Nine places to get kids on their bikes

Love your bike? Love the great outdoors? Pretty sure your kid(s) will dig these things too? We’re here to help get you all out amongst it. So, switch up screens for the satisfying crunch of dried leaves under rubber - from the smooth urban, to the downright dusty, these top nine awesome bike trails in NSW national parks will have you hi-fiving the weekend. Parent win!

Terrey Hills is a lush green area just north of Sydney. It offers the two-wheel-loving family an easy, 7km trail and a great lookout. Kids as young as seven have reported loving this track! Perimeter trail caters for walkers, horse riders and cyclists, so expect to encounter all three on this green adventure! It’s Aussie bush of the finest order up here – full of beautiful grass trees and Sydney red gums with their red limbs soaring to the blue skies above. There are plenty of places to pause and ‘look out’ – all your senses bathed in native Australian wonder. The Perimeter trail is in the West Head precinct of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Get there via the A3 to Terrey Hills or Mona Vale Road. Parking is available there.

Just up the road from Blackheath, you’ll find Burramoko Ridge (Hanging Rock) trail, a sublime 10km, 2hr return-trip ride hungry for your tread. Pedal your group along the ridge, deep-breathing the freshest-of-fresh Blue Mountains air. The track is graded medium, so it's best suited to older kids (12+) with good fitness! Expect to puff and sweat some.

The ride culminates at Baltzers lookout, also known as Hanging Rock – and for good reason. The rewards are served up generously here - golden cliffs, heavy drops, huge vistas. Be dwarfed by nature’s epic beauty.

This trail is just over 2 hours' drive up the M4 from Sydney (parking near the gate). Or why not take a train, disembarking at Blackheath. If you’ve got time left over, check out Govetts Leap - another impressive neighbour of Blackheath – and one of the most famous lookouts in Australia.

Thredbo serves up more than just great skiing - it’s quickly becoming equally known for mountain biking. At 16.7km one-way, the Thredbo village to Bullocks Flat section of Thredbo Valley track is a shared-use trail, serving up lush Alpine scenery, huge rock formations, water features, twists, turns and bridges (five of them!). The scenery is nothing short of spectacular. The trail is graded for the beginner through to intermediate, but kids will need bike-confidence and stamina to tackle the whole trail; it's best suited to fit kids aged 12 and up. Younger kids can take on the lower-end of the trail - check out Thredbo Diggings campground to Bullocks Flat (5.4km return) or Gaden Bridge to Thredbo River Picnic area (3.2km return).

You’ll find the Thredbo Valley track 5 ½ hours' drive down the M321 from Sydney, or just 2 ½ hours' drive on the B23 from Canberra. It's an awesome weekender. 

So close, but oh-so-far from Sydney! You’ll find the Pennant Hills West Pymble fire trail at the top-end of Lane Cove National Park. It’s a  picturesque 3km, medium-grade trail through peaceful eucalypt forest with lashings of impressive eye candy - both of the natural and man-made variety - the Sydney skyline performs for parts of the trail. This one's for kids 14+ because although short, there's some tricky (technical) parts and steep areas. But don't worry, there's plenty of scenic spots (which include Devlins Creek and Whale Rock), where you can catch your breath and picnic.

The park is a dial-a-day-out for families, with loads of other trails for walking and over 35 picnic areas – there’s even rowboats for hire! Pack up the kids and make a day of it. If you can't be bothered to BYO, there's the bonus onsite cafe which has a range of freshly prepared meals, drinks and ice-cream.

Brisbane Water National Park is loved by Central Coasters for its variety of walking tracks, lookouts and picnic spots. The 10km, mid-grade Warrah Trig cycling loop follows the ridge between Patonga and Pearl beach, covering the best parts of the national park. 

Park your four wheels at Warrah Trig carpark and settle into the saddle for the 10km loop. Starting out at Warrah Trig, fly like a native sea eagle along the track (they’ll keep a wise watch over you in these parts).  

Along the way (about ½ way) the Warrah lookout makes the perfect pit stop with views of Barrenjoey headland and across the Hawkesbury river to Brisk Bay and Patonga. Take a minute to take it in.

This cycling loop is a good challenge for older kids (14+) as it requires a bit of cycling along main roads. Caution: Pearl Beach Drive is narrow, steep and windy. Take extreme care on this section of the road and make sure you are highly visible to other road users.

