Ipswich, the mountain biking (MTB) capital of Queensland, has you covered, featuring the greatest length of MTB single track across the state. This popular off-road cycling discipline offers many different sub-disciplines, styles and formats.
Mountain Bike Cycling, an Olympic discipline since the 1970s involves cycling off-road on mountainous or very hilly terrain using specialised bikes. It is a physically demanding sport that requires a high level of fitness and skill. The games will feature two mountain biking events, the Cross-Country and the Downhill.
Mountain biking is more than a sport, it is an activity set amongst the beautification of its natural surroundings. Mountain biking in Ipswich offers something special for every kind of rider.
HIDDEN VALE ADVENTURE PARK
Hidden Vale Adventure Park at Grandchester, on the outskirts of Ipswich brings a unique outdoor experience to the region. It boasts over 110km of multi-use trails for mountain bike riders, runners and walkers, winding through an expansive 12,000 acre nature refuge property. This world class trail network lets you explore the great outdoors, with its quintessential Australian bush scenery and kangaroos for company. An hour drive west of Brisbane, Hidden Vale hosts a range of events including the annual 99Bikes Cycle and Trail Run Epic and Norco 3Plus3.
CASTLE HILL BLACKSTONE RESERVE
From mining heritage to downhill mountain biking, Castle Hill offers an experience unlike anything else in the region.
With over 15 International Mountain Biking Association rated trails ranging from easy to very difficult, Castle Hill is suitable for riders of all abilities and is an iconic riding destination in Ipswich, a 30 minute drive from the Brisbane CBD.
Castle Hill hosted the 2022 Queensland XCO State Championships. A superb course, intense and unrelenting rain tested riders and pushed them to their limits. The event attracted close to 120 competitors across various categories. With great depth in the junior fields, Queensland looks set to be a force to be reckoned with going forward. Ipswich has set the bar, attracting state competitions with its state-of-the-art reserves, excited for hosting prospects leading into the Games.
WHITE ROCK RECREATION RESERVE
White Rock - Spring Mountain Conservation Estate is almost 3,000ha in size. It features the weathered rocky outcrops of White Rock and Spring Mountain located within a large area of regionally significant bushland supporting some of the highest natural and conservation values in the region.
White Rock offers a point of difference from the other SEQ mountain biking trails. The rocky boulders are put to great use being incorporated into the trails with rock roll overs and re-structured garden rocks. With 39 trails, and a total distance of 35km, White Rock offers another of Ipswich’s great mountain biking experiences.
MIHI JUNCTION RESERVE
Mihi Junction Reserve – also known as Mihi Creek – is a heritage-listed archaeological site.
The reserve is accessed via Haig Street in Brassall or the Brassall Bikeway, which also links directly to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
Popular with local cyclists and mountain bikers, the Mihi Junction Trail boasts approximately 2km of bike and BMX track. With easy stretches of track, ideal for children and novice mountain bikers, the trail also features 200m of pump track which includes berms, rollers and jumps for more experienced thrill-seekers.
Mihi Junction is also home to the fantastic steel sculpture 'Rail Rocket' by Christopher Trotter, which celebrate the area’s rich railway history, with the area being the site of Queensland’s first main line railway, officially opened on 31 July 1865.
HILLVIEW DRIVE RESERVE
Hillview Drive Reserve features 37.2ha of undulating bushland just 4.7km north of the Ipswich CBD.
The reserve boasts a variety of forest vegetation and abundant wildlife. Part of a recreational trail network, spread across four nature estates in the region, the professionally built dual-direction, low-impact shared-use recreational trail is ideal for walking, hiking, birdwatching and mountain biking.