Top 15 Best Mountain Bike Parks Australia for Summer 2024

Summer is almost here, and it is time to ride! The past decade has seen an explosion of mountain bike trails around the country, and the past 5 years have seen more bike parks built to create a one-stop shop for a fun day on the trails. Here’s our pick of some of the best mountain bike parks Australia has to offer.

Top 15 best Australian mountain bike parks to visit in summer 2024

1. Thredbo, New South Wales
2. Falls Creek, Victoria
3. Mt Buller, Victoria
4. Mystic Bike Park, Victoria
5. Mt Stromlo, Australian Capital Territory
6. Mt Baw Baw, Victoria
7. Big Hill Mountain Bike Park, Victoria
8. Maydena, Tasmania
9. Blue Derby, Tasmania
10. Nannup Tank 7, Western Australia
11. Linga Longa, Western Australia
12. Finch Hatton, Queensland
13. Boomerang Farm Bike Park, Queensland
14. Barrington Bike Park, New South Wales
15. Greenvalleys Bike Park, New South Wales

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Thredbo, New South Wales

Season dates: November 18 – April 28
Shuttles: One day lift pass from $89
Bike Hire: Downhill $179, Enduro $169, XC $79
Trails: 40km of lifted gravity trails
Who does it suit? Gravity fans!
What else should I do? Ride the Thredbo Valley Trail

Thredbo is an iconic destination for mountain biking in Australia. Many of Australia’s biggest mountain bike events have been held out of Thredbo Village, and with the Cannonball Festival returning in February 2025, that isn’t about to change. Thredbo added more intermediate gravity trails for last summer, with more lift options opening as well. This has created a whole new zone of trails for less experienced riders who still want the benefit of lift-assisted runs. Of course, the Cannonball DH is still there to test riders, but gravity riding is just one side of mountain biking in Thredbo – you can also start epic backcountry loops from Dead Horse Gap or ride the Thredbo Valley Trail all the way to the Trout Hatchery outside Jindabyne.

There is plenty of accommodation right in Thredbo Village, along with a full-service bike shop. But the real drawcard is the lifts, something that truly sets Thredbo apart from every other bike park in Australia. With a pump track in the village and plenty of mellow trails around the village as well, Thredbo has something for just about every mountain biker.

Check out the newest trails at Thredbo here.

Falls Creek, Victoria

Season dates: November 18 – April 28
Shuttles: With Blue Dirt from $85
Bike Hire: Trail bikes from $110
Trails: 60km of purpose-built trails plus countless backcountry rides
Who does it suit? Trail and enduro riders, plus those who want to explore
What else should I do? Hire a kayak and visit the lake.

Falls Creek sits apart and above all of Australia’s mountain bike parks. Sitting at 1600m, it is no surprise that the location is home to Australia’s cross-country ski squad in winter. But it also means that in summer you can roll out your door into a descent, onto a climb, or to the shuttle to go to the summit.

Falls Creek’s trails are a network that has expanded over time, with a healthy mix of green and blue trails and an increasing number of trails that let experienced riders push their limits. What Falls also offers is a launching pad for adventure. Whether that is an adventurous family ride along the Aqueduct Trail to some of the historical huts for lunch, or an all-day mission into the backcountry with your riding buddies – you can do it from Falls Creek. Or why not tackle a run down Fainters? This iconic alpine ride will take you well off into the boonies before delivering you into Big Hill MTB Park at Mount Beauty.

Given the range of riding available, Falls Creek can be a perfect place to visit for families, adventurous riders, or just those who want to do some shuttles and have the options for some big days in the backcountry as well. A lot of what makes Falls Creek special is the setting – the views down the valley and across the rolling ridgelines are incredible, with few settings able to match it for sunsets. Hit the trails and then head back to St Falls for aperitivo as the sun sets on an epic day in the high country – and get set to do it all again the next day.

Check out more on Falls Creek here.

Mount Buller, Victoria

Season dates: November 13 – April 28
Shuttles: $85 or $25 for a single lift
Bike Hire: Trail and enduro $120, eMTB $165, XC $60
How many trails: Over 100km of trails from gravity to XC
Who does it suit? Just about any keen mountain biker
What else should I do? Go for a hike, a run, get a massage, or pack a picnic.

