Western Australia mountain bike trail guide

Western australia mountain bike trail guide

The Aussie bush; we love to journey in it. But the south-west of WA is a little different. Cut off with the aid of deserts on two facets and wild season the other, it has developed to feel specific to somewhere else. Out of 34 international biodiversity hotspots listed with the aid of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), they only recognize one in Australia—the SW corner of WA.

The locals, affectionately recognized as ‘sandgropers’, have no shortage of using options. There are around a dozen focal points scattered at some point of the region, every with its very own

unique feel, and thanks to excellent path format the sand groping are stored to a minimum.

Heading south from Perth is easy; hop on the parkway and it’ll take you straight out of town. You won’t hit any visitors lights till Bunbury, 180 km, in addition, on—you’re now in the south-west (just). This is a proper region to start; the Bunbury vicinity serves as a base for the South West Mountain Bike membership and after two hours in the car, you’re probably geared up to stretch your legs and get out for a ride.

Bunbury & Collie

Take a detour up the hill to Collie; they have a lively mountain bike neighborhood based around the local bicycle shop Crank n Cycles.

Drop in to get the lowdown or smartphone ahead if you’re coming on a weekend as you may additionally be able to hook up with their crew ride. They head out from city along a section of the Munda Biddi trail before diverting onto the exciting Dead Cat path and then crossing the road over to the twisty Rays Trail.

Dead Cat and Rays are each intermediate degree singletracks whilst the relaxation of the location consists of mellow woodland trails.

Expect to see a lot taking place right here in the future as the assignment has only just begun.

If that isn’t enough, Wellington Dam National Park is just down the street and it’s littered with handcrafted singletrack (it’s recognized domestically as Pile Road). Most people park next to the brewery (yes brewery) and trip up Boland's music to Wal’s and then down once more on Griz, making a superb loop.

It’s all signposted and there are bogs at the bottom car park. Just round the nook is the Kambarang Eco-Chalet, which is owned with the aid of a nearby mountain biker Barrie Thomas.

They offer eco cabins, b ​ ike camping​, have a full workshop on a website and over nine kilometres of singletrack on their property!

Just let him know you’re coming, sign the indemnity form, sling him a couple of bucks and you’re off on the trails. It’s all handmade singletrack; no longer too technical however it has a nice flow.

Also in the equal region, however, a little nearer to the coast, you’ll additionally locate a variety of government-approved downhill tracks at Wellington Mills. This is the nearby music for the Peel District MTB club and you’ll locate events held there all year round; from membership races to countrywide rounds. They’re not steepest or most technical tracks by way of DH standards, so it’s one to consider if you’re chasing a project on your normal all-mountain rig. The moderate elevation differential also makes pedalling again up a manageable option.

So that’s a lot of driving except even getting to the south-west corner of the south-west (so to speak).

Dunsborough

The Cape to Cape match really deserves some credit for placing the south-west on the countrywide mountain bike radar. Held every October, this event has grown to grow to be the largest multi-stage MTB race in Australia. It commenced a decade in the past and lower back then there used to be barely any singletrack on offer.

Now it showcases the singletrack beehives of Boranup (day two) Margaret River (day three) Middle Earth (day four) and Meelup (day

five). But even if you’ve ridden the Cape to Cape, the route inevitably skips an excellent component of the trails, so there’s suitable purpose to revisit and explore. Besides, it can be greater fun to take in the singletrack at a greater leisurely pace.

Make sure you drop in on Dunsborough to experience the singletrack that makes up the last kilometres of the Cape to Cape, snaking down the side of the hill with stunning ocean views and wildflowers blooming—it’s a long way extra exciting when you’re now not in oxygen deprivation with your eyeballs putting out of their sockets!

If you’re in the neighbourhood, head over to the Dunsborough USA club. A couple of bucks offers you get admission to over 11km of purpose-​built MTB trail​. It’s been developed in conjunction with the nearby mountain bike membership and all cash go again into the maintenance of the trails. Rated blue on the IMBA scale, these hand-cut trails do a lot of twisting and turning around the golf greens. There is even a pump track to play on subsequent to the tennis courts.

