[Closed] Mtb Australia

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Melrose SA
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North South Track Hobart
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Blue Tier Tasmania
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Mt Buller Victoria

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Koziosco NP NSW

Just me out here then....

Funny thing is me and Mrs Soulwood were having a theoretical discussion on which country is better placed for MTB'ing, Oz or NZ. We travelled through both countries over 12 years ago. I reckon its NZ but Mrs Soulwood is drawn to Oz mainly as it is warm. Anyone able to make their case?

I reckon NZ has more Trail Centre type mountains and stuff, there is more of an access problem here, so no riding in most of the national parks 🙁 and they havn't got the idea of 1 way made trail out here which might be getting a bit frustrating....

Will be off to NZ at some point so will see how it is. Pics are mostly from the last trip so just done Tas so far.

Two way trail centres was a real shocker the first time for me. Still not encountered anything other than civility and courtesy as yet. I guess the potential to into contact with a Strava driven stormtrooper is a possibility.

Hobart certainly wasn't that sunny yesterday Mike.
Between the 2, you still can't ride in a NP in Oz. NZ has bigger mountains & they aren't so far away.
Anyway, this was Bruny island last summer;
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Too busy riding and laughing at people still stuck in the UK. Melrose (def not the Scottish one) - the place to be.

I'd say NZ would have better riding but I think Australia has a pretty good race and endro scene for the size of it's population.

Oz has huge access problems for MTBs in National parks. At least NZ is opening theirs up. Huge developements going on nationally for cycling n MTBing in NZ.

Aussies see NZ in a similar way to how the Brits view the Alps - the ultimate mtb destination.
The kiwi's have realised how important adventure/extreme sports are to their tourism market and alot of development has taken place.
They have also adjusted the legislation to reduce concerns over public liability in such areas
If you get caught mountain biking in Australian national parks you risk getting your bike confiscated.
Trails illegally built in Aus national parks are blocked with obstacles by the rangers due to public liability concerns.
For this reason nobody posts or talks openly about the majority of trails in forums as the rangers screen such sites too.
So do the motorcross riders who will very quickly ride and destroy mtb trails when they learn of them as they have even less access to land.
The crazy green movement is way too strong in Aus unfortunately as well.

NZ looks awesome, think it may be my next bike holiday if I can ever afford it:

I guess the potential to into contact with a Strava driven stormtrooper is a possibility.

Who do you mean?? I'm more worried about people climbing up things that go better the other way!! Just means I don't let it go as often (or ride more during the week). I do find some of the new trails out of Launceston are more compromised by design trying to get 10km of trail by building 5km and using it both ways.

kiwijohn - Member
Hobart certainly wasn't that sunny yesterday Mike.

Not quite Queenstown but it is just at the end of the road

WA isn't getting a mention, some fun stuff over here too...

This is 30 mins from the Perth CBD:

And this is 'down south'

Can't find any at the moment (at work) but I definately mean to get to NZ to ride at some point. Australia has good trails, but NZ definately has the reputation for the big mountain riding. They Definately ahve a better system for adventure tourism. NZ is also alot more compact so much easier to get to different areas. Many Europeans seems to underestimate the distances in Aus. I went to Canberra for a race on the weekend from Melbourne, 8 hours drive on the motorway, and canberra isn't far north in Australia

I went to Canberra for a race on the weekend from Melbourne, 8 hours drive on the motorway, and canberra isn't far north in Australia

Have they built a motorway?? I thought it was just a bigger road.....

I remember the drive to Melrose from adelaide, worth it for a weekend...

mikewsmith - Member

I guess the potential to into contact with a Strava driven stormtrooper is a possibility.

Who do you mean?? I'm more worried about people climbing up things that go better the other way!! Just means I don't let it go as often (or ride more during the week). I do find some of the new trails out of Launceston are more compromised by design trying to get 10km of trail by building 5km and using it both ways

As I said, found it a bit weird having two way trail centres at first but it seems to work. Not seen any inconsiderate behaviour but was thinking that there sure is far more potential than on a one way trail.

Shorts in winter, what bit of the kalamunda trails is the first bit of that video? Iv only just started exploring up there and it looks a bit familiar.

Just had 2 riders in from new zealand. The riding there sounds and looks amazing. Lots of money being invested in trails and centres too. I'd go there rather than Oz, which I found to be not too MTB friendly.

Trails are great, but don't forget weather in NZ is like UK...(but slightly warmer)

Don't go for two weeks and expect 14 days of sunshine!!

WildHunter, thats because all Aussie bush looks the same 🙂

The first part is Camakazi and the really dark bit is Lancasters!

Ah right I know Camakazi but not sure about Lancasters. Hmmm might have to have a wee explore on fri.

The Lancaster is not quite finished yet - but is ride able. It hasn't made it on to the official map yet, but has snuck in to the EveryTrail guide.

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/kalamunda-circuit

Cheers, thats a pretty handy website. Been really impressed so far with the trails. I was a bit worried when I first got here that wouldnt be any good riding.

Are you a local then? Last ride we found ourselves on the 'Little Ovens Circuit' i think it was called. Ended up climbing up some old DH lines to Gunjin and then we came down Mercury Street I think. Didnt manage that logride but mebbe next time.

Little Ovens is a very old walk trail that got adopted by mountain bikers. Some of it still exists, but Mercury St has replaced one of the main descent (Gunjin to the Dell).

The old downhill line that you climbed up should be getting revamped later this year as well. It is an exciting time for mountain biking in WA.

If you need a guide WildHunter give me a shout, more than happy to show you round, know most of the trails up in the hills, both legal and not so legal...