Destination Guides

If you’re looking for some great places to ride a dirt bike in Cairns, then Frontaer has you covered. We’ll share with you where to ride today.

You might not want to tackle Cape York just yet and instead just find local riding areas. You shouldn’t have to venture far to find some good spots.

In this guide, we’ll show you where to go. By the end of this, you shouldn’t need to ask “Where can I ride my offroad trail bike near Cairns” because we’ve done the work for you.

Cairns dirt bike riding areas

Before you set out and explore Cairns on your 4-stroke, we wanted to share some tips with you:

• Always wear your protective gear, especially if you’re exploring solo.
• Don’t take the risk of riding unregistered. Either get your bike registered or simply buy another one from Gumtree or one of Cairns numerous trail bike and adventure riding dealerships.
• Rangers are trying to get some Cairns riding areas shut down because of hooligans. Don’t be one of them and be respectful for any area you enter.
• Avoid private properties. This is a sure-fire way to upset local landowners.

So now let’s get into it. Here are the best dirt bike riding spots in Cairns:

1. Kuranda and Mobray National Park

Did you know that you’re permitted to ride dirt bikes in Kuranda and Mowbray National Parks? Trail bikes are permitted but the area is quite restricted without much fun to be hard. Pretty much it’s Black Mountain Road.

Stick to formed tracks and be weary of others using the track. Horse riders, mountain bikers and hikers are quite common especially in the tourist months.

2. Cairns Recreational Offroad Club

Head over to Miriwinni for 100 acres of great offroad tracks. You can ride an unregistered dirt bike here and this place isn’t too far from Cairns CBD.

These guys are very family orientated and kids are welcome. The tracks are a mixture of open MX, tight enduro and technical hill sections. Pretty much something for everyone!

Also, as they operate as a non-for-profit, you need to show your utmost respect. Some riders have been banned from here for disrespectful behaviour which simply isn’t on. Wear your gear, look out for riders (especially children) and clean up after yourself.

This is a mighty fine spot for a day-trip. Load up the trailer and go!

3. Herberton Range National Park

Head 90 minutes of out Cairns and you’ll come across Herberton Range. This is a good spot to ride registered dirt bikes and tours are often running through this area.

Keep in mind that not all spots within Herberton Range can you ride a dirt bike. There are purely walking-only tracks as well as tracks for horses too.

If you do come across a horse rider, then simply stop and let them pass you. They’ll appreciate it and we can keep these areas open for all responsible dirt bike riders.

4. CREB Track

From Black Mountain to Mount Molloy you’ve got the Creb Track. It’s a mixture of tropical lush rainforest and open savannahs, plus a few river crossings to keep you (literally) on your toes!

Riding the Creb Track is very popular among dirt bike riding circles. It joins the Bloomfield Track which is sort of on the route to Cape York.

This is one epic ride and one that is best done over a two-day trip. Keep in mind that after the wet season, there could be saltwater crocodiles at some of the creek crossings.

If there is one Cairns dirt bike riding tracks to put on the bucket list, it’s definitely the Creb Track. You’ve gotta do this ride at least once in your life!

5. Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands

For a good overnight trip, it’s hard to go past the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands. There are numerous places to ride here. This stretches out towards the Tully area.

If you don’t know this area well, then join an organized dirt bike tour starting in Cairns as they often head out in the Atherton direction. You can bring your own dirt bike for a discount or use one of theirs.

For example, as per the photo above, you can join Great Northern Motorbike Adventures on a WR450F adventure which is a big step up from the typical and tamer Suzuki DRZ400 offerings.

6. Cairns MX Club

For motocross enthusiasts, it’s hard to look past the community spirit of a club. Cairns had their own club and track which is first-grade and kept up high with maintenance.

Cairns MX Club is very much for development of the sport in a safe and controlled manner. Children and teenagers are very welcome to develop their riding skills and they also do racing/coaching for all age groups.

If you want to ride an unregistered dirt bike in Cairns, then this place is a good alternative that doesn’t require much of a drive. It’s located on Thomspson Road at Edmonton on the south side.

Riding spots roundup

Let’s show you in summary the distances and terrain these spots have:

Name	Distance from Cairns	Terrain	Rating
Kuranda	20 minutes	Unsealed road	4/10
Cairns offroad club	30 minutes	Open loop circuits	9/10
Herberton Range	90 minutes	Open forest and tight technical sections	8/10
CREB track	45 minutes	Something for everyone	10/10
Atherton	1 hour	Forest roads and open sections	8/10
Cairns MX Club	10 minutes	Standard motocross track	9/10

For most people, getting to these spots is going to require a ute with tailgate, van or dirt bike trailer. Bring your camping gear so you can stay overnight too.

Better yet – hope on a dirt bike camping organized tour. This is a great way to discover some quality riding spots with experienced local riders from Cairns.

Brisbane dirt bike riders are always on the search for new places to ride their motorbike, whether registered or motocross. Here are the 9 best options.

As the city gets bigger and bigger, more riding areas become progressively closed. It’s disappointing but that’s the way things are. We do look forward to more mainstream electric dirt bikes being released in Australia, but until they’re mainstream, there are only a few solid options out there.

Brisbane’s Best Places to Ride a Dirt Bike

Frontaer has done the heavy lifting for you. The research into the best riding spots around Brisbane shows us that we do actually have some pretty damn good options to ride trail bikes.

Ideally, your bike has to be registered to have all the options available to you. However, we’ll include some MX parks on this list too.

Here are the best dirt bike riding places near Brisbane:

1. Lockyer National Park

Head west and after an hour’s drive, you’ll come across the Lockyer National Park. Dirt bike riding is approved here by the Queensland Government but you will need to be licensed and registered.

There are numerous roads leading in and out of the national park, most of which is unsealed. You’ll be sharing these tracks with 4wd enthusiasts and these trails do get busy on weekends so be careful!

Camping isn’t permitted here but you can get some great accommodation nearby in Toowoomba. Adventure motorcycle riders will especially love the Lockyer National Park for a quick getaway.

2. D’Aguilar National Park

There is some fantastic riding trails within D’Aguilar National Park for dirt bikes coming from Brisbane. The track is more technical and tight especially around the Mount Mee area but you’ll find most of it relatively easy.

Horse riders, hikers, mountain bikers and 4×4 drivers also share these tracks. If you do come across others, some basic manners and respect will go a long way to keep this majestic place open to the rest of us.

3. Queensland Moto Park

This is the ultimate Moto Park for Brisbanites. On the weekends it’s certainly packed so try to plan for a week day ride. Gold Coasters also love this place.

You can ride unregistered dirt bikes and quad bikes here and this place is only an hour from Brisbane. They are very family friendly with tracks set aside just for kids.

4. Willowbank MX Park

Willowbank MX Park is an awesome spot and only about 25 minutes from Brisbane CBD. They welcome all types of dirt and trail bikes of any engine size.

The reviews on Willowbank MX Park are very high and there’s a clear reason for it:

• Multiple tracks to choose from.
• A flat training area for complete beginners
• A Pee-wee and junior riding track for the kids
• Long MX tracks that aren’t your typical boring design

Clearly the designers have really put some thought into this.

If you’re looking for thrills and don’t have a motorcycle licence, then this place will let you in. 2-stroke or 4-stroke…Willowbank is the place to be!

5. Phoenix Creek Motocross and Camping

If you’re looking for a family-only place, then Phoenix Creek is the place to be. The reviews are low because they only let certain people ride, and that’s good people. If you’re looking for hardcore extreme tracks with the attitudes to match, then this place isn’t for you.

Phoenix Creek requires a decent drive though. It’s 2 hours out of town and past Woodford. The kids will love it and don’t get intimidated by disrespectful riders because…well…there isn’t any!

And just so you understand: You can only ride here if you’re riding with children. It’s a family dirt bike park and designed like that from Day 1.

More information on their website: www.phoenixcreek.com.au

Toilets, showers and camping provided at reasonable costs. The trip up is definitely worth the drive and the kids just won’t want to leave.

6. Fort Lytton Motocross Club

This is the only motocross facility within the Brisbane city area. They run races as well as practice sessions for adults, teenagers and children. If you want coaching then this is the place to go and they can even lend you a bike which you can hire for the lesson.

They also run regular races. If you want to spectate and get your kids into motocross, then this place is only a short drive from the Brisbane CBD. From there, they’ll be begging you to get them dirt bikes and start riding the local tracks and trails!

7. Moreton Districts Motocross Park

This place is about 10 minutes north of Ipswich and is a great place for the family. The MX track itself has good whoop sections to help you improve your skills.

Update: The track has since relocated to Willowbank.

8. Mick Doohan Raceway

If you join the North Brisbane Junior Motorcycle Club then your children can ride the Mick Doohan Raceway. However, so can adults as well!

