Cycling the Northern Rivers: Road Loops, Rail Trails and Mountain Bike Parks
The Northern Rivers and its neighbouring Gold Coast hinterland have quietly built one of the most diverse cycling scenes in regional Australia. From flat riverside road loops and world-class rail trails to purpose-built mountain bike parks and shuttle-access gravity destinations, there is riding here for every kind of cyclist.
Whether you are packing a road bike, a mountain bike or just planning to hire an e-bike for the day, here is your guide to the best cycling experiences within reach of Ballina.
Road Cycling from Ballina
Ballina’s flat coastal terrain and quiet rural roads make it a great base for road cycling, with several popular loops heading out from town.
The Wardell Loop is a local favourite. Heading south from Ballina along the river through Wardell and back via the hinterland roads, it offers a roughly 30 to 40 kilometre ride on quiet sealed roads through flat to gently rolling sugar cane and farmland country. The roads are well-surfaced and traffic is light, making it ideal for an early morning spin.
For something longer, the ride south towards Evans Head via Broadwater takes in open pastoral views and coastal heath, with the option to loop back through Wardell. The Ballina to Evans Head route covers around 50 kilometres one way and is largely flat with a few gentle hills west of Wardell and through Broadwater National Park.
To the north, the climb up to Alstonville on the hinterland plateau adds some elevation to the ride and rewards you with views back towards the coast. From there, you can loop through the quiet lanes around Rous, Tregeagle and Wollongbar before descending back towards Ballina.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail
No cycling guide to the Northern Rivers would be complete without the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. The 24-kilometre northern section from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek is already one of the most popular cycling experiences in NSW, following the old rail corridor through the Tweed Valley with stunning views of Wollumbin (Mount Warning), heritage railway bridges and glow worm tunnels.
The 29.7-kilometre southern section from Casino to Lismore is also open, with additional sections planned to eventually connect the full 132-kilometre route. E-bike hire is available at the Murwillumbah trailhead from operators including Valley E-Bikes, Better by Bike and Pedals and Picnics.
For more detail on the rail trail, see our dedicated post: Northern Rivers Rail Trail Guide.
Ballina Pump Track
Opened in December 2025, the Ballina Pump Track at Kingsford Smith Reserve is one of the newest cycling attractions right here in town. Built to national competition standards by Velo Solutions, the track features a competition-level main pump track, a junior track for younger riders and an advanced alternate line for experienced riders.
The track is designed for bikes, scooters and skateboards, with riders using a pumping motion rather than pedalling to build and maintain speed. It includes the Vorld Timing System, so you can track your lap times via your smartphone. The surrounding precinct has trackside shelters, seating, bike stands, drinking fountains and a workstation.
The pump track is free to access, open to the public and suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. It is located on Kingsford Smith Drive in Missingham Park, a short ride from the hotel.
Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park
Just a few kilometres from Ballina on the road towards Alstonville, Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park is the local mountain bike hub. Managed by the Northern Rivers Dirty Wheels Mountain Bike Club, the park contains approximately nine kilometres of purpose-built cross-country and all-mountain trails through subtropical bush.
The trail network includes a mix of flow, technical and freeride styles, with trails ranging from easy green-rated runs to difficult black-rated descents. All trails are clearly signposted with names, direction and difficulty ratings. E-bikes that comply with Australian standards (250W motor, 25km/h assist limit) are welcome.
The park is free to access and can get busy on weekends. It sits on the northern side of the Bruxner Highway, approximately five kilometres east of Alstonville. Entry is left-in, left-out only. Check the Northern Rivers Dirty Wheels Facebook page for trail condition updates and any closures during wet weather.
Uki Mountain Bike Park
Set against the stunning backdrop of Wollumbin (Mount Warning) in the Tweed Valley, Uki Mountain Bike Park has quickly become one of Australia’s most loved small bike parks. The park covers 6.4 kilometres of trail built to International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) standards, with one climbing trail and seven descending trails across green, blue and black diamond ratings. There is also a pump track designed for kids aged 5 to 12.
The park is free to access, open seven days a week from 6am to 6pm and maintained by the dedicated volunteers of Tweed Valley Mountain Bike Riders. Helmets are mandatory and protective gear is strongly recommended. The park is located at 165 Smiths Creek Road, Smiths Creek, about 90 minutes north of Ballina. The village of Uki itself is a great spot for a post-ride coffee.
Gold Coast Gravity Parks
For riders looking for bigger descents and shuttle-access gravity riding, the Gold Coast hinterland is within striking distance of Ballina and home to some of Australia’s best gravity bike parks.
Boomerang Farm Bike Park (Boomers) is a shuttle-access gravity park nestled at the base of Springbrook National Park in Mudgeeraba. Known locally as Boomers, it has built a reputation for its purpose-built downhill and freeride trails through lush rainforest, with 150 metres of descent, gap jumps, wall rides, wooden drops and big jump lines. The park has recently transitioned to management by Elevation Parks (the group behind Maydena Bike Park in Tasmania and Mystic Bike Park in Victoria), which means multi-park memberships and further trail development are on the way. Around 90 minutes from Ballina.
NV Gravity Park is a private, uplift-access bike park set in the rainforest of Numinbah Valley, about 35 minutes from the Gold Coast. Operated in partnership with Dirt Time MTB, NV focuses on progression with well-shaped jump lines, signature timber features and trails from beginner-friendly green runs to technical black descents. Operating days are limited and weather-dependent, so check their socials before visiting. Around two hours from Ballina.
Nerang National Park is the beating heart of Gold Coast mountain biking, with over 60 kilometres of singletrack through 1,700 hectares of dry rainforest and eucalypt forest. The trails here hosted the mountain bike events for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and remain a regular stop on the national XC circuit. The riding is predominantly cross-country with plenty of climbing and descents ranging from fast and flowing to rough and technical. Bike hire and a cafe (Just Ride Nerang and Cadence Cafe) are located right across from the Nerang Velodrome. Around 90 minutes from Ballina.
Reedy Creek (Glossy Black Reserve) is a great option for beginner to intermediate riders. The reserve has around eight kilometres of green and blue-rated trails built by TrailScapes, including flow trails, berms, rollers and optional jumps. It is a compact network hidden in suburbia, accessible from Golden Grove Boulevard. Around 90 minutes from Ballina.
Your Cycling Base on the Richmond River
Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina puts you right in the middle of the Northern Rivers cycling scene. The Ballina Pump Track and Duck Creek MTB Park are minutes away, the rail trail and Uki are easy day trips, and the Gold Coast gravity parks are within reach for a bigger adventure. Secure undercover parking makes it easy to travel with bikes on the car.
Whether you are here for a weekend of riding or mixing a few rides into a longer stay, Ballina is the ideal base.
Book your stay directly and start planning your Northern Rivers cycling trip.
