Mountain Biking Jervis Bay: Trails, Tips & Where to Ride

Mountain Biking Around Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay isn’t the first place most mountain bikers think of, and that’s part of the appeal. While the region is famous for beaches and bushwalking, the hinterland and coastal bush hide a solid network of fire trails, management tracks, and connecting singletrack that make for excellent riding — often with ocean glimpses and zero crowds.

The terrain is predominantly coastal sandstone and sandy loam, which means the trails drain well and are rideable within hours of rain. The bush is beautiful — spotted gum forests, banksia woodland, and stretches where the canopy opens to reveal the bay below.

Here’s where to ride, from easy spins to full-day epics.

Trail Guide

Vincentia Fire Trails Network

Distance: 10–25km (depending on route) Difficulty: Easy to intermediate Surface: Hard-packed fire trail with some sandy sections

The network of fire trails and management tracks through the bush between Vincentia, Hyams Beach, and Booderee National Park is the most accessible riding around Jervis Bay. These are wide, well-maintained trails through tall eucalyptus forest, with gentle gradients and good sight lines.

Start from the end of Moona Moona Creek Road or from any of several entry points around Vincentia. The trails connect in a loose network that lets you choose your own distance. A relaxed 15km loop through the bush and back takes about 90 minutes and passes through beautiful spotted gum forest with occasional glimpses of the bay through the trees.

The sandy sections can be soft after dry spells — lower your tyre pressure to 20–25psi for better grip. After rain, these trails pack down hard and ride beautifully.

Best for: Beginners, families with older kids, anyone wanting a relaxed bush ride. Parking: Street parking at the end of Moona Moona Creek Road, Vincentia.

Booderee National Park Trails

Distance: 5–20km Difficulty: Easy to intermediate Surface: Sealed road, fire trail, walking track (check which tracks permit bikes)

Booderee National Park has sealed roads connecting the main attractions (Murrays Beach, Iluka, Green Patch), and some of these can be linked with permitted fire trails for a scenic ride through pristine coastal bush. The national park entry fee ($13 per vehicle) applies, though if you ride in on a bike there’s no charge.

The sealed road from the park entrance to Murrays Beach is about 7km one way, through dense bush with kangaroos often grazing on the verges in the late afternoon. It’s flat to gently undulating and suitable for any bike.

Important: Many walking tracks in Booderee do not permit cycling. Check the signage at each trail head. The main fire trails and sealed roads are generally fine, but singletrack walking trails are off-limits to bikes.

For more on what’s inside the park, see our Booderee National Park guide.

Best for: Scenic riding through national park bush, birdwatching by bike. Parking: Booderee National Park visitor area or ride in from Vincentia.

Callala Bay to Currarong Coastal Ride

Distance: 20km one way (40km return) Difficulty: Intermediate Surface: Mix of sealed road, fire trail, and some rough track

This ride follows the northern shore of Jervis Bay from Callala Bay east through Callala Beach, Myola, and on to Currarong near the tip of the Beecroft Peninsula. The route mixes sealed back roads with fire trails through coastal bush, passing several beaches and lookout points along the way.

The terrain is mostly flat with a few short climbs on the fire trail sections. The highlight is the stretch approaching Currarong, where the trail runs close to the coast and you get views across the bay to Point Perpendicular.

If you ride all the way to Currarong, the Abrahams Bosom Beach Reserve is a great spot for a swim and lunch break before heading back. The return ride gives you different light on the bay views.

Best for: Intermediate riders wanting a longer ride with coastal scenery. Parking: Callala Bay foreshore reserve.

Sussex Inlet to Jervis Bay (Inland Route)

Distance: 30–40km loop options Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced Surface: Fire trail, some singletrack, short road sections

The state forest and crown land between Sussex Inlet and the southern approaches to Jervis Bay have an extensive network of fire trails and forestry tracks. This area is less mapped and less visited than the trails closer to the bay, offering a more adventurous ride through tall eucalyptus forest.