This is really just a raceway and not so much a motocross or enduro track, unfortunately. But then again, if you like to drift sideways, then this is the place for you.

9. Beerburrum/Beerwah State Forests

We’ve left the best until last! Go for a spin inside Beerburrum or Beerwah State Forest and your heart will be pounding intensely from the chest!

Getting there will require a ute, van or trailer unless you have an adventure motorcycle. And once you get there, you won’t want to leave! Camping is possible at the Coochin Creek camping area.

Be mindful of the many 4×4 vehicles that inhibit this area, especially on weekends. There might be other dirt bikes coming the other way on tight corners too.

The Glasshouse Mountains itself is Brisbane’s favourite enduro and trail bike riding area. You’ll have a mixture of tight technical terrain, open flowing fire trails along pine forests and rainforests.

Tips to look after yourself

Now that you’ve found some awesome riding spots not far from Brisbane, we want to keep you safe on your dirt bike. Here’s what we can recommend:

• Wear all your protective gear. Helmet, goggles, gloves, trousers, jersey, elbow and knee pads plus a good set of motocross/trail boots or adventure motorcycle boots. Also, don’t forget your hydration pack as it gets bloody hot in summer.
• Take a GPS. In some spots the mobile phone signal is non-existent and you can’t rely on your Google Maps. Any good motorcycle GPS for offroad use will be enough to get yourself back to the start of the track, especially if you’re deep in the forest.
• Make a weekend of it. Dirt bike day trips from Brisbane are certainly possible but if you’re going for an enduro ride, then take your camping gear as well.
• Be respectful on the trails. There are inherently going to be others also using those same tracks. Dirt bike riding spots near Brisbane have been shutdown in recent years due to noise complaints and riders simply acting irresponsibly. Do the right thing and we’ll keep these beautiful spots open for generations.

Dual Sports Motorcycle Riders Association Brisbane

Our best recommendation for enduro riders is to join the DSMRA (Dual Sports Motorcycle Riders Assocation) which has affordable memberships. When you join the club, your money is used to fund trips and get insurance so that private property is opened up for organized group rides.

They plan these in advance and the group goes above and beyond. Many SE QLD ADV riders are inside this group to make friends and discuss new tracks and routes. They are always on the look out for private land owners who will be fully insured should something happen.

In summary

Be safe out there! Clearly Brisbane has some good riding areas. Head up to the Sunshine Coast and you’ll find even more dirt bike riding areas to really hone your skills.

Catch you out on the offroad tracks and twist that throttle hard!

Don’t forget to check out the guide below.

21 Dirt Bike Riding Tips [#7 Is Awesome]

Sunshine Coast has many epic dirt bike riding spots, and so we’re going to show you the best places near the Sunny Coast to explore with your trail bike.

Best Places to Ride a Dirt Bike in the Sunshine Coast

In writing this guide to dirt bike trails on the Sunshine Coast, we sought local knowledge from the experts. Essentially, the following advice is recommended:

• You need to have a registered dirt bike to ride anywhere except for private property and an MX track on the Sunshine Coast.
• Kids have multiple MX clubs available to join where the land is flat. It’s simply a matter of picking one and getting them excited by taking them to the dirt bike stores.
• You’ll have to wear your full protective gear everywhere you ride. Some of the tracks can be gnarly, technical and hilly. If you sustain a crash here and injure yourself, it’s hard for the SES to retrieve you. We would recommend a neck brace for most tracks.
• Above all else, be respectful! Don’t make unnecessary noise or ride off the formed tracks, or just generally make a nuisance. There are other users on these tracks like horse riders, mountain bike riders and walkers. Rangers would love to get these following tracks shut down but for now, we really need to be on our best behaviour.

Now that we’ve gone over the induction, let’s get into it!

Here are the best Sunshine Coast dirt bike riding tracks:

1. Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains is exactly what we all desire. Forest tracks, some technically challenging sections and lots of shade cover for those hot days.

Did you know that the most popular place to ride a dirt bike in all of Queensland happens to be the Glasshouse Mountains? It probably is due to the close proximity to Brisbane and many sunny days in QLD.

The Glasshouse Mountains National Park is the place where you’ll want to unleash the throttle. Dirt bikes are more than welcome here in the National Park, though dogs aren’t allowed.

Getting to the Glasshouse Mountains is easy. From Brisbane it’s only just over an hour and from the Sunshine Coast, only 15 to 45 minutes depending on where you’re coming from.

