Mountain Biking trails are booming - I tested it out to see why

From tech-enhanced thrills to breathtaking new trails, mountain biking tourism is hitting its stride. We jump on two wheels to investigate what’s driving the boom.

I would like to stress, before anyone imagines otherwise, that fear is an entirely rational response to straddling an aluminium contraption while careening down a craggy slope at a swift, some may say alarming, speed. Sweat beads. Dignity wobbles. Quads ache. Hearts race.

It’s a humid morning on Hamilton Island, and we’ve decided to take on the destination’s most exhilarating new adventure – a nine-kilometre e-mountain biking loop tracing the island’s eastern arm. The self-guided experience, which launched at the newly minted HI Trails HQ in October, is already gaining traction among visitors with an appetite for adrenaline. Hamilton Island’s content production manager Dean Marchini, who has called the island home for 10 years, says the activity has been a major highlight. I’ve come to sniff out the appeal – and, by extension, discover why mountain biking tourism is surging across Australia.

What it’s like to mountain bike on Hamilton Island

hamilton island biking — Embark on an exhilarating new adventure on Hamilton Island.

I’m a mountain biking novice, and it shows; I grind laboriously uphill, reef-blue Whitsundays flashing through the foliage. Any residual embarrassment about my cardiovascular theatrics fades once I mercifully learn I’ve been using the wrong gears. As the electric assist kicks in and I crest a hill that would otherwise have defeated me, fear gives way to pure thrill.

a hiking trail on Hamilton Island — Whitsunday views after Cabbage Tree Junction on Hamilton Island’s MTB trails. (Credit: Harry Gruttner)

But the real reward comes when the trees part and we hug the downhill segment from Cabbage Tree Junction to South East Head, the trail opening onto a spectacular panorama of glinting aquamarine and undeveloped bushland. I feel like a kid who’s stumbled upon a hidden kingdom. And so begins my education in why people willingly subject themselves to uphill clatters and downhill jolts – and keep coming back for more.

The rise of mountain biking tourism in Australia

mountain bikes on Hamilton Island — E-MTBs offer a convenient way to experience the outdoors. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)

Hamilton Island is far from the only destination riding the mountain bike (MTB) wave. Across the country, trail developments are springing up with momentum, reshaping regional tourism in the process. Australian Sports Commission data shows mountain biking participation has more than doubled since 2018, and Tourism Research Australia estimated MTB tourism contributed $1.5 billion to the visitor economy in 2024.

“Mountain biking offers something rare in today’s world: an easy, accessible way to experience the outdoors with a genuine sense of freedom," general manager of Destination Southern NSW Richard Everson tells Australian Traveller. “Add to that the rise of e-MTBs, social riding culture and the appeal of regional road-trip adventures, and you have a sport that is welcoming, social and endlessly discoverable."

New mountain biking trails in Australia

bikers on Thredbo Valley Track — Take the scenic route through Thredbo Valley Track’s suspension bridges. (Credit: Destination NSW)

In October, NSW tapped into that appeal with the launch of the Great Southern Trails, a seamless 1000-kilometre touring route linking 10 diverse and expert-built mountain biking networks. The NSW South Coast is one of the few regions where riders can both skirt coastline and carve alpine singletrack. “Great Southern Trails is designed as Australia’s ultimate MTB road trip," Everson elaborates. “Riders can plan multi-day adventures with clear information on ride times, travel distances, shuttle options, and where to eat, stay and refuel."

mountain bikers at the Mogo Trails in New South Wales — Mogo Trails is part of NSW’s new Great Southern Trails network. (Credit: Flow MTB)

Elsewhere, emerging regional hubs are seeing similar transformations. Western Australia’s Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trail Network, completed in November, delivers 68 kilometres of riding just over an hour from Perth/Boorloo. Set among towering jarrah forests and winding rivers, Dwellingup is now one of only two accredited Trail Towns in the state.

biking around the Creswick bike trail — Get your heart racing along the 60-kilometre Creswick bike trail.

Victoria’s Creswick opened a 60-kilometre trail network in late 2024 across goldfields and the cultural lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people. The Tumbarumba Mountain Bike Park has transformed the Snowy Valleys from a bushfire-affected region into a must-visit adventure destination. And Tasmania/Lutruwita’s Derby, once a struggling logging town, now hums with riders, its revival driven largely by sustained investment in MTB trails.

Why is mountain biking growing in popularity?

bikers at Mt Stromlo — Mountain bikers gather at the iconic Stromlo Forest Park. (Credit: Damian Breach/VisitCanberra)

What makes mountain biking’s rise particularly interesting is its demographic elasticity. This is no longer an activity reserved for adrenaline maximalists. Families, wellness travellers and curious first-timers like myself are all getting involved. Why? It’s exercise disguised as fun, complete with nature and a measurable sense of personal achievement. Importantly, it’s scalable – riders can choose gentle riverside loops or heart-pounding forest descents depending on mood and ability.

mountain bikers at the Saddle Junction Walking Trail Map — Mountain bikers at the Saddle Junction Walking Trail Map. (Credit: Harry Gruttner)

Technology has helped too. The upswing of electric bikes has lowered the entry barrier, allowing more people to tackle challenging terrain without elite fitness. On Hamilton Island, the e-MTB certainly doesn’t erase the effort – my legs can attest to that – but it makes the experience much less intimidating.

Mountain biking trails opening soon

biking around Thredbo Mountain Bike Park — Ditch the skis in favour of exploring Thredbo Mountain Bike Park on two wheels.

The pipeline suggests the movement hasn’t yet reached its peak. In NSW’s Wollongong area, phase two of the Illawarra Escarpment Mountain Bike Network is readying for construction. Meanwhile, Thredbo is continuing to refine Australia’s only lift-accessed mountain bike park, and Victoria’s Mount Buller is expecting 10 kilometres of new tracks by April – proving there’s room in this boom for both grassroots trail towns and established alpine icons.

Our verdict

the Passage Peak hiking trail on Hamilton Island — The holiday haven is much-loved by bikers. (Credit: Harry Gruttner)

Back on Hamilton Island, I find myself grinning all the way through the final stretch. I dismount muddy but intact, buoyed by a genuine sense of accomplishment and the smugness of having seen the island from corners few visitors reach.

“If you’ve done the hikes and you’re up for a new challenge, the juice is absolutely worth the squeeze. But you’ve got to be adventurous," says Hamilton Island activities manager Ben Norman. “I’m blown away. I’ve ridden trails all around the world and that was world-class," a fellow rider confirms back at HI Trails HQ. Mountain biking in Australia really is having a moment – and, sweat and all, I’m glad to be along for the ride.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Mountain biking is booming – I tried it for the first time on Hamilton Island to find out why