Full day gravel rides
Noosa’s Best Gravel Rides Under 100km
For riders wanting a bigger day out without stepping into ultra-endurance territory, Noosa’s gravel rides under 100km deliver the perfect balance of adventure, scenery, and achievement. These longer routes unlock more remote sections of the Noosa Hinterland and Mary Valley, linking rolling farmland, rainforest gravel, quiet country towns, flowing descents, and expansive valley views into immersive point-to-point riding experiences.
What makes these rides so rewarding is the constant variety. Rather than simply adding distance, the longer routes reach deeper into the hinterland, connecting landscapes and roads that shorter rides simply can’t access. Expect changing terrain, unique perspectives of Mt Cooroora, peaceful forest sections, classic country roads, and the feeling of genuinely travelling through the region rather than just riding around it.
Whether you’re chasing a relaxed full-day gravel adventure, an achievable endurance ride, or simply wanting to experience more of what makes Noosa gravel riding so special, these are some of the best gravel bike rides under 100km in the Noosa Hinterland.
Self-guided rides
How Do Self-Guided Rides Work?
Our self-guided rides are point to point. We take you and your bike out to the hinterland, and you ride back to the coast at your own pace.
1. Meet us in Noosaville
Rides usually depart at 9am from our shop at 12/20 Venture Drive, Noosaville, so arrive a little before. Your booking confirms the time. There’s free, untimed street parking, and you can bring your own bike or pick up your hire bike.
2. We drive you to the start
We load your bike and drive you deep into the hinterland to the start of your ride, so you skip the suburban kilometres and start where the good riding does. Most rides start at James McKane Lookout near Cooran, and a few start in Pomona.
3. Ride back to the coast
Follow your turn-by-turn GPS route, included in the price and loaded onto your own bike computer or phone. Mountain bike routes need a securely fixed device. On gravel we can lend you a free universal phone holder, but some routes get rough, so we recommend a more secure mount. Quad Lock mounts are $5 per booking if your phone has a compatible case. No secure setup? Hire one of our phones with a Quad Lock mount for $40.
4. Finish at our shop
Every ride finishes back at our Noosaville shop, opposite Land & Sea Brewery, where your car is parked. Hire bikes are due back by 4pm, and on your own bike you can finish whenever you like. Celebrate with a locally brewed beer, gin or vodka and a burger, with 2-for-1 drinks vouchers from us. Their trading hours vary, so check before you ride.
Why point to point?
There’s no doubling back on yourself and no riding out through suburban Noosa only to ride back in again. Every kilometre is new, the scenery keeps changing, and because you ride from the ranges to the coast, our routes descend more than they climb. You’re paying for the shuttle and the route, so your whole day is spent on the best riding.
Ride 1 of 3
Mary Valley Bound
A scenic hinterland gravel journey from forested ridgelines to rolling Mary Valley farmland.
Why We Love It
- Unique and changing views of Mount Cooroora from different sides of the hinterland.
- A beautiful mix of forest, farmland, country towns, and rolling valley landscapes.
- Links Cooran, Pomona, and the Mary Valley into one memorable point-to-point style journey.
What to Expect
Beginning in the elevated forests surrounding Woondum National Park, this route descends gradually through quiet hinterland roads toward Cooran and Pomona before opening into the expansive landscapes of the Mary Valley. Riders experience a constantly changing mix of smooth gravel, quiet paved backroads, rolling farmland, forest corridors, creek crossings, and peaceful rural scenery.
The route provides unique and ever-changing perspectives of Mt Cooroora, with long stretches of flowing riding through open valleys and classic country landscapes. As the ride progresses, the terrain transitions back toward the cooler forested sections surrounding Ringtail and Yurol Forest, creating a relaxed yet immersive gravel adventure that showcases the diversity of the Noosa Hinterland and Mary Valley regions.