The dirt bike tracks on the Glasshouse Mountains become very busy on weekends with 4×4 enthusiasts and many dirt bike riders. For that reason, try to go for weekday rides and ideally in the cooler months.

2. Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests

Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests are literally right next door to the Glasshouse Mountains National Park. Most riders choose to ride both the state forests and the national park on the same day, given their close proximity.

Much like any other places in Queensland, your dirt bike will need to be registered and you’ll need to be licenced. If you don’t have full registration then you can join one of the many dirt bike tours on the Sunshine Coast.

A lot of these are forestry and powerline roads. Some technical terrain is also there so you’ll need to have some decent level of riding ability.

You can also camp in the Beerburrum/Beerwah State Forests, or in the local town of Landsborough. This place is good for adventure motorcycles as well since the terrain is a bit less technical.

3. Mapleton National Park

Go west of Nambour and you’ll come across Mapleton National Park. The terrain here is a mixture of open forest runs and tight technical terrain, paired with some really rocky sections. Unless you’ve got some adventure riding experience, then I’d avoid adventuring here on your own as it’s a little away from help if you get stuck.

Dirt bikes are welcome here and you can camp here with a permit at the Gheerully Camping area. As with all national parks in QLD, your trail bike will need to be registered and with knobby tyres. Big and heavy adventure motorcycles may struggle with some of the terrains encountered here.

4. Yarraman State Forest

Yarraman State Forest isn’t that popular with dirt bikes though 4wd enthusiasts love this place for exploring and camping. The map show some great spots to really open the throttle.

You can go camping in the Yarraman State Forest as well as explore the tracks on a day ride. Essentially, leave the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane early morning and return before the sun goes down.

Permits not required unless:

• You are in an organized group ride
• Are racing in a competitive event
• Are part of a commercial activity

For most riders, you’ll do just fine with a fully registered dirt bike.

5. Tuan State Forest

Right – this place is going to require a bit of a trip to get there. Getting to Tuan State Forest requires driving north past Noosa and Gympie. It’s about 20 minutes south of Maryborough, however it’s worth the trip.

This place is massive and a mecca for 4×4 and dirt bike riders. National Parks QLD permits dirt bike riders to ride within Tuan State Forest provided you stick to the tracks and your bike is fully registered with Main Roads QLD.

6. Noosa North Shore

If you get the ferry from Tewantin then you can go straight on to Noosa North Shore and have miles of uninterrupted beaches to cruise along.

Note: You will need a beach access permit for riding. If you want to camp on the beach then you’ll need a separate permit for this too, though you can’t simply pull up anywhere and camp freely. There are only a couple of marked campgrounds namely at Rainbow Beach.

Follow the beach along for its entire length (80km) and you’ll come to the next ferry at River Heads near Hervey Bay. This can then take you on to Fraser Island which lands at the famous Inskip Point (it’s famous for all the city slickers getting bogged in their 20PSI 4x4s).

7. Vernon State Forest

Vernon State Forest is open for dirt bikes. There are shared tracks that you’ll need to share with mountain bike riders, so be respectful and give them plenty of space when passing. Dogs are also welcome here though camping is banned.

There are two entrances here but choose the right one. Toogoom mountain bike entrance isn’t for dirt bikes. You can only choose the Takura Trail entrance.

The Vernon State Forest isn’t big and for most riders, you’ll be bored after a couple of hours of doing the same circuits. This is the type of place you head to on a multi-day adventure.

8. Fraser Island

A common question we get is: Are dirt bikes allowed on Fraser Island? Because there seem to be mixed feelings at this time.

Answer: Yes – Dirt bikes are allowed to be ridden on Fraser Island provided they are fully registered and the rider is licenced. You can’t bring unregistered dirt bikes on to the island. Riding is permitted on the beach and on all formed road tracks, but are banned from K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk as this is a designated walking track.

The best dirt bike to bring is one that can power your dirt bike through the soft sand. Avoid the temptation to bring a heavy adventure bike as it will be hard to pick up. As a guide, the KTM 450 is a good choice for Fraser Island.

Fraser Island makes for an epic 4×4 and dirt bike adventure and a chance to really get away from it all. We recommend that pack a decent amount of gear for self-sufficiency although there is accommodation for dirt bike riders on the island. There is also fuel on Fraser Island so you won’t need to bring extra jerry cans for your dirt bike.

There are talks of closing Fraser Island to dirt bikes given the damage that has been caused to some tracks by irresponsible riders. At this time though, it still remains open and the best season to visit is winter. Avoid school holidays and public holidays as Fraser Island becomes extremely busy.

