so you're in expert hands. 

Ride Australia’s longest rail trail

Take a scenic ride along Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and you’ll get a workout while exploring historic villages and countryside. Running 161km from Ipswich to Yarraman, choose to tackle a section of the trail in one day, or do the whole thing on a multi-day ride – it’ll give you the chance to see it all, and sink into charming towns and country pubs along the way.

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Cycles can take care of bike and gear hire. Start planning here. 

Tackle world-class trails in our tropics

Smithfield Track is infamous for good reason. Located 20 minutes’ drive from Cairns, Australia’s oldest mountain bike park is the brainchild of world-renowned mountain bike trail designer and Cycling Australia Hall of Fame inductee, Glen Jacobs, who has created hundreds of tracks across the world.

It’s also been the home of major events like UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, the UCI World Mountain Bike Championships, and now Crankworx Cairns. 

With more than 60km of trails ranging from easy to advanced, you can twist through spectacular vine-clad jungle, over clear-flowing streams and along jagged ridges that overlook the Great Barrier Reef.

The best way to make the most out of this trail network is to book a tour with an experienced guide from Biked Palm Cove. The four-hour tour includes hire of your bike, helmet, hydration backpack, gloves and plenty of adrenaline pumping action at the Smithfield Track.

While you’re here, check out these incredible mountain biking experiences in Cairns, and if you have an adventurous streak, add canyoning or white water rafting to your trip. 

Celebrate and participate at Brisbane Cycling Festival

Brisbane Cycling Festival is rolls into the River City each year, with competitions for elite athletes alongside opportunities for those who ride just for fun. 

There are over 50 events hosted across the festival, from the Tour de Brisbane that encompasses some of the city’s biggest landmarks to a free community fun ride. So whether you’re donning the lycra or just after a relaxed spin with the kids, there’s something for you.

Try these road bike rides in Brisbane to get ready.

Test your limits at Paluma Push

Festival atmosphere meets mountain bike racing at Townsville’s Paluma Push. Ride through Wet Tropics rainforest, cattle country and forest to forge streams, tackle old 4WD tracks and technical single tracks that’ll push you to the limit.

There’s a range of courses to suit varying abilities and distances (42km – 100km) and it all ends with a huge party with live music, food trucks and more.

Save the date: 15 - 16 July 2023.

Bike and beach on the Gold Coast

Avid cyclists on the Gold Coast typically head for the hinterland, with road bike routes winding their way through Currumbin Valley, Mount Tamborine and more. But stick to the coast and you’ll see the Gold Coast’s iconic beaches from your bike, with one of the most popular routes stretching all the way from The Spit to Currumbin.

Be sure to park up at Miami’s favourite Piccolo Espresso. Café owner Robbie McEwen also happens to be a three-time Tour de France green jersey winner – and that’s inspiration enough to get to your finish line.

If you’ve got the kids in tow, try a relaxed spin along Burleigh Heads Walking Track or head north to ride between Main Beach and The Spit.

Ready to get in on the action? Mark your calendar with these cycling and mountain biking events.