Mt Buller was one of the first Victorian ski villages to really invest in awesome mountain bike trails. Their trail builds from over a decade ago were adopted by the vegetation and terrain with amazing riding experiences from the peaks into the surrounding saddles – and into the valleys below. Times change, and more recently the majority of the network has as well. The trails have been rebuilt to add more flow and speed, revitalizing classic trails and adding a bit more spice to trails like the Alpine Epic Trail, Delatite River Trail, and of course Stonefly.

Mountain biking at Mt Buller is fairly committing and suits riders who are keen to either get out and pedal on some incredible trails or use the shuttle service to do laps in the Gravity Zone, with four dedicated descending trails crossing from intermediate to advanced. There’s a pump track in the village and some beginner trails around the village as well – but most of the riding on offer at Mt Buller is intermediate. There is lots to work up to, and the views and trails are a worthwhile reward if you take on the advanced trails like Stonefly and the Alpine Epic Trail!

With accommodation ranging from budget to mind-blowing, just about anyone should find something to suit their stay. But like other mountain top villages – make sure you’re well-equipped for the incredible sunsets.

Check out more on Mt Buller here.

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Mystic Bike Park, Bright Victoria

Season dates: All year
Shuttles: Blue Dirt from $85
Bike Hire: $60-150 from Cyclepath, $60-$200 from All Terrain Cycles
How many trails? About 92km worth!
Who does it suit? Intermediate and advanced trail and enduro riders
What else should I do? Sample the pub scene and cafe culture

Bright shouldn’t need too much introduction; it’s somewhere most mountain bikers will stop on a visit to the alpine regions of Victoria. Thanks to Mystic Bike Park, Bright pulls mountain bikers like a magnet. The park has a range of trails, including some beginner trails, but its real strength is the numerous moderate and advanced trails that litter the forest. Some of Australia’s best riders have honed their craft within this bike park – but you’ll see it packed with plenty of riders year-round.

For families, there is plenty to ride along the river as well, and options to hire bikes, cruisers, or e-bikes for gentler adventures. Bright has tonnes of accommodation, but it is quick to fill up around the holidays, so make sure you take the time to plan your stay.

As a valley town, Bright has all the conveniences you could want with full-service bike shops, major supermarkets, and plenty of places to eat and drink. It’s one of the best hubs to base out of for a mountain bike holiday.

Mt Stromlo, Australian Capital Territory

Season dates: All year
Shuttles: Dynamic Motivation from $70
Bike Hire: Cycle City from $160 (weekends only)
How many trails? Well over 50km
Who does it suit? Everyone!
What else should I do? Spend time in Canberra

Born from terrible fires two decades ago, Stromlo Forest Park has gone from strength to strength with an ever-widening variety of trails and services. Having hosted a World Cup and World Championship event, the trails cater to advanced riders, but they really have something for everyone. There is a truly diverse network of trails at Mt Stromlo Forest Park, from easy gradients on the climbs and descents to fast jump lines like those found on Vapour Trail. There are dirt jumps, skills parks, and a pump track right next to The Handlebar. The park also has trails for cross-country running, equestrian riders, and of course a criterium track. There’s plenty of shelter, parking, toilets, and showers as well. Some may think of a visit to Canberra as being pretty vanilla, but pack your bike as well, and you’ll be sure to have a lot of fun – just avoid the peak heat of the day in summer.

Mt Baw Baw, Victoria

Season dates: December to April
Shuttles: More info
Bike Hire: eMTB $129, Hardtail $55
How many trails? Over 15km
Who does it suit? Gravity riders and beginners
What else should I do? Go for a run, a hike, or learn about frogs!

The alpine resort has a small network of beginner and intermediate trails from the village, which are perfect for those who want to experience the natural beauty of the area. It’s a wondrous experience, especially with clouds rolling in, and with bikes available for hire, it’s a nice spot to introduce friends or family to riding in the bush.

However, the two gravity trails are very demanding. Both AM1 and DH1 are off-limits to the hire bikes, instead being known for challenging some of the best riders in Victoria during their downhill racing series. From the wall rides to the steep chutes and chunky sections, both trails will keep riders alert, especially as their nature changes through the season. Mt Baw Baw has some accommodation and a restaurant in the village, but it is worth booking ahead if you want to make a weekend of it.