Difficulty and Surface
Primarily smooth gravel and quiet paved roads with generally achievable gradients and flowing terrain suited to most riders comfortable on a bike. Forest sections and lower-lying gravel roads may become softer or muddier after rain, slightly increasing the challenge in places. Our Overall Rating: Generally Relaxed
Paved: Approx. 26km (44%)
Unpaved: Approx. 33.5km (56%)
Ride 2 of 3
Magic Mary
A full-day gravel journey through forest, farmland, country towns, and the rolling landscapes of the Mary Valley.
Why We Love It
- Pomona makes an ideal lunch stop with a relaxed country-town atmosphere.
- Beautiful variety across forest, farmland, rolling hills, and quiet rural roads.
- Views of Mount Cooroora.
- Long enough to feel like a real adventure, while still staying scenic and achievable.
What to Expect
Magic Mary is a longer hinterland gravel ride designed for riders wanting a more complete day out on the bike. The route links forested sections, quiet paved backroads, smooth gravel roads, open farmland, rolling hills, and classic country scenery as it explores the broader Mary Valley and Noosa Hinterland.
Expect a varied but achievable ride with plenty of changes in landscape throughout the day. Riders will move between shaded forest corridors, open rural valleys, and peaceful country roads, with unique perspectives of Mt Cooroora along the way. Pomona is well placed as a natural lunch stop, giving the ride a relaxed mid-point break before continuing through more quiet hinterland roads and forested sections.
Difficulty and Surface
A longer ride using mostly smooth gravel and quiet paved roads with achievable gradients and flowing terrain. The overall challenge comes more from the distance than technical difficulty. Forest sections and lower-lying gravel roads may become softer, muddier, or more demanding after rain. Our Overall Rating: Generally Relaxed
Paved: Approx. 36km (43%)
Unpaved: Approx. 48.5km (57%)
Ride 3 of 3
Forests, Farms & Foreshore
A challenging gravel adventure showcasing the incredible diversity of the Noosa Biosphere. Journey from subtropical forests and rolling farmland through scenic valleys and management tracks before reaching the shores of Lake Weyba and the coast, with constantly changing landscapes and rewarding views throughout.
Why We Love It
- Forests, farms, valleys, lakes and foreshore riding in one route.
- A true point-to-point journey that showcases the diversity of the Noosa Biosphere.
- Ever-changing views of the region’s iconic peaks and hinterland landscapes.
- Challenging gravel riding with climbs, management tracks and remote-feeling sections.
- A unique transition from subtropical hinterland to coastal waterways and foreshore.
What to Expect
A true Biosphere adventure, this challenging gravel ride showcases the remarkable diversity of landscapes that make the Sunshine Coast region such a unique place to ride. From subtropical forests and remote management tracks to rolling farmland, expansive valleys, coastal lakes, and vibrant urban foreshore precincts, few rides pack so much variety into a single journey.
The route winds through dense forests beneath towering eucalypts, traverses quiet gravel roads through productive farmland, and delivers constantly changing views of the region’s iconic peaks and hinterland ranges. As the ride progresses, the landscape gradually transforms, eventually reaching the shores of Lake Weyba and the coastal environments that define the Noosa region.
For riders seeking a genuine journey that captures the full character of the Noosa and Sunshine Coast region, from rainforest and farmland to waterways and coastline, Forests, Farms & Foreshore delivers an unforgettable day in the saddle.
Difficulty and Surface
This is not a gentle gravel cruise. Significant climbs, extended sections of management vehicle tracks, rougher surfaces, and long distances make this a physically demanding ride that rewards experienced and well-prepared riders. Several sections can become extremely soft, rutted, or even impassable following periods of rain, and dry conditions are strongly recommended. Our Rating: Significant Challenge.
Paved: Approx. 46.6km (50%)
Unpaved: Approx. 46.3km (50%)
More gravel
Want a Different Noosa Gravel Adventure?
New to gravel riding? Explore our Top 3 gravel rides under 50km. Looking for even bigger adventures? Discover Noosa’s most iconic point to point gravel rides (100km+)
Know before you go
Understanding The Challenge
Our gravel rides vary significantly in terrain, surface type, and technical difficulty. While distance and elevation are important, the biggest factor influencing how challenging a ride feels is often the terrain itself.