Remember you can ride from Noosa to Fraser Island via the North Shore beach route after catching the 5 minute ferry trip. This means you can avoid the Bruce Highway and going via Gympie.

9. Glen Echo Park

For a fully setup dirt bike and camping park, it’s hard to go past Glen Echo Park. For a long time, it’s been the ultimate Sunshine Coast and Brisbane weekend getaway spot for dirt bike riders with plenty of positive reviews.

Getting there requires going about 30 minutes past Gympie. This certainly isn’t a day trip place and with both miles of epic tracks and camping on offer, why would you want to leave right away?

Kids and teenagers are welcome to bring their unregistered dirt bikes to Glen Echo Park. In fact, there are tracks set aside for them.

The terrain here is mixed for enduro riders. For MX riders, there are four natural terrain tracks plus several man-made jumps and tabletops for practising.

Quad bikes are welcome but there is a 125cc limit. This is one of the few places on the Sunshine Coast to ride a quad bike legally.

10. Parklands MX Park

For a good day trip, bring the kids and head up to the Parklands Motocross Park at Kenilworth. There are a range of tracks to choose from and the reviews on this place are super strong.

This place is open 7 days per week and we recommend weekday riding. On weekends it can be very busy with loads of riders coming up from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to open the throttle.

Kids are very welcome here. Again, this place permits unregistered dirt bike riding unlike most places on the Sunshine Coast. If your MX bike can’t get rego, then get yourself a cheap dirt bike trailer and go here.

Out this way you also have Borumba Dam and Imbil State Forest which is open to dirt bike riders. Definitely worth checking out!

11. Phoenix Creek Motocross Park

If you’re already heading up to Yarraman State Forest for some riding, spending a day and night at the Phoenix Creek Motocross Park is well worth it. The pricing here is very affordable and the hosts are super nice.

With several motocross parks on the Sunshine Coast, what sets this place apart? Well, it’s family orientated. Phoenix Creek is for families only and you can only ride with kids. Essentially, you won’t get the characters that you’ll find at other MX parks in south-east Queensland.

While some would say their rules are too tight, we believe they have built a unique park which is perfect for kids to enjoy. 5 year olds don’t want to be intimidated by a huge dirt bike flying past at 70km/h.

If you want hardcore, this isn’t the place for you. If you want want safety with a focus on families simply enjoying the sport with nothing to prove to anyone, then you’ve definitely found the spot. The vibes here are relaxing.

They are open every day during Queensland school holidays and every weekend, weather permitting. We would put these guys higher on the list though they are restricted to families only. Certainly the best family dirt bike park anywhere near the Sunshine Coast.

12. Coolum MX Track

Looking for something more local? Then Coolum has its own Motocross track and club. Unfortunately, the track here is sandy unlike most other MX tracks across the state.

As part of the Sunshine Coast motorcycle club, they cater for motocross and enduro riders young and old. This is a great place to meet some like-minded friends to head out on weekend trips.

Sunshine Coast riding spots at a glance

We decided to best summarize this list for beginners.

This way, you can read at a glance:

Place name	Time to get there	Terrain	Popularity
Glasshouse Mountains	20 minutes	Hilly	10/10
Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests	25 minutes	Hilly	10/10
Mapleton National Park	35 minutes	Mixed	7/10
Yarraman State Forest	45 minutes	Mixed	6/10
Tuan State Forest	1.5 hours	Open	5/10
Noosa North Shore	20 minutes	Beach	8/10
Vernon State Forest	2 hours	Savannah	5/10
Fraser Island	2 hours	Beach	9/10
Glen Echo Park	30 minutes	Mixed	10/10
Parklands MX Park	40 minutes	Mixed	8/10
Phoenix Creek MX Park	1.5 hours	Mostly flat	7/10
Coolum MX Track	10 minutes	MX track	10/10

All these places are best ridden with at least one other dirt bike rider for your first time. Also, bring a good adventure bike GPS with you to help find your way back to the car.

Bonus spot: Thought we would add in a bonus spot too. If you go along Kawana Way next to Mooloolah River National Park there is a sandy track that follows the powerlines. You’ve got about 3km worth of loose sand riding here. Just be careful not to crash into the powerlines and look out for other users since 4x4s often go here since it’s located so close to a residential area.

