Tarmac/Nation

The best motorcycle roads in Queensland

South East Queensland is spoiled for riding — rainforest hairpins, open ridgelines and bayside cruises within an hour of Brisbane. Here are the best, grouped by what you’re in the mood for. Every one is mapped with the corners, the stops and a GPX to download.

The benchmark twisties

The technical stuff — switchbacks, ridgelines and corners worth riding for their own sake.

Moderate

Beechmont 2

Gold & Sunshine Coast, QLD

A 246km loop through Gold & Sunshine Coast, taking in BP and Historic Rivermill.

246 km 4h 6m Moderate
Moderate

Border Run

the hinterlands, QLD

A 209km out-and-back run through the hinterlands, taking in Natural Bridge and 7-Eleven.

209 km 3h 12m Moderate
Moderate

Brendale to Kenilworth Long Loop

Gold & Sunshine Coast, QLD

A 248km loop through Gold & Sunshine Coast, taking in BP and Kenilworth Bakery.

284 km 4h 53m Moderate
Moderate

Brendale to Mt Glorious

the hinterlands, QLD

A 217km loop through the hinterlands, taking in Coles Express Brendale and Mount Glorious Café.

33 km 37m Moderate
Moderate

Brookside Range Loop

Brisbane Northside, QLD

A 198km loop through Brisbane Northside, taking in BP.

198 km 3h 10m Moderate
Hard

Bunya Mountains Big Day

Darling Downs, QLD

A massive all-day loop to the Bunyas — twisties to 1,100m and the highest whisky bar in the country.

430 km 12h Hard

Best for new riders

Gentle, flowing and forgiving — the rides to build confidence on before the hinterland climbs.

Easy Learner

Brendale to Redcliffe - Coastal Loop

Brisbane North, QLD

A relaxed coastal loop with plenty of coffee and photo stops — finish at the Scarborough Transformers models.

53 km 1h 3m Easy
Easy Learner

Clear Mountain & Back Roads to Dayboro

Brisbane North, QLD

Fun local B-roads up to Dayboro — a couple of tight hairpins and a few water crossings after rain.

38 km 51m Easy
Easy Learner

Cleveland Lighthouse & Mt Cotton Twisties

Redlands, QLD

Rural-feeling twisties through Mt Cotton out to the bay — finish with fish and chips at the lighthouse.

62 km 1h 45m Easy
Easy Learner

Local Twisties — Mt Coot-tha to Samford

Brisbane North, QLD

The perfect introduction to twisty roads — loop Mt Coot-tha, then run over to Camp and Wight Mountain.

45 km 1h Easy

Big day rides

Full-day loops for when you've got the time and the legs for it.

Moderate

Brendale to Kenilworth Long Loop

Gold & Sunshine Coast, QLD

A 248km loop through Gold & Sunshine Coast, taking in BP and Kenilworth Bakery.

284 km 4h 53m Moderate
Hard

Bunya Mountains Big Day

Darling Downs, QLD

A massive all-day loop to the Bunyas — twisties to 1,100m and the highest whisky bar in the country.

430 km 12h Hard
Hard

Crows Nest

the hinterlands, QLD

A 333km out-and-back run through the hinterlands, taking in Mount Glorious Café and Somerset Dam.

333 km 5h 11m Hard
Moderate

Dayboro to Dahmongah via Conondale & Imbil

Gold & Sunshine Coast, QLD

A 275km out-and-back run through Gold & Sunshine Coast, taking in Dayboro Bakery and Dahmongah Lookout Park.

275 km 5h 24m Moderate
Moderate

ESK

the hinterlands, QLD

A 255km out-and-back run through the hinterlands, taking in Mount Glorious Café.

255 km 3h 56m Moderate
Moderate

Mrs Brown's Diner Full-Day Ride

Sunshine Coast Hinterland, QLD

A full day of twists and turns through scenic back country, with plenty of stops to break it up.

300 km 8h Moderate

Quick after-work blasts

Under 90 minutes — clear your head and be home before dark.

Moderate

Brendale to Mt Glorious

the hinterlands, QLD

A 217km loop through the hinterlands, taking in Coles Express Brendale and Mount Glorious Café.

33 km 37m Moderate
Easy Learner

Brendale to Redcliffe - Coastal Loop

Brisbane North, QLD

A relaxed coastal loop with plenty of coffee and photo stops — finish at the Scarborough Transformers models.

53 km 1h 3m Easy
Easy Learner

Clear Mountain & Back Roads to Dayboro

Brisbane North, QLD

Fun local B-roads up to Dayboro — a couple of tight hairpins and a few water crossings after rain.

38 km 51m Easy
Easy Learner

Local Twisties — Mt Coot-tha to Samford

Brisbane North, QLD

The perfect introduction to twisty roads — loop Mt Coot-tha, then run over to Camp and Wight Mountain.

45 km 1h Easy
Moderate

Mt Glorious & Nebo Twisties

D'Aguilar Range, QLD

The benchmark Brisbane ride — technical, beautiful, and busy on weekends. Ride it early.

65 km 1h 20m Moderate
Easy

Peachester Version 2

Gold & Sunshine Coast, QLD

A 76km out-and-back run through Gold & Sunshine Coast, taking in Cruice Park and Dayboro Bakery.

76 km 1h 24m Easy
Browse all 33 routes →Best cafés & pie stops to aim for →

FAQ

What's the best motorcycle road near Brisbane?
Mt Glorious is the benchmark — tight, technical rainforest switchbacks within an hour of the city. Ride it early to beat the traffic. From there, the Gold Coast hinterland and the bayside twisties round out a brilliant SE QLD spread.
Which routes are best for new riders?
Look for the learner-friendly rides below — gentle, flowing roads with forgiving corners and low traffic, ideal for building confidence before tackling the technical hinterland climbs.
How are these roads ranked?
Editorially, by riders — grouped by what you're in the mood for (twisties, learner-friendly, big days, quick blasts) rather than a single league table. Every road here is one we'd actually send a mate to.