Noosa bike hire, self guided rides and mountain bike coaching, from a local team that rides these trails every day.
Once a gravel route stretches beyond 100km it stops being a ride and becomes a journey. These are the routes that get you properly under the skin of the Noosa Hinterland and the country behind it: not extra distance for its own sake, but sleepy country towns, forgotten gravel roads, rainforest climbs, farmland, ridgelines and valley views strung into a single point-to-point line.
The pleasure in a day like this is the steady accumulation of ground covered and the sense that something new is waiting around the next bend. The further inland the route pushes, the more the landscape changes: outlooks over Mount Cooroora, silent forestry roads, fast descents, country towns with real character, and long ribbons of gravel where nothing at all is happening.
Plenty of riders stretch these routes across two or three days, linking them with hinterland accommodation, country pubs and cafes. With luggage transfers arranged you can travel light and still cover serious distance.
Whether you are after an achievable bikepacking-style trip, a bucket-list gravel weekend, or simply the most immersive way to see the Noosa Biosphere and Mary Valley, these are among the most rewarding rides in South East Queensland.
Who runs these. Rides of this scale need a transfer out to the start, route files and support along the way, so they are run by By Earth and Ocean, our sister company in the Element Outdoors Group. Bike On looks after bike and e-bike hire, coaching and the easier coastal and river rides around Noosa itself; By Earth and Ocean picks up where the adventure gets bigger. Talk to us about luggage transfers.
One-way shuttle with By Earth and Ocean
You could ride out of Noosa to reach the trails, but a good part of your day would go on suburban streets getting there and back. Our sister company, By Earth and Ocean, runs one-way shuttles instead. They drive you and your bike straight into the middle of the hinterland, so almost all of your time on the bike is spent in forest, farmland and country towns. Every ride finishes back at our Noosaville shop.
Start in the best of it
The shuttle drops you deep in the hinterland, so the kilometres you ride are the scenic ones, pointed back toward the coast.
One car, no retrieval run
Doing these routes yourself means juggling two vehicles and an extra hour at the end of the day fetching the second one. Park once, for free, at our shop, and when the ride is done, just relax.
Leaves at 9am
We load you, your bike and your gear and drive you out to the start. Hiring a bike from us? It’s ready at the shop when you arrive.
GPS maps included
Downloadable GPS route maps come with the shuttle. Load them on your own GPS unit, or use the Ride with GPS app on your phone for spoken turn by turn directions.
Phone mounts
Mountain bike routes need a securely fixed device, such as a bike computer or a phone on a Quad Lock mount. On gravel we can lend you a free universal phone holder, but some routes get rough, so we recommend a more secure mount. Quad Lock mounts are $5 per booking if your phone has a compatible case. No secure setup? Hire one of our phones with a Quad Lock mount for $40 (most groups only need one).
Finish with a drink
Ride back into our shop, where your car is waiting. Grab a 2-for-1 drinks voucher and head to Land & Sea Brewery for a locally brewed beer, a locally distilled gin or vodka and a burger. Trading hours vary, so check before you ride.
Adventurous but achievable. A long gravel route for experienced riders who want scenery, variety and a genuine hinterland exploration.
Why We Love It
What to expect
The route works through the striking country around Woondum National Park, linking quiet gravel roads, rolling climbs and long scenic descents across forest, farmland and open ridgeline before swinging back towards Noosa.
Views open up constantly and the terrain rarely repeats itself, but the day stays more manageable than the region’s true expedition rides.
Free-flowing gravel, remote scenery and a real sense of journey make this the pick for riders wanting a hard but very rewarding full day.
Difficulty and surface
Challenging because of the distance and elevation rather than the surface. Mostly sealed road and good quality gravel with occasional rougher patches, well within range for a confident gravel rider. Some roads deteriorate after heavy rain, particularly through the forest. Our rating: Moderate Challenge.
Forest, lakes and gravel roads deep in the Noosa hinterland.
Why We Love It
What to expect
This one works through the forests around Woondum National Park before turning east towards Boreen Point and the shoreline of Lake Cootharaba.
Expect a constantly shifting mix of gravel road, rolling climb, remote forest and open lake country before the route heads back towards Noosa.
Pairing hinterland terrain with lakeside riding makes it the most varied big gravel day in the region.