Closing thoughts

We’ve done our best to come up with this list for local riders as well as those from out of town and interstate. If you’re heading to the Sunshine Coast with your dirt bikes and need some good trails to ride, then we hope this will come in useful.

Fun-fact: Frontaer is based on the Sunshine Coast and we can’t wait to see you out there too!

Dirt bike laws in Adelaide are strict and so finding a place to ride anywhere in South Australia can be tricky. Here are the best offroad spots around.

In almost every case, you will need some form of transport to get your dirt bike around. That’s commonly a trailer, ute, van or even a light truck. You could also get a caravan toy hauler or use a motorbike ramp on your tailgate.

Best Places to Ride A Dirt Bike near Adelaide

South Australia has dozens of motocross tracks and clubs. However, that probably isn’t what you’re looking for. You want a riding spot that you can head to any day of the week to tear up some tracks and really twist that throttle open wide.

Unfortunately, with Adelaide being a conservative city, it’s damn hard to find anywhere to ride. The beautiful Kuitpo Forest has a solid ban on dirt bikes, as does Blackwood and Mount Crawford. You can only go here with a trail bike if you’re camping with a 40km/h speed limit imposed on unsealed tracks.

Often the best idea to open the throttle up is to join a club. This way you can get access into otherwise very restricted riding areas, even if you are unregistered.

So we’ve done a lot of research for you and have come across these as the best dirt bike tracks near Adelaide:

1. Port Gawler Off Road Park

This is an enduro track and MX track combined and makes for the perfect weekend getaway. This is the same place where the bitumen race track is.

If you’re searching for a place to ride an unregistered dirt bike near Adelaide, then this is one of the closest spots to the city. Port Gawler Off Road Park is available for both adults and kids who want someone to hone their skills and leave the stress of the week behind.

You can also take quad bikes and side-by-side dune buggy’s here.

2. Acusa Park (just past Adelaide Hills)

This is a family park that caters for kids and adults who want to ride fast-flowing MX and enduro tracks. There is a beginners circuit available for those learning to ride a dirt bike.

Getting here is easy and the place is less than 1 hour from the city at Harrogate. Not so good for those wanting fast speeds or exploring tracks, but the perfect place for an easy day trip.

Unfortunately, quad bikes aren’t permitted to ride at this park.

3. Flinders Ranges

To really have freedom, you’ve got to get away from the CBD and the politicians! The Flinders Ranges has many dirt tracks and gravel roads where you can let loose on your registered dirt bike.

This place is hugely popular with adventure motorcyclists looking for somewhere close to Adelaide in which to explore. The rugged beauty and scenic areas, paired with the vastness of the place does make for the perfect weekend getaway.

Flinders Ranges dirt bike riding is best done in the cooler winter months. During summer it can reach 45c and makes for an unpleasant journey. There are many motorcycling trails for adventure bikes.

The best recommendation is to join the Facebook page and partake in the banter. Head along on an organized group ride or even do a tour.

4. Murray River region

There are many places on the Murray River in South Australia where you can ride a dirt bike. Gravel tracks lead in and out of the river every few kilometres and there are plenty of camping spots too.

Off the top of our heads:

• Renmark
• Monarto/Stonewall Park
• Mannum
• Berri
• Goolwa

For an adventure motorcycle rider, heading up to the Murray River is definitely the perfect multi-day adventure. Many riders from Adelaide in the dual sport scene head up this way come Friday afternoon.

Also, the Murray River MX Club and track is well maintained with frequent events. You don’t need to live locally to join.

Are there documented dirt bike tracks for the Murray River? Not really, but you’ll find plenty of tracks if you simply go exploring. Some spots are local secrets that you simply won’t find online.

Many of the camp sites require decent drive on unsealed roads.

5. Port Augusta and Whyalla

There are numerous good riding spots near Port Augusta and Whyalla. As you’re so close to the Flinders Rangers, it makes for a great multi-day adventure.

The distance from Adelaide is 4 to 5 hours if you sit on the speed limit. However, once you get there, you’ll see how worthwhile the tracks are.

It’s mostly open country and fast-flowing trail sections. If you’re looking to get into your top end gears, then this is a solid spot for you.

6. Coorong National Park

Heading to the Coorong National Park is a top spot to bring your dirt bike while also doing some 4×4 exploring too. There is 130km worth of beach to explore. Uniquely, they allow dogs to enter this park provided they are on a leash.

Pro-tip: Book a campsite in advance especially if it’s a public holiday weekend or school holidays. Some spots of the Coorong are closed during the summer months to protect migrating birds in the area.

