Noosa Mountain Bike Trails & Off-Road Thrills

Tewantin (10 minutes drive from Noosa).

Rolling singletrack through lush rainforest and eucalypt forest, with moderate climbs and flowing descents. There are around 20km of interconnected trails comprised of mostly fire trails and smooth dirt singletrack, with some rock gardens to navigate. Even novice riders will have fun here, while advanced riders can string together loops and berms for more speed and airtime. At the top of the trail network, don’t miss the opportunity to ride up to nearby Mt Tinbeerwah (265 m), where from the lookout at the top you’ll get a 360° view of the coast and hinterland.

You’re just minutes from Noosa, so head back to town for a swim at Main Beach or a well-earned meal on Hastings Street, or stop by one of the numerous craft breweries on your way if you’re keen to taste a locally brewed beer.

Gympie (1 hour drive north of Noosa).

A 56-hectare forest reserve on Gympie’s outskirts featuring 25 km of mixed-use trails for mountain biking, trail running and walking. The Victory Heights trail network winds through scenic Spotted Gum forest and offers a mix of beginner-friendly loops and more advanced tracks featuring berms and log rides. It’s a community-built network with family-friendly facilities including parking, shelters, and even a kids’ bike skills park.

Take a break to discover this historic gold-mining town. Visit the Gympie Gold Museum, or hop on the Mary Valley Rattler, a restored heritage steam train that runs through the Mary Valley countryside. Gympie’s town center also has quaint cafes and bakeries so you can pick up a classic meat pie or vanilla slice for the drive home.

Caloundra (1 hour south of Noosa).

An exciting, compact, and easily accessible urban mountain park tucked in behind Caloundra’s beachside suburbs and only kilometers from the beach. The Sugar Bag Road trail network is compact but action-packed, featuring tight technical loops crisscrossing through woodland. Trails have lots of man-made features including wooden bridges, see-saws, log roll-overs, ramp jumps, and even wall rides, making it a mountain biker’s playground. The Sugar Bag Road trails are best for intermediate to advanced riders who love technical challenges and a bit of airtime, but there is also a pump track and skills park at the trailhead that are popular with younger riders.

You’re just minutes from Noosa, so head back to town for a swim at Main Beach or a well-earned meal on Hastings Street, or stop by one of the numerous craft breweries on your way if you’re keen to taste a locally brewed beer.

Mapleton/Kenilworth (50 minutes south-west of Noosa).

Mapleton National Park is an expansive mixed-use area with 70km of trails used by hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers. The network offers mainly open fire track trails (perfect if you enjoy a chat while riding side-by-side) best suited to intermediate riders with a high level of fitness, and has some challenging descents. Surrounded by tall eucalypt forests, subtropical rainforest pockets, creeks, waterfalls, and ridge-top lookouts, the trails provide stunning views over the Obi Obi Valley and out towards the coast. Mapleton has the most vertical change and total descent of the Sunshine Coast trail networks, and due to its elevated hinterland setting, often enjoys cooler riding conditions than the coastal MTB trail networks, making it especially attractive in summer. The trails are more rugged and remote than other nearby trail networks, giving riders a sense of peace, exploration, and wilderness while still being accessible. The combination of technical challenges and natural beauty makes Mapleton a standout mountain biking destination in the region.

Visit the scenic hinterland towns of Mapleton, Flaxton and Montville for a post-ride coffee or meal, or detour through nearby Kenilworth to stop off for a doughnut at the famous Kenilworth Bakery, and pick up some delicious cheese and rich mousse at the Kenilworth Dairies shop for an after-ride platter.