Warburton Mountain Bike Park has officially entered a new era. With the launch of Phase 2 on April 4th 2026, the trail network will grow from 30km to more than 70km of purpose-built singletrack — and for the first time, dedicated shuttle services are running daily, meaning you no longer have to earn every metre of descent with your legs.
If you’ve been watching Warburton’s progress from a distance, this is the moment to stop watching and start booking.
What’s New in Phase 2
When the park’s first 30km opened in July 2025, it immediately turned heads. Stage 1B takes things significantly further. From April 4th 2026, riders have access to:
- 70+ km of trails across the full network, up from the original 30km
- Dedicated shuttle services running from Wesburn Park and Warburton township
- Trail grades for every level — green, blue, and black options throughout the expanded network
- A mid-mountain shuttle pick-up at Edwardstown Junction for rapid upper-mountain laps
Looking further ahead, the September 2026 expansion will introduce three iconic trail elements that are expected to put Warburton firmly on the global mountain biking map. The full 125km Southern Network is on track for completion in 2027.
The park is managed and maintained by Yarra Ranges Council and was built by World Trail — the same company behind some of the world’s most celebrated trail networks.
Warburton MTB Shuttle Services: How It Works
This is the big one. Shuttle services transform Warburton from a great pedal destination into a genuine gravity park — and the setup is straightforward.
Tickets are virtual. No wristbands. Buy your pass online via Warburton Bike Park, carry it on your phone or a printed copy, and drivers scan it each time you board.
Shuttle Pass Options
| Pass | Times | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Day Pass | Peak: 9am–5pm / Off-peak: 9:00am–4pm | Maximum laps, big ride days |
| Morning Half-Day | 9:00am – 12:00pm | Early starters, half-day plans |
| Afternoon Half-Day | 1:00pm – 4:00pm | Post-lunch laps, golden hour finishes |
All passes give you unlimited uplifts within your session window — lap your favourites, explore new lines, and ride until your legs give out.
When Do Shuttles Run?
- School holidays: 7 days a week
- Off-peak periods: Weekends only (Saturdays and Sundays)
- Friday Afternoon Sessions and now RDO Monday sessions. (check the website for details on these ones as they are not every week)
- Private mid-week group bookings are available for large groups, schools, and corporate bookings — contact the park directly to discuss
Pick-Up Points
There are three places to board the shuttle:
1. Wesburn Park Trailhead (recommended for day visitors) 2804B Warburton Hwy, Wesburn VIC 3799. Free parking, bike wash, pump track, toilets, showers, picnic area, and playground. This is your base if you’re driving in for the day. If your ride finishes in Warburton township, a return shuttle runs back to Wesburn.
2. Warburton Shuttle Pick-Up (for riders staying in town) 3370 Warburton Hwy — access via the Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail. This is the pick-up point for locals and guests staying in Warburton accommodation. Limited free parking.
3. Mid-Mountain Pick-Up at Edwardstown Junction (in-network laps only) Once you’re in the network, you can use the mid-mountain shuttle from Edwardstown Junction up to Mount Tugwell Summit Junction for fast upper-mountain lap turnarounds. Note: you must start your day at either Wesburn or Warburton — no parking at this location.
Shuttles circulate continuously between pick-up points throughout the session, so there’s no need to stress about arriving at an exact time. Turn up, jump on the next bus.
Shuttle Routes
Three routes cover the network:
- Warburton to Wesburn Trailhead
- Wesburn Trailhead to Mount Tugwell Summit Junction
- Mid-Mountain: Edwardstown Road Junction to Mount Tugwell Summit Junction
For exact stop locations and the full route map, and to stay up to date with the park head to warburtonbikepark.com.au.
From Day Trip to Multi-Day Destination
Before shuttles, Warburton demanded something of every rider: you had to earn the descents. That made it a rewarding pedal destination, but it also put a natural ceiling on how much terrain you could cover in a day.
Shuttles remove that ceiling entirely. Stack four or five full descents in a day without burning your legs on the climbs, and suddenly you’re riding more trail in a single session than most destinations offer in a full weekend. When you can do that for two or three days in a row, Warburton stops being a day trip from Melbourne and becomes a dedicated riding trip — the kind that gets planned months in advance and talked about for months after.
That shift matters for the Yarra Valley as a whole. It means riders are staying overnight, eating at local restaurants, hiring bikes at Cog Bikes & Brew, and spending a proper few days in the mountains rather than driving home sunburned and leg-sore by 6pm.
Where to Stay: Making the Most of Your Warburton Shuttle Trip
If you’re riding with shuttles, staying in Warburton township is the obvious choice. The Warburton shuttle pick-up point on the highway gives you direct access to the network from town — meaning you can roll out of your accommodation, board the shuttle, and be at the summit without touching a car.
At Warburton Escapes, all properties are within easy reach of the Warburton shuttle pick-up, and most are set up specifically for riders:
- Secure indoor bike storage — no leaving your bike on a roof rack overnight
- Bike wash facilities — keep your kit clean between days
- Fully equipped kitchens — fuel properly rather than relying on cafe hours
- Outdoor spaces — decks, firepits, and room to spread out and debrief after a day on the hill
Whether you’re a group of mates doing a dedicated shuttle weekend, a couple combining riding with some time in the mountains, or a family where some want to ride and others want to explore the Rail Trail and Redwood Forest — there’s a property that fits.
Browse properties and check availability →
Planning Your Warburton MTB Trip: Quick Reference
Getting there: Warburton is approximately 90 minutes east of Melbourne CBD via the Maroondah Highway.
Bike hire: Available at Cog Bikes & Brew Café, 42 Station Road, Warburton.
Trail conditions: Always check warburtonbikepark.com.au and the park’s social media before heading out. The park closes on Total Fire Ban days. High winds and severe weather can also affect individual trail access.
Shuttle tickets: Book in advance at warburtonbikepark.com.au/book-now — particularly important during school holidays and peak season when demand is highest.
Helmets are mandatory. Additional protective gear is strongly encouraged for intermediate and advanced trails.
The Trail Network: What’s Coming Next
Phase 2 is a milestone, but it’s also just the midpoint of a much larger vision:
- July 2025: First 30km opened (Stage 1A)
- April 2026: 70km+ now open, shuttles launched (Stage 1B)
- September 2026: Further expansion including three iconic trail elements
- 2027: Full 125km Southern Network complete
Now is genuinely a good time to ride Warburton — the infrastructure is in place, the trails are fresh, and you’ll be ahead of the crowds that will inevitably follow when the full network opens.
