The best cycling routes and mountain biking trails on the Gold Coast

Distance: 43-kilometre loop

Start/Finish: Canungra

Total Climb: 570 metres

Rating: Challenging

This workout is worth the reward, so park and ride from the township of Canungra to access the challenging Mount Tamborine loop. If you're a cyclist more interested in the journey than the Strava stats, you could turn this into a whole day out discovering Tamborine's many nooks and crannies - the choice is yours.

Turn the legs over on the long stretch through Tamborine, as you pass horse-racing studs, roadside farm stands, and the historic homestead of Albert River Wines. Turn right at the Bearded Dragon Hotel (another much-loved pitstop) and soon you’ll begin to enjoy the climb to Mt Tamborine – a volcanic mass formed 20 million years ago.

This neck of the woods is typically 5 to 10 degrees cooler here than on the coast, and your ride will be joined by the scent of log fires burning in winter and the damp rainforest canopy in summertime.

Arrive on top of the world and look down over the town and surrounds – you’ll understand why it’s called the Scenic Rim. If you’re lucky, you can even catch hang gliders launching themselves from the side of the mountain.

Take it easy down the Main Western Road, known to locals as the Goat Track, as it’s narrow with tight switchbacks. Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation is the perfect pick-me-up towards the end of the ride, and it'll be smooth sailing back to Canungra from there. 

2. Little Nerang Dam to Springbrook National Park

Distance: 23 kilometres

Start: Little Nerang Dam

Finish: Springbrook (Best of All Lookout)

Total Climb: 983 metres

Rating: Challenging

For a weekend ride that immerses you in national park beauty, park at Little Nerang Dam and savour the easy cruise downhill - this route begins to climb as soon as you hit Gold Coast Springbrook Road. Take extra care crossing the timber bridges, which can get slippery in winter. Your legs might be burning, but soon the road splits into two and you’re rewarded with edgecliff views over Springbrook National Park - a spot well worth safely unclipping to take it all in, and take a few photos too. 

Pass through the Springbrook village and turn right onto Repeater Ridge Road before arriving in 4 kilometres to the aptly named Best of All Lookout. The lookouts are often shrouded in clouds, even on the sunniest days, offering a cool end to your ride.

Pack a lock for your bike and walking shoes and explore the walking track on foot. The national park is part of Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage area where the plants and animals here remain relatively unchanged from their ancestors. Get walking and you’ll discover magnificent waterfalls and ancient Antarctic beech forest.

Once you’ve had your fill of clean mountain air, grab a lift back from the lookout, or simply ride back to Little Nerang Dam.

3. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Distance: 70 kilometres return

Start/Finish: Canungra

Total Climb: 927 metres

Rating: Very Challenging

A route endorsed by Triple World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss should be on any avid cyclists’ radar. Add World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest, a smattering of local vineyards and rolling hills - you’ll soon understand why this is one of the best Gold Coast Hinterland cycling trails.

Park and ride from Canungra township where you can fuel up with a coffee from The Outpost, then make your way along Lamington National Park Road. Approximately eight kilometres past grazing farmland, a quick stop to stretch at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards is a must before starting the 2.5-hour incline after the Sarabah dirt road (feel free to save your cellar door tasting for the return ride).

Wind through the ancient landscapes and be rewarded after one final pinch with a cold drink at the O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat bar. Pioneers of eco-tourism in Australia, the exceptional O’Reilly’s property has been in operation for over 100 years and is well worth exploring for an afternoon (or perhaps even an overnight stay). Then, go easy on the brakes and enjoy the exhilarating ride downhill, back to Canungra. 

4. Currumbin Valley

Distance: 20 kilometres

Start/Finish: Currumbin

Total Climb: 189 metres

Rating: Moderate

This Gold Coast cycling route has it all, from the beach to the bush and back again. Take it easy through the hustle and bustle of Currumbin before entering the Gold Coast Hinterland - the swell of Currumbin Alley will soon trade out for rolling hills, hobby farms and roadside honesty boxes full of homegrown fruit.  

If you're a the kind of cyclist who likes to stop for a lunch break, make it at Pasture & Co - a sustainably focused cafe nestled into the conservation area. Ride to the end of the valley, then pull into Balter Brewing for a refreshment on your cruise back toward the beach. 