Difficulty and surface
Challenging, though again it is the distance and elevation that earn the rating rather than the surface. Mostly sealed road and good quality gravel with the odd rough patch, suited to confident gravel riders. A few roads break up after heavy rain, especially in the forest. Our rating: Moderate Challenge.
A demanding gravel journey through rugged hinterland forest and remote backroads.
Why We Love It
What to expect
Rockpools & Ridgelines cuts through the rough country around Woondum National Park, Beenham Valley and Ringtail Forest before turning for home.
The route takes in out-of-the-way gravel roads, steep climbs, rough descents and isolated forest access tracks across some of the wildest terrain in the hinterland.
Long climbs, technical descents, remote backroads and terrain that keeps changing between forest, ridgeline, valley and peak. A genuine adventure ride that asks for fitness, confidence and solid gravel skills.
Difficulty and surface
Experienced riders only. Extended rough, steep and remote sections that turn very soft, and sometimes impassable, on narrow tyres. Many riders will be happier on a hardtail mountain bike or a flat-bar gravel bike.
Roads and management tracks break down badly in the wet, and erosion, washouts, loose surfaces, mud and deep ruts all add to the difficulty. Riding this during or straight after a wet spell is not recommended. Our rating: Significant Challenge.
Common questions
Valleys and Vistas (102.2km), Through Lake Country (113.4km) and Rockpools and Ridgelines (103.3km), all point to point days through the hinterland.
Each one starts with a shuttle out from our Noosaville shop, run by By Earth and Ocean, and finishes back at the shop. Book a self guided gravel ride.
Valleys and Vistas and Through Lake Country are rated Moderate Challenge. Rockpools and Ridgelines is a Significant Challenge, with 1,429m of climbing and 72% unsealed.
Yes. Plenty of riders stretch these routes over a weekend, staying in a hinterland town. Our multi day journeys make that easy.
A gravel bike, or a flat bar gravel bike or hardtail for the rougher sections. See our bike hire range.
These point-to-point gravel days are run by By Earth and Ocean, our sister company in the Element Outdoors Group. A self-guided booking covers the transfer out to the hinterland start, downloadable GPS route maps with spoken turn by turn directions in the Ride with GPS app, bike hire if you want it, and local route knowledge so you spend the day riding rather than second-guessing junctions.
Staying closer to town? Bike On handles bike and e-bike hire and the easy coastal and river rides around Noosa.
New to gravel? Start with the top 3 gravel rides under 50km. After a solid day rather than an epic? Try the top 3 gravel rides under 100km. Prefer dirt to gravel? See exploring the Noosa Trail Network by mountain bike.
Our gravel routes vary a lot in terrain, surface and technical difficulty. Distance and elevation matter, but the thing that most changes how hard a ride feels is the ground under the tyres.
Most routes combine quiet sealed backroads with gravel roads, forest trails and sections of the Noosa Trail Network. Conditions shift with the weather, with maintenance and with the season, so these ratings are a guide rather than a guarantee.
Generally Relaxed: within reach of most riders comfortable spending a few hours on a bike. Well-maintained gravel, quieter sealed sections and smoother surfaces with very little technical riding. Fine on a gravel bike, hybrid, flat-bar bike or e-bike. Scenic exploration without the technical demands.
Moderate Challenge: for confident riders happy on varied terrain and extended time off sealed roads. Expect rougher gravel, loose surfaces, forest tracks, roots, rocks, short technical sections and more remote country. Gravel and flat-bar bikes both work, but you need to be comfortable on uneven ground. Wet weather lifts the difficulty considerably.
Significant Challenge: for experienced riders chasing something more adventurous. These use the rugged end of the Noosa Trail Network: management vehicle tracks, rough forest terrain, steeper gradients and sustained technical riding. Rideable on a capable gravel bike in the dry, though many riders prefer a hardtail or eMTB for comfort and control. Strong bike handling and real off-road experience required.
Discover Noosa with premium bikes built for comfort and adventure. Choose from road bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes, cruisers, kids’ bikes and more. Hire by the day or longer.
Discover sealed riverside paths, hinterland gravel, quiet country roads, purpose built singletrack and a long stretch of open beach, all on routes locals actually ride.
Fun, inclusive and progressive coaching for all ages and abilities. Learn new skills, ride with friends and take your mountain biking to the next level.