Again – another great spot if you’re into adventure motorcycles and want to test your sand riding abilities. This place is a haven for 4×4’s so keep an eye out ahead of you.

7. Big Desert Wilderness Area / Ngarkat

A lot of people don’t realize that you can ride in the Big Desert Wildnerness Area. This is right on the SA/VIC border near Keith and is likely where famous Dakar rider Andy Caldecott did some of his early years of practice.

Given this is right near the Coorong, add this to our list while you’re in the area. There are small towns nearby for fuel and supplies. A lot of the tracks here are fast-flowing gravel and shared by local pastoralists, as well as 4wd enthusiasts.

In the summer months, it can get really hot out here at Ngarkat. Spring and autumn are the best time to ride. Again, another spot where you’ll need to be registered to ride legally.

Tips for safe riding

Now that you have a fair idea on where you can ride, let’s get into some of the best tips for a great day out there on the trails:

Join an Adelaide club

Seriously! They will help you find mates to ride with and new tracks to explore. Plus if you’re having trouble with a hill climb, at least you have some backup.

There are numerous dirt bike, trail and enduro clubs in Adelaide. Some are available for casual rides for those that don’t want to do racing. The Dual Sports Riders Association of Adelaide has a great community.

Look around corners

Many dirt bike tracks in South Australia are long and high speed flowing sections. Avoid having tunnel vision and get into the habit of looking around corners. There could be a 4×4 smack bang in the middle of the track with a nasty bullbar ready to take you out.

Don’t put the power down on the rear wheel until you can clearly see the exit in the corner. When it comes to braking, slow down early and be in the right gear before the corner starts.

Pack accordingly

In winter it can get seriously cold away from the city and in summer, seriously hot too. Pack the right riding gear for the conditions and bring plenty of water. Given the lack of phone signal, satellite phone in your dirt bike backpack can be worth the investment, especially if you’re riding solo.

With any trip, it all comes down to proper planning. That includes looking out for advancing weather conditions since places near Adelaide can truly have 4 seasons in 1 day. The deserts in South Australia can also get cold in winter.

Make a trip of it

Day trips from Adelaide are harder because of the distance you need to cover to find good riding spots, with the exception of a few listed above. Make a week-long dirt biking trip and visit several places at once.

Bring your kids, the wife and all the gear. Your dogs can even come if you’re not heading into national parks.

Follow the dirt bike riding etiquette

Don’t be a tool and tear up tracks. Private property is a no-go zone. And most importantly, slow down around other track users. We’re not the only riders out there.

Dirt bike riders have created a bad name for themselves, especially the younger MX crowd. If you’re on an organized ride, follow the rules and you’ll be invited back next time.

Join an Adelaide trail bike riding tour

You can hire a bike and go solo or simply join along with an organized tour. They typically head north to the Flinders Ranges. These are a great way to meet some local friends who share the same hobbies, while also exploring trails safely.

Adelaide is a conservative city and getting away into outback SA is the way to go. However, as with any place, safe riding takes precedence.

Other dirt bike riding spots in South Australia

If you’re prepared to do a big drive, then get right out into the deserts of South Australia. There are many options worth considering:

• The Great Victoria Desert which touches into South Australia at certain parts
• The famous Simpson Desert which we’ve written a solid ADV riding guide to help you traverse it safely. You’ll need solid sand riding abilities.
• Little Sandy Desert and the Sturt Stony Desert. Popular with 4wd adventurers.
• The Strzelecki Desert which will truly make you feel a million miles away.
• There are also the Tirari and Pedrika Deserts which are smaller but still with plenty of gravel tracks to put a smile inside your helmet.

Note: These tracks may venture into APY Lands and a permit may need to be obtained from Anangu.

These are a big drive from Adelaide and will require at least 1 day of driving/riding to simply get there on the highway. Bring plenty of fuel and supplies. Desert riding is best done with a group.

There are dirt bike riding spots near the Adelaide Hills but you’re often venturing on to private property. Legal spots are limited and rangers/police often patrol this area looking for riders trespassing.

Kersbrook, Lobethal, Mount Pleasant, Woodside, Gumeracha and Birdwood may have some legal fire roads worth exploring on 2-wheels.

Adelaide riding spots: In summary

Within a few hours of Adelaide, there are some great dirt bike riding spots. Venture further and you have significantly more riding spots.

