Exploring NSW on two wheels: Bike and cycling trails across NSW

From scenic coastal paths to forest singletrack and rail trails through country towns, New South Wales offers an incredible variety of bike and cycling trails for all skill levels. This guide breaks down some of the best cycling tracks and trails across six NSW regions, with details on difficulty, distance and what to expect along the way.

Far North Coast NSW & Northern Rivers

Ballina to Lennox Head Coastal Bike Trail

This popular coastal ride links Ballina and Lennox Head via a mix of shared paths, quiet roads and beachside sections. With ocean views and mostly flat terrain, it’s a favourite for relaxed rides and short day trips.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: Approximately 12 to 14 km one way
Stay: Reflections Ballina or Reflections Lennox Head

Northern Rivers Rail Trail

One of the most anticipated cycling projects in regional NSW, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail follows a former rail corridor through farmland, rivers and historic towns. Currently open sections include Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek and Casino to Lismore. The trail surface is a mix of sealed and compacted gravel, and the gradients are gentle, making it suitable for families, beginners and e-bikes.

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: Approximately 24 km and 30 km across current sections
• Stay: Reflections Ballina

Local Mountain Bike Parks

The Northern Rivers is also home to several mountain bike areas with a mix of flow and technical trails, including Duck Creek and nearby forest networks. These trails suit riders looking for off-road challenges close to the coast.

• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
• Distance: Variable
• Stay: Reflections Ballina

Mid North Coast NSW

Double Wharf Trail, Wallingat National Park

Set within Wallingat National Park, the Double Wharf Trail follows a peaceful route through forest and river flats. While primarily a walking trail, it’s suitable for mountain biking and offers a quiet, scenic ride with minimal elevation change.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 5.5 km one way
• Stay: Reflections Seal Rocks & Reflections Tuncurry

Kiwarrak Mountain Bike Park

Located inland from the coast near Tinonee and Forster, Kiwarrak Mountain Bike Park features an extensive network of purpose-built trails. With options for beginners through to experienced riders, it’s one of the largest mountain bike parks in the region.

• Difficulty: Easy to Advanced
• Distance: Over 80 km of trails
• Stay: Reflections Forster

Barrington and Upper Hunter

Barrington Bike Park

Near Gloucester, Barrington Bike Park offers downhill and all-mountain trails set within rainforest terrain. Designed for confident riders, the park includes steep descents, technical features and fast-flowing lines, with shuttles often available to access higher elevations.

• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
• Distance: Multiple trails of varying lengths
• Stay: Reflections Forster

Sapphire Coast

Gravity Eden Mountain Bike Trails

Gravity Eden is a world-class mountain biking destination near Eden, offering gravity-fed trails that descend from forested ridgelines toward the coast. The network includes a wide range of trail grades, making it suitable for intermediate riders through to highly experienced mountain bikers.

• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
• Distance: Approximately 58 km of trails
• Stay: Reflections Eden

Panboola Wetlands to Pambula Beach Cycling Routes

Panboola Wetlands features flat, accessible shared paths that weave through wetlands and open grasslands. These paths connect to local cycling routes leading towards Pambula and nearby beaches, making it ideal for families and casual riders.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: Flexible loops and shared paths extending several kilometres
• Stay: Reflections Eden or Reflections Pambula

Central Coast

The Central Coast offers a well-developed network of shared paths and cycleways connecting lakes, beaches and town centres. The region suits casual riders, families and cyclists looking for longer scenic routes.

Brisbane Water Cycleway

Running between Gosford and Woy Woy, this shared path follows the edge of Brisbane Water with mostly flat terrain and a sealed surface. Parks, picnic areas and cafés along the way make it a relaxed and enjoyable ride.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 12 km one way
• Stay: Norah Head Lighthouse Lightkeepers Cottages

Tuggerah Lakes Shared Path Network

The paths around Tuggerah Lakes offer water views and gentle terrain, with plenty of options to create shorter family-friendly rides or longer loops for more experienced cyclists.

