Licence and registration requirements
To explore Victoria’s state forest trails on a motorcycle, you must hold a motorcycle licence or learner’s permit and your motorcycle must be registered (either full or recreation registration). All road rules apply on forest roads and vehicle tracks, so always wear an approved helmet, keep left and ride safely according to the track conditions.
Unregistered motorbikes, quad bikes, All Terrain Vehicles and Side by Side vehicles cannot be legally operated in our state forests.
For more information on legal requirements and riding tips please read the Trail Riding - ride safe, ride legal brochure. Trail riding - ride safe, ride legal [PDF File - 2.6 MB]
Road access
Many four-wheel drive tracks are seasonally closed during winter to protect water quality and prevent damage to the tracks. Information on which tracks may be closed can be viewed on our Public Access Map .
Come prepared
Trail bike riding can be hazardous so please come prepared and take advantage of Victoria Police's Before you go advice.
When riding, you are sharing the forest with many others, so it’s important to remember these key points:
- Stay on the formed roads and vehicle tracks – do not ride on natural terrain, in streams, or on informal single tracks
- For your own safety, always ride with others and wear full personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Always carry a first aid kit, as well as a reliable means of communication. We know that the first hour after injury is critical to good recovery outcomes - make sure you are prepared
- Unload and start your trail bike away from residents adjoining state forests (you value your riding, they value their peace and quiet)
- Keep your speed and noise down when in, or near, camping and picnic areas, or approaching other forest users
- Trail Bike Riding Bairnsdale and surrounds (PDF, 1.3 MB)
- Trail Bike Riding Bairnsdale and surrounds (DOC, 172.5 KB)
- Latrobe Trail Bike Visitor Area (PDF, 791.8 KB)
- Latrobe Trail Bike Visitor Area (DOC, 185.0 KB)
- Tanjil Trail Bike Visitor Area (PDF, 786.7 KB)
- Tanjil Trail Bike Visitor Area (DOC, 339.0 KB)
- Trail bike riding Yarra, Latrobe and Tarago State Forests (PDF, 1.0 MB)
- Trail bike riding Yarra, Latrobe and Tarago State Forests (DOC, 188.0 KB)
- Trail Bike Riding Bairnsdale and surrounds (PDF, 1.3 MB)
- Trail Bike Riding Bairnsdale and surrounds (DOC, 172.5 KB)
- Trail Bike Riding Mount Disappointment State Forest (PDF, 3.2 MB)
- Trail Bike Riding Mount Disappointment State Forest (DOC, 341.5 KB)
- Trail Bike Riding Toolangi and Black Range State Forest (PDF, 1.0 MB)
- Trail Bike Riding Toolangi and Black Range State Forest (DOC, 190.5 KB)
- Trail Bike Riding Stanley State Forest (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Trail Bike Riding Stanley State Forest (DOC, 180.5 KB)
- Trail Bike Riding Pyrenees State Forest (PDF, 1.5 MB)
- Trail Bike Riding Pyrenees State Forest (DOC, 220.0 KB)
- Ross Creek and Enfield State Forests (PDF, 916.7 KB)
- Ross Creek and Enfield State Forests (DOC, 214.0 KB)
- Cobaw State Forest (PDF, 474.9 KB)
- Cobaw State Forest (DOC, 183.0 KB)
- Otways (PDF, 2.1 MB)
- Otways (DOC, 235.5 KB)
- Visitor Guides (includes a large number of Forest Notes with maps for you to design your own adventure)
- View information on current and planned closures to roads, trails and visitor sites
- View all our road and track network on an interactive map - Public Access Map
- Before you go for safety information
Page last updated: 04/09/19