The top 5 places to ride e-bikes in Australia

Words: Georgina von Marburg and Josh Carlson

Photos: Jack Fletcher, Nick Waygood, Tim Bardsley-Smith

Riders invest in eMTBs for a multitude of reasons; whether new to the sport, switching disciplines, or just wanting to keep up with their mates, a little bit of pedal assistance will change the way you view riding. While we hope the world never goes so far to label trails “e-bike specific,” there are plenty of qualities that make existing trails and trail networks particularly fun on eMTBs. We’ve compiled a handful of areas that play to the strengths of eMTBs, allowing riders to go further, faster, and experience trails in a way few analogue bikes can. 

Josh Carlson’s Pick: 

Mount Buller, Victoria

'My favourite trail network in Australia on the E-bike at the moment would have to be the Mt Buller Bike Park,' National eMTB Champion Josh Carlson told us. 'A recent riding trip there with the Will Ride E-bike crew from Adelaide really showcased the potential that bike park has on an E-bike. The 'Stonefly' loop in particular was a fantastic experience on an E-bike and made for multiple and enjoyable laps rather than having to plan out the mega loop on a regular bike. Being able to access so many parts of the mountain and hit them up multiple times on my E-bike really stoked me out and left me frothing to go back.'

We have often been told that kilometres at Buller feel different, and that's often to do with the work put in for the prime trail. So Carlso's take that it suits an eMTB rings true!

'Contour Works has reinvigorated the classic trails Buller has always been known for and an E-bike is the perfect tool to appreciate them all and have a great time. Many other trail networks around Australia are also super fun on an E-bike like the Maydena bike Park. Known for its shuttles and gravity style trails, there is also a wicked fun climbing trail straight up the middle where you can easily access the mid line point and a huge amount of trails. Not to mention the 'Outer Limits' loop which is mega fun on its own. Kick starting your day with the climbing trail to Outer Limits and then into some 'Natures Nectar', 'Funky Cold Maydena' and 'Billy Bob' will surely wet your appetite for a couple of hours before parking up for a feed and a recharge, and getting ready for some arvo shuttles or more pedal laps.'

Reading to go? Read Josh's tips on setting up your eMTB suspension. 

Carlso’s eMTB travel insights

• A great option for E-bikes at bike parks and trail centres all around the world is access to many different variety of trails. Some networks around the world have so many trails that you can use some older DH or flow style trails, that aren't used much anymore, as climbing trails or challenges that gets you off the main fire road or road climbs. A huge advantage of e-bikes are the opportunities they open up to ride new trails and challenges that were otherwise impossible or not interesting on a regular bike.
• A good amount of vertical gain can make an E-bike appealing as you don't need to line up in shuttle cues and lift lines. Being able to self shuttle can really make for some solid bang for buck type scenarios where you can easily climb some steep access roads or trails to make a multiple lap, bulk vert day of riding possible.
• Charging stations and/or additional batteries are a huge advantage. This is a new scenario for bike parks and trail centres and a huge bonus for E-bikers if there is one. A factor which makes this difficult is having multiple branded chargers in the one location but once the centre or workshop have a couple of each, its easy to park up for some lunch and a rest while your bike charges up and you're good to go for another couple of bonus laps with a full belly and rested hands. 
• The ability to hire additional batteries can also be a huge help. Flying or travelling with E bikes is still difficult at the moment. Getting in touch with the local bike shop near the trail centre or bike park you are travelling to might offer up an opportunity to hire some batteries and allow you to still travel with your E bike carcass. I have come across many Refugio restaurants in Europe where there are multiple charging stations for all types of E bikes. A great addition to any network to encourage more E bike use and activity. 
•  

Mt Taylor

Bairnsdale, Victoria 

Mount Taylor Mountain Bike Park is one of Victoria’s most underrated riding destinations for general mountain biking, let alone e-biking. Situated just outside the regional town of Bairnsdale, Gippsland, the park is about 3.5 hours east of Melbourne. The park and its local club, Mountain Biking East Gippsland, has hosted multiple state and national XCO and Downhill rounds on its wide variety of trails. While there’s only about 27km of actual trails, each track is unique and well-designed, with high quality features. There are several flow trails, a couple of impressively gnarly Downhill runs, and plenty of intermediate all-mountain trails. 

But what makes the park great for e-bikers specifically is the direct – and often steep – fire roads. These roads are the main access to the majority of the trails, meaning shuttle days are common for those wanting to maximise descending time. However, if you have an eMTB, you’ll be maximising both descending time and time outside amongst the lush state forest. Boost your way up the fire road, choose your own adventure, repeat! 

Mt Taylor isn’t the first place you’d consider taking a riding holiday. But that’s exactly what I did when I raced the Rocky Trail Fox Superflow there earlier this year. My expectations for this small network were put to shame as I was challenged by a multitude of line choices and unique features. Beginner riders will be zipping through perfectly manicured berms, and advanced riders will be navigating ruts and rock rolls. There’s also a brand new double black trail – The Hurt Locker – which will send riders down steep terrain, built features and active streams. 

In terms of accessing the park, a scenic 15-minute drive from Bairnsdale delivers you to the park. You could ride this relatively quiet route on an eMTB, but it would likely drain several bars of battery. In terms of accommodation, East Gippsland is home to multiple lakes and bays, the perfect holiday setting. And Bairnsdale has one of the best Mexican joints in the state (pre-book your table!). 

If you want to avoid the more tourist-driven towns and busy mountain bike parks, Mt Taylor is an unmissable destination for you and your eMTB. 

