Lush mountain rainforest, waterfalls, a World Heritage-Listed National Park and picturesque little villages are a far cry from the surf, sand and skyscrapers of the much-loved Gold Coast. But just 30 minutes from the coast is the Gold Coast Hinterland, bursting with natural wonders, places to visit and cycling trails to explore.
Mount Tamborine Loop
43km return loop and 577m elevation
Start your ride in the little country town of Canungra. If you haven’t already had your morning coffee, you might want to stop by The Outpost Cafe, originally built in 1946 to serve meals to the Canungra Army Barracks. They are open from 5:30am and you might want to take note of their pie menu for when you get back. There are 16 different pies to choose from, all home made with fresh, local ingredients.
Head out of town and past the famous Albert River Wines and a number of horse racing studs until you hit the Bearded Dragon Hotel where you need to turn right at the roundabout. Then, you’ll start the climb up Mount Tamborine. It’s a beautiful ride at any time of the year and the scenery is a welcome distraction from the burn in your legs; in summer, you will find relief from the heat under the rainforest canopy and in winter, you’ll experience the warm, comforting smell of log fires burning in the guesthouses and homes in the area.
When you reach the top, a little over 550m above sea level, you’ll feel like you’ve reached the top of the world. Catch your breath and take in the incredible views. The Scenic Rim itself is a mountain range sitting to the west of the lookout. If you have time, explore the roads across the top of the mountain but if you need to get back, head down Main Western Road, better known as the Goat Track. It’s narrow with tight switchbacks so take it easy.
As you start to see more and more road-side stalls, you will know that you’ve almost completed the loop and will soon arrive back in Canungra. Time for that pie?
From Surf to Sanctuary
166km return and total elevation 3356m (max elevation 932m)
See route and profile here.
Ok, this one is not for the faint hearted. From the sands of Main Beach in Surfers Paradise to the Gold Coast hinterland, you will get to experience the Gold Coast at its finest. Not only is this a long and challenging ride, but it also passes through popular tourist destinations so the roads can get busy. The best way to get the most out of this ride is to leave early, around 5am if you can. And despite challenges that this ride throws at you, you won’t regret it.
Your start and end point is Hard Coffee on Tedder Avenue in Main Beach. The landscapes you will pass will keep you distracted from the burn of the hill climbs that dominate this route. The first climb, and the ride’s most beautiful feature, is the climb up to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Beginning in Canungra, this section takes you past the O’Reilly’s Vineyards and up to the foot of the mountain. Although the gradient is only 2.6%, it is a 26km climb that can be testing. With 102 bends and plenty of kangaroo spotting on the way, the climb to the top will keep your eyes working as hard as your legs.
Before you know it, you will be immersed in the most incredible rainforest. In fact, this area is home to ten different types of forest including subtropical rainforest, wet eucalypt forest and open eucalypt forest. These forests contain more than 900 species of plants, representing 65% of all plant species found in the entire Gold Coast region. If you ever have the time, it’s worth learning about the land from the Yugambeh people, the traditional owners who still walk the land and tell the stories of their ancestors.
After a few more climbs and rolling hills (steepest gradient at 6.4%) you will begin the descent back towards the coast. Tip – the darker parts of the rainforest can be slippery so take your time! Upon your return, reward yourself with brunch (or lunch) at Hard Coffee and swim at the beach across the road. Not a bad way to end a ride.
Old Tambo MTB Trail
Opened in 2014, ‘Old Tambo’ is for experienced riders looking for a high adrenaline run. It features fast flowing corners, rollers, dips and gaps, and a nice chill out section through treed grasslands before the tight and technical corners, drop offs and steep grades to the exit.
The trail begins at the end of Wongawallan Road, Eagle Heights, at the top of Mount Tamborine and ends at the bottom of the mountain on Welches Road, Wongawallan.
The descent is approximately three kilometres and takes experienced riders around 10 minutes. Less experienced riders should allow up to 20 minutes for a run. It is possible to take the fire road, running parallel to the track, back up to the top but it’s steep! Most will choose to take a vehicle or shuttle back the trail head.