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The Whitsundays is getting 40 kilometres of mountain bike trails

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Get on your bike and head to Airlie Beach for a brand new mountain bike adventure.

When you think of Airlie Beach and the surrounding Whitsundays, the first pictures that come to mind are of white sand beaches, underwater creatures, boats and maybe a surfer or 10. But even on land, there’s so much to offer – from rainforest to mountain ranges. Which is why the newest mountain bike trails to be announced may just also be the prettiest: the first stage of Twin Creeks Eco Park will debut mountain bike trails, with 35–40 kilometres of singletrack just over the hill from Airlie Beach.

Conway National Park is the site of the new Twin Creeks Eco Park
Conway National Park is the site of the new Twin Creeks Eco Park.

 

We’ve already seen the rise of running tourism this year, and now that enthusiasm to get moving seems to have well and truly spilled over to the mountain biking community. And it seems the Whitsundays may just be the next go-to destination for biking enthusiasts. What with Finch Hatton – a small town west of Mackay, home to waterfalls, lush flora and volcanic boulders – nearby, and discussion of another mountain bike project connected to the Whitsunday Skyway Project (a new eco-tourism initiative bringing cable car rides that will take tourists 430 metres above sea level).

But what is Twin Creeks Eco Park? The project plans to turn a thousand acres – adjoining the Conway National Park – into an enhanced, natural playground. The approach of developers is to follow the mould of golf course living and tourism – where private homes are built along the fairway, with a clubhouse and holiday accommodation to top it off. But make that golf fairway a web of biking, hiking and running trails, open to the public. And all just 12 minutes from Airlie Beach.

a row of bike riders mountain biking near airlie beach whitsundays
Mountain bikers in the know already love The Whitsundays. (Image: Riptide Creative)

This singletrack announcement is just stage one, with 220 kilometres of vertical track and more to follow in the next 12 months. Most of the trails will be gravity-based, with some adventure-style trails taking in some of the most beautiful parts of the surrounding rainforest.

The project is being undertaken by born and bred Airlie Beach local, Ashley Rees, Kerr and Cole Claxton (who are also the owners of Ride Whitsundays bike shop and Ocean Safari Rafting) and one other. So it’s a group of people who know a thing or two about the area and how best to explore it.

Other scenic spots for mountain bikers

The Ngaro Track
Ride through Twin Creeks Eco Park, then discover more trails around Australia.

Fully onboard for a mountain biking travel takeover? There are plenty of new and favourite mountain bike parks and trails to call your name.

Discover the new Great Southern Trails, combining over 550 kilometres of dedicated MTB trails around Southern New South Wales. Stay in the state to ride 22 kilometres of bike tracks through the rugged beauty and pastoral landscapes near the Snowy Mountains at Tumbarumba Mountain Bike Park.

Or, pop over to the other side of the country at Western Australia’s Darling Range to test out Dwellingup’s new mountain bike network. Victoria has its own mountain biking capital, in the charming town of Creswick.

The Whitsundays isn’t Queensland’s only destination jumping on the MTB trend. The Scenic Rim Trail Bike tour shows travellers the lush bush, farmland and extinct volcanoes of this region just outside Brisbane on two wheels.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

    As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

    Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

    Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

    1. Year-round summer weather

    A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
    Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

    2. Getting active without the humidity

    A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
    Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

    3. Hamilton Island Race Week

    Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
    Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

    4. Best time for snorkelling

    A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

    It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

    5. Fewer crowds

    People kayaking.
    Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

    6. Delicious dining

    The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
    Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

    The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

    5. Clear skies for idyllic views

    The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
    End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

    To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.