Sunset Strip Bike Jump Park

Overview

Sunset Strip Bike Jump Park is a small council-built MTB jump and cross-country facility on Phillip Island that opened on 22 May 2026 (one day before this research). It's the first project delivered from the Bass Coast Shire Mountain Bike, BMX and Pump Track Implementation Plan, which was adopted in August 2024 and rolled out through 2025. The park is identified in the strategy as BCMTB3.

The site is a small triangular Council road reserve at the intersection of Phillip Island Road and Back Beach Road — the turn-off to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and the Penguin Parade. The land became available for recreation use following a roundabout upgrade at that intersection (delivered with Regional Roads Victoria). Two purpose-built jump trails and a beginner cross-country loop fit into the triangle.

The facility was designed in consultation with the Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association for beginner and intermediate riders.

Location & Access

• Sunset Strip is a small village on Phillip Island in the Bass Coast Shire, VIC.
• Address: Phillip Island Rd / Back Beach Rd, Sunset Strip VIC 3922.
• Coordinates: approximately -38.4960, 145.2684 (Sunset Strip locality, Phillip Island Road; corrected 2026-05-24 — earlier placeholder of -38.495 / 145.189 had the pin ~7 km too far west, near the Penguin Parade end of the island).
• Drive times: ~140 km / ~2 hrs SE of Melbourne CBD via the Monash + South Gippsland Highway; ~10 minutes from Cowes.
• Parking: roadside Council reserve parking (no dedicated lot per published sources).
• Public transport: very limited; V/Line Cowes bus from Anderson, then short ride.

Best Season & Conditions

Year-round. Phillip Island climate is mild oceanic; no fire-danger or snow closures relevant to this site. Surface may be slippery after heavy rain (typical of clay/loam jump-park dirt) but no formal wet-weather closure has been published.

Managing Body & Trail Builders

• Owner / Operator: Bass Coast Shire Council
• Partner: Regional Roads Victoria (land made available after the Sunset Strip roundabout upgrade)
• Community input: Bass Coast Mountain Bike Association
• Builder/Designer: Not named in the council media release; commissioned by Council via tendered contractor

History & Background

• The Bass Coast MTB / BMX / Pump Strategy was developed in 2023–2024, adopted by Council in August 2024, with implementation planning completed in 2025.
• The strategy identifies 6 priority sites across the Shire (Cowes, Sunset Strip × 2, Phillip Island Reserve, Lang Lang, Kilcunda) — Sunset Strip is BCMTB3.
• Sunset Strip Reserve was released for recreation use after a dual-lane roundabout was completed at the Phillip Island Rd / Back Beach Rd intersection.

Recent News & Updates

• 2026-05-22 — Sunset Strip Bike Jump Park opened. Bass Coast Mayor Cr Brett Tessari quoted at the opening: "How good is this? A proper spot for locals and visitors to get out, get active and have a bit of fun on two wheels." Local schools attended the opening.

Sources

1. Mirage News — "First New Mountain Bike Jump Park Opens At Sunset Strip" — https://www.miragenews.com/first-new-mountain-bike-jump-park-opens-at-1678958/ (accessed 2026-05-23)
2. Bass Coast Shire Council — Bass Coast MTB / BMX / Pump Strategy Summary PDF — https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/assets/general-downloads/Strategies/Bass-Coast-MTB-BMX-Pump-Strategy-Summary.pdf (accessed 2026-05-23)
3. Bass Coast Shire Council — "Get Pumped! Sites Identified for Five New Pump Tracks…" — https://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/about-council/news-listing/bike-bmx-pump-implementation-plan (referenced 2026-05-23)
4. Engage Bass Coast — Mountain Bike, BMX and Pump Track Strategy — https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/bikestrategy (referenced 2026-05-23)