Time to shred! Here's where to go mountain biking in Mackay

Feel the need for speed? Want to feel rugged terrain under your wheels? Then set your sights on Mackay.

Half-way between Brisbane and Cairns, Mackay offers mountain biking amongst the sugarcane fields and above the clouds. And with one of Australia’s largest mountain bike parks set to open in 2025, it’s only going to get better.

Why not get ahead of the pack and hit Mackay’s mountain biking trails today? Whether you were born to shred or are just starting out, there’s something here for you—check out our guide to mountain biking Mackay.  

Get on your bike, let’s go!

Mackay’s best mountain bike trails

Rowallan Park

Fall in love with mountain biking at Rowallan Park, home to Mackay’s MAD MTBC (Mackay and District Mountain Bike Club). The club is all about offering riders of all ages and abilities the chance to ‘try out and fall in love with mountain biking’.

Just 15-minutes out of town, Rowallan Park is the perfect mountain biking playground for big kids and little kids alike. Offering 11-kilometres of international standard blue, green and black diamond trails, as well as plenty of B-lines, there’s quite literally something for anyone who can ride a bike.

Seasoned pros will like the black diamond ‘Dragon’s Back’ with its rocky slopes and wild turns, while beginners can try ‘MTB 101’ and ‘MTB 102’—where even littlies can practice riding over wooden features.

As well as water stations, picnic areas and BBQs, you can camp. Stay a few nights under the stars, get to know the local wildlife and enjoy bushwalks with ocean views.

Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails                                                     

Something super sweet is coming to Mackay. No, it’s not sugar (the region produces one third of Australia’s sugar)—it’s the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails.

Located in the Pioneer Valley, these trails are set to establish Mackay as a MTB mecca, offering over 100-kilometres of singletrack adventure built to international standards.

The trail will run from Eungella, through the rainforest to Finch Hatton. The hero track will be a 36-kilometre ride with a rollercoaster-like 1,500-metre descent.

Set to be one of the largest mountain biking destinations in Queensland, it’s due to open in 2025— so put it to the top of your MTB bucket list!

Eungella National Park

Cross platypus inhabited creeks as you pedal through lush rainforest at Eungella National Park, a haven of bio-diversity situated high above the plains, 80-kilometers west of Mackay.

Every year Eungella (meaning “land of the cloud” in the language of the traditional owners, the Birri-Gubba people) hosts the Mackay Mountain Marathon, a challenging event for runners and mountain bikers alike. Two-wheeled competitors can choose from three courses, from the 15-kilometre ‘Recreation Trail’ through to the 55-kilometre ‘Jeff Rafferty Trophy’ course with a leg-burning 1.3-kilometre climb.

Taking in fire trails, bitumen roads and winding single tracks spanning everything from rainforest to arid bushland, it’s no Sunday ride—but the views out over the Pioneer Valley more than make up for it.

Where Else to Ride in Mackay

As well as dedicated mountain biking trails, Mackay offers a number of popular trails suitable for all types of pedal power.

Bluewater Trail

This 16-kilometre shared use cycling and pedestrian trail runs through alongside the Pioneer River and loops around town, connecting local attractions such as the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, and Bluewater Lagoon.

Along the way, you’ll find barbecues, outdoor work-out equipment and a playground. It’s also dog and pram-friendly (just make sure your pup is on a leash!).

Suitable for all riders, you can even turn it into your own fun mini-triathlon—as well as riding, walking and running, you can even stop for a swim along the way at Bluewater Lagoon.

The award-winning trail has also been recognised by the Queensland Spinal Injuries Association for its accessible and equitable features, meaning that everyone can enjoy the trail.

Mackay Harbour to Mackay Bike Path

Another popular ride is the 11-kilometre shared use path from the city out to Mackay Harbour via the Pioneer River bridge.

Link up with the Bluewater Trail and turn it into a longer ride or keep it simple and roll down towards the harbour and chase the sea-breeze.

What to do in Mackay

Why not keep the adventures going and spend some more time in region?

Snorkel untouched spots on the Great Barrier Reef with Wildcat Mackay, zip line through Finch Hatton Gorge with Forest Flying, or soar above the sugarcane fields with Mackay Skydive. If it’s adventure you’re chasing, Mackay has it in spades.

Once your hearts stopped racing, frolic with kangaroos at the beach in Cape Hillsborough National Park, explore Australia’s oldest subtropical rainforest or drop in a line from secluded islands or beaches.

Located half-way between Cairns and Brisbane, Mackay city itself offers historic 1920s architecture, street art (check out Artspace) and a burgeoning dining scene

Head where the locals go and make your way to the Shamrock Hotel or The Eimeo Pacific Hotel for a schooner and a steak. If it’s a caffeine fix you need, head to Woodman's Axe Espresso, while Mackay meets Manhattan at The Dispensary, the perfect place for a night cap.

Get out amongst the sugar cane fields and head to Sarina Sugar Shed where you can learn how the sweet stuff is made and sample everything from rum liquor to chutney.

With so much to do, you’ll need a few nights to make the most of everything Mackay has to offer. Sleep under the stars and camp at Smalleys Beach or Broken River, or see here and choose from secluded rainforests cabins or historic hotels.