Ride Mackay

Whether you walk, run, wheel or ride Mackay, active travel can be a great way to explore our beautiful region – or simply get from A to B.

With our flat landscape, beautiful environment and 300+ days of glorious sunshine, the Mackay region makes leaving the car at home an appealing option.

Plus, using active travel is a great way to discover parts of the region not accessible by road. Add in the fitness, mood-boosting and mental wellbeing benefits – and that is saves you money and reduces your impact on the environment – and there has never been a better time to Ride Mackay.

To make active travel easier and more enjoyable for you, Mackay Regional Council has created this exciting platform complete with established Rides of the Region, FAQs and some information on how to stay safe and respectful while on shared paths.

Proudly supported by the Queensland Government Bike Riding Encouragement Program Community Grants Scheme.

Ride-Mackay-banner-final.jpg

 

Ride Guide

Welcome to your ultimate guide for active transport in our region!

The video guides include dynamic video flythroughs of our best trails and will help you navigate the more than 250 kilometres of shared pathway in our region.

There are also video guides on riding etiquette, safety and maintenance.

Whether you walk, run, wheel or ride Mackay, “active travel” can be a great way to explore our beautiful region – or simply get from ‘A’ to ‘B’!

Ride guide banner

Watch the videos

Rides of the region (trail maps)

From the picturesque Bluewater Trail that follows Mackay’s pristine Pioneer River to the Cross City Link that provides a quick, direct commute for riders traveling between the City Centre and the Paget industrial area, Mackay has an abundance of exceptional shared pathways.

Then, once you leave the city and explore the suburbs and rural localities of the Mackay region you will find some excellent loops, scenic rides and more challenging mountain bike trails.

To explore the region, and discover the trails, loops and tracks on offer, check out the options below.

Proudly supported by the Queensland Government Bike Riding Encouragement Program Community Grants Scheme.

Submit a ride

To help us populate the Ride Mackay website, we invite you to submit a gpx file of a ride that may not be currently listed and is legally/publicly accessible (not on private land etc.). 

*GPX files can save, send, and upload routes usable by many GPS programs or devices.

Please fill in the form below, or if you have larger files or more information, email sport@mackay.qld.gov.au

Proudly supported by the Queensland Government Bike Riding Encouragement Program Community Grants Scheme.

add-form.jpg

 

 

Active travel events assistance for schools

Ride-to-school-day-banner.jpg

Is your school interested in participating in these active travel events?

  • National Ride to School Day
  • National Road Safety Week
  • National Walk Safely to School Day
  • National Ride 2 Work Day
  • Day for Daniel

These initiatives advocate for road safety, healthier lifestyles, and child well-being. Whether it's biking to school, walking for wellness, or promoting child safety, these events emphasize collective action for a safer, healthier, and more connected society. Join the movement towards positive change, step by step, pedal by pedal.

What are the benefits of riding or walking to school?

It helps children get enough exercise
Ideally, everyone aged under 18 should have at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day; so riding or walking to school is a great way to help students get enough physical exercise.

It reduces pollution
If more children ride or walk to school, this reduces the number of cars on the road.

It may improve children’s concentration at school
Children who have travelled to school in an active way arrive more alert, so they’re more able to concentrate and retain information.

It helps children learn about road safety
Ride to School Day gives you the perfect opportunity to teach children how to stay safe while walking or riding.

It’s fun!
Riding, walking, scooting and skating are all great activities that children can enjoy with their friends and family helping them to build stronger social connections.

How can your school participate?

Ideas for an event may include;

  • Healthy Breakfast upon arrival
  • Organised Walk or Ride
  • Decorate your bike/scooter competition
  • Sports dress/ free dress day
  • Guest Speaker
  • Decorate a poster to promote
  • Bicycle/ scooter skills or maintenance

How can council assist?

Events such as these often involve teamwork. This may include the principal, sports coordinator, guidance councillor and/or parent and carer association. Council may be able to assist your school with organising these events.

To find out more, complete the expression of interest form below.

add-form.jpg

 

Frequently asked questions

How can I fit walking or cycling into my regular schedule?
Did you know cycling can actually be a faster mode of transport than driving a car, especially in congested areas during peak travel times? The table below shows how long it takes the average person to cycle different distances.

Walking and cycling times.jpg

 

How to build up fitness and confidence
Join one of Mackay's social riding groups to build up your fitness and gain confidence riding on the road. You can find local riding groups on social media or by contacting a bicycle sales business. You can also plan your route using our "off-road" bicycle paths including the Bluewater Trail, Gooseponds or Cross City Link bicycle pathways, and choose smaller local streets over busier main roads. Maps for these paths can be found in Rides of the Region.

Social walking and running groups
There are a number of social groups in the region, details of which can be found on social media including:

Join a club?


Annual events


Useful links

 

Discover Australia's newest mountain bike destination, surrounded by one of the world's oldest rainforests.... Finch Hatton MTB 

Finch-Hatton-MTB-banner.jpg