Blue Derby

Derby, Tasmania 

If you’ve been a mountain biker for a week or two, Derby needs no introduction. It’s one of the most revered trail networks in Australia, and rightly so. The grippy soil, colossal rock features, and ancient vegetation make for a completely immersive experience in a truly beautiful part of the world. And on top of its natural charm is an extensive web of trails catering to all levels, from balance bikes to the Enduro World Series.  

There is no shortage of shuttles at Derby, with multiple options running daily. So why would you take an eMTB to this highly accessible trail network? Well firstly, as it turns out, the shuttles don’t take you all the way to the top for many of the popular trails. In order to access some of the more famous black and double blacks, you’ll need to put down some extra pedal strokes beneath the giant ferns. The fitness-inspired amongst us will revel in this extra challenge, but the average tourist with limited time may want more bang for their buck. Enter the e-bike! This will allow you to boost your way to the top of your favourite runs via exceptionally well-built climbing trails, with or without a shuttle. 

Another advantage of having an e-bike at Derby is tackling the technical climbs. Our resident e-spert, Will Shaw, has had plenty of experience at Derby. “I had a great time in Derby on my eMTB, and some of the technical climbs are great fun on an eMTB. The Black Dragon climb stands out as one that I imagine is really tough on a normal bike but on an eMTB the challenge shifts to maintaining flow over the technical features. The fact that Bosch did a product launch there a few years ago shows what’s on offer.” So while most would typically avoid a double-black climbing track, an e-bike makes this a tempting – and achievable – task. 

And of course, who could forget Blue Tier? This epic 20km+ trail is the perfect playground for eMTBs. The trail is predominantly a descent, with several false flats and pinches along the way. With the power of e-bikes, these sections will be light work and take you swiftly to the next descent. Whether you’re due for a rest day, or intimidated by sneaky climbs throughout the day, Derby is the perfect location to rent or BYO eMTBs. A number of operators hire eMTBs in Derby, so call ahead and lock one in for your next visit.

Lake Mountain 

Marysville, Victoria 

Lake Mountain is an often-overlooked gem on the outskirts of the Victorian High Country. Recently devastated by bush fires, its luscious layers of greenery are now resurfacing. In winter, Lake Mountain is a tiny cross-country ski resort only 1.5 hours from Melbourne; and in summer, it’s home to one of the longest descending trails on mainland Australia. Think Blue Tier in Derby, minus the boat trip! 

The Cascades trail is 30km long, with 500m of climbing and 1550m of descending. It’s proudly and meticulously maintained by the resort trail crew, who shuttle eager tourists to the top of the mountain during the warmer months. We’ve returned to Lake Mountain multiple times to experience the Cascades Trail, and never cease to be impressed by the variety of features that go into each distinct segment. The trail is comprised of 5 main descents, with short climbs in-between. Some descents are characterised by loamy dirt between colossal ferns; others showcase technical rock gardens beneath snow gums. Each segment is littered with hidden line choices and provides a journey through multiple layers of alpine flora. 

As you may have guessed by now, the climbs between each segment are what make this the ideal place for an eMTB. The fittest of riders could complete Cascades within 2 hours. But those not so blessed may take closer to 5 hours on an analogue bike. Many will be content with just one run of Cascades, but if you have multiple shuttle passes, you’ll want to save your legs for many descents. An eMTB is one of the best ways to enjoy Lake Mountain, allowing you to chat with friends on the climbs, before bombing down each magnificently crafted descent. 

While in the charming village of Marysville, there are plenty of quality accommodation options including Peppers and Tower Motel. These are both conveniently located a stone’s throw from the Lake Mountain Visitor Centre; at this Centre you will find plenty of mountain bike accessories for sale, as well as the shuttles themselves. And of course, don’t forget to finish your epic day on Cascades with a cold one at the cyclist-friendly Duck Inn!  

Fox Creek Bike Park

Adelaide, South Australia

We’ve done plenty of features on Fox Creek Bike Park, and rightly so. This is the crowning jewel of mountain biking in South Australia, with plenty of trails, facilities, and of course – wineries. The trail levels will cater to all disciplines of riders, from the gravity oriented to XC whippets. But the eMTBers will definitely have the most fun here, with a huge amount of terrain to explore across multiple days. 

Looking at the trail map, you will notice Fox Creek sprawls itself over a huge amount of land. With about 50km of trail providing lots of descending, it’s an extremely rewarding experience for those with the legs – or motor. You don’t have to decide between areas of the park for the morning, you can have it all! The gravity trails are linked by a fire-road begging for pedal assistance, while the rest of the network is linked by an array of scenic climbing trails. 

Our resident South Australian photographer, Jack Fletcher, is an e-biker himself and one of the park’s biggest fans. “eMTBs are the ultimate tool for Fox Creek. The ability to punch out 40km and over 1000m of climbing in a single morning ride, and include some fantastic trail riding along with the downhill tracks (that are normally only shuttled) leaves you wanting more every time. And you can back it up the next day!”

It’s an all too common experience for tourists and locals alike to skip some favourite trails due to time constraints. “For me, eMTBs let me access the trails that you often leave off the list as they are not always worth the time to get there. But with an eMTB you just ride it all. You see more, and you explore more, which brings you back and gives you a new appreciation for the places you’ve been riding for year.”

Local e-bike store Will Ride has also opened a test centre at the Fox Creek trail head, catering to existing and potential customers. These specialists are there every Saturday to talk all things e-bike related, with Specialized and Focus test bikes for hire.