From the tight and technical forest trails in the Glass House Mountains to the wide-open golden sandy beaches of Double Island Point, you don’t have to look far to find world-class dirt bike riding on the Sunshine Coast.
Whether you’re a born and bred local looking for somewhere new to ride or an interstate traveller chasing a weekend getaway, we’ve put together a list of the best dirt bike tracks on the Sunshine Coast. All you have to do is click this link to hire one of our reliable dirt bikes — and get amongst it.
Glass House Mountains
When putting together a list of the best places to ride dirt bikes on the Sunshine Coast, the Glass House Mountains is a strong favourite. With over 120 kilometres of riding trails, dense forestry, challenging hill climbs and scenic viewpoints, the Glass House Mountains has something for everyone.
From tight and windy trails to rocky hills and wide-open 4WD tracks, your skills will be put to the test and you’ll be rewarded with some of the region’s best riding. Due to the sheer size of the riding terrain, it’s easy to get lost and that’s why we provide handlebar-mounted GPS units – so you’ll have the confidence to go off the beaten track.
Just a short drive southwest of the Sunshine Coast, the Glass House Mountains also has a range of campsites if you’re looking at multi-day adventures.
Beerwah State Forest
If you have a need for speed, the Beerwah State Forest is the perfect place to push your bike to its limits. With long, open gravel roads and forest tracks that peel off into the horizon, this area has a bit of everything when it comes to terrain.
Located on the Southern end of the Sunshine Coast, the Beerwah State Forest features gravel roads, tight forestry trails, rocky hill climbs and everything in between. There are also a few scenic viewpoints where you can kick back after a solid day of riding and look out over the Glass House Mountains.
Beerburrum State Forest
Just South of the Glass House Mountains is the Beerburrum State Forest – another epic location suitable for all riding abilities. With an extensive network of trails and thick eucalypt forests, this spot offers a range of tracks suitable for beginners right up to more technical terrain that will challenge even the most experienced riders.
Thanks to its proximity to the Glass House Mountains and the Beerwah State Forest, you can often cover these three areas in one weekend.
Cooloola Way
Taking a turn out of the forest and towards the coast, the Cooloola Way 4WD tracks will take you through the western catchment of the Upper Noosa River towards Rainbow Beach.
Along the way, you can expect gravel roads, dirt tracks, water crossing, forest trails and challenging 4WD tracks. There’s plenty of space to clock up some speed and tick over the kilometres while enjoying some of the Sunshine Coast’s most scenic riding.
As you make your way north, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, covering a significant amount of distance without running into another rider or vehicle. Keep your eyes peeled and follow the signs, as a wrong turn could lead you off course.
One of our favourite spots in this area is the tea-tree river crossing pictured above. It can be challenging to find but a quick swim after a hard day’s ride is hard to beat.
Double Island Point
Easily one of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic spots – Double Island Point is a favourite among locals and holidaymakers alike. But did you know you can ride dirt bikes along the beach and up to the point? Whether you get the ferry across from Tewantin or head south from Rainbow Beach, this stretch of golden coast is a must for dirt bike enthusiasts on the Sunshine Coast.
Park up for a swim or surf, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery as you ride with huge colourful cliffs on one side and the blue Pacific Ocean on the other. You can also camp along the Cooloola Way Recreation Area to turn your trip into a weekend adventure.
Be mindful that normal road rules apply along the beach with police regularly roaming the area.
K’Gari
Not typically regarded as a dirt bike destination, K’Gari offers some of the east coast’s most underrated dirt bike tracks. From long sandy beaches to challenging inland trails, the world’s biggest sand island should be a sure stopover for any dirt bike enthusiast.
To get there you’ll have to travel about 2 hours north from the Sunshine Coast to Inskip Point, where you’ll jump on a short ferry ride before hitting the island. We recommend having a few days minimum to explore K’Gari, as once you’re there you’ll realise just how big it is.
Mapleton & Maleny
While it’s known for its quirky cafes, bustling markets and expansive lookouts, the Sunshine Coast hinterland is also home to a range of dirt bike tracks. Both Mapleton and Maleny offer technical terrain with rocky hill climbs, tight trails and creek crossings – more suited to the experienced rider.
There are also campsites and a range of accommodation options throughout the area if you’re looking to spend a few days exploring the area.
Our Riding Tips
Don’t Ride Alone
Riding alone is never a good idea. Whether you get lost, have an accident or your bike breaks down, having someone who can go and get help during an emergency can be the difference between life and death. It’s not only much safer but also more enjoyable riding with mates.
Check Your Gear Before Going
There’s nothing worse than getting out into a remote location and having issues with your bike or riding gear. We recommend always giving your equipment a thorough inspection during your ride and before hitting the next trail to avoid any unwanted surprises.
We also recommend checking if all your riding gear is in good condition before going out to ensure you’re protected in the unlikely event something does go wrong.
Plan Ahead
Whether you’re riding tracks you’ve explored a hundred times or you’re heading into the forests for the first time, planning ahead will help you get the most out of your trip. From working out how long it will take to get to and from your riding destination to deciding which tracks you want to ride, planning ahead will help you get home safely as well as maximise your riding time.
The Sunshine Coast is home to some of the country’s best dirt bike terrain – from golden beaches to lush hinterland forests. Regardless of your riding ability, there’s something out there for everyone and our goal is to help you find it!
At Sunshine & Fraser Coast’s Coastal Gateway Tours, we provide dirt bike hire on the Sunshine Coast and our bikes come equipped with handlebar-mounted GPS units so you’ll never get lost. You can ride our suggested tracks, map your own and when needed use the GPS to get you home.
Make a booking today and go and explore everything our unique region has to offer.