Navigation can be tricky — download offline maps or carry a paper map of the state forest road network. Phone reception is patchy. The trails are well-maintained for fire access but aren’t signposted for recreation.

The terrain here has more elevation change than the coastal trails, with some genuine climbs through gullies and ridges. The forest is beautiful — towering spotted gums, thick undergrowth, and regular wildlife encounters. Watch for wombat burrows near the trail edges.

Best for: Experienced riders looking for longer, more remote rides. Parking: Various entry points off the Princes Highway south of Falls Creek.

Nowra Mountain Bike Trails

Distance: Various loops from 5–20km Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced Surface: Purpose-built singletrack and fire trail

For riders wanting genuine purpose-built mountain bike trails, the Nowra area (about 20 minutes’ drive from Huskisson) has the best options in the region. The sandstone terrain around Nowra creates excellent trail conditions — firm, well-draining surfaces with natural rock features.

The trails around the Nowra showground and through the bush toward North Nowra are the most established, with purpose-built singletrack featuring berms, rock gardens, and technical features. There are also extensive fire trail networks through Nowra State Forest that link into longer rides.

This is where the local mountain bike community rides, and trail development is ongoing. Check in with the local bike shops in Nowra for current trail conditions and new trail openings.

Best for: Riders wanting purpose-built mountain bike trails with technical features. Parking: Nowra Showground or various trail heads in the area.

Practical Information

Bike Hire

If you haven’t brought your own bike, options for mountain bike hire around Jervis Bay are limited. Your best bet is:

Check with bike shops in Nowra (20 minutes’ drive) — some offer mountain bike hire.
Some accommodation providers in the area have bikes available for guests — ask when booking.
Bring your own if possible. The trails here reward a hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike.

What to Bring

Water — More than you think. There are no water points on any of the trails listed above. Carry at least 2 litres for rides over an hour.
Puncture kit and pump — The sandy trails can hide sharp sticks and the occasional glass shard near road crossings. Tubeless setups work well here.
Phone with offline maps — Reception is unreliable on many trails. Download the area in your preferred maps app before you ride.
Sunscreen — Many trails pass through open sections with full sun exposure.
Insect repellent — Bush mosquitoes and march flies can be fierce, especially in summer.

Trail Etiquette

Give way to walkers and horse riders on shared trails.
Stay on marked trails and fire roads. Riding off-track damages fragile bush and is illegal in national parks.
Close any gates you pass through.
Don’t ride in Booderee National Park walking tracks — stick to sealed roads and designated fire trails.
If trails are muddy and you’re leaving ruts, the trail is too wet to ride. Come back another day.

Best Seasons for Riding

Autumn (March–May) is the best time. The summer heat has eased, the trails are firm, the bush is green from late-summer rains, and the light through the spotted gum forest is spectacular. Mild temperatures mean comfortable riding all day.

Winter (June–August) offers cool, clear riding conditions. Shorter days limit ride time, but the trails are often at their best — firm, fast, and empty. For other cool-weather ideas, see our winter in Jervis Bay guide.

Spring (September–November) brings wildflowers to the bush and pleasant riding temperatures. Some trails can be soft after spring rains.

Summer (December–February) is hot. Ride early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Carry extra water and watch for snakes — they’re active in warm weather and sometimes rest on trails.

Combining Riding with Other Activities

One of the best things about mountain biking around Jervis Bay is that you’re never far from a beach. Finish a morning ride and cool off with a swim at Hyams Beach, Greenfield Beach, or Murrays Beach. Pack snorkelling gear in your car and explore the underwater side of the headlands you just rode above.

The trails also connect well with the region’s walking tracks if you’re travelling with non-riders. Drop your riding companions at a trail head and arrange to meet at a beach or cafe. Huskisson’s waterfront restaurants make a perfect post-ride lunch spot.

Jervis Bay might not be a mountain biking destination in the way that places like Derby or Blue Cow are, but the combination of quality fire trails, beautiful coastal bush, and world-class beaches for post-ride recovery makes it a genuinely excellent place to ride. Bring your bike.