MTB Wollongong & Illawarra. Best Mountain Bike Trails & Rides. Including Mount Kembla

Googling ‘Great MTB trails near me’? Want to know about Mount Kembla Mountain Bike Trails, (yup they are open!). Wollongong & the Illawarra region is a Mountain Bike Trail Riders paradise. Whether you are starting out and learning mountain bike skills (berm baby, berm!). Or, looking for the ultimate gnarley, steep black-diamond MTB ride, we have the best MTB trail for you. Welcome to What’s on in Wollongong’s insider guide to mountain biking. We’ll show you great escarpment MTB trails, plus our sanctioned safer MTB tracks for kids and novices.

Our Wollongong community of Mountain Bikers is alive and well. It’s a friendly community of healthy adrenaline junkies, who will stop to help you fix that busted tyre. Starting from our green, easier trails, to best MTB rides for after rain (avoiding destroying the bushtrails), we build up to our most challenging trails and jumps – here we go!

Please note before reading this article: Until the Illawarra Mountain Bike Network is opened later in 2025, mountain bike riding in the State Conservation Area is permitted on the management tracks. Use of unauthorised trails causes damage to native vegetation, increases erosion and may have negative impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage. NPWS plans to progressively close and remediate unauthorised trails once the new Network opens, starting with trails on Mount Keira.

Mount Kembla Mountain Bike Trails now open!

Photo c/o NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

The brand-new Kembla Mountain Bike Trails are officially open and ready for the community to hit! Spanning nearly 20 km of fresh trails, these runs are set to put our region on the map for mountain biking enthusiasts from near and far. With a mix of green, blue, and black trails, there’s something for riders of all skill levels — whether you’re just starting out or looking for a challenge. Get ready to explore, ride, and enjoy the great outdoors like never before! For more information about these new bike trails and access, click here.

Cringilla Hills Park Mountain Bike Park

Photo c/o Destination Wollongong

Cringilla Hills Mountain Bike Park has a range of 12 kilometres of trails for riders. Great for beginners to more advanced. The tracks have a mix of gradients, surfaces and obstacles for fun or to challenge your skills. Great for kids who are learning too, plus the park and playground next door will keep the other family members entertained. Just 10 mins South of Wollongong, this sanctioned dedicated MTB trail is a solid choice offering green, blue and black MTB rides.

Harry Graham Bike Trail

Image c/o The Illawarra Mercury

This 2.3km return MTB trail in Harry Graham Park in Figtree, is 5 mins south of Wollongong. It’s choice for time poor MTB riders needing a quick hit. Considered easy to moderate (up to a blue grade) you can develop jump and berm skills on this track. The line of five MTB jumps here is enjoyed by many, plus you’ll enjoy the circles. Enter from Uralba Street or Risley Road.

Greenvalleys MTB Trails

The epic Greenvalleys Mountain Bike Park in Calderwood (20 mins South of Wollongong) is located on private property, so only members can ride at anytime. They do have open days for the public to try, or you can find out about Greenvalleys membership here. They offer shuttle bus service to the top (save your legs for trails) and are considered the ultimate in MTB playgrounds, offering some of the best, most challenging MTB trails here in the Illawarra.

Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park

Photo c/o The Illawarra Flame

Helensburgh Mountain Bike Park is back open and ready for action! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider, you’ll find trails to challenge and inspire. With rugged terrain, scenic bushland, and adrenaline-fuelled tracks, it’s the perfect spot for a day of adventure in nature.

Cawleys Road Trail

Located in the Garawarra State Conservation Area. Looking for your next hiking or biking adventure? The Cawleys Road trail near Helensburgh is a wide, easy track of bitumen and gravel – perfect for walking, mountain biking, cycling, or even horse riding. Wander through scribbly gums, banksias and waratahs, pause by cascading waterfalls, and keep an eye out for wallabies, echidnas, and vibrant birdlife. With flat paths and connecting trails to explore, it’s a beautiful escape into nature for all levels.

Bulli Pump Track

Wollongong City Council worked with specialist mountain bike trail company Iconic Trails to design new tracks at Bulli. The site features two trails: a beginner-friendly loop on the flatter top section of the park, and a downhill track for intermediate to advanced riders looking for more of a challenge.

Anama Street Reserve in Fairy Meadow

There are two bike tracks at this reserve in Fairy Meadow based on community feedback. There’s a smaller beginner track, plus a larger track with more challenging features for advanced riders.

Dimond Bros Reserve in Horsley

Ride through 17.7 acres of lush greenery at Dimond Brothers Park! With well-maintained trails suitable for all levels, it’s perfect for both beginner rides and challenging loops. Enjoy scenic views, flowing tracks, and a refreshing outdoor adventure right in Wollongong.

Brokers Nose Fire Trail

This scenic route starts in Corrimal, just north of Wollongong, and winds its way up the escarpment to the Broken Nose Lookout. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the Illawarra region and the Pacific Ocean.

The trail can be steep in sections, so take your time, bring plenty of water, snacks, and sturdy shoes, and soak in the breathtaking scenery at the top.

Possums – Tarrawanna MTB Trail

Home of the epic Table Top Jump. Plus many different trails of varying difficulties. Possums also links up to the lower escarpment trail, so you can head north towards Bulli or Red Sands. Possums is a great ride for when you and your mates want to swing by Tarrawanna’s Reub Goldberg Brewery after!

Red Sands MTB Trails – Thirroul / Austinmer

Red sands/Austi trails are accessed at the end of Philips St, climb up the Fire trail (very long and pretty steep) to the top then enjoy the sending of the 4 main trails. To watch local MTB trail rider Alex descend Red Sands click here

Farmborough MTB Trails

A short medium grade ride, swing by Seeker Brewing in Unanderra after! Their incredible beers, vibe, live music and food truck is the best way to chill after the ride.

Wollongong Mountain bike rides after rain – avoid destroying trails!

Start at Wollongong Golf Club, swing down the Blue Mile via Wollongong Lighthouse and follow the ocean path via Puckey’s Estate to Woonona and beyond. Woonona return is 24kms. Pack your swimmers for the ocean pools along the way. Despite being a hardcore MTB rider, you may even find yourself enjoying a latte along the way at one of the many cafes). Olives Cafe at Bellambi SLSC has plenty of space for your bike and has ocean views.

Best MTB shops, groups, MTB servicing and merch in Wollongong

Local Cycle Co are a great Mountain Bike shop in Wollongong. They sell bikes, service and even arrange Sunday morning rides, but you’ll need to be experienced as they hit the hard trail. For MTB merchandise, Huck the World in Fairy Meadow has all the mountain bike apparel.

Our final words of respect to the owners of land on which we visit, enjoy and ride:

We offer our gratitude and deep respect to the lands, waters and skies of Dharawal Country. We stand in solidarity with its traditional custodians, the Dharawal and Wodi Wodi people, whose sovereignty was never ceded.

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