Many of our routes combine quiet paved backroads with gravel roads, forest trails, and sections of the Noosa Trail Network. Conditions can also change depending on weather, maintenance schedules, and seasonal impacts.
To help riders choose the right experience, we classify our rides into the following categories:
Generally Relaxed
Achievable for most riders who are comfortable riding bikes for extended periods.
These routes typically feature well-maintained gravel roads, quieter paved sections, and smoother surfaces with minimal technical riding. Suitable for gravel bikes, hybrid bikes, flat bar bikes, and eBikes.
A great option for riders seeking scenic exploration without highly technical terrain.
Moderate Challenge
Achievable for most confident riders comfortable on varied terrain and longer periods off sealed roads.
These rides may include rougher gravel, loose surfaces, forest tracks, roots, rocks, short technical sections, and more remote terrain. Suitable for gravel bikes and flat bar bikes, however riders should be confident handling uneven surfaces.
Wet weather can significantly increase the difficulty of these routes.
Significant Challenge
Designed for experienced and confident riders seeking a more adventurous experience.
These routes often utilise more rugged sections of the Noosa Trail Network, management vehicle tracks, rough forest terrain, steeper gradients, and more sustained technical riding. While still rideable on capable gravel bikes in dry conditions, many riders may prefer a hardtail mountain bike or eMTB for additional comfort and control.
These rides are best suited to riders with strong bike handling skills and experience riding technical off-road terrain.
Common questions
Full Day Gravel Rides in Noosa: FAQs
Our top three are Mary Valley Bound (59.5km), Magic Mary (84.5km) and Forests, Farms & Foreshore (89.5km).
Each one is a point-to-point journey through the Noosa Hinterland and Mary Valley.
Mary Valley Bound and Magic Mary are rated Generally Relaxed. The challenge comes more from the distance than from technical terrain.
Forests, Farms & Foreshore is a Significant Challenge, with big climbs, management tracks and rougher surfaces.
Pomona is the natural lunch stop on Magic Mary, with a relaxed country-town feel.
Yes. Forests, Farms & Foreshore runs from subtropical forest and farmland to the shores of Lake Weyba and the coast.
Forest sections and lower-lying gravel roads get softer after rain. Parts of Forests, Farms & Foreshore can become extremely soft, rutted or impassable, so dry conditions are strongly recommended.
Meet us at our shop at 12/20 Venture Drive, Noosaville, a little before the 9am departure. We drive you and your bike to a start point in the hinterland, and you ride back to our shop on a turn-by-turn GPS route. Every ride finishes there, opposite Land & Sea Brewery. Hire bikes are due back by 4pm, and on your own bike you can finish whenever you like.
Starting in the hinterland means no doubling back and no riding out of suburban Noosa and back in, so more of your day is spent on the best riding. See the self-guided gravel rides for times and availability.
Want something shorter? See our short gravel rides under 50km.
Transport to your start point, your GPS route and snacks are included. We load the route onto your own bike computer or phone.
Phones are not included. Mountain bike routes need a securely fixed device, such as a bike computer or a Quad Lock phone mount, as our universal phone holders are not suitable off-road. On gravel we can provide a free universal holder, but some routes get rough, so please use your discretion and use a securely fixed device if you can. If your phone has a Quad Lock compatible case, we can provide a Quad Lock mount for $5 per booking. Otherwise, you can hire one of our phones with a Quad Lock mount for $40 per phone (most groups only need one).
Bikes are not included. Most riders bring their own, but we’re happy to rent you a drop bar gravel bike, hardtail mountain bike or premium e-MTB.
Book your ride
Ready to Gravel Ride Noosa?
Book a self-guided gravel riding experience and discover the best of the Noosa Hinterland through stunning point-to-point journeys back toward the coast. Enjoy turn-by-turn navigation, transfers to scenic hinterland start points, premium bike hire options, local ride knowledge, and everything you need for an immersive Noosa gravel adventure.
