Mountain biking in Noosa

Text and images by Tim Bardsley-Smith, Australian Mountain Bike Magazine

Mountain bike trails snake their way up and down hill through Tewantin National Park, just 10km west of Noosa Heads, and it’s a fun – and unexpected – experience that’s so close to the water activity that Noosa is usually known for.

If you don’t have your own bike, you can join a guided mountain biking tour with Bike On who cater for all skills levels – they’re also running children’s mountain biking camps over the Christmas school holidays. Their Off The Top mountain bike tour is a half-day downhill adventure that starts from the top of Mt Tinbeerwah (they thoughtfully drive you to the top!). The fully guided tour which includes pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation, and a forest picnic, is done at your pace through bush tracks, small creeks and rainforest.

If you’re looking for something a little less active, Noosa is a beautiful place to hire a bike and ride along the riverfront, bike paths and dedicated cycle lanes on mostly flat areas. Bike paths and lanes follow the Noosa River through Tewantin and along Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, connecting through to Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Heads. You can even pack a picnic and take you bike on the Noosa North Shore Ferry from the end of Moorindil Street, Tewantin, and ride to Noosa North Shore for a relaxing day.

All sorts of bikes, including electric bikes are available for hire – just ask at the Visitor Information Centre in Hastings Street or at Noosa Marina, phone 1 3000 NOOSA or email info@visitnoosa.com.au

Images courtesy of Tim Bardsley-Smith, Australian Mountain Bike Magazine