Locals have continually ridden in the adjoining reserve; it’s littered with trails inclusive of the famous Brown Street but the formalisation of this community is happening at a glacial pace.

With around 6 km of singletrack, Brown Street is littered with moderately technical path elements inclusive of log roll-overs and affords glimpses out to the perfect turquoise waters of Geographe Bay.

The using here is excellent but the pea gravel can make matters fantastically slippery, in particular, if it hasn’t rained for a while.

After your ride, take a detour simply out of town for a swim at Meelup Beach; it’s a wonderful location and one of the best beaches in the region.

Margaret River

The subsequent end is Margaret River, which over the years has advanced from an underground network to an open neighbourhood of mountain bikers. The most famous riding alternative is centred round Carters Road. Located just north of town on the western facet of the Bussell Highway, Carters Road trails are divided into two principal areas; The Pines on the northern facet and the Creek Trails (AKA South Carters).

Each of these areas offers an incredibly unique feel. The Pines aspects machine constructed berms and jumps with plenty of high-speed glides while the southern place is hand constructed via a native bush. Some components of The Pines have been logged however the jap side remains noticeably untouched and it now flows greater as a loop. The Creek Trail is a regional basis with some brilliant float but watches out if you have ridden here previously, as the jumps seem to be growing!

The question when touring the South West is inevitable; when do you flip around?

Recent advances have allowed the club to put up maps for both path networks. This is a super help but it’s nonetheless really worth shedding in on the Hairy Marron for a little local knowledge. Run by means of a couple of passionate local mountain bikers, this store is placed at the trailhead and affords a workshop, bike hire, all sorts of MTB gear, meals and correct coffee. You’ll find a blackboard out front that’s marked out with any upcoming crew rides. There are some mellower rides for the family as properly as guided excursions (Dirty Detours), women’s rides (Margaret River) and abilities clinics (Dirt Skills).

If you’re chasing some mellow riding then Ten Mile Brook is a long-standing favourite. It’s a 15km loop that heads east from town, presenting wonderful views of the river; it’s a splendid pedal for all the family.

Slightly in addition afield, the path networks of Middle Earth and the Secret Whicher are additionally popular. Located halfway between Margaret River and Busselton, Middle Earth presents 27km of primo singletrack with log rides, rollovers and herbal archways thru big hollowed out trees!

The Secret Whicher is closer to Busselton; it’s a flatter driving location (a precise option if you’ve got worn-out legs) but the trails provide masses of range and interest. You’ll find speedy old-school tight trails that are oodles of enjoyable with the ordinary flowy run tossed in. There’s even log jumps and historic vehicle our bodies to journey over!

Beyond the riding, the Margaret River vicinity has plenty of different alternatives such as caving, rock climbing, wineries, browsing and beer drinking. Two breweries, in particular, have a sturdy connection with riding.

Colonial Brewery (just out of Margaret River) serves as the start/finish point for a couple of tiers of the Cape to Cape whilst Bootleg Brewery has a long affiliation with riding. Their head

brewer is a nearby identification and passionate rider, and they even sponsor a local MTB team. Probably satisfactory to try them each out…

Pemberton

Base your self in the Margaret River vicinity or at Dunsborough and there’s ample using to hold you entertained for a few days at least.

The question when journeying the South West is inevitable; when do you flip around? The pressure from Perth to Margaret River takes over three hours and many select to turn around at this point.

However, Pemberton, two hours in addition south, is rising as an actual MTB hotspot​ and in latest years they have hosted numerous countrywide collection cross-country rounds.

The trails are placed proper next to town (the trailhead is near the swimming pool) and there’s around 17km of singletrack twisting through the spectacular Karri forests. It’s function packed driving too with wood wall rides, jumps, a pump tune and some enormously steep downs by means of Western Australian standards—this region has an extra playful nature and you may even desire to pack your pads. Cool Runnings has always been a crowd favourite, as it tosses you into berm after berm, snaking its way down the hill.

