Best Dirt Bike Riding Around the Sunshine Coast

From leafy forest tracks to winding technical trails, there are stacks of great dirt bike riding opportunities not far from the golden sand of the Sunshine Coast.

From Beerburrum, just an hour north of Brisbane, all the way up to the Gympie region, there’s a long list of National Parks, State Forests, and private MX parks where you can open up the throttle and head off to explore. Whether you’re just starting out or a more advanced rider, there’s guaranteed to be more than a trail or two with your name on it.

If you’re lucky enough to win the two Honda CRF125 dirt bikes (valued north of $5,000 each) that come with Endeavour Foundation’s latest $1.4 million prize home lottery, you’ll be pleased to know that you won’t have to go too far to get them dirty.

Where to Get Dirty Around the Sunshine Coast

It can sometimes be a bit confusing to know where you can ride a dirt bike and where you can’t, so we’ve done the hard work for you and put together a list of the best dirt bike riding spots near the Sunshine Coast.

Just remember, the trails in State Forests and National Parks are considered as roads, which means that your dirt bike must be registered for you to ride them.

Beerburrum State Forest

Just south of the Glass House Mountains, this State Forest is open to trail bike riding, four-wheel driving, mountain biking and horse-riding on established forest roads through pine plantations and open eucalypt forest.

While these roads have been built for practical purposes (as access roads for forestry and powerline maintenance), they still offer up a fun day of riding and even a few technical challenges.

Glass House Mountains

Around thirty minutes south-west from the Sunshine Coast or an hour north of Brisbane, Glasshouse Mountains National Park is one of the more popular places to ride in South-East Queensland.

Here you’ll find shady forest tracks with some technical sections that will challenge even the experienced riders.

But don’t expect to have it all to yourself. Not surprisingly, this area is popular spot, so be prepared to share the trails with other riders and four-wheel drives, particularly on weekends.

Beerwah State Forest

Positioned at the base of the Sunshine Coast, just inland from Caloundra, Beerwah State Forest serves up an extensive network of access trails to explore for beginners to more advanced riders. Given the proximity of Beerburrum State Forest and Glass House Mountains National Park, many riders combine these three spots into one epic day.

Mapleton National Park

Just inland from Nambour, this National Park steps things up a notch, with some tight technical terrain and mega-bumpy, rocky sections. Let’s say this place isn’t for beginners, so if you’re just starting out, try out some of the other forests before you tackle this one. This is also not a place to ride alone so make sure you bring an equally experienced buddy.

If you want to make a weekend of it, book a National Park campsite at Gheerulla camping area.

Coolum MX Track

Did you know that you can even eat some dust without leaving the coast? The Coolum MX Track, run by the Sunshine Coast Junior Motorcycle Club provides a safe, controlled space for dirt bike riding. The main track is a sandy, 1.6km circuit, including manmade jumps and hard-pack ramps. There’s also a 500m learners’ track for beginners.

The facility opens up to non-members for track days and also hosts state and national events throughout the year.

Dirt Bike Riding Safety Tips

Bring a buddy

Dirt bike riding can be a dangerous sport, often done in remote locations. That’s why you should never ride alone. Always bring a buddy along with you wherever you’re going to ride. It’s a whole lot safer and a whole lot more fun.

Stick to the trails

To ensure a safer ride with fewer surprises, make sure you only ride on designated tracks. You’ll cause less damage to the local environment Don’t ride off track or take short cuts as this can cause damage to the local environment and increase the likelihood of getting lost. Just stick to the trails

Gear up

Wearing the right protective gear can really save your skin… literally. It will also help to protect you from much more serious injuries if you take a tumble. Remember, if you come off, it will be the only thing between you and the gravel so it’s worth investing in some decent gear.

At the minimum, basic safety gear includes a compliant helmet (approved by the Department of Transport), goggles, long pants (preferably tough motorcycle pants), a long sleeve shirt, ankle-protective boots, and gloves.

If you win the Hondas in Endeavour Foundation’s Prize Home lottery, you will also win a $1000 voucher toward setting yourself and your riding buddy with all the right kit.

Know your limits

It’s important to think about where your skill level is at when choosing trails and places to ride. It’s ok to still challenge yourself, but just don’t push yourself too far too soon or be led by peer pressure. When you’re just starting out, concentrate on enjoying your ride and save impressing your mates for when you’re a bit further down the track.

Learn from the experts

The best tip of all is to invest in some professional dirt bike riding lessons. You’ll not only get a whole lot more enjoyment out of your riding, but it will also help ensure that you’re not a danger to yourself or others when you’re out on the trails.

You could either join a dirt bike riding school or book in a couple of 1-on-1 lessons for more intensive training tailored to where you are now with your riding and where you want to go.

Wanna Win A Couple of Dirt Bikes (And A Garage to Park Them)?

For your chance to win a pair of Honda CRF125 dirt bikes (valued at over $10,000) and place to park them, make sure you grab a ticket in Endeavour Foundation’s latest $1.4 million Prize Home lottery. You can find out more about the prize here.