Mt Owen MTB Trails

Overview

Mt Owen MTB Trails is a 35 km purpose-built network draped across the upper slopes of Mt Owen, the bare, mineral-stained peak (1,146 m) that towers over the historic copper-mining town of Queenstown on Tasmania's West Coast. The mountain's century of industrial mining and timber felling stripped the once-rainforested slopes back to dramatic, multi-coloured conglomerate ridgelines — the closest thing in Australia to riding a Northern-Hemisphere or New Zealand "big-mountain" alpine descent. The network was designed and built by Tasmanian specialist Dirt Art (also responsible for Maydena Bike Park) and officially opened on 10 December 2021. [1][2][4][7]

The network is split into two distinct experiences:

• Upper Mountain — five primary descending trails accessed only by a paid, pre-booked shuttle (RoamWild's "Owen Spur Shuttle"). The road is gated, narrow and steep — riders may not drive up. Trails are remote, exposed and physically demanding, with up to 800 m of vertical descent in one run. Intermediate-or-above skill recommended.
• Lower Mountain — accessible free from the Tramway Street trailhead in Queenstown, offering green and blue loops to suit beginners through intermediates, with the option to link harder intermediate trails. [1][7]

Mt Owen is the northern half of the wider West Coast MTB project — the southern half is Silver City at Zeehan. Combined, the two networks make up over 85 km of singletrack marketed under one brand by West Coast Council. [3]

Location & Access

• Trailhead (Lower Mountain): Headley Faulls Park, Cutten Street, Queenstown TAS 7467 — Tramway Street trailhead. Town parking and the SES Queenstown Unit area (a couple hundred metres away) are alternatives. [1][6]
• Shuttle pickup: Owen Spur Shuttles depart Queenstown — book via RoamWild on 0407 049 612 or at roamwild.com.au. Max 6 passengers per trip; pre-booking essential. [5]
• Lat/lon: -42.0751, 145.5660 (DB current — appears correct).
• Drive times:
  • Hobart ~3 hr 45 min via Lyell Hwy
  • Burnie ~2 hr 30 min via Murchison Hwy
  • Launceston ~3 hr 30 min
  • Strahan ~45 min (west)
  • Zeehan (Silver City MTB) ~30 min (north) — easy day-trip link
• Public transport: None. West Coast is car-only.
• Parking: Tramway St / Headley Faulls Park trailhead, plus the Old Hospital Car Park (DB-recorded). Town parking is generally free. [6]

Best Season & Conditions

• Year-round riding is possible. West Coast Tasmania has a temperate maritime climate — wet, cool, and notoriously changeable. Summer (Dec–Mar) is the most reliable window for the Upper Mountain trails.
• Winter shuttles run on a reduced timetable due to shorter daylight hours; check with RoamWild before travelling. [1][5]
• Exposure: Upper Mountain is treeless, alpine in character, and subject to sudden weather changes. Riders are explicitly warned to be "adequately experienced, prepared and equipped" — pack windproof shell, food, water, and check forecasts. [1]
• Surface: Predominantly natural / hand-built over rocky conglomerate substrate. Trails drain well thanks to the gradient and rocky base; the Lower Mountain trails can hold mud after sustained rain.

Managing Body & Trail Builders

• Land manager / operator: West Coast Council. Trails on the Upper Mountain sit largely on land controlled by the Council under arrangement with mining and pastoral leaseholders. [3][1]
• Trail designer / builder: Dirt Art Pty Ltd (Hobart) — designed and built the 35 km network. Dirt Art also built Maydena and Australia's largest public jump park (Sydney). [4][7][8]
• Local club: West Coast MTB Club contributes to ongoing maintenance alongside the Council. Some adjacent trails (e.g. Sterling Valley) are jointly maintained with Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania. [9]
• Funded by: