Noosa Biosphere Gravel Rides - Self Guided

Yes. Most riders bring their own gravel or mountain bike. If you don’t have one, we’re happy to rent you a drop bar gravel bike, hardtail mountain bike or premium e-MTB.

Meet at our Noosaville shop at 12/20 Venture Drive, where there is free, untimed street parking. From there, we transport riders into the heart of the hinterland, allowing you to enjoy an incredible point-to-point riding experience back toward the coast through the forests, valleys, ridgelines, and country towns of the Noosa Hinterland and surrounding regions.

Most routes start at James McKane Lookout near Cooran, and some start in Pomona. Every ride finishes back at our Noosaville shop, opposite Land & Sea Brewery.

Most of our routes are designed to be achievable for recreational riders with a reasonable level of fitness and confidence riding on mixed surfaces. The majority of rides use sealed backroads and Grade 1 to 2 gravel roads, which are generally smooth, predictable, and well suited to gravel bikes and capable recreational riders.

We also offer more challenging routes for experienced riders, including longer distances, bigger climbs, and sections of Grade 3 to 4 gravel featuring rougher surfaces, loose gravel, corrugations, or more remote terrain.

After booking, riders gain access to our wider route collection, allowing us to help match you with the ride best suited to your experience, fitness level, and preferred riding style.

Our gravel routes range from approximately 30km to 125km, with elevation ranging from around 400m to 1300m depending on the route selected.

We offer everything from relaxed scenic rides through to longer endurance-style adventures for more experienced riders. Once booked, you’ll gain access to our wider route collection and can discuss the best option for your fitness, experience, and riding goals with our team.

No. Most routes are approximately 50% gravel and 50% paved roads, although this varies depending on the specific route selected.

The paved sections are generally concentrated closer to Noosa and typically use quieter backroads where possible. However, some sections may utilise more heavily used roads when required to link key areas, towns, or gravel sectors together.

Most of the gravel roads used on our standard routes are well maintained, regularly graded, and generally excellent to ride on. However, road conditions can change over time due to weather, traffic, and maintenance schedules.

On routes designed for more experienced riders, we also utilise some management tracks and rougher backcountry sectors that can be more significantly impacted by wet weather. Depending on recent conditions, these sections may include loose gravel, corrugations, muddy areas, washouts, or rougher surfaces.

We keep routes to quiet roads wherever we can, but most routes include short sections through busier areas.

Transport to all hinterland start points is included, along with route planning, your GPS route files (loaded onto your own phone or GPS device), and local guidance and recommendations on the best routes and riding options.

Snacks including energy bars and coconut water for hydration and electrolytes are provided. Basic tools, riding backpacks, drink bottles, locks, and other accessories are also available on request.

Phones are not included in the tour price. We can provide a free universal phone holder, but please use your discretion. Some gravel routes get quite rough and a universal holder may not keep your phone secure, so we recommend a securely fixed device, such as a bike computer or a Quad Lock mount ($5 per booking if your phone has a compatible case). You can also hire one of our phones with a Quad Lock mount for $40 per phone (most groups only need one; select it when booking).

Bikes are not included. Most riders bring their own, but we’re happy to rent you one. Drop bar gravel bikes, hardtail mountain bikes and premium e-MTBs can be added when you book.

These rides are self-guided, but guided rides may be available on request, depending on guide availability, group size and the style of ride you’re after. Please contact us to discuss guided options.

We provide GPS route files compatible with most popular cycling navigation devices and smartphone apps. The route files are included in the price and are loaded onto your own phone or GPS device. We recommend a device that is securely fixed to your bike, such as a bike computer or a Quad Lock mount ($5 per booking if your phone has a compatible case). We can provide a free universal phone holder, but some gravel routes get rough enough that it may not be suitable, so please use your discretion.

While the routes are generally considered straightforward to follow, all self-guided experiences rely on riders being comfortable navigating independently and able to do so safely throughout the ride.

Yes. You are free to leave, modify, shorten, or rejoin the suggested routes at your own discretion. These are self-guided rides, and ultimately the route choices you make during the day are entirely up to you.

We provide recommended routes, transport, navigation support, local knowledge, and bike hire where applicable, however riders remain responsible for their own navigation, decision-making, and route selection throughout the ride.

Yes, and we recommend it. We provide GPS route files compatible with most popular cycling GPS devices and smartphone navigation apps. If you would rather not use your own, you can hire one of our phones with a Quad Lock mount for $40 per phone (most groups only need one).

We can provide a free universal phone holder for your own phone, but please use your discretion, as some gravel routes get rough and it may not keep your phone secure. For a securely fixed option, we can provide a Quad Lock mount for $5 per booking if your phone has a compatible case, or you can hire one of our phones with a Quad Lock mount for $40 per phone (most groups only need one; select it during booking). Phones are never included in the tour price.

Ride times typically range from approximately 3 to 7 hours depending on the route selected, riding pace, fitness level, and how often you stop for food, photos, or sightseeing along the way.

Shorter scenic routes can usually be completed comfortably within a few hours, while longer endurance-style rides are designed as full-day adventures.

These rides are completed at your own pace, allowing flexibility for stops, sightseeing, food breaks, and ride speed throughout the day. Every ride finishes back at our Noosaville shop, opposite Land & Sea Brewery, where your car is parked.

If you have hired bikes from us, please return them to our shop by 4:00pm, which generally allows approximately 6 hours to complete your ride. If you are riding your own bike, you can finish whenever suits you.

Land & Sea is a great place to finish, with locally brewed beer, gin and vodka and burgers, and we will give you 2-for-1 drinks vouchers. Their trading hours vary, so check before you ride.

Yes. Premium e-MTBs are available to hire for riders wanting extra support on climbs and longer distances.

eBike range depends on a number of factors including rider weight, fitness, terrain, wind, tyre pressure, riding style, and assist mode selection.

However, our eMTBs are capable of completing all standard routes for most riders when battery usage is managed appropriately. On longer rides, this will generally require spending significant time in lower power modes and using higher assist settings strategically on steeper climbs or more demanding terrain.

These are self-guided rides and riders are expected to be reasonably self-sufficient. We provide basic tools to help manage common issues such as flat tyres, and riders should be comfortable handling simple repairs independently.

Please note that we do not offer a dedicated roadside support service. If assistance is available, significant call-out fees may apply and wait times can be several hours depending on location and availability. In some remote areas, assistance may not be possible at all.

If you are unsure about managing basic mechanical issues, we recommend considering a guided experience or riding with someone more experienced.

No. Ride start times are scheduled around transfer logistics, route timing, shop opening hours, and in some cases factors such as tide windows and daylight hours. Riders are expected to arrive ready to depart at their scheduled start time.

If you are looking for a different departure time, larger groups or custom departures may sometimes be possible for an additional fee. Please contact us to discuss custom options.

Our self-guided rides pass through remote areas where vehicle access and mobile phone reception can be limited. Please choose a route that matches your fitness, riding ability and confidence.

If you are unable to complete your ride, we will do our best to assist where possible. However, assistance cannot be guaranteed, and depending on your location and staff availability, it may be several hours before help can reach you.

Where vehicle recovery is available, it is charged from $75 per hour, with a one hour minimum. Remote locations and the Noosa North Shore cost more. These costs are the responsibility of the rider.

Before booking, please take a moment to honestly assess your capabilities and select a route you are confident you can complete. If you're unsure which ride is right for you, we're happy to help you choose.