A hearty breakfast prior: essential! There are cafes in Patonga Beach for eat-out treats. 

Waterfalls and two-wheeled ‘wows’ just a short drive from Coffs Harbour, anyone?  

The 26km Plateau Circuit loop trail is graded medium - but the remote, lush subtropical rainforest is anything but! It’s a 3 hour investment, so kids and parents will need fitness and stamina - we suggest ages 14+ tackle this loop.

Know the dappled light that winks through the trees as you cruise along the trail? You’ll get it in spades here, along with fresh air and the quality of presence only found in nature. The beautiful Bangalore Falls and Urumbilum picnic area offer great de-mount-and-lunch moments. Bring your phone/camera – the natural amphitheatre and deep pool at Urumbilum Creek gorge begs to be snapped, filtered, tagged and posted. If not now - later. 

The Plateau Circuit loop trail is found in the Western precinct of Bindarri National Park. Parking available at the start of the loop. 

On the Western side of the renowned Kangaroo Valley lies Morton National Park– home to the Bundanoon cycling route. 14km of easy and undulating track winds through open forest, teeming with banksias. It’s a great family day out - but kids will need to go the distance... We suggest it’s best for kids aged 9+. 

Count the satin bowerbirds, green catbirds, lyrebirds, eagles, falcons. But remember to keep your eyes on the trail too. You’ll need to push your bikes along the short walking paths to Tooths, Sunrise Point and Grand Canyon lookouts. It’s in your best interest though… it's better to have two feet firmly planted for these epic views!

Morton is less than 2 hours from Sydney on the M31 and 1½ hours from Wollongong on the Illawarra Highway. Parking is available at Gambells Rest picnic area, as well as on the streets of Bundanoon.

Five Mile mountain bike trail at Murray Valley serves up a five-star experience for mountain bikers and families – it’s arguably the best place for mountain biking in the Riverina region AND there’s an awesome picnic area. AND, because the trail is in a regional park within the broader national park, you can bring your dog on a lead – a rarity, for the good reason of protecting native wildlife.  

The track itself spoons a bend in the grand Murray River, on the NSW side. The 7km trail is suitable for all skill levels, kids seven and up, or even younger mountain-bike pros! It’ll have you bombing it in no time (mountain biking speak for killing it!).   

This trail is 8 hours on the M31 from Sydney. If you’re heading up from Melbourne, the M39, M79 or B75 will have you there in under 3 hours. There's plenty to do nearby, including awesome camping at Benarca. Stop and stay a while - make a holiday of it! Parking is available at the track.

Livingstone National Park is just down the road from Wagga Wagga (a 5 hour drive down the M31 from Sydney). The 4.3km looping Livingstone multi-use track is enjoyed by

walkers, horse riders and cyclists especially in spring, when it's known to be blanketed in stunning wildflowers. Seen a rusty spider flower recently? You will here! Along with cypress pines, scribbly gums and over 185 species of winged friends – the park is a birdwatcher’s delight. 

The track is graded easy and estimated to take only an hour for cyclists – do-able for young kids. We suggest ages six and up. 

Though spontaneity has its upside, the great outdoors doesn’t always agree! It pays to do some prep before you go. Here are some of our favourite tips.

REMEMBER TO: 

• Check the NPWS site ahead of your planned visit, or call the park visitor centre: in the cooler months, there may be planned controlled burning to reduce fire hazard over summer. In the warmer months, total fire bans can close tracks and parks. Best to check for all alerts before you go.
• Know your weather, with BOM's handy tips.
• Download the NSW national parks app, for offline park maps, guides and important info when you're in a national park and may not have internet access or mobile reception.
• Pack lots of water (at least 2L per person) and snacks.
• Pack a helmet for all riders.
• Pack a puncture repair kit and don’t forget your pump! 
• Bring tissues, wipes, a basic first aid kit and your own rubbish bags.
• Charge your phone ahead of time – for happy snaps – or bring your SLR.
• Tell someone where you’re going ahead of your trip, fill in a trip intention form.
• Consider whether you may need a PLB (personal location beacon)
• Download the  Emergency Plus app. 
• Leave no trace, stay on track.

Finally, here’s to you for getting you and yours out there! You’re making your kids’ lives - one bike ride at a time.