Where to go mountain biking in Southern Queensland

It’s not all vineyards, charming towns and quiet escapes in Queensland Country. Out here, spectacular granite mountains, national parks and rugged ranges have become a giant playground, home to an extensive network of mountain biking trails catering to off-road thrill seekers of all levels.

While there’s plenty of mountain biking to discover up north around Cairns, next time you’re looking for a new adventure, why not steer south instead? Jump on a tour, take the quiet roads through wine country or hit purpose-built trails at your own pace; here’s where to go mountain biking in Southern Queensland.

Ready? Let’s ride.

Best mountain biking in Queensland Country

Jubilee Park, Toowoomba

Mountain bikers can challenge themselves on escarpment or cross-country mountain bike trails across Toowoomba. But nowhere has built a bigger fan base than Jubilee Park, which features over 28km of single track as well as mixed use trails, ranging from easy green to double black. Thanks to the hard work of Toowoomba Mountain Biking Club, there’s plenty of features like tabletops, jumps and berms, with B lines for beginners.

Here for the first time? Take the Defibrillator Loop Trail which winds its way through the park, offering chance encounters with echidnas and koalas along the way. Consider yourself experienced? The double black diamond Mackenzie Frenzy is yours to conquer.

Elsewhere around Toowoomba, riders can hit the multi-use shared trails at Federation Park, Picnic Point Parklands and Middle Ridge, or get technical at Stenner Street Skills Park which offers terrain for all levels including jump tracks.  

Need to hire a bike? Head into Bikeline Toowoomba for the best range.

Hungry after the ride? Discover the best cafes in Toowoomba then stretch tired legs at one of the local gardens. 

McEuen State Forest, South Burnett

If you’re exploring the South Burnett region, add McEuen State Forest to your itinerary in between mouthfuls of local food and wine. Trails are maintained by South Burnett Mountain Bike Club and the Trail Care Crew, and offer a mix of natural and machine built terrain. Hammer down blue runs like Cannonball, Downpipe and The Giant, or explore the easier tracks that are part of the South Burnett Rail Trail, which stretches nearly 30 kilometres.

Mt Marlay Trail Network, Stanthorpe

The region is known for its striking granite monoliths, so hit the challenging granite mountain bike trails of Mt Marlay. Just north-east of Stanthorpe, it’s a stone’s throw from the main street’s cafes - perfect to fuel up before you go.

Here you’ll find trails to match all skill levels, with two beginner runs (Rusty Trail and Green Granite Loop), a few intermediate and black diamond tracks too. There’s even a little art too, with an installation by a local artist on Tank Slapper thanks to the Regional Arts Development Fund.

Stay a while in Stanthorpe to discover fire trails popular with local mountain bikers at Passchendaele State Forest and Broadwater State Forest.

Mt Joyce Recreation Escape Park, Beaudesert

Make tracks to Mt Joyce Recreation Escape Park to challenge yourself on more rocky, technical trails.

Opened in 2011, Mt Joyce sits beside Lake Wyaralong, 85km south west of Brisbane – and it had the help of downhill MTB legend Nathan Rennie in designing track features that’ll test you. There’s 40-odd kilometres of trails to explore, including 25 kilometres of pure single track.

Black Rock is a popular advanced trail that rocks its way through dry eucalypt forest, reaching lookouts along the way for vast valley views. Prefer a little more flow to your ride? You’ll get lots of momentum on the sweeping berms and traverses of Worm Juice, Big Bertha and into Bovine Groove. This is a great spot to find goannas, kangaroos and echidnas on your ride.

For something a little longer, travel the Shoreline Trail which stretches 30km each way: there’s even ride-in campsites at Base Camp for those who want to spend the night in this beautiful pocket of bushland.

Local legends at Brisbane Mountain Bike Shuttles can take the pain away from climbing to the views with shuttles on offer most weekends.

Russel Park Trails, Bunya Mountains

New in 2023 is the 18kms of mountain bike trails at Russell Park, located at the Bunya Mountains. This new adventure experience caters to all riding abilities and range in length from 1.3km to 6.3km. The trails also link up with several sites in the area including the Russell Park Picnic Area, Bunya Mountains Outlook (Fishers Lookout), and Rifle Bird Park. 