Place name	Distance from town	Terrain	Popularity
Port Gawler Off Road Park	45 minutes	Flat enduro sections	10/10
Acusa Park	55 minutes	Mixed terrain	10/10
Flinders Ranges	4.5 hours	Technical sections and open enduro sections	9/10
Murray River region	2 to 5 hours	Sandy country and mildly technical sections	8/10
Port Augusta and Whyalla	4 to 5 hours	Rocky outcrops and sandy sections	8/10
Coorong National Park	1.5 hours	100% sandy sections	7/10
Big Desert Wilderness Area / Ngarkat	3 hours	Fast-flowing gravel and enduro tracks. Mild technical sections	5/10
The Great Victoria Desert	20 hours	Open plains and fast-flowing desert tracks. Sandy.	3/10
Simpson Desert	12 hours	Mostly sandy tracks and muddy country.	5/10
Little Sandy Desert Sturt Stony Desert	12 hours	Lots of sand. Wide open country with fast-flowing enduro tracks.	4/10
The Strzelecki Desert	14 hours	Lots of sand. No trees. Fast-flowing enduro.	5/10
Tirari/Pedrika Deserts	12 hours	No hills. Fast-flowing gravel tracks.	3/10

Certainly, for the adventure bike rider, there are options galore. Pack those panniers and top up the Safari tank.

As for weekend warriors in the enduro, trail bike and MX scene, there are more than enough options out there. Plan in advance and bring a mate.

Stay safe and we’ll see you out there on the trails!

Read some more epic tips below:

21 Dirt Bike Riding Tips [#7 Is Awesome]

Canberra has it tough because there are so few places to ride a dirt bike! It’s strange as Canberra is entirely surrounded by native dirt riding bushland.

We’ve created a list of the best dirt bike riding spots near Canberra. These are best if your bike is registered, but we’ll also note some good MX clubs.

Canberra dirt bike riding spots

We’re going to show you the best dirt bike and trail bike riding spots. We assume that you’re looking for a place to ride but aren’t sure where to begin.

Here goes:

1. ACT Motorcycle Club

If you like to race, then this is the place for you. You’ll need a ute, van or dirt bike trailer to get yourself here but it’s located in Majura.

Either way, join this group as there are other riders who you can join for weekend rides in the area. Kids are also welcome at ACT Motorcycle Club and they provide coaching to help kids improve their track skills.

They run both MX and DT events with affordable membership options. Whether you’re new to the sport or a veteran, this is a good place to be.

2. Tallaganda State Forest

The official word is that dirt bikes are welcome in Tallaganda State Forest. This is about 50 minutes outside the CBD and towards the south.

However, you’ll need a registered dirt bike to ride here. If you don’t, stick to an MX club for now. Also, you can’t bring dogs here either.

Here is the information from National Parks NSW. Essentially, this is the perfect place to head off to on a Friday afternoon and return from on Sunday night. It can get seriously cold here in winter (much like Canberra) so pack accordingly.

3. Brindabella National Park

This here is a sensational place to go dirt bike riding and only just over an hour from Canberra. There are tracks and trails for as far as the eye can see.

You can certainly go dirt bike riding in Brindabella but you’ll need two things: A registered dirt bike + motorcycle license, as well as a way to get it there.

You’re permitted to go camping here as well so make it an entire weekend adventure. Pack the tent, fire wood and extra warm sleeping gear!

4. Dual Sport Motorcycle Riders Association Canberra

We’re advocates of joining a club. This way you’ll get the insights of experienced dirt bike riders in Canberra who aren’t acting like tools.

For example, the DSMRA ACT runs two great beginner rides regularly:

• A run through Pierces Creek
• Another run through Braidwood Bakery

They are only accepting registered and licenced riders. If you’re experienced then you can join one of their more professional rides through Tallaganda or Brindabella.

The first step is to catch up with their group. They meet at least once per month in Mawson, ACT.

Before your first ride, make sure you pack all the right riding gear including body armour, hydration pack and knee/elbow pads. The last thing you’ll want on your first ride is a very sore body and a ruined pride!

In summary

There you have it! 4 places near Canberra where you can take your dirt bike for a spin. Apart from the Motocross club, you’ll need to have a registered bike though mirrors are optional. Most riders simply unscrew these and throw them in their day pack.

In addition to these spots, jump inside some of the Canberra-based Facebook groups. These people are always more than willing to help with some group rides routinely posted there.

Above all else, stay safe! Wear your gear, don’t enter private property and do the right thing. We want all these spots to remain open for the long term.

Have you found any spots recently? Let us know in the comments.