Best mountain biking trails in Victoria, Australia

Wear good shoes, the gravel is slippery. It is mostly easy but there are a couple steep hills. There are some excellent views and you might even see some kangaroos!Show more

Please note that as of November 2020, there is a small detour because a bridge is closed.Show more

The Darebin Parklands on Wurundjeri land are one of Melbourne's best inner bushland reserves. Some features of the Darebin Parklands that you'll experience along this loop include dense native bushland and wetlands, that provide habitat to echidnas, flying foxes, native fish, over 70 species of birds and occasionally kangaroos. The Darebin Parkland efforts for revegetation and creek management mean that there is a well-signed dog off-leash area in the north-east of the Darebin Parklands and is otherwise strictly on-leash only for areas beyond this designated area.Show more

Note: This trail is intended for the usage of mountain bikers and not hikers.Show more

This is an incredible coastal trek. It's usually done in the opposite direction, but starting in Kilcunda still provides an excellent little out-and-back.Show more

Depart from the Visitors Centre Carpark for the track towards the Quarantine Station. In 1852, the Point Nepean Quarantine Station was established for quarantine purposes as ships were coming into Victoria. The ships would raise a yellow flag to alert the Quarantine Station of illnesses on board. The Quarantine section was closed down in 1979. The station was also used by the Army from 1952 to 1998, and the Kosovo Refugees utilized it in 1999. The station is well preserved along with many interesting stories of its history. Buildings still in place include: - Administration Building - Badcoe Hall - Disinfecting & Bathing Complex - Hospitals - Influenza Huts - Isolation Hospital & Morgue - The Original Cemetery & Heatons Monument - The Parade Ground - Quarantine Station Jetty & Passenger Waiting Room - Shepherd's Hut. From here, you follow Coles Track, which is the original track along the Telephone lines from 1940 that were installed to improve the defense of Melbourne during WWII. The track also allows easy access to observatory point. The walk then follows along to Observatory Point where relics still remain, and then onto Eagles Nest where it provides a great view of the seas. The track then heads onto Fort Pearce and Fort Nepean, which were both essential in the defense of Australia. Various points around Australia were constructed for this defense, and the one at this location is a perfect example. Dating back to 1880s, this area was used extensively by the military for the protection of Victoria, while preventing unwanted ships from entering Port Phillip Bay. The location consists of things such as: - Observation Points - The Disappearing Gun - Guns - Ammunition Stores - Tunnels - Gun Mounts - The First Gun Fired in both WWI and WWII - War Fortifications plus much more. You can head back up the road to the Barracks, but not much remains there except for a few things, such as a toilet and a metal bed. However, there is a building with interesting stories about the Barracks. There is a memorial for Harold Holt, Australia's Prime Minister from January 1966 to December 1967. He disappeared while swimming here. Cheviot Hill is where WWII fortifications remain, and also has a view of the Cheviot Beach. Happy Valley is now just the remains of buildings. This area was sarcastically named 'Happy Valley' because of the poor conditions. There is also Point Nepean Cemetery, Gunners Cottage, and a short detour past London Bridge before finishing the trip.Show more