MTB Retreats

This tour takes in some of the newest and most talked-about mountain bike trails on the NSW South Coast, starting in Mogo's varied trail network and continuing to the coastal flow trails of Narooma and the gravity-focused riding at Eden. A relaxed day in Tathra offers optional easy riding alongside beach time and downtime.

The trip then shifts from sea level to alpine terrain at Thredbo, Australia's only lift-accessed MTB park, before finishing with a gentler ride along the Thredbo Valley Trail. Riders split into groups by ability each day, with optional skills coaching throughout, and the whole loop starts and ends in Canberra.

Highlights:

• Mogo's varied trail network, from beginner loops to gravity-specific descents
• Coastal flow trails and technical sections at Narooma
• Gravity-focused riding through forest at Eden, with Sapphire Coast views
• Relaxed beach day and optional easy riding at Tathra
• Lift-accessed alpine riding at Thredbo Mountain Bike Park
• A scenic finish along the Thredbo Valley Trail

Surface and terrain:

Purpose-built mountain bike trail networks throughout, ranging from beginner-friendly pedalling loops and flow trails (Mogo, Narooma, Tathra, Thredbo Valley Trail) to gravity and technical descents (Mogo, Eden, Thredbo's downhill runs). Thredbo is lift-accessed via chairlift or gondola.

Suitable for:

Women of strong beginner through advanced skill levels, with daily groups split by confidence and ability so riders can go at their own pace.

Ride New Zealand is a partnership between MTB Retreats and New Zealand Mountain Biking, based in Rotorua on the North Island. Riders warm up in the famous Whakarewarewa Forest (the Redwoods), then tackle the two-day Timber Trail through Pureora Forest Park, described as New Zealand's best two-day mountain bike ride, complete with a stay at Timber Trail Lodge and a crossing of the country's third-longest suspension bridge.

A rest day in Rotorua offers optional extras like ziplining, rafting or hot pools, before a final choice between more Redwoods trails or uplift-assisted riding at Skyline Rotorua. The trip blends backcountry adventure with hot springs, guided groups by ability, and boutique accommodation throughout.

Highlights: Ride the world-famous Redwoods Forest trails in Whakarewarewa Tackle the two-day Timber Trail through Pureora Forest Park, including the Maramataha suspension bridge Overnight at the remote Timber Trail Lodge Soak at Secret Spot Hot Tubs after riding Optional adventure activities (ziplining, rafting, hot pools) on the rest day Choose between hidden Redwoods trails or gondola-assisted downhill at Skyline Rotorua

Surface and terrain:

A mix of purpose-built flow and technical singletrack (Redwoods) and a remote backcountry cross-country route (Timber Trail) through forest, with historic railway tunnels and suspension bridges. The Timber Trail includes close to 750 m of elevation gain per day; e-bikes are available to hire for those two days. Terrain elsewhere is flowing singletrack suited to a full-suspension bike.

Suitable for:

Intermediate-plus women riders; beginners are directed to the operator's Australian-based trips first. Groups split into 2-3 ability levels daily.

The Signature Retreat is MTB Retreats' original tour, based in Blue Derby, widely regarded as the home of Australian mountain biking. Riders explore Derby's wilderness and green trails, descend the Blue Tier Wilderness Trail, take a day trip to the new Tippogoree Hills bike park near George Town, and finish with the iconic Bay of Fires Trail from the Blue Tier down to the coast.

Groups split by ability each day, so less confident riders can stick to green trails while stronger riders shuttle or push further. The week also includes a floating sauna session at Derby Lake and a swim, alongside home-cooked meals and boutique lodge accommodation.

Highlights: Explore the wilderness and green trails of Blue Derby Descend the Blue Tier Wilderness Trail with a pub lunch in historic Weldborough Day trip to Tippogoree Hills, Tasmania's newest bike park near George Town Ride the Bay of Fires Trail from the Blue Tier down to the coast, finishing at Swimcart Beach Relax at the Derby Lake floating sauna and wood-fired hot tubs Daily pre-dinner charcuterie board and home-cooked dinners

Surface and terrain:

Purpose-built mountain bike trail networks, ranging from beginner-friendly green trails (Valley Ponds, lower Derby) to wilderness descents (Blue Tier, Atlas, Bay of Fires). Shuttles are used for the bigger descent days. A full-suspension bike is recommended, though a hardtail is possible.

Suitable for:

Women of all skill levels, though best suited to riders working towards blue trails with a reasonable base fitness and confidence mounting, dismounting and riding off kerbs. Groups split daily by confidence and ability.

