Mount Taylor MTB Park

Overview

Mt Taylor MTB Park sits at the foot of Mount Taylor (summit 474 m), 15 km north of Bairnsdale in East Gippsland, Victoria. Over 30 km of trails span downhill, all-mountain, flow and cross-country disciplines, with more than 300 m of vertical descent on offer. The trail-network is one of the most varied in regional Victoria — a national-grade double-black downhill, multiple black-grade descents, an 8 km flow line and a Skills Park accessible to first-timers all share the same trailhead.

The park has had three major build phases: an early volunteer/club era; a 2018–2019 State Government upgrade that brought in specialist contractor Dirt Art for a 3.5 km flow track plus a 5 km ascending climb (built by Forest Fire Management Victoria); and a 2023 Black Summer Bushfire Recovery-funded Skills Park ($360,000, Trailscapes) that added jump lines, a junior pump track, balance zone and signature 'hammock' and 'wallride' features. The Hurt Locker — a fully volunteer-built rock-based double-black descent — opened November 2021.

The park is land-managed by Forest Fire Management Victoria (DEECA, formerly DELWP) and trail-developed and maintained by Mountain Biking East Gippsland (MTBEG) volunteers, supported by Taylor Made MTB. Access is free, trails are open year-round, and the park hosts the Victorian Downhill Series (VDHS) — most recently the VDHS opener in October 2025.

Location & Access

Address: Corner Lookout Road and Bullumwaal Road, Mount Taylor VIC 3875
Region: East Gippsland
Drive times: ~3 hr 45 min from Melbourne CBD (~297 km via Princes Highway); ~15 min north of Bairnsdale via Bullumwaal Road; Sale ~1 hr; Lakes Entrance ~30 min
Public transport: No PT to trailhead. V/Line train to Bairnsdale (~3 hr 30 min from Melbourne Southern Cross), then car/taxi 15 min north
Parking: ~150 vehicle capacity at the Mt Taylor Picnic Area trailhead ("Boys Camp" area at the base)
Coords: -37.704873, 147.5718025 (verified against Google Maps — Mt Taylor Picnic Area)
Phone reception: None on site — download maps before arriving
Shuttle road: Self-shuttle via Laytons Road / Tower Road; 4WD recommended

Best Season & Conditions

Peak riding season: Year-round; March–November are the most settled. East Gippsland summers can be hot
Wet-weather impact: Some trails are sensitive after heavy rain — particularly The Hurt Locker which follows a creek bed and is best ridden in drier conditions
Fire-danger / total-fire-ban impact: As DEECA-managed forest, expect closures on Code Red / Catastrophic days during summer — check VicEmergency before travelling
Snow / alpine season: Not applicable (low elevation, summit only 474 m)
School-holiday surge: Picks up around Bairnsdale long weekends and during VDHS race weekends — expect parking pressure on event days

Managing Body & Trail Builders

Land manager: Forest Fire Management Victoria (DEECA — formerly DELWP), Tambo District
Trail builder / maintainer: Mountain Biking East Gippsland (MTBEG) — community-based volunteer club; supported by Taylor Made MTB
Specialist contractors used: Dirt Art (2018–19 Flow Track), Trailscapes (2023 Skills Park), Forest Fire Management Vic staff (climb track)
Volunteer / dig days: Coordinated by MTBEG via Facebook and member email
Donations / membership: Membership and "Trail Karma" donations via mtbeg.com.au — 100% of donations go to trail maintenance
Club contact: info@mtbeg.com.au; Facebook (mttaylormtbpark, MountainBikingEastGippsland)

History & Background

Pre-2018: Long-running volunteer DH and XC tracks in the Mt Taylor State Forest, used by local riders and ad-hoc DH events
2018–2019 upgrade: Significant Victorian State Government investment. Specialist contractors Dirt Art built a 3.5 km flow track. Forest Fire Management Vic staff built a 5 km ascending climb. Trail count and quality lift the park to 30 km
November 2021: "The Hurt Locker" double-black opens — 100% volunteer-built using natural granite, championed by local Dave 'Div' Tarling. Initially declined by DELWP and approved after redesign; now considered highly sustainable
2023: Mt Taylor Skills Park completed with a $360,000 Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant (Australian Government). Built by Trailscapes Pty Ltd in consultation with MTBEG. Adds 3 jump lines, junior pump track, beginner flow trail, balance zone, drop zone, hammock and wallride features
2024–2025: Hosts Victorian Downhill Series rounds (VDHS Round 2 April 2024; VDHS opener October 4–5 2025 — 20th anniversary of VDHS)