The Awaba Mountain Bike Park offers nearly 30 kilometres of cross-country and downhill trails that cater to everyone from adaptive riders to downhill racers. In our opinion, it is some of the best mountain biking in the Hunter Region, so let's take a peek behind the scenes to see who keeps these trails open.

"You will find something to do here," Melanie Hoffman, the incoming president of the Hunter Mountain Bike Association, told CycleHub, "whether you want to do gravity, cross country, or you're bringing the whole family." Currently working alongside president Josh Bridson, Melanie hopes to take over the leadership role next year, pending the member vote.

The Hunter Mountain Bike Association leased the land from the Forestry Corporation to establish the park in 2007. Volunteers with spades, those heroes of the mountain-biking world, began work in 2008, and the trail network you see today is the result.

Melanie herself has only been riding for two years. What started as a family activity has transformed into a passion that now puts her in charge of one of Australia's premier mountain bike destinations.

The gravity of ambition

HMBA's current focus centres on an ambitious new gravity trail project, and they're asking the community to help make it happen. The club is raffling a $10,000 Giant or Liv Advanced E+ Elite 2 e-bike, with the draw set for December 14th at their Christmas social day.

"It's going to be a great mix of gravity, flow, and tech," Melanie explains of the planned trail. "Everything you're going to want in a gravity trail." The new route will descend from the Faulk Line platform, potentially featuring wall rides and interconnecting with the existing trail network.

Currently sitting at around 14% of their fundraising goal, HMBA is pushing hard to sell raffle tickets. While tickets are available through the website, cash and in-person sales are also offered for those who prefer the personal touch – simply contact the club directly.

Building trails, building community

HMBA runs everything from beginner-friendly development tracks to nationally recognised downhill courses, with adaptive-friendly trails ensuring the sport remains accessible to all riders. It's this inclusive approach that sets Awaba apart in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Serious riders will appreciate the technical challenges offered by trails like the infamous Monkey – a double black diamond descent that tests even experienced riders. Meanwhile, families and newer riders can build confidence on the recently upgraded development trail and pump track area, complete with jumps that had a soft launch in December 2024 and an official opening planned for September.

"The kids absolutely love it," Melanie notes, highlighting the family-friendly infrastructure that's attracting a new generation of mountain bikers to the sport.

Volunteer-powered excellence

What makes HMBA's success remarkable is that it's entirely volunteer-driven. From trail building to race coordination, merchandise sales to grant applications, everything depends on passionate members giving their time.

"We all work full-time. We can't all live at the park 24/7," Melanie laughs. "As much as we'd probably like to."

The club relies on experienced trail coordinators, Rick and Dallas for the technical building work, combining volunteer labour with professional machinery for larger projects. When recent weather damaged the popular Faulk Line trail, creating "bigger ruts and things like that," the team quickly mobilised repairs while ensuring safety remained paramount.

This collaborative approach extends beyond trail maintenance. HMBA actively supports other regional clubs, with committee members regularly participating in Singleton XC races and the broader Hunter cycling scene. "It's all about supporting each other," Melanie emphasises. "Club to club, it's only going to get better for everyone."

Racing for all levels

Cross-country racing forms HMBA's largest membership base, and for good reason. Unlike the intimidating image many have of competitive cycling, HMBA's XC races prioritise fun and personal achievement over pure competition.

"A lot of people just use it to clock themselves – 'Oh, I'm faster this race,'" Melanie explains. "It's very social, very affordable, and you can pedal around and stop when you want to."

The inclusive atmosphere attracts riders of all abilities, from elite competitors like local legend Jason English to families treating races as social outings. "If people like him can go and race at a clubby and just be completely normal, it makes other people go, 'Oh, this is actually really fun.'"

G-Flow Enduro rounds out the racing calendar, while downhill events showcase the park's challenging gravity trails. The upcoming state series downhill on October 11-12 will test riders on a course that even seasoned participants describe with awe.

Safety first, fun always

HMBA is committed to providing safe and enjoyable opportunities for riders of all ages. As an AusCycling-affiliated club, they follow the racing guidelines and junior riding policy set out by AusCycling, which are designed to help younger riders progress through the sport while reducing the risk of injury or burnout.

Sometimes this means having conversations that aren’t easy, especially when it comes to age requirements for the increasingly popular gravity events ("flow-style" enduros or downhill). Under current rules, riders who turn 11 or 12 in any calendar year can commence their participation in this discipline of the sport. HMBA applies these policies consistently, even when younger riders are keen to take part.

“We understand the passion and enthusiasm of our younger riders,” says Melanie. “Our approach is about supporting them safely, not holding them back. These policies are in place to protect riders and ensure they’re covered by insurance if something does happen.”

This safety-first approach extends to trail maintenance and rider education. HMBA strongly recommends skills coaching for newcomers, particularly highlighting the work of local instructors Sarah Booth and Coleen Boyes (Polly) from Momentum is Your Friend.

"Definitely lessons," Melanie emphasises when asked about advice for new riders. "Especially being over 40 and starting a new sport, I didn't want to feel judged. The coaches are just really encouraging and adapt to every skill level."

Looking forward

As mountain biking continues growing across the Hunter region, HMBA sees opportunity in collaboration rather than competition. Recent trail developments in Singleton and ongoing investment in regional cycling infrastructure benefit everyone.

"The more people who support it, club to club, it's only going to get better," Melanie reflects. "It brings in tourism, especially when you have big events like state series."

The club's vision extends beyond just trail building. With merchandise sales, sponsorship management, and grant applications all requiring constant attention, HMBA demonstrates how volunteer organisations can punch well above their weight.

For riders looking to experience Awaba Mountain Bike Park, the message is simple: there's something for everyone. Whether you're chasing personal bests on technical singletrack or introducing kids to the sport on beginner-friendly trails, HMBA has created a world-class facility that remains true to mountain biking's grassroots spirit.

The park also has shuttles provided by Granted Ride, operating on weekends, public holidays and by request during school holidays. Two drop-off points allow riders to access Biraban, Faulk Line and the lower half of the downhill trail, while riders looking to conquer the Monkey can go all the way to the top. Granted Ride supports HMBA by running shuttles for race events. You can book shuttles directly through their website.

Quick-fire Q&A

How do I purchase raffle tickets to support the Gravity Trail Project?

Purchase raffle tickets for the $10,000 e-bike draw online at HMBA's website or contact Melanie directly for cash payments. Draw date: December 14th.

Can I volunteer with the club?

Yes. The club welcomes new members and volunteers to help build trails, marshal races, and provide other support. Contact the club at HMBA's website or attend monthly meetings at Club Macquarie, Argenton.

Is Awaba free to ride?

Yes, it’s free to ride and open all year round, trail conditions permitting. Check HMBA's Facebook page and website for trail conditions and closures.

How do I get to Awaba Mountain Bike Park?

The park is in Lake Macquarie, at Jenkins Road, off Mount Faulk Road, Freemans Waterhole. From Sydney it’s about a 90-minute drive north on the M1, exiting at Freemans Drive. From Newcastle, it’s around 30 minutes west. Once on Freemans Drive, turn into Mount Faulk Road, then right into Jenkins Road, which takes you to the main carpark. The last stretch is gravel, but it’s fine for 2WD cars in normal conditions.

Are there bathrooms and showers at the park?

Yes, there are bathrooms. A permanent amenity block with toilets is at the main carpark. There are no showers, and there’s no running water for drinking, so you’ll need to bring your own.

Can I get coffee or food nearby?

There isn’t a café inside the park. The closest option is Freemans Waterhole, about ten minutes away, where you’ll find a service station café and takeaway. Cooranbong and Morriset, around 15 minutes away, have cafés and restaurants.