Ride High Country Victoria is a women's mountain bike retreat exploring some of Victoria's best-known riding regions. Based at the Myee Alpine Retreat in Mt Beauty, riders take in the gold-rush forest trails of Beechworth and Yackandandah, the alpine singletrack of Falls Creek, the hand-built trails of Mt Beauty itself, and finish with shuttle-assisted flow trails at Bright's Mystic MTB Park.

The retreat is designed for multiple ability levels, with experienced guides, optional coaching sessions and flexible riding options each day. It's positioned as a supportive, relaxed environment rather than a high-mileage challenge, with shuttles and uplifts used on the bigger descent days.

Highlights

• Beechworth and Yackandandah's gold-rush era forest trails, including the Indigo Epic and Homeward Bound descent
• Alpine singletrack at Falls Creek, including the Flowtown and Skyline trails
• Hand-built cross-country trails around Mt Beauty (Wombats Trail, Bananarama, Survey Track)
• Shuttle-assisted flow descents at Bright's Mystic MTB Park
• Optional skills sessions and coaching throughout the week
• Base accommodation at Myee Alpine Retreat with views of Mount Bogong

Surface and terrain:

Purpose-built mountain bike trail networks throughout, ranging from smooth, machine-built flow trails (Falls Creek, Bright) to narrower, natural hand-built singletrack (Mt Beauty). Terrain includes granite features, forest and alpine sections. Some days use shuttles or uplifts for the bigger descents. A dual-suspension bike is recommended.

Weather:

Falls Creek's alpine environment is noted as more exposed to changeable weather, which may prompt itinerary adjustments.

Suitable for:

Women riders of strong beginner through advanced skill levels; it's a women's-only trip with flexible grouping so less confident riders can ride with a guide while stronger riders explore independently.

Western Explorer is more a journey of discovery than a traditional retreat, taking riders through some of the newest and most remote trail networks on Tasmania's West Coast. The route runs from Tippogoree Hills near George Town through the renowned Maydena Bike Park, a unique riding experience at Meadowbank Winery, Mount Owen above Queenstown, and the Heemskirk Range near Zeehan.

The trip leans into exploration and adventure rather than skills coaching, with harder trails than most of the operator's other tours, though green options are available at each stop. Overnights range from a luxury start at Launceston's Peppers Silo Hotel to Giant's Table and Cottages near Maydena and stays in Queenstown, with local dining experiences including a private film night at the historic Paragon Theatre.

Highlights:

• Explore the new Tippogoree Hills trail network near George Town
• Ride Maydena Bike Park, on the edge of World Heritage wilderness
• A unique mountain bike and long-lunch experience at Meadowbank Winery
• Descend Mount Owen's Waterfall trail above Queenstown, with black-run options
• Ride the Heemskirk Range trails near Zeehan, including Oonah Hill
• Dinner and a private film night at the historic Paragon Theatre, Zeehan

Surface and terrain:

Purpose-built mountain bike trail networks across five West Coast locations, from green trails to harder blue and black descents (Mount Owen, Maydena). Queenstown and Zeehan trails are largely crushed gravel rather than dirt. Shuttles are used extensively for the bigger descent days. A full-suspension bike is recommended.

Suitable for:

Confident intermediate to advanced women riders; not recommended for complete beginners, as the focus is on exploration and adventure rather than skills coaching (the operator suggests its Gravel and Greens retreat for cautious beginners instead).

Ride Week Tasmania is MTB Retreat's one mixed-gender trip of the year, open to everyone rather than women only. Based in Derby, the week blends exploration and skills coaching across the region's iconic wilderness trails, including the Blue Tier descent to Weldborough Hotel, the new Tippogoree Hills trails near George Town, the Atlas wilderness trail, and a finish on the Bay of Fires Trail to Swimcart Beach.

Groups split daily by confidence and fitness, so riders can shuttle the bigger descents or take a more relaxed pace on Derby's lower trails. It's designed for couples or partners who want to ride together, with a mix of male and female guides and coaches.

Highlights:

• Explore Blue Derby's trails, including a shuttle-assisted run down Black Stump
• Descend the Blue Tier trail with lunch at the Weldborough Hotel
• Ride the new Tippogoree Hills trails near George Town
• Tackle the Atlas wilderness trail
• Finish on the Bay of Fires Trail from the Blue Tier to Swimcart Beach
• Relax in the Derby floating sauna and hot tubs

Surface and terrain:

Purpose-built mountain bike trail networks, from beginner-friendly green trails around Derby to wilderness descents (Blue Tier, Atlas, Bay of Fires) and flow/rocky trails at Tippogoree Hills. Shuttles are used for the bigger descent days. A full-suspension bike is recommended, though a hardtail is workable.

Suitable for:

Mixed-gender group of all skill levels, particularly couples or partners wanting to ride together; groups split daily by confidence, fitness and skill.