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Melbourne mountain bikers, clear your cals. Warburton Bike Park, a network of trails just 90 minutes from the city, is about to level up. After the success of its first 30 kilometres (which opened last year), the Upper Yarra Valley site is preparing to more than double its network, with a huge new stage of trails opening from April 4, along with a shuttle service to make your biking adventures a whole lot more accessible.
For those who’ve already sampled Warburton’s debut trails, you’ll understand the appeal: lush forest and flowing descents in a park that was built with genuine care for both riders and landscape. According to Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Richard Higgins, that first taste was just the beginning.
“The enthusiasm for the initial trails has been wonderful to see – but the best is yet to come,” he says.
The new trails, crafted by renowned trail builders World Trail, promise a step up in both scale and ambition, with the team promising a more diverse and challenging network. Cyclists can expect a wider mix of features, longer descents and up to 650 metres of elevation – a combination that’s set to put Warburton firmly on the national (and international) mountain biking map.
While the original 30 kilometres drew plenty of Melbourne-based riders looking for an easy weekend escape, the next phase is designed to lure experienced mountain bikers from interstate and beyond. That includes Warburton Bike Park ambassador and cross-country mountain bike world champion Paul van der Ploeg, who’s already tipping 2026 as a breakout year.
“The area has an incredibly diverse landscape, all on Melbourne’s doorstep,” he said, describing the trail as “one of the most anticipated mountain bike trail networks in Australia.”
And then there’s the news riders have been waiting for: shuttles. From April 4, uplift services will begin running, making it easier to access the trails without the leg-killing climb on the way home. Shuttle bookings will open in March – so if you’re planning a trip, set a reminder.
Keen? You can find out more and make a booking via the newly launched Warburton Bike Park website.
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