You Yangs
Also known as: The You Yangs
Distinctive granite tors and boulder fields; views from Flinders Peak over the plains to Melbourne and Geelong.
Who in your group rides what
Whether everyone in your group gets a day at You Yangs - the grades on offer, the named zones, and how mixed abilities split up.
Green/blue XC in Kurrajong; black and double-black technical and DH in the Stockyards (used in state MTB events).
Beginners: Kurrajong Plantation loops (e.g. easy 15.5 km ride) from Kurrajong Ave car park. Advanced: Stockyards black/double-black and DH runs from the Stockyards car park. No lift/shuttle; groups split by area and loop length.
Kurrajong suits families and XC; Stockyards suits advanced riders. Two car parks let groups split by ability.
The riding
Twisting forest singletrack plus granite boulder fields, rock gardens and slabs; eucalypt plantation and open woodland.
Granite tors, rock gardens, slabs, natural rock ramps, berms and drops in the Stockyards; smoother XC in Kurrajong. Low weather exposure but hot in summer.
Signposted Parks Victoria network with maps at trailheads; Trailforks and Avenza maps available.
Busy on weekends given proximity to Melbourne/Geelong; quieter midweek.
Season & conditions
Year-round (no snow); park gates open approx 7:00am-8:00pm daily.
Autumn to spring; early mornings in summer to beat the heat.
Stockyards trails used for state DH/XC events; popular year-round club riding.
Hot, exposed granite country in summer with high fire danger; slippery rock when wet.
Getting there & gear
Free to access and ride; no permits or lottery. Parks Victoria managed.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Via Little River township (turn off the Princes Freeway, cross the train line, turn toward You Yangs); less than 1 hour west of Melbourne. Sealed roads and car parks.
No lift or shuttle; pedal-access loops. Nearest hire/services in Geelong/Little River.
Carry plenty of water (exposed, hot) and tools; mobile coverage generally reasonable. No water on trails.
Toilets and picnic areas at trailheads/car parks; no on-site shop. Services in Little River/Geelong.
Geelong and Little River hubs; You Yangs MTB Inc club; Parks Victoria manages the park.
Hazards & rescue
Sharp granite and rock features cause pinch flats and crashes; heat and fire danger in summer; day-use gate hours apply.
None required; self-guided.
Loop network with road and car-park access; emergency services from Geelong/Little River. Dial 000.
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand mountain-bike network report. Coordinates are approximate.