Ride the Five

Home of the “Bushrangers” mountain bike club, Parklands (aka “Parkies” to the regulars) is a diverse trail network offering numerous kilometres of rocky, rooty challenging stuff; mixed with groomed berms and a skills park. This network is set to be the home of mountain biking for the 2032 Olympics, so come and check it out as we prepare to feature in the global eye of mountain biking.

Parkies offers a few great options for beginners, with the majority of trails geared more towards intermediate to advanced riders. A number of shared trails which wind through this Conservation Park also open up the beautiful eucalypt and rainforest to horse riders, walkers and runners. Feel the humidity build as you ride through dense tropical jungle and fern packed gullies; the fresh air on your face as you traverse exposed, rocky granite surfaces; and watch out for roos basking in the sun amidst the native grass fields.

Parklands

With so much choice, it’s worth taking a photo of the Information Board at the trailhead, or have Trailforks at the ready, if its your first time riding the trails. Jump straight onto singletrack from the trailhead at Radar Hill as you head onto “Rookie road”, a flowy access trail taking you to the skills park and the head of a really fun 3km long green singletrack loop, “Lush” that winds its way through dense rainforest. For the more advanced riders, this also makes for a great cross-country warm up lap before you take on the technical trails.

Once you’ve found your flow, tackle the skills park, testing yourself over logs, rock gardens and a couple of berms for good measure - or if flowy descents and jumps are your jam, ride a short climb up to the top of the two flow trails. Take your pick from Blue Tongue (it’s in the name - a blue trail) or Tazer - a fun and punchy black trail. Ride full send down Tazer’s tabletops and rock gardens, or if you’re just getting familiar with the features, with Bluetongue and Tazer’s B lines, you might surprise yourself with how accessible and fun these trails are.

Parklands

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a long adventure ride and a bunch of singletrack, Parklands will deliver in spades. The Atkinson Road entrance tends to offer, drier, rockier terrain while the Radar Hill trailhead is the most commonly used. Start on the loose rocky surface of Road Rage and wind your way around the park, coming home via the fun and flowy rainforest trails and rich, mossy trees of Hoe Chi Hoe.

Parklands trails

If you happen to be holidaying with a runner who’s less keen for bike time, head for Parklands on a Saturday morning. The weekly Parkrun here is known to be one of the toughest in the country with steep climbs, creek crossings and trail underfoot all the way.

Parklands is also home to local celebrity, Fluffy the emu. If you do encounter Fluffy, please just bear in mind this is still a wild animal and should be treated as such, in spite of how inquisitive they may be.

Parklands

Keen for a caffeine fix and brekkie afterwards? Shotgun espresso in Yandina are killer coffee roasters. Or head to the leafy, family friendly, Fairhill Botanical Gardens where the kids can run around while you refuel on delicious pastries.

Trailhead facilities:

Address: Parklands Conservation Park Mountain Bike Trails, Radar Hill Rd, Kulangoor QLD 4560
Parking: Small parking area plus street parking at Radar Hill Road and on street parking at Atkinson Road
Toilet: No, you’ll need to drive into the nearest towns of Nambour or Yandina for toilet facilities
Water: BYO
Signage: Information board and signposted trails