Paluma Push Courses
The courses are a combination of dirt roads, old 4WD tracks, technical single track through the rainforest, sections of cow pad single track with climbs and lots of fun downhills. Parts of the course are on PRIVATE PROPERTY and we ask you to not ride in Hidden Valley unless authorised by the property owner Brian Furber. If you wish to ride these parts of the course prior to the race, please join us for the free social rides we host in the lead up to the event. Please do your part and help us maintain a good relationship with the property owners and refrain from riding these sections without permission.
Please note that the course is subject to change and may vary from the provided maps. Riders have to follow course markings and marshal instructions on race day.
We acknowledge the Nywaigi people and Gugu Badhun People as the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders, past and present – and all future generations.
For more information on Paluma, please visit the National Parks website or the Paluma Info website.
See overview map for which sections can be ridden outside of the event and which are on private property.
Traditional Course
42KM Course Overview:
- Paluma Village to Paluma Dam
- From dam to Hidden Valley (4WD fire road and some single track)
This course is the traditional route that will see you ride from Paluma Village to the Dam wall and out to Hidden Valley Station via the State Forest Fire Road and then single track through the spectacular Hidden Valley. this course is complete with a refreshing river crossing arriving at Hidden Valley Village.
You will require a basic level of experience and confidence in mountain biking and a good level of fitness and endurance. Just because it is the shortest course, it does not mean it will be easy. There are multiple long climbs and long descents heading to the dam. Out the back of the dam, there is a long steep descent where the track is loose and can be tricky to navigate, speed control and balance is essential. So in your preparations, you must include uphill climbs and descents.
If this is your first endurance mountain bike race the 42km Traditional Course will be the most ideal and suitable course.
This course is recommended for the novice (6 months or more of regular riding) to intermediate mountain bike riders with a good level of fitness and reasonable skill level.
We are also offering an E-Bike category in the 42km course. Please note that the 42km E-Bike category is NON COMPETITIVE, which means you will not be racing and there are no placings/awards in this category. This option is meant for people who would like to ride with their mates towards the back end of the field. If you are riding an E-Bike in the 42km Traditional Course, please ensure to select the E-Bike category when registering.
Download the course GPX file here
Rainforest Course & E-Bike
Bike Fix 53KM Course Overview:
- Paluma Village to Paluma Dam
- Paluma Dam Loop (10km)
- Loop 2 (4km) – only once, clockwise
- Loop 4 (Graves Loop)
The Rainforest Course is a pumped-up version of the Traditional Course, incorporating the Paluma Dam loop and an awesome forest single track loop (Loop 2) about 5km after the dam to test your technical skill level.
If you've done the 42km Traditional Course before and are looking to further challenge your mountain biking skills, then the Bike Fix 53km Rainforest Course is for you. It’s hard work but will be rewarding.
This course is recommended for experienced riders with a good level of fitness and a competent skill level for single track sections.
The Bike Fix 53km course offers a competitive E-Bike option. Please ensure to register for the correct event if you are using an E-Bike. Please note that chipped E-Bikes are not allowed in this race (boost over 25km/h). All top 3 rider's bikes will be checked at the finish line and if they are found to be chipped, riders will be disqualified.
Note: Cut off times apply at:
Check Point 1. Any riders who have not reached the Paluma Dam by 10:20am will be short coursed onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Check Point 3. Any riders who have not reached the Checkpoint 3 by 12pm will be short coursed onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Check Point 4. Any riders not passed Check Point 4 by 12:30pm will be required to move onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Download the course GPX file here
Cross Country Course
70KM Course Overview:
- Paluma Village to Paluma Dam
- Paluma Dam Loop (10km)
- Loop 2 - Gibbo's Link (4km) – only once, clockwise
- Loop 3 - Jacobsen's Loop (18km)
- Loop 4 - Graves Loop (2.5km)
This course is the ultimate mountain bike challenge. It has long solid climbs and descents, technical sections along each loop. Loop 3 will make you work, sweat, cry and smile all at the same time. It’s a tough course but it is a fantastic ride.
This course is recommended for very experienced and fit riders who are trained for endurance marathon races.
