Tucked between Ballarat and Daylesford in Victoria’s Central Highlands, the Creswick mountain bike trails is fast emerging as one of the state’s most exciting new mountain bike destinations.
With a relatively new network of trails & trailhead (Nov 2024) and access to the 210Km point-to-point Goldfields Track, Creswick MTB Park is becoming a big name in the Victorian MTB scene.
Having ridden most of the trails in and around Melbourne, I am surprised to say that the Creswick MTB trail network may just be the best for Melbourne based riders, or close to it.
Within an hour and half from Melbourne, there is not a trail network I can think of that offers better trails than Creswick. (Ed. As of publication, I have yet to ride the new Warburton trail network)
So whether you’re planning a quick half-day mission from Melbourne or a weekend getaway with your go-to crew, Creswick delivers a fun mix of forest flow, gravity fed loops and historic gold-rush landscapes worth sticking around for.
Overview of the Creswick Mountain Bike Park
The Creswick mountain bike trails (also known as Djuwang Baring) weave through pine plantations, native forest, and sections of the historic Goldfields Track. The terrain is mostly flowy and fast, with short climbs and natural singletrack that suits beginners through to intermediate riders.
This is combined with a ‘Gravity Section’ which features green, blue and black trails with features to match. We’re talking big berms and alpine style jumps that rival other mtb trail networks.
With the influence and trail building expertise of Dirt Art (trail builders commissioned for the local network) there are properly graded trails for all riders. With well-built features – think high backed berms, roll overs, table tops and doubles, yet appropriately built for the trail grade. This combined with fast flowing singletrack, good signage and various trail hubs, make for an excellent trail network to visit.
A number of these trail hubs or junctions enable multiple trails to meet and are accessed by service and fire roads. This makes it easier to self-shuttle, which was in full swing on the weekend that we visited.
Trail Highlights at Creswick MTB
Creswick MTB Park
The new Creswick mountain bike park is one of the most anticipated trail projects in Victoria, forming part of the Ballarat to Creswick Trails Masterplan.
The park currently features around 60 km of purpose-built MTB trails, including green, blue, and black-grade options — all connected via the new Hammon Park trailhead.
At the trail head are parking facilities, toilets, water, basic tool stand and and impressive pump track to dial in your skills. The Hammon Park trailhead is very close to the main street of Creswick, making it easy to sort out food and drink after your ride.
This will make Creswick one of the largest connected MTB zones in regional Victoria, rivalling destinations like Buxton Mountain Bike Park and You Yangs MTB for accessibility and diversity.
Yulawil Gravity Trails
The trails here at the junction roll off into 5 different gravity fed trails (Anything with a ‘G’ trail marker) with all the jumps, berms and tabletop you can hit. Riding through the pine plantations, thisis where you get an alpine feel to the trails.
Adaptive Mountain Bike Trails
The impressive development is the addition of marked adaptive mtb trails, marked by the adaptive MTB icon. Again, kudos to the builders, where these are not glorified, wide hiking trails, but challenging singletrack to accommodate adaptive mtb riders of all levels.
Lake Link & Wood Coupe Trails
As you go further afield to the Lake Link and Wood Coupe trails (‘L’ and ‘W’ marked trails) you get a taste of ribbon like singletrack, with technical sections through the rocks and eucalypts.
There are some twisty climbs which then feed you into fast downhill singletrack.
Goldfields Track: Creswick to Ballarat or Daylesford
If you’re chasing a longer challenge, this section of the Goldfields Track offers a scenic ride through mixed terrain — forest, open farmland, and heritage sites from Victoria’s gold rush era.
The Creswick to Ballarat leg is about 25 km and best suited for intermediate riders, while the Creswick to Daylesford route stretches roughly 45 km and rewards you with great café stops at both ends.
This is a favourite for XC and endurance riders who love a bit of exploration with their trail time.
Trailhead & Facilities
Main trailhead: Hammon Park Trailhead (Creswick).
You’ll find parking, toilets, picnic tables, and easy access to both existing trails and the developing park network.
Bike hire & service:
- Creswick MTB Hire and Shuttles – 11 Moore St, Creswick
- Ballarat Bike Hire – Provides hire bikes with drop off service to Creswick.
There’s also easy access to cafés, bakeries, and pubs just a few minutes’ ride away from the trailhead.
Where to Eat & Drink
Creswick punches above its weight when it comes to food and coffee.
- Le Peche Gourmand – French bakery and coffee spot that’s a pre-ride favourite.
- Smokeytown Café – hearty breakfasts and strong coffee, great for a post-ride refuel.
- Creswick Hotel or The American Hotel – both excellent for a cold beer and pub meal after your ride.
If you’re making a weekend of it, the short drive to Daylesford opens up even more dining and brewery options.
Where to Stay
Creswick offers accommodation for every type of rider:
- RACV Goldfields Resort – right on the edge of the forest, this resort is bike-friendly and ideal for families.
- Creswick Motel – simple, clean, and close to town and trails.
- Local cottages and farm stays – for a more relaxing escape.
You could also base yourself in Ballarat (20 minutes away) or Daylesford (25 minutes away) and ride multiple trail networks in one weekend.
Getting There
Creswick is about 1.5 hours from Melbourne via the Western Freeway (M8). Turn off at Ballarat and head north about 15 minutes to reach town.
Creswick Train Station is also a very short ride away from the Hammond Park trailhead. This makes public transport a very viable option, to access this impressive trail network.
Parking is available at Hammon Park and around the main township.
Tips for Riding the Creswick Mountain Bike Trails
- Best season: Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer can be hot and dusty, while winter brings slick conditions. Although outside of extreme fire danger or storm events, the trails are well built, to be ridden all year round.
- Navigation: The trail map is not the easiest to follow and the Trailforks app does not yet have the new trails featured. However the network is well signed and once you are out on the trail, it is easy to get around. Each major junction (named after local fauna) has a trail map to keep you on track.
Combine Your Trip
Creswick makes a perfect base for a Central Highlands MTB weekend. Within a short drive, you can ride:
- Black Hill MTB Park (Ballarat) – technical rock gardens and gravity lines.
- Wombat Forest MTB Trails (Woodend) – flowing singletrack through native bush.
- You Yangs Mountain Bike Park – singletrack, granite goodness
- Anglesea MTB Trails – coastal singletrack with ocean views.
You can easily build a 2–3 day itinerary combining the Creswick MTB trails with these other destinations.
Final Thoughts
The Creswick mountain bike park is set to become one of Victoria’s premier trail networks. It offers a perfect blend of accessibility, variety, and country-town charm.
If you have ridden the Mystic trails (particularly the Hero trail) in Bright or the Indigo Epic trail in Beechworth, you will recognise a familiarity with the gravity and singletrack trails built at Creswick.
The trails and gradings have not been dumbed down, giving All Mountain riders credible challenges and trail features to hit.
While it may not have the same elevation to work with as some other Alpine destinations, the trail builders have done an excellent job to create a network that works with the available terrain.
The ability to self-shuttle is also a bonus, although like Bright’s Mystic Park, this may change in the coming years. Get in now before this is shut down.
The Creswick trails are well built and would arguably be the best trail network within 1hr ½ drive from Melbourne.
So load up the bikes, grab a pastry, and hit the trails — Creswick is just getting started.
