Mount Taylor

About Mount Taylor

Located in the beautiful Bullumwaal State Forest, approximately 15 kilometers north of Bairnsdale in Victoria's East Gippsland region, Mount Taylor MTB Park is one of Australia's premier gravity-focused mountain biking destinations. Set among towering eucalyptus forests, granite outcrops, and rolling mountain terrain, the park offers an exceptional combination of downhill, enduro, all-mountain, and cross-country riding. With more than 30 kilometers of purpose-built trails, approximately 300 meters of vertical elevation, and an outstanding reputation among gravity riders, Mount Taylor has become a must-visit destination for mountain bikers exploring Victoria. Originally developed through the efforts of the local mountain biking community and Mountain Biking East Gippsland (MTBEG), the park has grown steadily into one of the highlights of the Gippsland riding scene. Today, it is recognized for its professionally built trail network, modern trail design, and impressive variety of terrain. The combination of shuttle-friendly descents, technical downhill tracks, and flowing all-mountain trails attracts riders from across Australia seeking both adrenaline and scenic forest riding. One of Mount Taylor's defining characteristics is its diverse riding experience. Unlike many gravity parks that focus exclusively on downhill, Mount Taylor successfully blends gravity riding with cross-country and trail riding. Riders can choose between long flowing descents, technical downhill tracks, challenging climbing trails, and scenic XC loops, making the park suitable for a wide variety of riding styles and bike types. The trail network has been carefully designed to accommodate different skill levels while maintaining a clear emphasis on progression. Intermediate riders can enjoy flowing blue-rated trails that combine smooth berms, natural rollers, moderate jumps, and enjoyable descending. These routes provide an excellent introduction to gravity riding while remaining entertaining for experienced cyclists looking to maintain speed and rhythm. Advanced riders, however, will quickly discover why Mount Taylor enjoys such a strong reputation throughout Australia. Several black and double black diamond trails feature steep gradients, rock gardens, large jumps, gap jumps, loose rock, high-speed corners, and demanding technical sections that require excellent bike handling and confident line selection. The mountain's natural granite terrain provides countless technical features that feel both authentic and rewarding. Among the park's signature trails is the famous Flow Trail, one of Mount Taylor's most popular descents. Stretching approximately 3.5 to 4.8 kilometers, this black-rated trail offers an exhilarating combination of sweeping berms, jumps, drops, rollers, and flowing corners that encourage riders to maintain momentum from top to bottom. Despite its name, the trail still includes enough technical challenges to keep experienced riders fully engaged while delivering one of the most enjoyable descents in the region. For riders seeking an even greater challenge, the Mount Taylor Downhill Track delivers one of Victoria's premier technical downhill experiences. Covering approximately 2.3 to 2.5 kilometers, this double black diamond trail descends around 300 vertical meters through dense eucalyptus forest. Riders encounter fast technical sections, steep rock gardens, loose terrain, technical corners, large jumps, and natural obstacles that demand complete concentration throughout the descent. It is widely regarded as a national-level downhill course capable of challenging even highly experienced gravity riders. Another favorite is the Mount Taylor All-Mountain Track, a flowing intermediate route that perfectly balances technical riding with accessibility. Featuring dozens of berms, jumps, rollers, and flowing corners, the trail winds through open eucalyptus forest and rocky granite terrain while providing an exciting descent suitable for confident intermediate riders and experienced trail cyclists alike. Cross-country enthusiasts are equally well served. The park features an enjoyable Southern Cross Circuit, an approximately 9-kilometer intermediate loop combining climbing, flowing singletrack, and scenic forest riding. Riders looking for additional endurance can also tackle the popular 8.3-kilometer XC Loop, which incorporates rolling terrain, flowing descents, and rewarding climbs through the surrounding forest. These trails demonstrate that Mount Taylor offers far more than gravity riding alone. Climbing at Mount Taylor is both challenging and rewarding. The dedicated Big Emu Ascending Trail, together with the main climbing road, allows riders to gain elevation efficiently before enjoying the park's famous descents. Many visitors choose to use shuttle vehicles, particularly during gravity-focused weekends, making it possible to complete repeated downhill laps with minimal climbing. The mountain's layout is particularly well suited to shuttle-assisted riding, and many local riders regard Mount Taylor as one of Victoria's best shuttle destinations. The surrounding environment significantly enhances every ride. Trails weave through mature eucalyptus forest filled with native birdlife, granite boulder fields, and open ridgelines offering panoramic views across East Gippsland. During spring and autumn, cooler temperatures create ideal riding conditions, while native wildflowers and lush forest scenery add vibrant color throughout the landscape. Riders frequently encounter kangaroos, colourful parrots, cockatoos, and other native Australian wildlife during quieter morning and evening sessions. The natural granite terrain gives Mount Taylor its unique riding character. Large exposed rock slabs, loose granite gravel, technical boulder gardens, and rocky corners are integrated naturally into many trails, creating a riding experience that differs significantly from smoother machine-built bike parks. Riders must continually adapt their line choice and bike positioning, making every descent both technically engaging and immensely satisfying. Trail maintenance is exceptional thanks to the dedication of Mountain Biking East Gippsland (MTBEG) together with volunteers, local trail builders, and land managers. Regular maintenance focuses on sustainable drainage, erosion control, jump rebuilding, vegetation management, and ongoing trail improvements that preserve both riding quality and the surrounding forest environment. The commitment of the local riding community has helped establish Mount Taylor as one of Victoria's best-maintained public mountain bike parks. A recent addition to the facility is the impressive Mt Taylor Skills Park, designed to help riders safely develop technical skills before progressing onto the mountain. The facility includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced jump lines, natural rock features, berms, rollers, progression obstacles, elevated start platforms, and dedicated coaching areas. The skills park has become an important training venue for both local riders and visitors while adding another dimension to the overall riding experience. Facilities at the main trailhead include parking, toilets, picnic tables, wood-fired barbecue facilities, camping opportunities, and clear trail information. The spacious picnic area serves as the central meeting point for riders preparing for a day on the mountain. Trail signage throughout the network is clear and easy to follow, allowing visitors to combine multiple descents, climbing trails, and cross-country loops into rides suited to their fitness and experience level. Mount Taylor has also become an important venue for competitive mountain biking. Gravity races, shuttle days, coaching clinics, and community events are regularly held throughout the year, attracting riders from across Victoria and interstate. The park's combination of technical downhill terrain, long flow trails, and excellent supporting infrastructure makes it an ideal location for both recreational riding and competitive training. The riding season extends throughout much of the year, with autumn and spring generally providing the best trail conditions. Summer mornings offer pleasant temperatures beneath the forest canopy, while winter brings cooler conditions and excellent grip on many of the trails. Following periods of heavy rainfall, riders are encouraged to check trail conditions before visiting, helping protect the network and maintain its outstanding quality. Whether you're searching for high-speed gravity runs, technical downhill challenges, flowing all-mountain trails, rewarding cross-country loops, or one of Victoria's finest shuttle-access mountain bike destinations, Mount Taylor MTB Park delivers an unforgettable experience. Its combination of over 30 kilometers of professionally built trails, spectacular East Gippsland scenery, exceptional maintenance, challenging natural terrain, and passionate local riding community has firmly established Mount Taylor as one of Australia's premier mountain biking destinations.