Note: Cut off times apply at:
Check Point 1. Any riders who have not reached the Paluma Dam by 10:20am will be short coursed onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Check Point 3. Any riders who have not reached the Checkpoint 3 by 12pm will be short coursed onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Check Point 4. Any riders not passed Check Point 4 by 12:30pm will be required to move onto the 42km course and listed as unranked .
Download the course GPX file here
100km Marathon Course
DLB Communications 100KM Course Overview:
- Paluma Village to Paluma Dam
- Paluma Dam Loop (10km)
- Loop 2 - Gibbo's Link (4km) – only once, clockwise
- Loop 3 - Jacobsens Loop
- Graves Loop
- Mount Fox Road Loop
This Adventure course takes in all the best features of the 70km course and adds in a bit more fun along the way. After completing the Graves Loop, you will turn left and head up along Benham's Track until another left hand turn. This will bring you back around past the Graves. The last Loop of the course takes you up Mount Fox Road, be prepared for a bit of climbing. The course then takes you left for some more climbing until you hit a set of cattle yards. A bit of undulating hills followed by a long and fast down hill section to the finish line.
This course is recommended for experienced riders only with a high level of fitness and a very competent skill level for single track riding.
Note: Cut off times apply at:
Check Point 1. Any riders who have not reached the Paluma Dam by 10:20am will be short coursed onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Check Point 3. Any riders who have not reached the Checkpoint 3 by 12pm will be short coursed onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Check Point 4. Any riders not passed Check Point 4 by 12:30pm will be required to move onto the 42km course and listed as unranked.
Check Point 5. The cut off time is 13:30. Riders will be sent to the finish if they miss the cut off.
Check Point 7. Any riders not past this CP by 3.30pm will be sent to the finish line.
Download the GPX file here.
2km Mini Push
Gotta train 'em early! The crowd favourite, the Mini Push is back for 2025. Come down and watch the next generation of riders rip it up around our 2km set course, starting at the Event HQ Bus Stop at 2.30pm and finishing down the official finishing chute.
All participants will receive a complimentary t-shirt, a race plate and an all-important finisher’s medal, and we’ll even have a cash prize for the overall male and female winner. If you have little ones that would love to race, please register them in advance using our online registration system. Entries are only $25 per person. The maximum age to participate in the Mini Push is 10 years, while the recommended minimum age is 4 years.
Download the GPX file here.
General Course Info
This is an endurance mountain bike race and with that, mountain biking has its inherent risks.
The conditions along the course are variable but being in July it’s traditionally a glorious North Queensland winter, cool and sometimes misty at the start in Paluma and dry and warmer conditions as riders approach Hidden Valley. Ultimately, conditions can depend on the amount of rain the area gets in the Summer/Wet Season and any rain in the lead up to race day. A good wet season makes for a couple of interesting creek crossings and slippery root sections.
The first 5km of the race is along the bitumen road. Riders are required to be mindful of others around and behind them as everyone slowly spaces out. Please do not stop suddenly without checking behind you first. This section of the road will be closed to all traffic from 8am to 10am. Any other sections of the course, ie. dirt road sections in Hidden Valley are NOT closed to traffic and riders must adhere to general Queensland traffic regulations.
There are several Check Points along the course, all with radio contact to each other and Paluma and Hidden Valley.
At some Check Points, Traditional, Rainforest, Cross Country and Marathon course take different routes and these turns are clearly marked.
Sections of the course between Check Point 3 through to the end run through private property. Access before and after the race is prohibited. Outer Limits has special permission from property owners granting the event access to use these tracks on race day and for volunteers leading up to the race. Any unauthorised access prior or post to the event can jeopardise the event’s access to these tracks.
There will be sweep riders to offer mechanical assistance, first aid and make sure no one is left behind.
Riders are required to take note of all safety signage and warnings on the course. Examples of signage will be available in the Athlete Guide.
DISCLAIMER: Outer Limits reserves the right to alter the courses in any way to ensure the safety of riders, volunteers and workers should a significant weather event cause damage to any part of the course in the lead up to or during the event.
Overview Course Map
The orange highlights the parts of the course that run on private property, please do not ride here unless you have asked for permission from the station owner Brian Furber. If you do ride along Benham's Track, please be mindful of the cattle. If there is cattle on the road, slow down and try prevent them from running. Please do not chase the cattle, stop until they have settled down and then continue on.
