Creswick MTB Trails
Overview
Djuwang Baring — meaning "long track" in the Dja Dja Wurrung language — is a 60 km purpose-built mountain bike network in Creswick, Victoria, that fully opened on 30 November 2024 after a partial 32 km opening on 2 August 2024 [1, 2, 3, 5]. Roughly 70 individual trail segments are arranged across eight zones, spanning Creswick Regional Park, surrounding state forest and HVP commercial pine plantations, with the main trailhead at Hammon Park on the western edge of town [1, 4, 5]. Trails range from green family loops and machine-built blue flow to black diamond gravity lines and a double-black "Southern Pro Line", originally designed to UCI XCO standard for the cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games cross-country event [3, 5, 8].
The network's defining feature is its adaptive accessibility: approximately 30% of trails are designated a-MTB-suitable, with most linking trails offering an adaptive option marked by a small orange a-MTB icon on the signage. A purpose-built Changing Place facility at Hammon Park, e-bike chargers, accessible toilets and a flat learn-to-ride loop make this Australia's most deliberately inclusive MTB destination at this scale [1, 4, 7]. Half the trail names were proposed by the Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners (via DJAARA), the other half by the local community, with cultural signage by Dja Dja Wurrung artist Nukara Nicholls-Moore [4].
Built by Dirt Art for Hepburn Shire Council with $7M from the Shire and $4M from the State Government over a 14-year project (concept began ~2012; construction kicked off January 2023), Djuwang Baring is the largest civic infrastructure investment ever undertaken by Hepburn Shire [5]. It sits 20 minutes north of Ballarat and roughly 90 minutes from Melbourne [1, 7].
Location & Access
- Address: Hammon Park Trailhead, Water Street, Creswick VIC 3363
- Region: Central Highlands / Goldfields (sign-off: existing DB value is "Central Highlands / Hepburn Shire" — Goldfields is the tourism-board phrasing per Visit Hepburn Shire / Daylesford Macedon Life)
- Drive times: ~20 min from Ballarat; ~25 min from Daylesford; ~90 min from Melbourne CBD [1, 7]
- Public transport: V/Line train Melbourne–Ballarat then 30-min bus to Creswick (limited Sundays); car is strongly preferred for shuttling between trailheads
- Parking: Free, sealed and gravel parking at Hammon Park Trailhead with overflow; secondary trailheads at Wood Coupe and Yulawil Gravity area [4, 7]
- Coords: -37.431489, 143.906825 (matches DB; trailhead pin)
Best Season & Conditions
- Peak riding season: October–June (autumn–early winter prime; spring once gravity trails reopen)
- Wet-weather impact: Pine-plantation tread holds up well; gravity lines may close briefly after sustained rain
- Fire-danger / total-fire-ban impact: Network closes on Catastrophic Fire Danger days (operator policy) [1]
- Snow / alpine season: Not alpine — riders year-round, but gravity zone shut Jul–Sep (see below)
- Gravity trails seasonal closure: Trails G1, G2, G3, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9 and part of G10 closed July–September annually for maintenance/restoration; G4 blue climb and rest of G10 stay open so 88% of the network (52.7 km of 60 km) remains rideable [post 2025-06-30] [3]
- HVP harvesting closures: Sections may close temporarily for plantation harvesting operations [1]
- Other closures: L6 currently closed; some roads closed 24 April – 11 May 2026 for DEECA works [1]
Managing Body & Trail Builders
- Land manager: Hepburn Shire Council (lead) in partnership with Parks Victoria, DEECA (Dept of Energy, Environment & Climate Action), HVP Plantations, Geographic Names Victoria, and DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, representing the Traditional Owners) [4, 5]
- Trail builder: Dirt Art (Tasmanian-headquartered Australian trail-building firm); construction started January 2023 with 4–6 crews working concurrently [4]
- Local club: VOGA Cycling Club (Volcanoes & Goldfields Area) helped develop the original concept and remains active locally [5]
- Volunteer / dig days: Coordinated through Hepburn Shire Council; ongoing maintenance is contractor-led
- Donations / membership: No formal membership/donation scheme — trails are publicly funded and free to use
History & Background
- 2012: Concept-stage planning begins under Hepburn Shire Council
- Feb 2018: Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund grant awarded [6]
- Aug 2022: Creswick promoted as the "ideal location" for Commonwealth Games XCO event in Victorian Government bid materials [6]
- April 2023: Victorian Government cancels hosting of 2026 Commonwealth Games over budget concerns ($6B+ projected cost) [WebSearch: premier.vic.gov.au]; subsequently the Commonwealth Games Federation drops MTB / road / triathlon altogether from the slimmed-down Glasgow 2026 Games [WebSearch: Pinkbike, Canadian Cycling Mag]
- Jan 2023: Dirt Art begins on-ground construction despite Games uncertainty [4]
- 2 Aug 2024: First 32 km of trails open to public [5]
- 30 Nov 2024 / 1 Dec 2024: Full 60 km network officially opened by Hepburn Shire Mayor Don Henderson with a christening ceremony and poem reading; project hailed as the largest in shire history [5]
- Cultural significance: Networks crosses ancient Dja Dja Wurrung lands; partnership with DJAARA produced the Djuwang Baring name and half of all individual trail names. Cultural artwork by Nukara Nicholls-Moore appears on signage throughout [4]
- Local concerns: Some local nature groups raised native vegetation removal concerns during earlier construction phases [5]
Recent News & Updates (last 12 months)
- 2026-04-25 (forthcoming): 2026 shuttle season opens at Hammon Park (Sat 25 April – Sat 27 June 2026, Saturdays 9 am – noon plus selected Sundays/public holidays) [TryBooking]
- 2026-04-24 to 2026-05-11: Select roads/trails closed for DEECA works [1]
- 2025-06-30: "Gravity trails closure July–September" notice posted by operator confirming 7.3 km closure from 1 July through end of September 2025 for planned maintenance; G4 climb and part of G10 remain open [3]
- 2025-02-15: Ballarat Cycle Classic Enduro Gravity & MTB events held at Djuwang Baring — first-ever community/race event hosted on the network [WebSearch: ballaratcycleclassic.com.au]
- June–July 2025: Permanent signage installation, formal road crossings, bridges and trailhead traffic management progressing [6]
- 2024-11-30: Full 60 km network officially opened; Mayor Don Henderson performed christening; reported as the shire's largest infrastructure project at