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Bunya Mountains: Russell Park Trails

Project typeMountain Bike Trail
Project scheduleProject Complete
Completion Date13 July 2023

Western Downs Regional Council has delivered new mountain bike trails at Russell Park, which is located at the Bunya Mountains.

Check the Trails Status

This new adventure experience has created exciting new recreational opportunities which cater to all riding abilities. The trails link up with several sites in the area including the Russell Park Picnic Area, Bunya Mountains Outlook (Fishers Lookout), and Rifle Bird Park.

The project is one of several initiatives as part of Council's COVID-19 Recovery Package to secure and create jobs and enhance the liveability of the region.

Key Features:

Approximately 18kms of trails in total
Three designated trails and one shared use trail of varying lengths rating from easy to easy intermediate
Trails range in length from1.3km to 6.3km
Designated interface points to accommodate both the mountain bike trails and the walking trails
Designed to preserve the natural environment, minimal footprint in the pristine Bunya Mountains locality

Trail Information

Trail Name	Trail Type	Approximate Trail Length (metres)	Trail Width (metres)	Trail Difficulty
Wamga Way	Shared Use (two-way)	1,300	2.0	Easy - Class 4
Serpent Spin	Loop (one-way clockwise)	6,250	0.8-1.2	Easy/Intermediate
Oh Chute!	Loop (one-way clockwise)	5,000	0.8-1.2	Easy
Wilf's Free Pass	Loop (one-way clockwise)	4,700	0.8-1.2	Easy

Easy Trails:

Wide trail with a gentle gradient and smooth surface
Some obstacles such as roots, logs and rocks
Suitable for beginner riders with basic mountain bike skills, and off-road bikes

Easy/Intermediate Trails:

Single track with moderate gradients, variable surface and some obstacles such as roots, logs and rocks
Suitable for riders with mountain bikes

Project Status: Project Complete

Construction Complete

Construction complete, with trails open to the public from July 2023.

For further information to experience the new Mountain Bike Trails, please refer our tourism page Experience Western Downs.

Construction underway - Trailheads

Boyds Bay Landscaping Pty Ltd has been awarded the construction contract for the trailheads. Works are expected to start in February 2022.

Construction underway - Trails

Common Ground Trails Pty Ltd has commenced construction of the mountain biking trails.

Detailed design complete

Council has appointed Bligh Tanner to project manage the detailed design of the project, with a consortium of subject matter experts involved in the design process. Eg. World Trail designing the mountain bike trail, Greenedge Design for the landscaping aspects as well as specialists for the environmental and cultural heritage key aspects of the project.

Progress Updates:

July 2023

Project complete. Site open to the public.

April - June 2023

Council is completing the final stage of works before the trails can safely open to the public. Current works include:

Maintenance works to clear vegetation and repair pest animal damage
Installation of low level 'bridge' structures to effectively manage the spread of phytophthora
Trailhead signage installation

Council is finalising plans for the public opening and will advise as soon as the information is available. In addition, plans are underway for a special community event to celebrate the region's newest recreational facility.

January, 2023

Hear from Council Spokesperson, Councillor Kylie Bourne about progress on the Russell Park Mountain Bike Trails project.

2022 Summary

In 2022 the Russell Park project was significantly impacted by prolonged and continued wet weather which caused uncontrollable construction delays. During this time an invasive organism called Phytophthora Multivora was identified within sections of Russell Park. The identification of these sites required the realignment of some trails and changes to the project scope in order to protect the natural environment. Trail construction is well underway with completion due in mid-2023 (official opening date to be advised).

January, 2022

Trailhead construction tender awarded by Council. Tender awarded to Boyds Bay Landscaping Pty Ltd

August, 2021

Trail construction tender awarded by Council. Tender awarded to Common Ground Trails Pty Ltd

July, 2020

Design contract awarded by Council. Detailed Design awarded to Bligh Tanner

Funding Sources:

This project is jointly funded by Western Downs Regional Council and the Australian Government through its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.