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Distance: Variable, up to 30 km or more
• Stay: Norah Head Lighthouse Lightkeepers Cottages

Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie combines lakeside shared paths with access to forest and coastal trails, making it a versatile cycling destination.

Watagans Cycle Track: Warners Bay to Speers Point Foreshore Path

This flat, paved path follows the shoreline and is popular with families and casual cyclists. Public art, playgrounds and cafés make it easy to turn the ride on the Watagans Cycle Track into a relaxed day out.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.6 km

Fernleigh Track

The Fernleigh Track follows a former rail corridor and offers a smooth, mostly flat shared path that can be ridden in sections or as a longer ride connecting Lake Macquarie with Newcastle.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 15 km one way

Glenrock State Conservation Area Trails

For mountain bikers, Glenrock offers bushland and coastal trails with climbs, descents and varied surfaces. These tracks are best suited to confident riders with mountain bikes.

Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
Distance: Variable, up to 14 km

Country NSW

Country NSW offers wide-open landscapes, quieter trails and purpose-built bike parks that suit riders looking to escape the coast and explore regional terrain. From lakeside loops to flowing singletrack, these inland trails are well worth the detour.

Copeton Bike Park

Located near Inverell, Copeton Bike Park is a purpose-built mountain bike destination set around Copeton Dam. The park features a mix of flowing cross-country trails, technical sections and beginner-friendly loops, with clear trail grading and well-maintained surfaces. Wide views over the dam and surrounding bushland make this a standout inland riding experience.

Difficulty: Easy to Advanced
Distance: Approximately 25 km of trails

New England and Regional NSW Cycling Routes

Inverell Cycling Routes and Dam Loops
Inverell and the surrounding area offer a handful of enjoyable cycling routes, including paths around the town, loops near Copeton Dam and scenic country road routes. Local cycling maps list several community routes, such as:

• Inverell to Northern Foreshores Copeton Dam loop, taking in views around part of Copeton Dam.
• Cycling routes around Inverell town and adjacent rural roads.
  Community-generated maps show options from shorter, gentle rides to longer loops suited to road or hybrid bikes.

Inverell Cycleway
The Inverell Cycleway is a paved, relatively flat shared path ideal for easy cycling around town. It’s suitable for casual riders, families and anyone looking for a short ride on a clearly marked path.

New England Cycle Trail South
For more ambitious touring cyclists, the New England Cycle Trail South is a long-distance mixed-terrain route starting near Armidale. It covers a significant distance through regional landscapes and is best suited to experienced riders or multi-day touring.

Armidale area mixed-terrain routes
Around Armidale, cyclists can explore a variety of mixed-terrain rides suited to gravel bikes and mountain bikes, ranging from shorter scenic loops to more challenging rides that take in the rural countryside and local natural highlights.

Quiet country road and gravel riding
The broader New England High Country region is known for its quiet gravel roads and remote wilderness trails, offering classic country cycling experiences. Options range from easy scenic rides through farmland and bushland to multi-day adventure routes that weave between historic towns and rugged natural features.

Suggested regional town loops and rides

Glen Innes and New England Road loops
Glen Innes and its surrounds have quiet country roads ideal for scenic rides, including historical backroads linking farmland, small towns and historic sites.

Walcha and Tenterfield rides
The Walcha area offers quiet paved and gravel loops ideal for more relaxed day rides, while Tenterfield is a base for longer adventure gravel routes that explore the hinterland.

Armidale to Uralla loop
A popular regional ride for road cyclists runs between Armidale and Uralla, passing through pastoral landscapes and small rural communities.

Tips for planning your ride

Before heading out, check trail conditions and surfaces, especially after wet weather. Choose a bike that suits the terrain, carry water and basic repair gear, and allow time to enjoy the scenery along the way.

From gentle rail trails to technical mountain bike parks and scenic coastal paths, these NSW cycling trails offer something for every type of rider and are a great way to explore each region at your own pace.