Cooling off in the communal pool on a warm summer’s day is a memorable experience (it’s freaking cold in there) and you haven’t been to Pemberton until you’ve struggled up the fireplace lookout tree; it’s over 60 metres off the floor and not for the faint-hearted.

You’ll additionally find some tight and twisty singletrack close to Northcliffe at the Round Tu-It campground, along with some honestly pleasant kangaroos. Northcliffe is a similarly 30 minutes south from Pemberton, so it’s nicely over four hours’ power lower

back to Perth—have your favourite tune cued up for the return journey!

Bridgetown, Balingup & More

If your legs have whatever left in them, there are a few more places that can also be worth checking out. Bridgetown has three long loops that are in general furnace path and quite effortless through a mix of farmland and forest. Although there isn’t a formal trailhead the tracks are signposted; the Elephant Trail and Cougar trails are each round 20 km spherical trip.

Balingup has been the discussion of the user community with some lovely trails that debuted at a latest gravity enduro event. Located on a property called Linga Longa, these are closed to the public, however, there is a discussion about having open days for the well-known public. Check the Linga Longa Facebook page or the Margaret River Off-road Cycling Association website; if it’s open you can assume to score some huge berms and big airtime!

If these trails aren’t open however you’re playing for some gravity riding, then just west of Nannup you’ll discover what many human beings regard as Western Australia’s best downhill trails. The Nannup trails mightn’t be the most ridden however they have a steepness not typically seen in WA.

Even if you’re all ridden out, the drive north from Pemberton is an attraction in itself. The forests around this vicinity are truly stunning, so gradual down and wonder at the large Karri trees—the south-west certainly rewards the avenue tripper. C ​ omplete bike guide​-

Top Tips 1. This location rewards the avenue tripper (an organised one).

Water isn’t accessible on most trails so having lots with you in the vehicle is the fantastic bet.

2. Bike retail outlets are few and ways between. Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Dunsborough and Margaret River will be your high-quality bet. If your bike takes non-standard spokes, bring a couple spares.

3. Don’t depart domestic besides a spare derailleur hanger; some of these trails don’t see plenty visitors and can be littered with sticks.

4. The rocks aren’t sharp in this section of the world and the thorns aren’t commonly an trouble so most humans can get away with reasonably mild tyres, however, make certain they’ve bought some first-rate tread to penetrate the pea gravel. Any tyre will slide on the stuff so it’s great to go with one that let's go in a predictable manner.

5. Mobile telephone insurance can be sparse however Telstra is nonetheless king with the aid of a long way around these parts.

6. The summer months can be plagued with the aid of march flies or flies in general. A couple of face fly nets stashed in the car can be well worth their weight in gold.

Future Plans The West Australian kingdom authorities currently launched the mountain biking master sketch for the southwestern region. The ‘South West MTB Master Plan’ goals to create a cohesive sequence of trail networks with the goal of growing a world-class MTB destination.

To begin with, the plan identifies Collie, Margaret River and Pemberton as priority areas with purpose-built trails destined for Parks and Wildlife managed lands. The broader plan encompasses a location stretching all the way from Bunbury to down to Pemberton.

With solid authorities and neighbourhood stage support, the scope of this improvement seems to be huge and they currently have 495 km of path pegged as the goal.

The trails are top now but it’s solely getting better! How to b ​ uy a bike from online-

General Information

Getting There

Australia is a big country, so count on a 5 hour flight time from the eastern states. From the airport, you’ll have the full gamut of apartment motors at your disposal and it’s an especially effortless assignment to hit the freeway and head south. Some agencies like Bayswater Car Rentals offer unlimited kilometre picks as an alternative than the 100km per day standard; a beneficial alternative as you will force a lot.

Although they aren’t at the airport, the $20 cab ride to their office may be worthwhile. Drive times are two hours to Bunbury, three and a half to Margaret River and round four hours to Pemberton.

When to Visit It’s satisfactory to avoid summer and school vacations in general.

The summertime months are usually too hot and the holidays can

get incredibly busy. Spring is likely the satisfactory time; the Western Australian bush is brilliant with flowers and the pea gravel trails emerge as a little simpler to control after some rain.