Your Mountain Bike Adventure Begins Here

The C2K Dirt Ride is back for 2027, giving riders a whole new way to experience our iconic journey from Cairns to Karumba.

Over seven days, Dirt Riders will leave the bitumen behind and take on a mix of dirt roads, tracks and trails through some incredible North Queensland landscapes, including access through private properties and national parks.

While the detailed Dirt Ride route is currently being finalised, Dirt Riders will travel from Cairns to Karumba alongside the wider C2K event, rejoining the Road Ride at our overnight destinations and sharing the full C2K experience along the way.

Expect challenging riding by day and everything that makes C2K special at the end of it – great food, entertainment, local communities, plenty of laughs and the camaraderie of riders and volunteers coming together each night.

The final Dirt Ride route, daily distances and ride information will be provided to registered Dirt Riders once confirmed.

Submit your Expression of Interest

Standard Minimum Equipment

To ensure safety and reliability during this long-distance ride, participants are required to bring:

  • A recently serviced, well-maintained mountain bike
  • Tubeless tyres and goo
  • Relatively new tyres (front and back)
  • At least one drink bottle holder (two preferred) or Camelback
  • Spare parts including spokes, chain, tyres, and lube
  • A rag, pump, and basic tools (Allen keys, tyre levers, etc.)

Day 1 — Cairns → Atherton

Saturday 26 June 2027

The adventure begins at the Cairns Lagoon. All riders leave together through the start archway and along esplanade. Mountain bike riders ride to meet the bus, place their bikes on the trailers and are on their way to their first drop off zone for their first day of C2K 2027.

Lunch: Mareeba Aerodrome, Mareeba Lions Club
Overnight: BIG4 NRMA Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park
Evening: Dinner with the C2K family and Atherton community

Day 2 — Atherton to Mount Garnet

Sunday 27 June 2027

Another day on the dirt before arriving at Mount Garnet and rejoining the wider C2K group.

Morning tea: Herberton State School
Overnight: Mount Garnet Turf Club
Evening: Community dinner and C2K entertainment

Day 3 — Mount Garnet → Mount Surprise

Monday 28th of June 2027

Morning tea: 40 Mile Scrub families
Overnight: Discovery Parks Mount Surprise
Evening: No Talent Quest

Day 4 — Mount Surprise → Georgetown

Tuesday 29th of June 2027

Overnight: Georgetown Rodeo Grounds
Evening: Cardzilla Calcutta at Wenaru Pub

Day 5 — Georgetown → Croydon

Wednesday 30th June 2027

Lunch: Gilbert River
Overnight: Croydon Rodeo Grounds
Evening: Gulflander Sunset Tour & Trivia Night

Day 6 — Croydon → Normanton

Thursday 1 July 2027

Lunch: Tabletop Station
Overnight: Normanton Rodeo Grounds
Evening: C2K activities/entertainment

Day 7 — Normanton → Karumba

Friday 2 July 2027

The final Dirt Ride into Karumba, where Dirt and Road riders come together to celebrate completing C2K’s 30th Anniversary journey.

Submit your Expresssion of interest