Forrest has gone from sleepy timber town to mountain biking mecca in about ten years. Used to be just loggers and potato farmers, now you’ve got riders from Melbourne coming down every weekend, bike racks on every second car and the pub full of people covered in mud talking about berms and drop-offs.
The trails here are the real deal though. Over 60km of purpose-built single track weaving through the forests, plus all the old logging roads and fire trails if you want to explore further. The people who designed these knew what they were doing – there’s flow trails that make you feel like a hero, technical sections that’ll have you walking your bike, and everything in between.
The trailhead is right in town at the old railway station. Can’t miss it – there’s bikes everywhere and usually someone fixing a puncture or adjusting their suspension. There’s a big map board showing all the trails colour coded like ski runs. Green for easy, blue for intermediate, black for experienced.
Start with Boundary Road if you’re new to this or have kids. It’s about 8km of wide, smooth trail that follows the old tramway. Gentle gradient, no surprises, nice views through the forest. Perfect for getting your legs working and figuring out your gears. Kids can handle this one easy.
Rollercoaster is the next step up but still green-rated. Don’t let the name scare you – it’s just got some gentle ups and downs that are actually fun rather than terrifying. About 5km and it loops back to town. You’ll feel like you’ve done something without needing an ambulance.
The Skills Park near the trailhead is worth mucking around in. Little jumps, skinnies, berms to practice on. Kids spend hours here while parents have a coffee at the brewery. Good place to test yourself before heading out on the proper trails.
Follow the Dog is the classic blue trail. About 10km of flowing singletrack with enough technical bits to keep it interesting. Berms you can rail, little jumps you can hit or roll, some rocky sections that’ll test your line choice. This is where most people spend their time once they’re confident.
Third Time Lucky is another belter. Bit more technical than Follow the Dog with some proper rock gardens and tight switchbacks. The climb at the start is a bastard but the descent makes it worthwhile. That last section through the ferns is magic – like you’re in some mountain biking video.
Marriners Run is the longest blue trail at about 15km. Takes you properly out into the forest. Some climbing involved but nothing too savage. The middle section has this amazing flow where you’re just carving through corners for ages. Ends with a ripper descent back into town.
Red Carpet is the one everyone talks about. It’s not actually that long – maybe 3km – but it’s proper technical. Rock drops, gap jumps, steep chutes. First time I rode it I walked half of it. Now I walk a quarter of it. Progress.
Casper the Friendly Flow Trail is black-rated but it’s more about speed than technical difficulty. If you can handle the pace it’s incredible. Big berms, tabletop jumps, the lot. But if you’re not comfortable with speed, it gets scary fast. The name’s ironic – there’s nothing friendly about it if you overcook a corner.
Willis is just nasty. Short, sharp, technical. It’s only a kilometer but feels longer when you’re trying not to die. Locals use it to show off. Tourists use it to donate skin to the trail.
Summer the trails are dusty but fast. Autumn’s perfect – tackier dirt, cooler weather, beautiful colours. Winter gets muddy. Properly muddy. Like, your bike gains 5kg of mud on the wheels muddy. Some people love it, most people wait for drier weather. Spring’s good but can be unpredictable. One day hero dirt, next day swamp.
Check the Forrest Trails Facebook page before heading out. Locals update it with conditions. If it says “trails are cooked” after rain, believe them. Riding wet trails wrecks them for everyone and the locals will let you know about it.
The brewery in Forrest is command central for riders. Bike racks out front, hose to clean your bike, and cold beer waiting. Gets packed on weekend afternoons with everyone comparing war stories and showing off their GoPro footage. Good burgers too if you’ve earned it.
There’s a coffee caravan that sets up on busy weekends near the trailhead. Decent coffee and egg and bacon rolls that’ll sort you out before a ride. The general store does basic supplies if you’ve forgotten something.
While Forrest gets all the attention, there’s other riding around. The Old Beechy Rail Trail is cruisy and good for families or if you want distance without the technical stuff. You can ride from Colac all the way to Beech Forest on it.
There’s some unofficial trails in the hills behind Apollo Bay that locals ride. Ask around at the bike shop there if you want to explore. Wild Ranges MTB Park near Lorne has just opened up with some new trails too.
Bring spares. Tubes, pump, multi-tool minimum. Phone reception is patchy and walking out is no fun. First aid kit’s not a bad idea either. The forest is beautiful but unforgiving if something goes wrong.
Respect the trails. Don’t ride when they’re wet, don’t cut corners, don’t skid unnecessarily. These trails exist because mountain bikers proved they could look after them. Don’t be the person who stuffs it up for everyone.
Otways Tourist Park is nestled in Gellibrand, a short drive from the charming rural townships of Colac and Forrest, Victoria. Otways Tourist Park is a welcoming destination – perfect for those looking to unwind, slow down, and reconnect with nature and loved ones.
Nearby attractions include the world-famous Great Ocean Road, waterfalls, rainforest walks and the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk.
The park is also conveniently located within easy reach of popular destinations like Apollo Bay, Lorne and the Twelve Apostles, making it an ideal base for exploring the spectacular Otway Ranges and Surf Coast region.