You'll still have plenty of time this afternoon to explore, from the beach to meeting local wildlife at the local sanctuary.

Five must-explore Gold Coast mountain biking trails 

1. Nerang Mountain Bike Trails 

Just a few minutes’ drive from the sand of Surfers Paradise, Nerang Mountain Bike Trails might be the best known place to ride on the Gold Coast – and it’s tested the strongest riders in the world with three black diamond trails built here for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The beauty of Nerang is there really is something for every rider, thanks to 20 kilometres of trails that vary between technical single track and fire trails, all weaving through a pocket of peaceful dry rainforest and eucalypts.

Just Ride Nerang offers bike hire and the opportunity to join a social ride – and will point you in the direction for the best trails to suit your ability. 

2. Old Tambo Downhill Mountain Bike Track

One for intermediate and experienced riders ready to rip, Old Tambo is a downhill-lovers dream.

Accessed from the end of Wongawallan Road at Mount Tamborine, Old Tambo offers mountain bikers around 3-kilometres of descent, with fast flowing corners, rollers, dips, gaps and a nice chill out section through grasslands before tight and technical bermed corners, drop-offs and steep grades to exit. It’s not a walk in the park – but it’s a lot of fun and best suited to all-mountain bikes.

Whether you’re on the leg-burning fire trail ascent or shuttling to the top, be sure to cool off in Mount Tamborine afterward, where cafes and a brewery await. 

3. The Peter Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct

Another action-packed destination for mountain biking the Gold Coast is tucked into the northern side of Hinze Dam. The Peter Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct has been purpose built and maintained by the Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club, and there’s easy loops for families and beginners along with more challenging terrain.

Access to the trails is via the Hinze Dam day use area, which is open daily from 6am – 6pm. Feel free to bring post-ride picnic goodies as there’s a playground, shelters and electric BBQs here for public use. 

4. Reedy Creek Glossy Black Trails

Reedy Creek Glossy Black Trails is ideal for beginners looking to find their feet and riders honing their skills, home to 8-kilometres of trails classified as either easy (green) or intermediate (blue).

Most trails are clearly marked as one-way MTB only, with shared use fire trails to reach the starting points. Test your skills on the basic technical features along 180-metre ‘Test Run’, then head off to explore cross country along ‘Lazy Lizard’ or flowing ‘Rabbit’s Run’. Once you’re confident, tackle the berms, rollers and optional jumps on ‘Drop Bear’.

You can find the trails within Glossy Black Reserve, with a carpark at Golden Grove Boulevarde.   

5. Boomerang Farm Bike Park

Boomers – as it’s known to the regulars – is the Gold Coast’s downhill, free-ride, endure and dirt jump paradise, and guaranteed to be a fun day out.

While there is one green track and a couple of intermediate blues, Boomers gives its attention to advanced riders, with a vast network of black, double black and pro level trails. There’s also a pump track that caters to all levels, and a series of dirt jumps for elite riders looking to push their limits on larger, more technical challenges.

Run by not-for-profit Outlook Riders Alliance, the park is on private property and therefore requires a small fee to access (starting from $15 day passes) – but you can also pay for uplifts to save your energy for the turns. Open Friday to Monday, 8.30am – 2.30pm.

No bike? No problem. Just Ride offers high quality rentals, including bikes, helmets, knee and elbow pads. Order rentals on Boomerang Park’s website and you can pick your gear up once you arrive at the park. 

Prefer to bike the beach?

Searching for a seaside view rather than a slog on the MTB? The Gold Coast’s Darren Smith Memorial Route is one of the country’s best coastal bike rides, stretching 48-kilometres from Point Danger, Coolangatta to Paradise Point. Ride as little or as long as you like: there are plenty of beaches, cafes and waterside restaurants to pop into for a rest break. For a casual family ride, try the Burleigh Heads Esplanade Path or Main Beach to the spit – the wide, flat paths are great for training wheels and bigger kids too.

For beach bike rentals, check out Kool Bike Hire in Coolangatta or Bike Central in Mermaid Beach. The City of Gold Coast also offers affordable bike-share with Lime pedal assisted e-bikes available from docking stations across the city. 

If cycling the Gold Coast Hinterland’s best trails has taken your breath away in more ways than one, here’s the ideal itinerary for a weekend on the Scenic Rim.