Bike Riding Dularcha

The Bike

I recently went bike riding Dularcha National Park on my new Avanti Montari 29'er mountain bike that I bought from Eric at Beerwah Cycles, the rail trail and the tunnel track go between Landsborough and Mooloolah.

My New Bike - Pretty Isn't She

The Track

I rode the Tunnel Track which is named after the old rail tunnel that you can ride through which then links to the rail trail which continues to follow the main rail line to Mooloolah.

This is a pretty easy ride which doesn't have any steep or tricky parts but it does have a few rough rocky patches that can catch you unaware if like me you tend to daydream while riding along and suddenly realise you are about to crash if you don't do something about it NOW.

Entrance To Dularcha National Park With Horse Step Over Rails

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How To Get There

From Landsborough

The start of the track is off Beech Road, Landsborough.

From Mooloolah

The start of the track is off Dorson Drive, Mooloolah.

Both entrances are a bit hidden from the main roads that you might usually drive on but once you are on the right road they are easy to spot. Landsborough has more (and better) parking available.

To download your own copy of this handy Dularcha Map, click here

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View Larger Map

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The Tunnel

The Dularcha railway tunnel is one of only two tunnels built along the old North Coast Line between Brisbane and Gympie.

Building the tunnel in the early 1890's was very labour intensive work undertaken by T.J. Jessor and Co.

Their workers built the concrete lined tunnel using basic machinery and horses to assist with carrying heavy loads.

Bike Riding Dularcha National Park

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What You Might See When Bike Riding Dularcha

Horses

The tracks in this area are used a lot by horse riders from the local area and many people float in their horses from the surrounding areas of the Sunshine Coast, attracted by this great riding area.

If you are cycling through, just remember that you must give way to pedestrians and horses. I would suggest you go further than that and do all you can to not spook the horses, riders will appreciate that.

Motorbikes and 4WD's ?

You shouldn't see any motorbikes or 4WD's on any of these tracks as it is illegal and a bit difficult for them to get in (but not impossible).

I have seen motorbike tyre marks through this area, so keep an ear out for them. They are likely to be riding unregistered and noisy bikes and not be thinking much about meeting you on a blind corner but you'll hear them coming.

Note to motorbike riders : I am not against you, I am a dirt bike rider too, but I also would suggest you start showing respect for others, this includes not having a noisy bike, not riding in places that you're not allowed and thinking about how your behavior (no matter how much fun it is) is affecting others.

But yes I agree there should be many more places to ride your motorbike around the Glass House Mountains area. Contact me if you have any suggestions for places that would suit.

Wildlife

You should see plenty of birds and other small animals if you are riding quietly through and in the warmer months you are likely to come across a few snakes.

Bats

You might see the small bats in the tunnel if they are there at the time of year you are there. If you don't like bats there is a bypass track but it is a bit steep.

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Riden Dularcha - Tell Me About It

If you have ridden the Dularcha National Park tracks, please tell me your story, people like me (and heaps more) love to hear your story.

You might think that no one would be interested in your story because it is boring or you aren't a top rider or you ride an old clunker of a bike.

Well I can tell you they are interested and it might just encourage someone else to get out and enjoy this wonderful MTB hobby. Or it might be just what they need to hear if it is a rainy day or they are injured and can't ride.

Even better if you include a few photos, so go on please tell your story using the form below

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