Conway Circuit

Description

This 28 kilometre, challenging one-way circuit was created along the mountain ridge of the Conway National Park which runs from the Whitsunday hinterland to Airlie Beach. A gruelling exercise, it will take four to five hours on a mountain bike or three days of walking and camping out under a blanket of stars. You will be rewarded with a very unique experience including the sight of majestic tropical rainforests, hoop pines bursting through the rainforest canopy, rugged, steep, rocky cliffs, a wide variety of native wildlife and spectacular views of the Whitsunday Passage and beyond.

You can start or finish the circuit at either Forestry Road (off Brandy Creek Road) or at Kara Crescent in Airlie Beach. Short circuits run-off the main track at Forestry Road including the two kilometre Kingfisher circuit (walkers only), the seven kilometre Wompoo Walk (shared trail) and the 8.2 kilometre Honeyeater lookout track (shared trail). Two camping areas are located along the circuit, both providing toilets, rainwater tanks and storage trunks to keep food away from wildlife.

The circuit changes classification from easy to intermediate to difficult and both riders and walkers need to be fit and experienced to attempt the full length of the circuit. For riders, the easiest way to complete the Conway Circuit is to begin at Forestry Road car park, ride the circuit to Airlie Beach (Kara Crescent), then follow Shute Harbour, Brandy Creek and Forestry Roads back to your start point. Average riders should begin at Forestry Road car park and consider returning to their start point after reaching Repulse Creek camp or Little Repulse Creek. From Little Repulse Creek the circuit is classified difficult (black diamond). Riding difficulty increases significantly with many long steep sections, narrow and rough trail surfaces and technically difficult creek crossings.

The circuit is closed annually from 1 February to 31 March and also subject to seasonal and other closures.