A little closer to Brisbane: Hidden Vale Adventure Park

Just an hour’s drive from Brisbane, Hidden Vale Adventure Park has 100 kilometres of multi-use trails to race through. Set on the privately-owned land of Spicers Hidden Vale, these are some of the longest mountain biking trails in Southern Queensland, with different loop tracks stretching from 10-40 kilometres, depending on your skill level.

Park access is $10 per rider, and all fees go toward the continued development and maintenance of trails. Annual memberships are available too, along with bike rental and uplift services for those who prefer the downhill life.

Even sweeter? Get your post-ride fill with lunch at Spicers Hidden Vale’s hatted restaurant Homage, or opt for a more casual dining option on the lawn or in their barn. All ingredients are foraged from Spicer’s own veggie garden.

Benarkin State Forest, Blackbutt Range

Nestled into the Blackbutt Range, Benarkin State Forest is a great spot to picnic, fish or hike through forest trails. You can also mountain bike the Bicentennial National Trail or on formed roads and tracks that wind through the rainforest, ironbarks and hoop pine plantations.

Ride a rail trail

See South Burnett’s countryside, farmlands and tiny towns from the seat of your bike as you tour along the 161km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. The longest recreational rail trail in Australia, it follows the old railway line from Blackbutt to west of Ipswich. It’s the perfect taste of Queensland’s country, with plenty of bakeries, pubs and townships to stop at along the way. Camp or book accommodation in Fernvale, Lowood, Esk, Toogoolawah, Moore, Linville, Blackbutt and Yarraman.

For something different, ride the 89km Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail to get the best of galleries, wineries, cafés and country pubs along the way. 

Follow the 4x4 trails

Stray from the single track and you’ll find there's a world of national parks to discover on two wheels, thanks to 4x4 routes and fire trails.

Head to Bald Mountain in Main Range National Park for mountain biking that leads to views across to the Steamers and Mt Superbus that’ll take your breath away more than the route to get there.

On the Queensland/New South Wales border lies Sundown National Park, a rugged wilderness of spectacular steep-sided gorges, sharp ridges and dramatic peaks rising more than 1000m.  It’s an adventure junkie’s paradise, and keen mountain bikers can tackle the 4WD access road that runs through the park. It's not far from the wineries and restaurants of the Granite Belt, either.

Mountain biking tours in Queensland Country

Explore the Granite Belt by bike

Take in the best of biking and boutique wine in the Granite Belt, where endless quiet roads and bucolic countryside awaits from Stanthorpe south to Ballandean. It’s perfect for cycle touring, as you breeze past cellar doors, food markets, apple orchards and local food providores. Make a weekend of it, and glamp at Alure Stanthorpe before and after the ride.

Prefer to cycle from cellar door to cellar door with a local leading the way? Join a half day guided tour with Granite Belt Bicycle Tours, or team up with VeloRoo for their Granite Belt gravel bike tour - four days and three nights of food, wine and cycling where you'll sleep among the vines of Ridegemill Estate.

South Burnett Gravel Adventure

Hit the gravel backroads to discover one of Southern Queensland’s best hidden secrets. Set in the foothills of the ancient Bunya Mountains, the South Burnett region is yours to explore by bike with VeloRoo. Over three days, you’ll get to know the awe-inspiring scenery, country bakeries, and roadside peanut stalls by gravel bike, ending the days with country pub dinners and live music. Averaging around 50km of riding each day, you’ll tackle country roads, dirt roads and rail trails – with memories to last a lifetime. 

Explore Toowoomba's countryside

Bikeline isn't only Toowoomba's leading MTB rental - they make it their mission to spread the love and joy of mountain biking, and help you find likeminded people to ride with. Sign up for a guided ride around Toowoomba or Jubilee Park (the latter for experienced riders only due to the advanced terrain), or jump on one of their scheduled guided rides where you'll join a group to explore nearby countryside or Pechey Forestry.

Once you'd found your cycling legs, it's time to explore more incredible mountain biking experiences around Queensland.