Check out more on Mt Baw Baw.

Big Hill MTB Park, Victoria

Make no mistake, Big Hill MTB Park in Mt Beauty is well worth a visit. There are over 40km of trails and a pump track in town. There are great places to stay and best of all, you will be able to ride to the trails as well. There is no private shuttle service, but you can self-shuttle – or ride up the hill. It makes you strong!

Maydena Bike Park, Tasmania

Season dates: September-June
Shuttles: From $95 for 1 day
Bike Hire: Hardtail $85, Enduro $155, DH $165, eMTB $185
How many trails? Heaps. Over 85 trails and 820m of vert
Who does it suit? Gravity riders, but anyone will have fun.
What else should I do? Visit Mt Field National Park or the Styx Valley

Maydena Bike Park is an international-level gravity mountain bike park that just happens to be in Australia. The bike park sits on the edge of the wilderness, about 1.5 hours out of Hobart, Tasmania. While this part of Tasmania isn’t really close to anything – that is a big part of what makes Maydena what it is. With 820m of drop to play with and three distinct zones to ride in, few other places would be able to support a mountain bike park in the same way.

This bike park is a ground-up build catering specifically for mountain bikers. All the trails have been created with a single purpose – to shred. While the black diamond trails, pro lines, and jump lines may grab the limelight, Maydena Bike Park has a plethora of beginner and intermediate trails and skills coaching so you can progress. The shuttles run to the top of the hill, but you can also do midline shuttles or even buy a mountain pass if you plan to use the climbing trails to access the midline trails. Our tip would be to check this out if you stay for a few days, as the zone in the middle of the hill has a great mix of trails and different dirt types.

Maydena really is about gravity, and they host a range of events throughout the year, including Red Bull Hardline last February, part of a multi-day mountain bike festival in late summer. With a pump track right at the amenities building, a wide variety of hire bikes, food, and a licensed bar, Maydena Bike Park is a one-stop shop for a dream bike trip. Accommodation right in town can be limited in peak periods, so book ahead so you’re an easy roll to the trails.

Check out more on Maydena here.

Blue Derby, Tasmania

Season dates: All year – some trails close in winter
Shuttles: Yes, via Vertigo MTB, Mad MTB, MTB Express, and more.
Bike Hire: Multiple options from Vertigo MTB, Evolution, Big Mountain, and more.
How many trails: In excess of 85km.
Who does it suit? Everyone.
What else should I do? Visit St Helens, take a sauna at the floating sauna

If you haven’t been to Blue Derby, chances are you are finding a reason to go. Few places offer the variety of trails, number of trails, accommodation options, and riding types like Derby does. It didn’t happen overnight, but when the first 25km opened in early 2015, it was clear something special was coming. The trail network has only grown since then, with connected trails running from Branxholm all the way to St Helens, which has its own network of trails near the beach.

The range of trails and amenities on offer at Blue Derby means just about anyone will be happy. There are flowing blue trails, a green loop around the lake, and a massive pump track to keep kids of all sizes and ages entertained. There are demanding trails as well, including those used in the Enduro World Cup earlier in 2023. You can access these via a shuttle or pedal up on singletrack. Derby is a great place for an eMTB, and there are plenty of options to hire one.

If you want to ride further afield, then Atlas is a long descent and it can be accessed via a forest road climb or a shuttle. The Blue Tier is an iconic route that brings you back to Weldbrough pub – or from the same drop point, you can tackle the Bay of Fires Trail that takes you all the way to Swimcart Beach! There’s even a fun connecting trail between Derby and Branxholm if you’d rather stay in a town with a supermarket.

With camping along the river and lots of short-stay accommodation from basic to boujee, there’s something for almost everyone at Blue Derby. It doesn’t have the impact of some bike parks sitting at the foot of a big hill or on the peak – but the riding is some of the best in the world.

Nannup Tank 7 Mountain Bike Park, Western Australia

Season dates: All year
Shuttles: From $50
Bike Hire: eMTB $105, Trail $65 via Three Tanks
How many trails? 35Km of trails
Who does it suit? Enduro riders and trail riders alike.
What else should I do? Visit Margaret River for the trails, wineries, breweries, and distilleries.

