FNQ Pioneer Bike Trail

The FNQ Pioneer Bike Trail is a 5-7 day 270km cycling tour route starting and ending in Atherton, utilising quiet local roads and some sections of rail trail. You will be cycling FNQs remote savannah and outback regions which exist alongside the tropical rainforests of coastal North Queensland.

This trail has been developed by north Queensland cycling enthusiasts, Tim Trehearn, Peter Tuck, Peter MacGregor and Peter Blakey who all live on the Atherton Tablelands and are volunteers for various cycling groups. They each have a wealth of local knowledge and have travelled extensively in Australia and overseas looking at riding from many different angles.

While the start of the trail is only 1.5-hour drive from Cairns international airport, this multi-day trip is very remote. There is no telephone coverage for most of the trip. The trail is a conglomerate of quiet roads that have been used by local cyclists for many years and although the distances are quite long the terrain is comparatively easy. Accommodation is available each night, but there is little or no opportunity to obtain food or water each day. Therefore, it is very important to carry your food and water requirements for each day.

A mountain bike or good gravel bike is recommended, and an eBike with wide tyres is an excellent choice. Bike hire is also available.

Atherton is the recommended start for The Pioneer Trail. The trail can be done in either direction, but we suggest anti clockwise is best as the general gradient is much easier. If you choose to do it in a clockwise direction, be aware that the last day climb from Irvinebank to Herberton is severe. This won’t be an issue of course if you’re riding ebikes.

In Atherton, the trail officially starts from The Station Café just 1km south of the town on the Herberton Road. The trail loops back to Athertom via the small country tons of Herberton, Irvinebank, Petford, Lappa junction, Mount Garnet, Innot Hot Springs and Ravenshoe.