Geelong's own bike park
The Hill is a public mountain bike park on about four hectares at the corner of West Fyans Street and Shannon Avenue in Newtown, about 500 m up from the Barwon River. The City of Greater Geelong runs it, and calls it the only dedicated mountain bike park in Greater Geelong outside the You Yangs. It's also the city's most visited bike park.
It's a jumps and skills park, not a trail network. Think short laps, a pump track and dirt jumps rather than a long ride in the bush. If you want proper singletrack, our mountain biking guide covers Anglesea, Forrest and the You Yangs.
What's there
The council lists five tracks for beginner to intermediate riders: three cross-country trails, a skills track and a pump track. On top of those are the jump lines, rebuilt in 2026.
Jump lines
Three lines graded beginner, intermediate and advanced. The advanced line has reinforced jump ramps, which is what local riders asked for: they'd told the council the old jumps were in poor shape and short on features, especially for more advanced riders. Transition tracks link the lines, and the council asks you to use them rather than cutting across the new planting.
Cross-country loops
Three loops wind around the hill. Melbourne Playgrounds says hundreds of trees have gone in since 2017, so the loops now feel more like a ride through young bush than a bare paddock.
Pump track and skills
A pump track and a skills track, and the council's photos of the park also show a balance skills feature. These are where younger riders and anyone new to jumps should start.
Beginner and spectator areas
The new layout was designed to stop riders crossing each other's paths, with a set-aside beginner area and a spot for parents to watch from.
The 2026 rebuild
The Hill was the first of three Geelong bike parks in the council's Mountain Bike Facilities Renewal Project. The other two are the Stead Park dirt jumps in Corio and the Waurn Ponds dirt jumps in Grovedale. Riders were asked what they wanted in 2021 and again in 2024. World Trail, the trail builders behind Anglesea Bike Park and the new Ocean Grove Ride Centre, drew up the concept plans, and 85% of the people who responded in 2025 backed them.
Common Ground Trails started building on 23 March 2026, with July as the planned finish. The job was the three new jump lines, landscaping, fencing and minor infrastructure, using tougher materials than before, plus a maintenance plan to keep the jumps in shape. When we checked in October 2026, the council's page (last updated 29 July) talked about the new landscaping and asked riders to stop damaging it, which suggests the new lines are in use. We couldn't find an official opening announcement.
Some things riders asked for didn't fit the budget: an asphalt pump track, toilets, shorter beginner skills loops and longer jump lines or flow trails on an unused grassy part of the site. The council says those are for future stages, when there's funding.
Rules and who it suits
The council's shared park rules are short and worth knowing before you unload the bikes:
- Wear a helmet, pads and gloves, and supervise your kids.
- Don't ride in bad weather, in strong winds, at night or when the track's damaged.
- No e-bikes or e-scooters, and no motorbikes, quad bikes or remote control cars.
- No dogs in the park.
- Don't stop, sit, walk or run on the tracks.
The e-bike rule is the one that catches people out, and the council has called out e-bike riders on its page for damaging the new landscaping. There's no booking, no entry fee listed and no published opening hours. There's no closure notice to check after rain either: the rule is simply to stay off it when it's wet or windy, so if it's been pouring, leave it for another day.
It suits kids who can already ride confidently, teenagers and adults who want to work on jumps. Little ones will be happiest on the pump track and skills features, with you watching from the spectator area. Bring a proper mountain bike or BMX: a scooter or balance bike isn't what it's built for, and for that we'd go to the asphalt pump track at Ocean Grove instead.
Getting there and parking
It's about 21 km and 25 minutes' drive from north Torquay. Head up the Surf Coast Highway into Belmont, follow Roslyn Road and Roberts Road to Shannon Avenue, and cross the Barwon River. Turn right into Marnock Road just past the bridge, and the car park is at 23-31 Newcastle Street, Newtown, on the south side of the park.
There are no toilets at the park itself. The nearest public toilets are about 500 m away, down towards the river at Balyang Sanctuary. The council doesn't list drinking water at The Hill, so bring water bottles. Melbourne Playgrounds describes a shelter with two tables at the entrance, next to a sculpture of a boy on a bike.
Nearby
Balyang Sanctuary
At the river end of Shannon Avenue, beside Princes Bridge. Nine hectares of lake and native bush, with picnic areas, a rotunda, free parking and the toilets. Look for black swans, pelicans and cormorants. It's the easy place for lunch between sessions.
Barwon River Trail
A continuous walking and cycling path on both banks of the river between Fyansford and South Geelong, passing Balyang. Ride west to Buckley Falls or east past the boatsheds. It's a good cool-down for anyone who's had enough of jumping.
Geelong waterfront and South Geelong
The bay is a short drive north. Our Geelong waterfront day trip has the beach, the bollards and the carousel. For the adults, Little Creatures Geelong is in the old mill buildings on Swanston Street, South Geelong.
The Hill Mountain Bike Park FAQ
Where is The Hill?
On the corner of West Fyans Street and Shannon Avenue, Newtown, with parking at 23-31 Newcastle Street. It's about 25 minutes' drive from north Torquay.
Does it cost anything?
The council lists no entry fee, and there's nothing to book. It's a public park.
Can I ride an e-bike there?
No. E-bikes and e-scooters aren't allowed, and neither are motorbikes.
Are the new jump lines open?
The rebuild started in March 2026 and was due to finish in July. When we checked in October 2026 the council's page described the new landscaping and didn't mention any closure, so check before you go if you're making the trip just for the jumps.
Are there toilets?
Not at the park. The nearest are about 500 m away at Balyang Sanctuary.
Can I bring the dog?
Not into the bike park. Dogs on a lead are fine at Balyang Sanctuary and on the river trail.
Compare the closer parks in our guide to bike parks near Torquay, or read about Anglesea Bike Park and the Ocean Grove Ride Centre. For trail riding, see our mountain biking guide. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 21 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- The Hill Mountain Bike Park — City of Greater Geelong
- Geelong Mountain Bike Facilities Renewal (archived 12 May 2026) — City of Greater Geelong (Have Your Say)
- Draft concept plans for Geelong's mountain bike and BMX facilities — City of Greater Geelong
- Balyang Sanctuary — City of Greater Geelong
- Barwon River Trail — City of Greater Geelong
- On your bike — Visit Geelong & The Bellarine
- The Hill Mountain Bike Park (Newtown) — Melbourne Playgrounds