With a trail network managed by the Shire of Nannup, these trails are a public mountain bike park served by the Three Tanks bike shop and a couple of shuttle operators. Far from being shuttle-only, there are a few loops you can do on blue trails, but this is a Three Chillies trail design – you should expect some jumps!

If you’re looking for some demanding trails, then Nannup will provide with a double-black trail called Man vs Machine, throwing plenty of features at you from step-downs, big gaps, and double rock drops. Advanced riders will love it. There is a mix of natural on-the-ground rocky technical trails and big machine-built hits – all in the pine plantation with roots thrown in to keep things spicy in the wet. This is a must-ride on a visit to Western Australia.

Check out our Western Australia road trip here.

Linga Longa Bike Park, Western Australia

Season dates: All year but limited openings
Shuttles: From $80
Bike Hire: NA
Who does it suit? Gravity and trail riders
What else should I do? Fit in a trip to Pemberton or Nannup on your visit.

Linga Longa is on private property and only open on gravity days, so plan ahead and book your passes if you want to visit. With about 200m of elevation to play with, you can use a climbing trail or book the shuttle.

There has been active forestry recently, so some trails have changed with scope for more trails – but what’s there is a mix of fast lines with big features plus tighter trails in the rocks and steep slopes – it’s a real mix. There’s enough to keep both enduro lords and trail riders entertained. The food onsite is worth earning on the trails! Linga Longa is a popular stop for the WA Gravity Enduro Series, and with the variety of trails on offer, that is no surprise.

Check out more on Linga Longa Bike Park here.

Finch Hatton MTB, Queensland

Season dates: All year round
Shuttles: $35 for 3 shuttles
Bike Hire: Corry Cycles offers standard MTB and eMTB hires
Who does it suit? Gravity and trail riders
What else should I do? Go for a hike and check out Eungella

If you’re from a southern state, chances are your mental image of Queensland’s mountain bike trails features a pocket in the south east, then tumbleweeds, then Cairns. The reality, however, is that like the rest of Australia small towns are starting to wise up to mountain biking’s tourism appeal. Enter Finch Hatton, west of Mackay a trail network (and definitely not a small bird in a bowler hat) that has been described by trail connoisseurs as in the “top three mainland trail networks in Australia”. That’s big kudos from a reformed Maydena park rat.

While it’s not a central destination—getting to the trails is a 55 minute drive from Mackay airport—it’s certainly one to remember. In its current state, the World Trail designed network has developed the trail network reaching 250m elevation, with views to expand the network during stage two, up to a massive 650m. There are currently 16 trails open; 7 green, 6 blue and 3 black trails that prioritise flow time and airtime. Stage two features a whopping 82km of flow and gravity trails, as well as a 40km wilderness trail from nearby town of Eungella to Finch Hatton.

But what does it ride like? If epic-scale flow and airtime are your thing, you’re going to have a hoot. A range of trails from green-rated family friendly trails to full-commitment gaps throughout the black diamond trails means that there are trails for everyone. The most advanced rider can have a blast on the easier trails by pumping up the airtime with optional lines and sends, while newer riders have scope to progress their air time on the blue and black terrain. While stage one is wholly flow, stage two will feature more gravity tech trails for the rock garden lovers among us.

Check out more on Finch Hatton here.

Boomerang Farm Bike Park, Queensland

Close to the beach while still offering big lines, shuttles, and a climbing trail, Boomerang is a must-ride when visiting south-east Queensland.

Check out more on Boomerang Farm Bike Park here.

Barrington Bike Park, New South Wales

In the hinterland, this new private gravity park is proving popular for the region – there is a campground at Barrington Bike Park to make a weekend of it.

Greenvalleys Bike Park New South Wales

Chock full of features and with plenty of built options for progression, Greenvalleys is a popular spot on the event scene and for budding freeriders all just south of Sydney.

The best mountain bike parks in Australia?

Australia has some great mountain bike parks, we’ve shared our favourites, however the best trails can simply be the ones at your local or in your city that are easy to access and bring a smile to your face.

We’ve included many links throughout this article to help you find more relevant information about each of the mountain bike parks, be sure to check these out before your book your next trip!